Chapter 1
Hey, Someone Stole My Woods!
I lifted my head off the pillow when I heard a phone ringing. It was mine. I glanced at the clock. It was 6:35 a.m. I waited a beat, trying to focus, looked over at a dead-to-the-world Clay, and finally grabbed it.
“Hello,” I whispered sleepily, while yawning.
“Someone just stole my woods!” shouted a woman on the other end of the line. “You have got to help me, now!”
I sat up and shook my head to gather my thoughts. What did she just say to me? Had I heard correctly?
“Excuse me? I think you’ve got the wrong phone number,” I said, fuzzily.
“You are Samantha Jamison aren’t you?”
I sat there still in my sleep-induced stupor.
Was I? Well of course I was! “…Yes, that’s me.”
“Well, I was told you were real good at figuring out unusual mysteries, so you have got to help me. Someone has stolen my woods!”
I held the phone away from myself and stared at it, then put it back to my ear. “Is this some kind of prank call?”
“Does this sound like one?” cried the hysterical woman on the other end of the line.
I couldn’t believe I was still having this conversation with someone at… I looked over at the clock …6:40 a. m. “You do sound a little off the charts, ” I said doubtfully not wanting to be rude.
“Well, I’m Sarah Smith. We’re descendants of the original Smiths that arrived on the Mayflower!”
I shook my head in disbelief. I doubted that. “Okay, the Ms. Sarah Smith. How about I call you back in about an hour or two and you can explain further, okay?” I was about to hang up the phone on this lunatic when…
“No wait! I’m not some nut.”
She could have fooled me.
“I am Sally and Tom’s neighbor down the road. My property is on the corner after you make a left heading toward Robinson’s, her other neighbor off that dirt road.”
I paused. …Was she legitimate?
“Take down my number and please call me later.”
To humor her, I did just that, and then fell back to the pillow, irritated and baffled from the conversation. Was the woman for real? Was she nuts? Was I crazy to even consider calling her back? I have heard some strange things in my time, but this one was really weird.
How could someone steal someone else’s woods?
…Let me stop right here. I think that before I go any further, I’d better take you back to the very beginning of this story and explain how I got here and how all this craziness started in the first place.
It was about two days ago…
Talk about a tease! Where are you leading us to now Samantha Jamison? I can’t wait to read more.
You’re such a tease yourself, Joyce. Ha!
Either someone stole the wood from the Mayflower or her golf clubs!! I love it!! I love even more that someone could sleep past 6 am!
Donna, Your comment is hilarious. Where were you when I was writing this one? Thanks for stopping by.
Love this wait and see approach! When is the big day of your newest release?
Word is out Samantha Jamison can do it! ….and sleeping with Clay! Yeah!
Pat,
It should be out anytime now. And yes, Clay continues to frustrate and intrigue Sam as usual, while getting in trouble with her “crew” once more.
Well my mystery writer friend you’ve once again have wet my appetite for your
newest release—it should be very exciting!
Magdalene,
Thanks. That’s exactly what I was trying to accomplish. Give you a taste of more trouble that’s about to hit Sam again.
Pretty interesting start for the Samantha Jamison mystery series, vol. 4. Makes me wonder where will this clue lead us this time? I am sure this book is going to be a great page-turner like all the rest. Can’t wait!
Pradeepa,
Follow the clues in this one and maybe you’ll solve it before Samantha does! Thanks for posting.
Wow !!!! the beginnings of another Samantha Jamison ‘edge of your seat, nail biter, mystery suspense filled book’ “stole her woods??????” very curious where this is going from page #1…….waiting with anticipation.
Wow, Linda,
I never expected that reaction! I guess I hit the right note with that opening chapter. Thanks for confirming that one. And thanks for your words of exciting support.
I have just ordered your paperback, A Lethal Time, and anxious to read it. Your earlier three volumes are in the bookcase awaiting your fourth volume to join them. I’m already wondering where number five will take me. I look forward to revisiting all your great characters from the previous 3 volumes – hope you somehow included them. They have become friends.
Romayne,
I’m glad you have enjoyed the last three books and are looking forward to Volume 4, A Lethal Time. This one I really enjoyed writing, and as usual had fun with the characters. Yes, some do come back and a few do not. And as usual, they get into more trouble than they intended, especially Samantha.
That is one of the best teasing starts to a story that I’ve read for quite a while. I’m tempted to buy – seriously!
Tim,
So glad you were intrigued by that first chapter. The novelist, Samantha speaks to the readers, letting them see only what she sees and hears so you are at the same disadvantage as she is, as you walk through it with her to try and solve it. Sometimes she even tells me what to write! I mean, who’s the author here?
Thanks, Peggy