Death Over A Solitude Election

By Saundra McKee

In this the 14th in the Amish Country Murder Mystery Series, Dana's husband is running for the state legislature. A fellow citizen who tries to blackmail Larry with some ugly skeletons from his past is found dead. Dana along with Fannie and Sharon when trying to clear their names and find out who is behind the death uncover more shocking secrets that rock the peaceful village of Solitude, Pennsylvania.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Saundra McKee
• Release date: Jun 17, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476390017

Saundra McKee

I am a retired educator. I taught in the public schools for 15 years and at the university level for 22 years. I love to travel the world. I enjoy politics, dogs, mysteries and water sports. I am a lay speaker in the United Methodist Church.

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Death Over a Solitude Election (14th in the Amish Country Murder Mystery Series) by Sandy McKee

Published by Saundra McKee at Smashwords. Copyright 2012. Saundra McKee

All characters and events in this story are fictional. Any resemblance to anyone living or dead is purely coincidental. While some of the places mentioned actually exist, they are used in an entirely fictional manner

Chapter 1

Early Spring

Monday

Days of unrelenting rain in Solitude left the yards soggy and unpaved roads and parking lots thick with mud. The citizens were anxious to get out and plant their gardens, walk the wooded paths and renew themselves. Fannie, Dana and Sharon were gathered in the kitchen of Dana’s Victorian style house enjoying fresh cranberry scones and coffee. Most of their conversation focused on the torrential downpours and the fact that Dana’s husband Larry was running in the Republican primary for the state legislature.

Sharon and Bob were hosting a fundraiser at the winery for him in a week and he was scheduled to debate his opposing candidate, a young and dynamic member of the Tea Party movement in two weeks.

Sharon poured more coffee for everyone as they watched the rain beat against the large windows that looked out onto the rising waters of Big Bass Creek. At this rate, they’re going to have to close the road by this evening. We haven’t had this kind of flooding since I was a kid, said Sharon. Where is Larry at?

Dana finished chewing a bite of scone. He went out to Elmer McKay’s place. He’s a big shot in the VFW and American Legion and Larry would love to get their endorsements.

Fannie reached for a second scone. So how do you feel about Larry running for office? You haven’t said much.

Dana shrugged. I’d just a soon he didn’t run. If he wins, he’ll be spending a lot of time in Harrisburg and I’ll miss him. I imagine our phone will never stop ringing either. But he’s very excited about doing some good for the area, so I’m trying to be supportive. He’s one of the few Republican candidates that I’ve worked for over the years. I think he actually has a good chance of winning. We’ve never elected a Democrat from this district, the Tea Party candidate is pretty extreme, and Larry comes off as pretty moderate and sensible. He does have some good ideas for education, the environment and bringing jobs into our area.

Sharon nodded. I think he’d do a great job. I heard the guy running against him favors feeding fresh road kill to prisoners to save money. Yuk! What made Larry decide to run in the first place?

Oh some of the top people in the party came to him and flattered him, and he decided he should do something besides playing golf and poker. He’s been so busy ever since. The election is only six weeks away. I’ll be glad when it’s over.

Fannie smiled. Well Larry certainly looks the part. He’s smart and handsome enough to be President. I know that Eli and I’ll be voting for him.

The conversation drifted to other local topics. The friends parted company around eleven promising to keep in touch and see each other through the endless dreary days of early spring in western Pennsylvania.

Larry returned home an hour later. Dana could sense that his meeting hadn’t gone