The Shadow of the Rook -an intriguing mysterious adventure

 

Certainly!  Here is a cozy mystery adventure for Cleo Cartwright, the bookish sleuth from Willow Creek, Vermont, inspired by your intriguing setting:

Title: The Shadow of the Rook

Logline: When Cleo discovers a mysterious stranger researching the legend of the "Shadow Rook," a legendary chess player who vanished centuries ago, she finds herself drawn into a deadly game of intrigue involving a stolen artifact, a hidden society, and a chilling secret buried within the bell tower of the old church.

Plot Points:

1. The Curious Stranger: A new face appears in Willow Creek: a brooding, enigmatic man named Silas Thorne. He spends his days researching the history of the town, particularly the legend of the "Shadow Rook," a renowned chess player who mysteriously vanished centuries ago. Silas is intrigued by the old church and its eerie bell tower, rumored to be haunted.

2. The Stolen Artifact: A priceless antique chess set, rumored to have belonged to the Shadow Rook, is stolen from the local museum. The theft throws the town into a frenzy, and Silas, with his knowledge of the legend, becomes a prime suspect.

3. Cleo's Involvement: Intrigued by the mystery and Silas's enigmatic presence, Cleo begins her own investigation. She delves into the history of the Shadow Rook, discovering a hidden society that may have been connected to the legendary chess player.

4. The Bell Tower's Secrets: Cleo and Silas, despite their initial suspicions of each other, reluctantly join forces. Their investigation leads them to the abandoned bell tower, where they discover a hidden chamber containing ancient symbols and a chilling message from the past.

5. A Deadly Game: They soon realize they are not alone in their pursuit. A shadowy figure, obsessed with the legend of the Shadow Rook, is also searching for the hidden chamber and its secrets. A deadly game of cat-and-mouse ensues, with Cleo and Silas caught in the crossfire.

6. The Shadow Rook's Legacy: As they delve deeper, they discover that the Shadow Rook wasn't just a legendary chess player; he was a guardian of a powerful secret, a secret that could unlock unimaginable power and unleash ancient evil.

7. Confronting the Past: The climax takes place within the bell tower itself, where Cleo and Silas must confront their fears, outwit their pursuers, and ultimately break the curse of the Shadow Rook and protect the town from the impending darkness.

Cozy Mystery Elements:

• Charming Small-Town Setting: Willow Creek provides a cozy backdrop for the mystery.
• Quirky Characters: Silas, with his enigmatic past, adds a touch of intrigue, while Cleo brings her own unique charm and wit.
• A Touch of the Supernatural: The legend of the Shadow Rook and the potential for a supernatural force adds a layer of mystery and suspense.
• A Satisfying Resolution: The mystery is solved, the danger averted, and Cleo and Silas, having faced their fears together, may find themselves drawn closer.

This plotline combines the intriguing elements you've provided – the dark bell tower, the abandoned chess game, and the mysterious stranger – with the cozy mystery tropes that define Cleo's adventures. I hope this inspires you to further develop this intriguing story!

An Opening Scene

The insistent chirping of the tea kettle yanked Cleo from a particularly vivid dream about a ghostly chess match. Groaning, she stumbled from her armchair, the scent of Earl Grey battling with the lingering aroma of old books in her cozy bookstore, "The Book Nook." As she reached for a mug, a gasp escaped her lips. On the antique chessboard she used as a bookend, the black king lay toppled, the white queen standing victorious. It wasn't how she'd left it.

A shiver ran down her spine. Coincidence? Or a message? The old church bell in the distance began to toll, a deep, mournful sound that seemed to echo Cleo's unease. Then, a figure emerged from the swirling morning mist – a tall, enigmatic man with eyes as dark as the storm clouds gathering on the horizon. He introduced himself as Silas Thorne, a scholar researching the town's history, and his gaze, when it fell upon the chessboard, held a chilling intensity.

