S5E9 The Maven Murder

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. Some episodes are original stories, others will be classics that helped shape the mystery genre we know today. All are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.This is Season 5, Move It or Lose It. This season contains original stories paying homage to the vehicles that propel mysteries forward. A train was the setting for Agatha Christie’s famed Murder on the Orient Express. A river boat then took center stage on Death on the Nile. Cars have been prominently featured in American crime stories with the glory of the get-a-way vehicle. Then there are the heists from carriages to trains to armored trucks. For Episode 9, a LCU is the featured vehicle. That is a Landing Craft Utility boat, used to transport equipment and troops to shore. This is The Maven Murder by Paul A. BarraSupport our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. And mystery readers, check out our print and e-books.A Word Before Dying E-Book (all outlets); Trade Paperback (Amazon Only)Move It or Lose It: e-book and Trade paperback available 3/21/2023ABOUT Paul A. BarraPaul A. Barra is a chemistry teacher and a former newspaper reporter and Naval officer. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat V and other decorations for his service on the rivers of the Mekong delta. His 2019 novel, WESTFARROW ISLAND (Permanent Press), was a finalist for a Silver Falchion award. He is married and has eight children with his wife, the former Joni Lee. They reside in Columbia, South Carolina. https://paulbarra.com/ MORE from Paul A. BarraPaul A. Barra, the author of "Maven Murder," has written and published five novels. His latest was WESTFARROW ISLAND, a finalist for the Silver Falchion. One of his short stories was selected for the award-winning MWA anthology WHEN A STRANGER COMES TO TOWN. He now has a mystery set in 1969 Wyoming ready to go out on submission.DELIBERATIONWell, instead of solving Trudy’s murder, Cynthia joined the mystery. Author Paul Barra is challenging us to solve both murders. Here are the suspects in the order of appearance to help Constable Kurt Knudsen solve the crimes:Mutt Harrelson, reported to be secretive and attracted to women beyond the missus. He was probably rebuffed by the victim Trudy.Petey Harrelson, a vet struggling with life since returning from Afghanistan; he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and had been known to be violent.Jasper Crowe, an arrogant prick who keeps women and everyone else in their places. Trudy did not respect him.Margo Harrelson, Mutt’s wife, is a poison pill who knew her man was a lecher. His lust for Trudy was obvious to her.Estrella Harrelson, Petey’s wife and Constable Knudsen’s lover. She’s the only one with a air tight alibi.Diana Crowe, arrogant, just like her husband, and felt it her duty to keep lesser women in their place. Trudy did not kowtow to her either.Here is what we know about Trudy’s murder:The bartender left work after her shift having changed clothes to go out.She was found murdered the next morning, her clothes disheveled.The bar was filled only with locals working second shift at the cannery.Small amounts of dark cloth were found on her, which were not distinguishing.Here is what we know about Cynthia’s murder:Everyone knew Cynthia suspected Trudy’s murderer was among them and she had a plan for revealing the truth.The generator did not go out on its own but was turned off.Cynthia was killed with a fileting knife that likely belonged to the Constable captain.Cynthia held a fileting knife in her right hand.George and Estrella did not kill Cynthia.Nobody saw Mutt leave or knows where he is.You know the questions…who did it and why?WRAP UPThat wraps this episode of Mysteries to Die For. Please do support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. Become a member of our Body Bag Brigade by financially supporting this season with a one-time donation. Check out our website TGWolff.com/Podcast for links to this season’s authors.Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. The Maven Murder was written by Paul A. Barra. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff.