Author Guest Post
Seeds of Evidence: A Beach, a Body, and a Mystery
“THE BEACH IS TIME, LIBERATED. SAND ESCAPED FROM AN HOURGLASS, water freed from a pipe, wind unhindered by concrete or glass, Kit without a calendar or timesheet or meetings, her life measured only by the rhythmic pounding of waves and the sun’s bold stride across the heavens.”
So begins Seeds of Evidence. Every novel I’ve written starts when a “What if…” question begins rolling around in my mind. In this case, it was “What if an FBI agent were jogging on the beach and found a body…”
But what body? Who’s? How old? How did he get there? And what beach?
That last question was easy. I began imagining the story when I was on the beach at Assateague Island, a barrier island off the coast of Virginia. My grandparents lived on neighboring Chincoteague when I was a kid. I’ve always loved both islands.
The thought of setting a book there stirred my soul. There’s something about the salt air, the dunes, the ponies, the waterfowl, the marshes, and even the mosquitos that feels like home to me.
But back to that body: I’m fortunate to have friends in the FBI. (My husband worked at the FBI Academy for over 27 years.) I asked Art Westveer, a former Baltimore homicide detective who taught death scene investigations at the Academy, to “design” a body for me. A little boy, about 8, not too gross-looking, I told him.
Art was so gracious! He told me what the boy would look like if he’d been in the water for X many hours. He “adjusted” the design to fit what I wanted. Like so many others from the Bureau, he willingly shared his expertise.
As a result, the book is so authentic it made one reader ask, “How did you know all that? You sound like you’re with the FBI!”
Nope. I’m not. I’m just good at writing what other people describe to me. Read Seeds of Evidence and judge for yourself.
About The Author
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Seeds of Evidence by Linda J. White ~ Virtual Book Tour Page: Pump Up Your Book!
Book Review
Seeds Of Evidence by Linda J. White
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Publication Date: April 1, 2013
Format: Paperback - 322 pages / Kindle - 684 KB / Nook - 2 MB
ISBN: 1426735421
ASIN: B00BPWCQU4
Genre: Christian Fiction / Mystery - Suspense - Thriller
BUY THE BOOK: Seeds Of Evidence
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Book Publicity Tours.
Book Description:
The medical examiner points out that the volume of tomato seeds in the boy’s gut could indicate he was from a farm worker’s family. But the acorns? Kit discovers they’re from a Virginia live oak, not native to the area where the boy was found. Can she use those to identify his origins anyway? And why hasn’t anyone reported him missing?
Kit meets David O’Connor, a D.C. homicide detective in Chincoteague recovering from a shooting incident. She makes it clear she’s not interested in a relationship, but their passion for justice is mutual and they soon forge a partnership to find the boy’s murderer. As plant DNA evidence leads them straight into the dark world of human trafficking, Kit and David wrestle with the depths of human evil, with questions of faith, and with possibilities for hope.
Seeds of Evidence takes readers on a white-knuckle ride they won’t soon forget.
My Book Review:
In Seeds of Evidence, author Linda J. White transports the reader to the idyllic Virginia seashore locations of Chincoteague and Assateague Islands for a fast paced intriguing mystery thriller that will keep them sitting on the edge of their seat in suspense.
Written in the third person narrative, this riveting story follows FBI Special Agent Kit McGovern and D.C. Homicide Detective David O'Connor as they investigate the mysterious death of a young Latino boy whose body washed up on the beach while both were vacationing on Chincoteague Island. In his pockets are half a dozen acorns, and rolled up in his sleeves are tomato seeds. These small seeds of evidence are the key that leads Kit and David on a search to solve the mystery of the young boy's death, which ultimately takes them into the tawdry underground world of human trafficking.
This complex and gripping tale is simply spellbinding! You can't help but become captivated by the mesmerizing flow of the story. Author Linda J. White has a wonderful way of weaving a tale with amazing attention to detail, whether she is describing the beautiful shores and landmarks of Chincoteague and Assateague Islands, to the well researched investigative techniques and forensic science, the reader will feel like they are right beside Kit and David as they investigate the murder case.
Kit and David are a wonderful pair of characters who are realistic, down-to-earth people who have flaws and issues that are easy for the reader to relate to. Both are struggling with their faith and painful pasts, yet find themselves attracted to each other as their relationship develops. Their journey will take them to the edge and challenge their professional experience as well as their faith to overcome their own personal struggles.
Seeds Of Evidence is a compelling mystery thriller that has a little bit of everything: intrigue, suspense, drama, action, and romance. This thoroughly engrossing and enjoyable story takes the reader on one heck of an exhilarating thrill ride, it simply is a must read!
RATING: 5 STARS *****
Thanks so much for the nice review! Very thoughtful ... Linda
ReplyDeleteHi Linda! Thank you for the opportunity too read, review and host the virtual book tour event for your wonderful novel. I loved reading this story, your descriptive style of weaving a tale simply captivates the reader's attention. I have fond memories of visiting Chincoteague and Assateague Islands, thank you for bringing them back to me as I read your story. :)
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