Twice Hung by Vanessa C. Hawkins

Ethel Arsenault’s been hearing noises in her brother’s house ever since she arrived from Summerside, but when he turns up dead, could the supernatural be to blame, or her sister-in-law Dolly whose been caught talking to herself when night falls?

Welcome to the July 26th stop on the blog tour for Twice Hung by Vanessa C. Hawkins with Goddess Fish Promotions. Be sure to follow the rest of the tour for spotlights, reviews, and a giveaway! More on that at the end of this post.

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About the Book

Twice Hung
Canadian Historical Mysteries
by Vanessa C. Hawkins

Published 1 June 2024
BWL Publishing Inc.

Genre: Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Page Count: 304
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Ethel Arsenault’s been hearing noises in her brother’s house ever since she arrived from Summerside, but when he turns up dead, could the supernatural be to blame, or her sister-in-law Dolly whose been caught talking to herself when night falls?

Ethel isn’t sure, nor is she happy when she’s left alone to care for Ernest’s estate. Was her brother the victim of sweet, little Dolly Arsenault, or is some other sinister force at work? The city of Charlottetown is quick to point the blame at Dolly, but now Ethel has been hearing things in the house…

… or is it just her imagination?

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Excerpt

The days were dandelions, sprouting and flourishing and wafting away in puffs to seed more weeds anew. Though the roads had been muck-filled and swampy when they’d arrived, gradually they were becoming less burdensome and easier to promenade when the days were hot. Ernest’s trip had been postponed, but that meant he spent the days at work, oftentimes taking a break to show Ethel the delights of Queen’s Square and Victoria Row or holed up in his study pouring over papers and the occasional glass of gin.

Ethel was enjoying her days at Eden Hall, wandering outside in the small gardens, or taking a stagecoach in town with Miss Murphy to appraise the daily catch and supply of vegetables hauled in from the neighbouring farms. Though the nights were seldom peaceful, Ethel had resolved to keep her concerns private. No one else in the house seemed bothered or affected, so she often napped during the afternoon, dozing after writing in her journal or upon finishing a few chapters of Little Women.

 “I’m certain there must be something in the attic,” Ernest grumbled at breakfast one morning. His departure had been finalised for the next day and a few men had been around to load up a few personal effects he had packed for the voyage. It was a beautiful midweek morning, and the windows in the dining room had been removed to let in the scent of grass and sunshine.

Dolly was sitting opposite her husband at the little breakfast table, while Ethel was in the middle. Both women looked up from their plates to regard Ernest as he poured a fresh cup of tea for himself.

“Adella-Ray, will you not check the liquor cabinet in the study for a bottle of the blueberry spirits? There’s a touch of maple in it that I’m sure will stir the tongues of the Americans.”

The serving woman was in the foyer, handing an order for milk to the carrier before she turned towards the study as asked. 

“The attic?” Dolly piped up, directing the conversation backwards. She was picking around the sauce of her eggs benedict, combing it over the white poached pillow like a toupée on a bald man’s head. “Is there something up there that you forgot to pack?”

Ernest shook his head. “No, but I think an animal has gotten up there somehow. I’ve been hearing it scuttling around the last few nights.” He looked up and smiled, as though to excuse his ramblings. “I’ll ask Al to take a look. I don’t want it scaring you ladies while I’m gone for work.”

About the Author

A life-long lover of horror, Vanessa wrote her first story in the genre when she was only in grade five. It was titled Mutilated and it warranted her a trip to the school guidance counsellor. A lifetime later, she continues to write about anything that suits her fancy. She was afforded second place in the David Adams Richards Prize this year, and honourable mentions in the WFNB writing competition for her novel A Child to Cry Over. With over a dozen publications under her belt, Vanessa was celebrated as a bestselling author with Books We Love Publishing for the sale of over a thousand copies of The Curious Case of Simon Todd! She lives with her husband Brendon and daughter Bernie in New Brunswick.

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Giveaway Alert!

Vanessa C. Hawkins will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

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