Thursday, July 15, 2021

What Would You Do?

 

How would you feel if you walked in to find your roommate murdered by a serial killer? In this excerpt, it's the day after Halloween…

A Passion for Murder

Excerpt:

The night after tricks and treats, an endless party, and way too much sugar in the form of alcohol, Cora French stumbled home at an embarrassing eight in the morning. It's called the walk of shame, but it had become a habit for this twenty-five-year-old. Cora preferred that to the more cautious nature of her roommate Susan.

Who would choose a night handing out candy to the little monsters? To a night of food, drink, and relentless dancing at the best masquerade party in town? Dressed as cat-woman, Cora tried to get her roommate Susan to attend. Suggesting she go as her favorite author, J K Rowling. Susan had said she might, but only after all the trick or treaters were appeased. She loved handing out the goodies.

That's why the sign on the front porch telling the goblins and ghosts to help themselves was so shocking to Cora. The bowl of candy was empty. She was surprised because her friend had listened to her suggestion, but it didn't explain why she hadn't seen Susan at the party. She unlocked the door, ready to hear her friend's lame excuse for skipping the party. Instead, the overpowering odor of blood and bleach greeted her. Gagging, she stepped backward and quickly dialed 911. Hysteria building…

~*~

After viewing the crime scene, Steven sat down on the stoop by Alice. "You don't need to see this one."

"That bad?"

"Worse," he told her. "Unspeakably worse. What is it with serial killers and Halloween?"

"An opportunity to fulfill their deepest fantasy," Alice said with disgust. "To be the monster they really are."

9 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

Aaaaagh. Blood and bleach are both such pungent smells - particularly in quantity. And yest another reminder that I really need to read your work in daylight.

Nilanjana Bose said...

Sounds super gory and super intriguing as usual! Agree with EC about daylight only reading...omg!

Yolanda Renée said...

Yes, I do get into the detail. Sorry about that.

Yolanda Renée said...

I wouldn't say super gory, but it does let you know something horrible happened here.

Elephant's Child said...

Apology NOT necessary. At all. It is a part of evocative style.

Yolanda Renée said...

Thank you! :)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Yolanda - quite honestly if I came home to those smells ... I think I'd run out the door to someone else's house before I phoned! Ghastly grisly thoughts ... it's still bright sunshine here ... I'm happy to say - cheers Hilary

Denise Covey said...

Great lead in to your latest book, Renee. You do murder so, so well.

Chrys Fey said...

Another Detective Quaid book! I still have to read Murder Just Because. It's getting closer and closer to the top of my TBR list. I plan to read it soon.