This opening scene introduces the unsettling chessboard incident, establishes the eerie atmosphere with the tolling bell and the arrival of the mysterious Silas Thorne, and immediately piques Cleo's curiosity. It sets the stage for the unsettling events to come.

I hope this provides a compelling starting point for your cozy mystery adventure!

***

Here are some suggestions for improvement in terms of mystery and plotting:

Strengthening the Central Mystery:

• Focus on the Chess Set: The stolen chess set and its connection to the Shadow Rook legend seem like the most intriguing elements. Shift the focus of the investigation towards this object. Perhaps it holds a hidden clue or map leading to the secret chamber.
• Raise the Stakes: Currently, the danger feels a bit vague. Consider introducing a specific threat associated with the stolen chess set. Is it a powerful artifact someone wants to misuse? Is there a curse associated with it?
• Introduce a Red Herring: A red herring can be a false clue or suspect that throws the investigation off track, adding suspense and complexity. This could be a character with a motive to steal the chess set but not necessarily connected to the Shadow Rook's secret.

Tightening the Plot:

• Streamline the Cast: There are a large number of characters introduced in the first few chapters. Consider which characters are essential to the plot and focus on developing them further. Others could be introduced later or their roles minimized.
• Increase the Pacing: The first few chapters are heavy on exposition and character introductions. Consider introducing the mystery earlier and weaving the backstory and character development into the investigation itself. This will keep the reader engaged.
• Cleo's Role: While it's clear Cleo is curious, her involvement in the investigation feels a bit passive. Give her a more active role in uncovering clues, interviewing suspects, and piecing together the puzzle.

Here are some specific suggestions based on the first four chapters:

• Chapter 1: Start with the toppled chessboard scene, immediately introducing the mystery. Introduce Silas Thorne earlier and establish his connection to the Shadow Rook legend.
• Chapter 2: Focus on the stolen chess set and its significance. Perhaps Cleo discovers a hidden inscription or compartment within the remaining pieces.
• Chapter 3 & 4: Introduce the red herring suspect. Cleo could investigate this lead, only to discover it's a dead end, but it provides valuable information or reveals another suspect. Develop the connection between the choir performance and the stolen chess set. Is there a hidden message in the music or lyrics?

Additional Tips:

• Cliffhangers: End each chapter with a cliffhanger to keep the reader wanting more.
• Clues and Red Herrings: Scatter clues throughout the story, but ensure they lead somewhere. Balance them with red herrings to create a sense of mystery.
• Twists and Turns: Don't reveal everything too quickly. Introduce unexpected twists and turns to keep the reader guessing.

Remember, these are just suggestions. The final decision on how to shape your story ultimately rests with you. I hope this helps you refine your cozy mystery and create a truly captivating read!

Alpha Site - Edge of Danger

Alpha Site

Edge of Danger

“We have to find out who this woman is.” Ramsey Redcliffe shuffled through the manuscript that covered his desk.

“It’s only a story,” said the man seated in the chair opposite. He looked to be thirty-five and in very good condition for a man his age. “There’s nothing to worry about.”

“A story? A story? That story, as you call it, is so exact in its details that it scares the hell out of me. There are things in there even our scientists don’t know.”

“It won’t do good to overreact, Ramsey. It will only raise your blood pressure and draw attention to something that at the moment is a controlled situation.” Shayne Michaels sat with his legs crossed at the ankles and hiked up on Ramsey’s expensive mahogany desk.

The Director swatted at Michaels’s feet. He was definitely losing his superior sense of cool. Shayne had never seen him so spooked.

“What’s really going on, Ramsey?” Shayne looked at his friend and colleague skeptically. “I’ve seen you tackle more important shit with much more fineness.”

“Just read the girl’s web page.” Ramsey insisted, then thrust a piece of paper at Shayne with the website’s URL. “Then you tell me if I have cause to be concerned.”

Shayne exited the office stuffing the note into his pocket and wondering if he’d just stepped into the Twilight Zone. Lowell Vargas met him at the crossroads of the first hallway. The man looked discombobulated. Not that that was anything new. He always looked as if he had forgotten his head at home.

