Here we are, two months with no update, a week past when I wanted my Beta readers to have my book, and about 3+ weeks from when they’ll actually have it.

Isn’t that the way it goes? Every time I think a project won’t take long, it takes about 3 times as long. I thought I would finish all my research books and be able to immediately jump into my book and make it flawless. Alas, after reading the books, I had to take notes on the books, and now I’m organizing my notes so I can turn them into something that will enable me to streamline writing.

And so, the book is still coming together! There are plots and characters being developed beyond their first and second draft nature.

Would you like to meet our cast of characters?

QUINNIE GREENE: This American mystery writer has come to the Orkney Islands desperate to find a story her critics will finally take seriously. Instead she’ll find herself the prime suspect in a murder, needing to team up with the last person she’d ever expect, the attractive and stoic Scotsman she had met on the ferry ride to the island who had criticized her novels.

FRED SPENCE: This former WWI spy has returned to his home in the north of Scotland looking for new purpose in his life. His world is turned upside-down by Quinnie Greene when they meet and he thinks maybe he’ll finally find companionship…so long as he doesn’t reveal any of his secrets to this intrepid writer.

GRACE BALFOUR: Hosting a “delightfully terrifying” haunted house party at her estate in the Orkney’s to uncover the truth of her ancestor’s death, Grace is shocked when one of her guests winds up dead themselves!

DUNCAN BALFOUR: Grace’s husband and self-proclaimed “Bad Boy,” this charmer loves his wife and refuses to leave her side once a guest’s body is found lying on the rocks.

DR. SARAH DANIELS: Sarah is Grace’s friend from finishing school, and she brings Quinnie to the party after they hit it off as fast friends when Quinnie comes to one of Sarah’s autopsy reports. Never fitting into society’s boxes, Sarah shows up all the men in her fine attire, and keeps a level head when examining the body of the murder victim who themselves taunted Sarah endlessly.

LORD MALCOLM SINCLAIR: Joining the Balfours is Fred’s old WWI commander. Lord Malcolm is a lover of all things horrifying and macabre, and 8th in line for the throne. He laughs in the face of adversity…until it hits too close to home. This once jovial man takes a violent turn once the body is discovered.

ELOISE BAINES: A beautiful, mysterious, and fiercely intelligent secretary to Lord Malcolm, she takes pride in finding people’s weaknesses and exploiting them for her own gain. Only Lord Malcolm seems to have any fondness for her, yet she seems to know everyone at the party. Even newcomer Quinnie Greene.

PASTOR ALAN ALEXANDER: Alan is still new to being the pastor in the Orkneys after his service during the war, and is grateful when the Balfour’s extend an invitation to their house party. The last thing he expects is to come face to face with a person from his childhood. A person who can unravel his current hopes and dreams with a simple word about his clouded past.

MARGARET MACKAY: Margaret has spent her entire life sheltered in the Orkneys after contracting the Spanish Flu as a teen. Her aunt keeps her under close watch for her health, but Margaret’s imagination and thirst for life push them both outside her aunt’s comfort zone. When they receive a summons to the haunted house party, Margaret is quick to accept much to her aunt’s chagrin.

DAME AGNES MACKAY: Dame Agnes is as ornery as they come, and only when someone is murdered does she smile and express joy. Why? Only Fred and Quinnie can guess.

There is also a butler named Lawrence and a maid named Henrietta who feature in the novel, but here is our main list of dramatis personae. Are you as excited as I am to see how all these people will interact together? Especially when one of them winds up dead?