#SaturdaySpotlight is on Marilyn Leach & All Hallows Dead: A Berdie Elliott Saints Day Mystery

Good Morning Friends,

Today we welcome, Marilyn Leach back to our blog with the fifth book in a series that heralds the intrepid English vicar’s wife and gifted sleuth, Berdie Elliott, as an ascendant crime solver.  All Hallows Dead is a current-time whodunit that’s rooted in England’s ancient past. 

Thanks for being in our spotlight, Marilyn, can you tell us what inspired you to write a Saint's Day mystery?

Thank You, Pam, for having me back on your blog! The easy answer is to explore the North of England and breathe in the rich heritage of abbey ruins, wind-swept villages, venerable churches, brooding skies, and the North Sea, inspires creative thought and the centuries-old history generates story ideas. Short autumn days and long blustery nights are just the right season to read All Hallows Dead with a hot cup of tea close at hand.  Cheers 😊

I hear you, Marilyn. I went to England last year and you're right, the magnificent architecture and the country's history can certainly get the juices flowing. (You can read about my trip HERE). Tell us more about All Hallows Dead...

Sure, here's the Blurb...

How can a sixteenth century saint help solve a twenty-first century crime?

When Berdie Elliott, vicar’s wife and sleuth extraordinaire, attends a church course with her husband in the North of England, she bumps into her former newspaper boss who calls upon her to investigate beguiling circumstances that spell murder.  From the landed Cavendish family to the local pub’s manager, Criswell Abbey and its village are steeped in a centuries-old mystery.  The legend of a departed churchman, a mysterious bell tower, England’s tangled history, a delayed marriage proposal, and a wily parrot all help Berdie to declare the truth in All Hallows Dead.  

And an Excerpt...

Berdie Elliott and her best friend, Lillie Foxworth, often find themselves in hot water, and they’re not brewing tea.

What I found is absolutely priceless. There’s….” Berdie stopped when she became aware of clip-clop steps in the nave. “Shh.” She put her index finger to her lips.  

“Why shush?” Lillie didn’t make her voice particularly quiet. 

Berdie raised her brows and pointed toward the nave. “Someone’s about the place,” she whispered. “We can’t let on that we’re in here…”

The steps outside became louder. They were advancing toward the tower. 

Lord have mercy.  

There was a hesitation.  

Berdie held her breath. She realized instantly that whoever was on the other side of the door, was perhaps one who knew all the secrets of this place which could mean she and Lillie were in very real danger. 

Oh my, intriguing from the get go. How can we find out more about you now, Marilyn?

Here's my "official" bio Pam, including places readers can connect...

At the age of nine, Marilyn wrote her first play with a childhood neighbor, “The Ghost and Mr. Giltwallet”.  It was a mystery.  And she’s been writing in one form or another, hobby or livelihood, since.  As well as teaching art, she’s had the opportunity to co-author several plays that have been performed on both church and secular stages, as well as two screenplays.  Marilyn has had the good fortune of “discovering her roots” while visiting England where she developed lasting relationships with wonderful people there.  It has greatly impacted her writing.  A great fan of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple and David Cook’s Hetty Wainthropp series, Marilyn was inspired to write her Berdie Elliott Mystery series.  It takes place in a small English village where the vicar’s wife, Berdie Elliott, is the divine sleuth.  Marilyn lives lakeside in a cottage on the outskirts of Denver near the foothills.

Find Marilyn at... www.amazon.com and www.pelicanbookgroup.com

Check out Marilyn's previous visits and the other books in her series: HERE 

Get your copy of All Hallows Dead at Amazon & Pelican Book Group.

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Marilyn Leach & Enigma of Fire

Good Morning Friends!

Today's guest is no stranger to our blog. Marilyn has shared thoughts with us twice and treasures once, so please give her a great big warm welcome back with a special post about Pentecost and her new book, Enigma of Fire.....

Happy Birthday Church, English Style

Just imagine watching young people all dressed in white, instruments playing and voices lifted in song as they march along.  You would be among the spectators of a Whitsun Sunday procession in long-ago England.

Pentecost Sunday, in that fair land, is known as Whitsun.  It celebrates the event of the Holy Spirit being given to the church.  That event turned followers of Jesus, who had fled and hid during Jesus’ trials and death, into bold preachers of the Gospel, many of whom eventually died for their Christian faith.  What a wonderful gift: the grace of empowerment, the celebration of an abundant life.  It’s been declared the day of birth for the Christian Church. 

