An excerpt from Fright of the Silvery Moon, sequel to Moonlight Can Be Murder.
Tornado sirens moaned like an animal in pain as the shadowy shape of Granger Mansion appeared through the storm. Rain battered my Escape so hard, the wipers couldn’t keep the windshield clear.
“Hurry, Ned,” Pat yelled as I steered the car toward my garage.
The SUV skidded to a stop inside the garage. Pat, Jackie and I stumbled out of the car and dashed toward the house. Rain and wind pummeled us, pushing us along.
Grabbing the handrail to the porch, we pulled ourselves up. The relief from rain was immediate as we ran into the porch’s shelter but we couldn’t stop here.
My hands shook as I fitted the key into the front door lock, staggered into the living room and flipped the light switch. Nothing happened. The power was off.
In the gloomy semi-darkness, Penny’s gray, furry tail protruded from under the sofa.
I knelt to scoop her into my arms then trotted after Pat and Jackie who were sprinting toward the basement door.
As we clattered down the steps to safety, a low roar commenced over our heads. The sound grew louder as we crouched, shivering, holding onto each other.
Wow! Sounds very exciting. You are so good at descriptions and eliciting tension. Can’t wait to read the whole story. Is Granger Mansion damaged during the storm? Is a body unearthed? What’s happening in Ned’s life now she’s staying in Oklahoma? Keep it coming, Blanche.
Thanks, Peg. Actually, the storm has uproot an old tree, an historic tree and what they find under it…I also like the idea that Ned is going to talk to the historical society about Granger Mansion. That’ll lead to old house discussions, etc.
You capture the sights and sounds of horrific summer weather across the Midwest. Have you ever actually experienced tornadotornado force winds/storms? It is terrifying.
I know it is terrifying. I’ve never actually been in one. I’ve experience 100 mph straight winds; I’ve seen a tornado high in the clouds, and been through a town directly after a tornado tore through. Yes, we have some pretty awful storms sometimes and I have a healthy respect for them. Thanks so much for writing!
I’m holding my breath!
That’s success! That’s what mystery writers are supposed to cause their readers to do.
Now, that’s one enticing hook!