The Case of the Missing Mummy

By Allison Bruning

Fifteen year old, Madison Brently has always been fascinated with American history. One day, her English teacher assigns her class an essay and tells them they will pull their topic out of a hat. Excited, Madison can't wait to write her essay. That is until she pulls out the name Abraham Lincoln out of the hat. Disappointed, she pleads with her teacher to change the topic. Her teacher refuses and tells her she can write about anything or anyone associated with Abraham Lincoln.
After much research on her topic, Madison comes across a website claiming that John Wilkes Booth never died in Garrett's Barn. Intrigued, the teenager decides to listen to a podcast then call the owner of the website, the famous historian, Noah Obadiah. How could one English essay assignment lead her for the search of John Wilkes Booth's body?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Crimson Sparrow
• Release date: Jul 16, 2023
• ISBN: 9781946072924

Allison Bruning

Allison Bruning has had a passion for writing since childhood. She originally hails from Marion, Ohio but lives in Marfa, Texas with her husband and their Australian Cattle Dog, Lakota Sioux.Allison enjoys family stories, history and genealogy. Her educational background includes a BA in Theatre Arts with a minor in Anthropology acquired at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas. Allison received National Honor Society memberships in both Theatre Arts and Communication. She was also honored her sophomore year with admission into the All American Scholars register. She holds graduate hours in Cultural Anthropology and Education. In 2007, Allison was named Who's Who Among America's Educators. She is also the recipient of the Girl Scout Silver and Gold Awards. Allison also holds a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at Full Sail University. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Education from Walden University.Allison interests include Ohio Valley history, anthropology, travel, culture, history, camping, hiking, backpacking, spending time with her family, and genealogy.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Madison walked into her tenth period advanced placement English class and sat in her seat. She loved this class. Mrs. Robinson had always been her favorite teacher. The fifteen-year-old placed her backpack next to her desk and listened as the class began.

Good afternoon, everyone. We have been studying how to write a proper essay and today you are going to start your projects. I have several topics in a hat. I’m going to go around the room with the hat and when I come to you, I want you pull the paper out. What or whoever is written on that paper will be your topic. Does everyone understand?

Yes, the teenagers’ voices rang in unison.

Good.

Madison anxiously waited for her teacher to come to her desk. She was in the middle, so there would be plenty of topics to chose from. Her eyes peered at the tall, brunette teacher as she made her way around the room. Then the hat was in front of her. She looked up at her teacher with a smile. Go on, Madison, Mrs. Robinson encouraged her.

Madison reached into the hat and pulled out the tiny slip of paper. Her heart raced with anticipation while her teacher walked away. Who could it be? What could the topic be about? She just couldn’t wait to do the research, write an outline, and then write the essay. Slowly, she opened the paper and her heart fell at the name… Abraham Lincoln.

Mrs. Robinson, she yelled out to her teacher.

Madison? she asked, turning around to face her student.

Are we allowed to change topics?

No. What you get is what you get.

But …

Go sit down and see me after class.

Ok. Disappointed, Madison went back to her seat.

The rest of the time in class had passed by so slowly for Madison. All she could think about was how dumb her topic was. Normally, she loved to write about anything, but this time her heart just wasn’t into it. The bell rang and everyone left the classroom. She looked up to see her teacher take a chair and sit beside her.

What’s wrong? You normally don’t have any problems with any topics I’ve given you before. I thought Abraham Lincoln was your favorite president, Mrs. Robinson asked.

He is. It’s just everything has already been written about him. I want something different. Something unique.

Just because the topic is Abraham Lincoln doesn’t mean it has to be about Abraham Lincoln. You can write about someone associated with him or something that happened in his life.

Someone associated with him. Like Mary Todd Lincoln?

Yes.

Mary Todd Lincoln was crazy. There’s been plenty written about her.

"Madison, just think