In England, Whit is related to an ancient word meaning wisdom, which is recognized as coming from the Holy Spirit.  Also, the newly confirmed of the church would wear white, wit, and parade through the village with music and singing.  England’s Canterbury Cathedral is one of many ancient churches to have an architectural feature called a Holy Ghost hole.  It’s a hole in the roof to allow entry to the Spirit.  During Whitsun, the holes are often decorated with flowers.  Dove forms are also added as a sign of welcoming.  Red handkerchiefs were often handed out to be waved in celebration and, today, red balloons can be added to the joyful atmosphere.  There are all kinds of festivals and activities on the Monday following Whitsun as well.  In England, it’s a bank holiday.

In my book, Enigma of Fire, the area churches are having a boat regatta on the Monday holiday. It’s a carnival atmosphere.

This coming Sunday, June 5, is the church’s world-wide recognition of Pentecost.  It’s a wonderful time to thank God for all the amazing and wonderful gifts He gives to us.  You may not see a procession with a brass band this Sunday, but as my character, Berdie Elliott, would say: “Happy Whitsun.”

At the age of nine, Marilyn wrote her first play with a childhood neighbor, “The Ghost and Mr. Giltwallet”.  It was a mystery.  And she’s been writing in one form or another, hobby or livelihood, since.  As well as teaching art, she’s had the opportunity to co-author several plays that have been performed on both church and secular stages, as well as two screenplays.  Marilyn has had the good fortune of “discovering her roots” while visiting England where she developed lasting relationships with wonderful people there.  It has greatly impacted her writing.  A great fan of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple and David Cook’s Hetty Wainthropp series, Marilyn was inspired to write her Berdie Elliott Mystery series.  It takes place in a small English village where the vicar’s wife, Berdie Elliott, is the divine sleuth.  Marilyn lives lakeside in a cottage on the outskirts of Denver near the foothills.

Find Marilyn at the following places...

www.amazon.com

www.marilynleachteaandbooks.com

www.pelicanbookgroup.com

In the English village of Aidan Kirkwood, no divine gifts are going spare when Berdie Elliott flames into action and demystifies the enigma of fire.

When English village, Aidan Kirkwood, experiences an explosive fire, the entire parish is aflame with rumor and innuendo until Berdie Elliott, the scorching sleuth and vicar’s wife, can douse the flames with cold, hard facts that expose the perpetrator.  A heroic dog, elusive book, and military champions come together to reveal the enigma of fire.

“Cedric. Don’t chance it. Please.” Doug’s voice trembled as he shot out the command.

“Don’t what?” Berdie asked herself as much as Doug.

“Down, Mrs. Elliott.”  Doug’s eyes wide, his breathing was short and rapid for the toil of making his wheels go toward them as fast as he could manage.

“Down?  What are you talking about?”

Berdie suddenly experienced a jolt to her body that propelled her to the ground with such force it left her breathless. A stab of pain coursed through her while the reverberation of full-on colliding trains penetrated her ears. The horrific ache that shot through her knees focused her senses as she tried to gather her thoughts. Grass etched itself into her cheek, making it itch.  Then the smell of acrid smoke assaulted her nose. She worked to catch a breath of air. What’s happened? 

ENDORSEMENT for Enigma of Fire...

Are you an Agatha Christie fan?  Does the thought of an English village make you long to grab your passport and head across the pond?  Are cozy mysteries your cup of tea?  If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, you won’t want to miss Marilyn Leach’s newest release, Enigma of Fire.

Intrepid heroine Berdie Elliott, a vicar’s wife whose sleuthing skills were honed as an investigative reporter, faces her most challenging mystery yet when her husband’s former military comrades come to the sleepy village of Aiden Kirkwood for a sculling regatta.  From its riveting prologue to the final resolution, this story showcases Leach at her best. ~ Amanda Cabot, CBA and ECPA bestselling author

Find Enigma of Fire and Marilyn's other books at Amazon!

#ThursdayThoughts: Celebrating the Day of Ascension with Marilyn Leach!

Good Morning Friends and Welcome!

Today we have a very special guest speaking about a very special subject: The Ascension of our Lord Jesus.....

Can you imagine?

