Death of a Solitude African

By Saundra McKee

An African college student spending the summer in Solitude disappears under mysterious circumstances. When authorities conclude that no foul play was involved, local sleuths, Dana, Fannie and Sharon, are invited to take a closer look. Their investigation leads them through many twists and turns involving repressive dictators, diamond smuggling, drugs and a dangerous motorcycle gang. This is the 22nd in the Amish Country Murder Mystery Series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Saundra McKee
• Release date: Jun 18, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301855001

Saundra McKee

I am a retired educator. I taught in the public schools for 15 years and at the university level for 22 years. I love to travel the world. I enjoy politics, dogs, mysteries and water sports. I am a lay speaker in the United Methodist Church.

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Death of a Solitude African: 22nd in the Amish Country Murder Mystery Series by Saundra McKee

Smashwords Edition. Copyright 2013. Saundra McKee

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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One half of author’s proceeds will benefit relief to Zimbabwe through the United Methodist Church (UMCOR)

All characters and events in this story are fictional. Any resemblance to anyone living or dead is purely coincidental. While some of the places mentioned actually exist, they are used in an entirely fictional manner.

Chapter 1

Early June

For the past several years, Solitude, a bucolic and largely Amish village located in the lush rolling hills of western Pennsylvania, hasn’t experienced much spring weather. Freezing winter temperatures almost immediately give way to hot humid days in the upper eighties. People often plant their flower and vegetable gardens in late April and early May only to have them zapped by an unexpected frost in late May. Folks shrug, acknowledging that they should have known better, then go out and buy more plants and begin again. Most people in the area, Amish and English, just love to get their hands in the dirt and watch the miracle of new life emerge from the rich soils that have supported generations.

Fannie and Eli Byler, childhood sweethearts who have seen the best and worst life has to offer, have started a new business. With the help of their five grown sons and their families and the support of two close English friends, Dana and Sharon, the Amish couple has opened a greenhouse that offers what many refer to as the healthiest and most beautiful flowers and vegetables in the county. While many are in awe of the success of most Amish businesses compared to those of the non Amish, insiders are well aware of the keys to their success…hard work, reasonable prices, faith in God, and respect for the customers. The fact that the Amish have eighth grade educations and lack MBA’s doesn’t seem to impact their ability to turn a profit in a highly competitive marketplace.

Dana and Larry, close friends of Eli and Fannie, have just returned from a two-week holiday to Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park. As she usually does, shortly after getting unpacked, Dana picks up fresh scones at the local bakery and rushes to share photographs and stories of her latest adventure with Fannie, her friend since the fifth grade. She’s happy to be back in a place where horses and buggies usually outnumber SUVs.

You look tired. I hope this new business isn’t too much for you two, sighed Dana, glancing over the depleted inventory of geraniums, pansies, and other annuals in the rather hastily built greenhouse.

Fannie smiled. Memorial Day was busier than we imagined. But we had plenty of help. Our family really put their own lives on hold to pitch in. Eli is happier than I’ve seen him for a long time. I think he’s glad to not have to depend so much on his carpentry skills to make a living. Gardening has always been his passion. Things will slow down soon. Then we can take a breather until the produce starts coming and we take it to the Farmer’s Market in town. Now tell me about your vacation.

The two women sat at the desk in the back of the greenhouse, sipping coffee and munching on the blueberry scones. Eli joined them and admired Dana’s photographs and inquired as to what Larry was doing on the warm June morning.

Oh, he’s in a golf league. Then he plans to work in our own garden, not that we can compete with what you two have accomplished here. What do you do, ply the soil with Miracle Grow? We had a few things that got fried by the frost while we were away.

Eli chuckled, running his hand through his graying beard. Yeah, that freeze was good for business. We’re out of two kinds of tomato and three types of pepper plants already. Our miracle grow is just prayer and cow manure…a powerful combination. And by the way, I held some plants back for Larry.

Dana grinned, "He said you’d probably do that. Thanks. We’d like to have you two over for dinner Wednesday night if you’re not too exhausted. It’s actually a cook out. Our church is hosting a group of visitors from Zimbabwe. They’ll be visiting the area for six weeks and this is kind of a welcome. Our minister roped Larry into doing a barbeque. It should be interesting.