“Eavesdropping again, Radar?” Shayne remarked to the technician.

A sudden horrified expression crossed Vargas’ face and then faded. “Eavesdropping? Me?”

“Don’t feign innocence, Lowell. I know your fingers can’t help but trip Alpha Site’s fantastic gossip grapevine. When it comes to secrets in here, you’re always there with the dirt.”

“My fingers didn’t need to do any tripping. I was the one who brought the suspicious website to the director’s attention.”

Shayne rolled his eyes.

“A fanboy, are we? Great. Now everybody’s surfing for a scapegoat.”

“Not a scapegoat.” Vargas looked around then whispered to Shayne. “I believe it’s an advanced form of remote viewing. We did some research here back in the late seventies. Way before my time. Amazing results, but there was some sort of accident, which is classified, and the research was dropped. I’ve been searching for the missing files for years.”

“Good luck in your search,” Shayne said, backing away. He continued on down the hallway muttering, “Freak,” under his breath.

“Don’t forget to check out the site,” Vargas called after him. “You’ll be intrigued.”

“Sure, I will,” Shayne said sarcastically, stepping into the elevator, then disappearing behind the swiftly closing metal doors.

***

Ramsey Redcliffe had no sooner watched Shayne walk out the door when he placed a call to one of his associates.

“Kate? This is Ramsey. Have you looked over the document I sent you?”

Katherine Donovan glanced around the formal dining room. It was filled to capacity tonight with many, many guests who wouldn’t appreciate being interrupted by the phone call she was now receiving. She placed her still full champagne flute on a passing waiter’s tray. A group of eight well-dressed men gathered around her speaking in foreign tongues. They had no clue she, the master of eight languages, could understand every sentence.

“If you’ll excuse me, gentlemen. I see someone I must have a word with. She nodded politely at the men, then walked toward the open balcony doors. She carefully surveyed the area before activating the Bluetooth device around her ear hiding under her expertly styled hair.

“Exactly what is so important it couldn’t wait until after tonight’s Gala?” her curt tone was quite a one-eighty from the one she’d displayed a few minutes earlier.

“Have you read the manuscript I sent you?” Ramsey repeated.

“You mean the one about the girl’s website?” Kate heard a grunt of yes. “I’ve glanced over it.”

“What did you think?” Ramsey asked eagerly.

“It’s fiction, Ramsey.” Katherine was not amused.

“You must not have read it too closely then, because this fiction exposes many of your program’s secrets.”

“Is this a joke? Is this what couldn’t wait until after the Gala?”

Redcliffe chuckled. “Judge for yourself. The manuscript claims two youths from a secure wing escape. That was posted on her site tonight. Out of curiosity, have you checked on your subjects today?” Ramsey paused, more for effect than anything else. “Read the manuscript, Katie. You’ll be enlightened. I know I was.”

Ramsey clicked the connection closed leaving Kate grunting at the abruptness of the termination.

She walked back into the formal dining room and spied a familiar face across the room. A jazz band located at one end was playing a generic form of elevator music and people were taking advantage of the large ballroom floor. Couples gathered together as the music played. Kate circled the outskirts of the room and met Shayne Michaels who was standing just inside the halls elaborate foyer.

His skin was tanned from many hours working outside. She didn’t know if his body matched the outer package but considering the way that monkey suit fit him he was probably well chiseled.

“I didn’t know you owned a tux,” Kate remarked.

Shayne gave an uncomfortable glance down at the outfit then raked a hand through his mussed brown hair. It was the only thing about his appearance which wasn’t sheer perfection.

“Tux isn’t mine. They keep it in the back of the closet for me in case a mission calls for black tie. Otherwise you wouldn’t catch me dead in one of these things.” Shayne surveyed the room. “Where’s Stark? I thought he lived for these things.”

“I lost track of him about a hour ago. It’s not my responsibility to watch him any longer now that we’re divorced.”

“Never knew what you saw in the guy. Did they ever find the stick corporate shoved up his ass?”

