Shadows of a Down East Summer: An Antique Print Mystery (Antique Print Mysteries)

Shadows of a Down East Summer: An Antique Print Mystery (Antique Print Mysteries)

In the summer of 1890, two young women posed for artist Winslow Homer on the coast of Maine. What happened that summer, the secrets the women kept, and the lies they told, changed their families forever. Now, more than a hundred years later, one of their descendants has been murdered, leaving to antique print dealer Maggie Summer the family papers that may finally reveal the truth. Maggie's vision of a relaxing vacation in Maine– antiquing with beau Will Brewer and visiting his Aunt Nettie– turns into a murder investigation. Maggie must discover which of the family myths are based on reality, before someone she cares about becomes the next victim. With the centennial of Homer's death in 2010, there is renewed interest in his work and in the renovation of his studio in Prouts Neck, Maine, where some of the novel's action takes place. "... irresistible! An engrossing mixture of art, atmosphere, and good old-fashioned Maine murder ― delightfully readable." –- Sarah Graves, Teardown "Evocative setting, delightful characters, and pitch-perfect period detail, all wrapped up in an intriguing mystery. I loved it from start to finish." –- Dorothy Cannell, She Shoots To Conquer Lea Wait has been an antiques dealer (fourth-generation) since 1977. Besides her Agatha Award-nominated five-book mystery series about antique print dealer Maggie Summer, she also writes books for young people. The mother of four adopted Asian daughters, now grown, she lives in Maine with her artist husband. Shadows of a Down East Summer An Antique Print Mystery By Lea Wait Perseverance Press Copyright © 2011 Eleanor S. Wait All right reserved. ISBN: 978-1-56474-497-5 Chapter One The District of Maine. Map of northern Massachusetts (when it still included Maine) engraved by John G. Warnicke. Published in Casey's General Atlas, Philadelphia. One of the earliest commercially available maps of Maine. Editions in 1796, 1802, 1814, and 1818; this map's edition is unknown. Hand-watercolored lines divide the District into six counties. Warnicke also engraved twenty of Alexander Wilson's ornithological prints. 12 x 17 inches. Price: $400. "Who is Carolyn Chase, and why is it so important that we meet her before Maggie's even had time to unpack?" Will Brewer asked his great-aunt. He sat close to Maggie Summer on the weathered wooden gliding rocker overlooking Maine's Madoc River. Deep blue tidal waters stretched wide in front of them, the calmness of high tide interrupted only by the voracious cries of herring gulls circling an occasional lobster boat on its way to unload the day's haul. Maggie's hand squeezed his as cool, late-day salt breezes gently ruffled the escaping pieces of the long hair she'd pinned in a casual knot hours before. "Carolyn's a very dear woman," said Aunt Nettie. Her back was cushioned by green-flowered pillows on the Adirondack chair, but her feet were planted firmly on the porch floor. Maggie suspected Aunt Nettie had sat in that very chair, in that very spot, on early August days like this for most of her ninety-one summers. "I know your drive from the Cape was long, Maggie, but I just couldn't wait for you and Carolyn to meet. You could be an enormous help to each other." Maggie looked from Will to Aunt Nettie. "I thought I was coming to Maine to relax. And do that antiques show you told me about, Will." And most important, spend time with the man she loved. Her back ached from the drive, and she didn't want to think about any more tasks. The Provincetown Show hadn't gone as well as she'd hoped. This trip to Maine might refill both her emotional and financial coffers. "Don't get your knickers in a knot," said Aunt Nettie. "Lord knows I'm tickled to have both of you as guests. Will's been a widower so long I'd about given up hope of his finding some woman worth paying attention to. When I met you last summer, Maggie, I knew you were the right one." Maggie kicked Will lightly in consternation. Will just grinned and squeezed her hand. Aunt Nettie turned to Maggie. "Now, I'm an old woman, and know enough not to get in the way of young love, but you have to understand I have a few little things for Will to help me with this summer. You'd just be bored watching him work. I thought you could help Carolyn with her research while Will's busy." Aunt Nettie had plans to fill not only Will's days, but hers as well. Will winked at her, clearly not intimidated by his great-aunt. "I've always spent part of my summer helping Aunt Nettie with chores. When I got here two days ago she gave me this year's list. It seems I'm to paint her house, replace the gutters, and repair some shutters." Maggie swallowed. A few little things! Visions of romantic walks on the beach and picnics on the rocky Pemaquid shore were dissolving before she'd recovered from her drive north. "Don't be complaining, Will Brewer. You know I've got to keep this place in order or else someone's going to declare me incompetent a