“The End”
Those have become my favorite words, and I type them on the bottom of the last page of every book I’ve ever written. Not because the publisher wants them there—in fact, I usually delete them before I send my editor the more polished manuscript.
But typing “The End” is a celebration of sorts. It marks the accomplishment of a goal, the culmination of weeks or months of dogged research, writing, and rewriting. And (usually) meeting a deadline, whether self-imposed or contractual.
And it’s a milestone worth celebrating!
Some writers break out the champagne. Some just take a nap. Whenever possible, I like to celebrate with friends.
So, it was a wonderful coincidence when I sent in my latest manuscript on the very day that friends of mine opened Riley’s, an Irish pub, in Cabot Cove.
At first, I was a bit fearful that the pub might fall short of my expectations, especially after I’d become a bit of an aficionado of genuine Irish pubs during recent trips I’d taken to the Emerald Isle. But the owners did a spectacular job, and spending a joyous evening there with my friends Dr. Seth Hazlitt, Sheriff Mort Metzger, and his wife Maureen…well, it was just what the doctor ordered.
Literally. Seth insisted I needed some time off to relax.
And I was so relaxed that my friends even convinced me to stay—well past my bedtime--for pub trivia. I should have known we’d make a great team. As a doctor, Seth has a knack for the physical sciences. Mort is a sports fan. And both men are history buffs. Maureen was our go-to for those pop culture questions. I was able to draw on my experience as a former English teacher to do my part when literature questions came up.
And wouldn’t you know, we won!
Now, admittedly, I wasn’t quite as excited as my friends about the super secret grand prize the winners would receive. I was more content enjoying the food and fellowship with good friends and soaking up the atmosphere of such a fine addition to our little village.
Little did I know that this prize would take us all on an adventure…
And murder wouldn’t be far behind.
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