Kate laughed. It wasn’t something she did often, but it felt good to let loose once in awhile.

“I’m sure that stick is now a permanent part of his anatomy,” Kate said with a smile.

“Damn, the luck. I knew there was something I didn’t like about Corporate. The two-by-four probably comes as part of the orientation package.”

“You’re awful.”

Shayne smiled. “That’s why you love me.”

A man appeared behind them both. He was dressed in a sharp Armani suit, his hair styled flawlessly, not one strand out of place. Johann’s face glowed with a natural tan many would envy.

“So, this is what you do when we have a security breech? You trade witty banter with Michaels?”

Shayne was quick with a come back. “I wanted to go for something raunchy, but Kate doubted your guests would approve.”

Kate slapped Shayne’s shoulder.

“What do you mean we have a security breech? Why were there no alarms?”

“Maybe if you’d answer your cell phone once in awhile, you’d know the answer to that,” Stark said abruptly, then turned on his foot and walked away.

Murder in the Choir Room - Chapter 4

Murder in the Choir Room

Chapter 4

By Toni Walker

I didn't make it too far before one of the choir members caught my attention. The man was in his fifties or sixties wearing overalls. He came bustling up the sidewalk toward me, a badge clipped on the outside of his front pocket.

"Is it true?" he asked me. "Is Delilah McQuade dead?"

I wasn't certain why suddenly everyone thought I was an expert on the subject of who everyone was. It's not like I had seen Delilah McQuade prior to finding her in the dumb waiter.

"I'm afraid so," I said, trying to recall his name.

He shook his head. "That is too bad."

"Who was the first man on the scene," he asked? I had assumed he as a farmer earlier. Apparently, looks can be deceiving in Park Ridge. My confused expression must have said something to him. because he suddenly realized I didn't know him from Adam. "You're new to town, aren't you?" He shoved his hand toward me. "Chester Anders, Police Chief."

The shock on my face wasn't a pretty sight. "I thought you were a farmer."

"I am. Sort of a family thing." He didn't go into detail. "Who is on the scene?"

"I spoke to a detective named Nathan. There could have been an officer there before him but I'm not sure."

Chester nodded and jogged into the building. He put his work face on and marched forward. He was ready for business. 

A farmer as a police chief. That was a new one. Must not be a lot of crime in Park Ridge if the police chief had to have a second job, I thought.

I walked through downtown and most places were still dark. Park Ridge rolled up their sidewalks at 8:00 o'clock. The only place with a light burning was Iris' shop. Petals on Broadway. She was the sarcastic redhead from the choir. Like many of the other business owners in town, Petals had been passed down from mother to daughter. Except when Iris became sole owner, she put her own spin on things. Zodiac symbols were etched into the front window glass and a display of tarot and oracle cards were accented with various flower arrangements. I guess you would call it a new age flower shop. I imagined she got a lot of flack by her church chronies. Church people, for the most part, weren't the most open-minded people in the world. Some were, don't get me wrong, but generally they were a bit hypercritical. I could not see Agnes Chambers setting foot in this place. But I could se her starting a letter writing campaign against it.

Poised under glass and in the window was a collection of Egyptian and Wiccan necklaces much like the one Iris had been wearing in choir tonight. In a second display, she offered more churchy-looking fare. And third was a table of fairy designed jewelry. I was definitely going to have to check out her shop a little more closely at a more appropriate time when church people weren't likely to track me down and question me about Delilah's murder.

When I finally arrived home, Tara wasn't there which on one hand shocked me and on another hand, I could understand. Tara wasn't my mother. She didn't have to wait up for me. Without her car in the driveway, the place looked abandoned.

I rented a small cottage that was behind the main estate. Some people would call it a Mother-In-Law's cottage but based on the size of the estate, I would consider it a servant's quarters. I could see scuffs on the floor where bunk beds had once stood. Plus, I swear, I a a vision of a servant girl at the large mirror the other day.