Crowds of people line a cobbled road where excitement dances so vibrantly it’s almost palpable. Men, women, and children, crane their necks, and listen to hear the strains of jubilant instruments alive with music. They anxiously await the sighting of the colorful lead banner in the Ascension Procession which visually proclaims that the enemy of our souls has been slain, that Christ has overcome in ascendancy and now sits at the right hand of God. They wait with excitement to view those who follow after in joyful parade: the churchman dressed in regal garments along with choirs and players of instruments, and laymen of the church who fall into the steps of celebration. Finally, the crowd’s patience is rewarded when the Ascension Procession finally comes into full view and hearing. Cheers of elation sound from onlookers and the road is filled with ineffable joy. That was how the Day of Ascension was recognized in Medieval Europe.

Today is May 14, 2015, The Day of Ascension for the Christian church in this year. Since my latest Berdie Elliott mystery, Into the Clouds, takes place on Ascension Sunday and following, I decided to share with you here the many observances of the holy day.

Just a quick look at it in history tells us that it was first celebrated as a church event in 68 A.D.. However, our first evidence of the church observance wasn’t until 385 A.D..

Ascension Day occurs forty days after Easter, inevitably on a Thursday, although many churches choose to recognize it on Ascension Sunday, that is, the first Sunday following the actual fortieth day. Ascension Day falls between April 30, and June 3, depending on the date of Easter. It is in acknowledgment of the event when the disciples gathered together with the resurrected Jesus Christ and witnessed the amazing sight where He was assumed into heaven as told in Mark 16:19, Luke 24:50-51.

There are several special observances around the world, but because the setting of my Berdie Elliott mysteries is England, I focused on the former and current practices found in that country.

* For those who lit a Pascal candle at Easter, and everyday throughout the forty days, on the Day of Ascension they discontinue use and put it away.

* As described in the opening paragraph, there were processions from one church to another, sometimes from one village to another that included music, churchman, banners, and followers. This practice lasted several centuries, into the eighteen hundreds, but, sadly, is seldom practiced today. Only in a few isolated rural communities is the procession practiced.

* It was said that if Ascension Day was sunny, crops would be plentiful. But if it was rainy, it would be a poorer harvest.

* Many churches sang hymns, said prayers for blessings, presented first fruits of the spring, and also held field blessings where the local clergyman came to the newly sown grounds and asked for God’s benevolence upon them. This is still practiced in a few country churches.

* The pastor and congregation of a church would process around the foundation boundary of the church property and pray for God’s ascended protection.

Modern day Ascension observances are generally practiced within the church walls. The last Ascension Sunday observance I attended had readings around Christ’s assumption, with an otherwise usual service or liturgy. However, red helium balloons were attached to the ends of the pews, red being the color of the liturgical season, which were released into the sky by the church youth following the service.

My Berdie Elliott mysteries all revolve around a liturgical church holy day: Candle for a Corpse takes place at Advent, Up from the Grave is a Lenten mystery. In my story, Into the Clouds, St. Aidan of the Wood Parish Church holds the first Ascension Procession in fifty years. The hustle and bustle of preparation is realized in a well attended parade through the small English village that lifts spirits and celebrates God’s glory. Hugh Elliott, Berdie’s husband who is the parish vicar, is at the helm, of course. The mystery begins when someone who began the procession doesn’t arrive at the village green where the parade ends in celebration . It falls to Berdie Elliott, vicar’s wife and sleuth extraordinaire, to find the missing person and solve the mystery. It was great fun to write, and, hopefully, an enjoyable read for all.

So, today, we the church, recognize the ascendency of Christ, who was taken into heaven to sit at God’s right hand. If no one has said it to you yet on this special Thursday, have a blessed Ascension Day, and pass it on.

At the age of nine, Marilyn wrote her first play with a childhood neighbor, “The Ghost and Mr. Giltwallet”.  It was a mystery.  And she’s been writing in one form or another, hobby or livelihood, since.  As well as teaching art, she’s had the opportunity to co-author several plays that have been performed on both church and secular stages, as well as two screenplays.  Marilyn has had the good fortune of “discovering her roots” while visiting England where she developed lasting relationships with wonderful people there.  It has greatly impacted her writing.  A great fan of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple and David Cook’s Hetty Wainthropp series, Marilyn was inspired to write her Berdie Elliott Mystery series, which takes place in a small English village where the vicar’s wife, Berdie Elliott, is the divine sleuth.  Marilyn lives lakeside in a cottage on the outskirts of Denver near the foothills.

Find out more about Marilyn and her books by visiting her website.

Into the Clouds can be purchased at Amazon and Pelican Book Group.

Hope you enjoyed this guest post. Check back weekly for Tuesday Treasure, Saturday Spotlight and of course, Thursday Thoughts!

Until next time take care & God Bless!
PamT