Yes, I have a bit of a psychic inkling in my head and I have been to my fair share of head shrinkers who had labeled me with everything from ADD to Schizophrenia. As a youth, I tried their medicines, but they only made me stupid and filled my head with a fog I couldn't shake off. 

This is another reason I thought I'd make a bad witness. Most people from the town I grew up wouldn't take my word for anything. In a small town, once you get a label, it's hard to outgrow it.

I sat out on the back porch attached to Tara's residence and gazed up at the stairs. With all the lights out, every star seemed to wink at  me. I had a book about constellations somewhere in my things, but I hadn't got to unpacking too much yet.

It was then I heard a noise from inside. If Tara had arrived home, there'd be some lights on but the house was still dark. I saw a flashlight bouncing around on the inside walls. I got out my cell and called 911 just as a figure dressed in black came barreling out of Tara's house. They bumped right into me, but i wasn't as lucky. This time the momentum of the blow wheeled me backward and when my knees hit the edge of the deck, I knew I was a goner. I was flying over the bannister in midair when the 911 operator came on the line. 

"What is your emergency?" 

I hoped she could hear me scream. As the dark pathway came hurtling toward my face, I passed out.

Murder in the Choir Room - Chapter 3

Chapter Three

by Toni Walker

I thought I was going to make an early night of it, but Delilah McQuade's death put a damper on my plans.

I don't know why I was surprised to find Delilah's body shoved into a dumbwaiter, but I was. You think I'd be used to it by now. Dead bodies just seem to find me. I was beginning to think I was cursed. But how dumb with that curse be? You're cursed to trip over dead bodies and solve their murders. Then again, as curses went, there were probably dumber ones than that.

Pastor Jenkins was beside himself. Distraught was too tame a word for his condition. He was completely losing it. After the police, I'd called

Porsche. When it came to stressful situations she was the calm in the storm.

The pastor latched onto her side and she let him blubber about Delilah's untimely death while his wife Mavis stared at her with narrowed eyes. Geoffrey leaned against the piano looking bored and unaffected. This woman who was pushing daisies had spent a lot of time with both men. I considered it unusual that Geoffrey couldn't even pretend to care the woman was deceased. What a tool. I was losing respect for him hand over fist.

The police had separated me and Tara almost from the beginning. I guess they wanted us to get our stories straight without us influencing each other. I been down this road before. 

I saw Tara briefly as the detective let her go and asked her to be available for more questioning at a later time. She didn't wave as she left, merely nodded toward me acknowledging the fact that she was done and it was my turn.

"Miss O'Reilly? Would you mind joining me in the office?" The lanky detective motion for me to follow him. My body complied even though my brain went suddenly blank. I had a phobia that taking tests when I was in high school A fear that suddenly erupted in my brain. Would that translate into sucking at being a witness to?

"Sorry to keep you waiting," he said conversationally. My name is Nate and I'm a detective with the Park Ridge Police Department. I understand you were in the room when the deceased was discovered."

I stared back at him, my mind still blank. Test anxiety all over again. My mind was focusing everywhere except the question. I noticed his manicured nails and recent haircut. His dark brown hair wasn't too short and I was glad. It looked better on him like that. Not that I'd ever seen him before. I just imagined it looked better. He was cute. I could go for a guy who looked like that.

Hello. My mind was a whirling a mile a minute. I definitely was not good at this witness thing. I attempted to focus in again, but noticed how his white buttoned-up shirt stretched across his chest. They were accentuated nicely by the shoulder holster he had on. His five o'clock shadow was going on ten pm. His slate blue eyes glittered as the overhead light touched his face. I was a goner. 

"Did you hear me, Mrs. O'Reilly?" he said again. I snapped back into focus and let go of the breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. "Call me Megan," I told him breathlessly. "Everyone calls me Megan."

He leaned into the church secretary's desk and crossed his arms. "Alright, Megan. Then what happened tonight?"

I told him about my professor Dr. Bruce Lindstrom and how he and Tara had cooked up this cockamamie plan to help me with my creative writing assignment. I explained about the cloaked figure and my now sore butt. Everything I'd done the last two days came spilling forth like a flood of memories and I was deluging him with it all. 

He didn't seem to be writing any of it down so maybe he was humoring me, feeling sorry for how sucky a witness I was. I kept talking until there was nothing more to relate and I leaned back in the chair exhausted.

"Woah,  this witness thing is a tough gig," I said gulping in air. 

"Did you happen to see the face of the person who bumped into you?" Detective Nate asked. 

"Heck, I didn't even know they were there until suddenly they were. It was very dark on the far side of the room. And come to think of it, why were they wearing a cloak? It's been over 100° for the last five days straight."

"We did recover a blanket on the floor of the foyer. Maybe this was your cloak?"

"Maybe, I can't be certain. I was too busy trying to catch myself from falling than noticing too many key details." I said. You see, if this had happened to anyone else, you'd have more facts. I'm not even a member of this church. I don't know anyone except Tara -  oh and Geoffrey from when he was on TV.

The detective let me loose not long later giving me the same line as Tara to not leave town and be available for further questions. When I looked out the front door many church members had gather together in the parking lot like paparazzi stalking a celebrity. I did not want to be attacked by that mob.

I found another exit on the far side of the building and began my walk home. 

Oracle Card for 9/11

Earth Magic with Dr. Steven Farmer - Earth Magic Oracle Cards - One Card Reading

Check out the readings over at earthmagic.net. You can get a 1 or 3 card reading for FREE using the Earth Magic deck or a 1 card reading using the Spirit Animals deck. It's cool to see what you uncover. My card for today is:

The back of this card reads:

Now is the time to let anything in your life fall away that is no longer useful or needed for the emerging expression of who you are. Allow yourself to gradually shed what has become burdensome and no longer congruent with your soul’s purpose. With release comes a sense of being much lighter, just like the trees that openly bear their nakedness once their leaves have departed and give room for whatever new Life is ready to birth following a period of quiet and gestation. So let go of whatever has outlived its purposefulness and trust that something else will take its place.

Oracle Card Reading for 9/10/12

These cards were drawn from the Archangel Oracle Card deck by Doreen Virtue and the Healing Cards deck by Caroline Myss and Peter Occhiogrosso.

First Card - Sensitivity - Archangel Haniel
The card reads: You are extra sensitive to energies right now. Honor yourself and your feelings.

My take on this card: you may feel like anything can set you off today, but if you try to center yourself you'll feel better. Get out into nature, listen to music or smell the flowers to ground your energies today.

Second Card: Spread Your Wings - Archangel Ariel

The card reads: Do not hold back right now. The timing is perfect, and you are ready to soar!

My take on the card: soar like an eagle, you're ready to go on your grand adventure. Connect with God by reaching high with your energy. He is the source of all knowing and can direct your flight to new heights.

Third Card: Remember Who You Are - Archangel Michael

The card reads: You are a powerful, loving and creative child of God. You are very loved.

My take on the card: in the picture AA Michael is holding a torch. This is the light inside of you. He wants you to let your light shine brightly for all to see. Follow your internal guidance to lead you to your purpose. He is holding a sword in his other hand. Ask AA Michael to cut any chords that attach you to fear based thoughts. You are very loved by the angels.

Card Four: Indigo & Crystal Children - Archangel Metatron

The card reads: You have a bond with children. In particular, you can help children who are extra sensitive.

My take: Part of your life purpose is to teach children so they can grow in their spirituality. What are your spiritual gifts? What can you teach the next generation that no one else can? Do that and you will be on the right path.

Fifth Card : from the Healing Cards deck - illness is not a punishment, but a stimulant to life.

My take: many people think any illness is some curse sent down to them by God in order to keep them from something important they want to do. This is far from the truth. God is love and he loves his people. God is just doing some spring cleaning on your system so you can move forward on your path happier and healthier than ever.

I hope you enjoyed this reading. Leave me some comments. Let me know if this resonated with you today.