The Penhallow Train Incident by @msspencerauthor is a Mystery and Suspense Festival pick #mystery
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  • N. N. Light
    • Aug 14, 2020
    • 3 min read

The Penhallow Train Incident by @msspencerauthor is a Mystery and Suspense Festival pick #mystery



Title: The Penhallow Train Incident

Author: M. S. Spencer

Genre: Mystery/Romantic Suspense

Book Blurb:

In the sleepy coastal Maine town of Penhallow, a stranger dies on a train, setting off a chain of events that draws Rachel Tinker, director of the historical society, and Griffin Tate, curmudgeonly retired professor, into a spider’s web of archaeological obsession and greed. Before Rachel can unlock the soft heart that beats under Griffin’s hard crust, they must find the map to the Queen of Sheba’s tomb, and solve not one, but three murders.

Excerpt: Noreen, Angry

Without thinking, Rachel blurted out, “Are you after the money?”

Noreen’s eyes opened wide. “Me? Money? What money?” Her expression morphed into sly. “Nah. I broke up with John back in Belize. He wouldn’t share. Said I’d run through all his cash, but I didn’t believe him.”

“So why did you come up to Maine?”

Noreen dropped Rachel’s arm. “It’s here. I can feel it. His stash.”

I’m thinking consistency is not her strong suit.

As if sensing Rachel’s sentiment, Noreen shook her head. “I had nothing to do with any robbery anyway. John told me he’d inherited the money. I’m entitled to half his stuff, you know. I’m his wife.”

“What about Hannah Sundstrom?”

“She’s dead, ain’t she?”

The fact that Hannah wasn’t yet dead when Noreen married Pinkney didn’t appear to enter into her calculations. She’s waded so far into the swamp of lies she doesn’t know she’s drowning. “What about John?”

“John? He’s still in the slammer, ain’t he? I have a free hand.” Her face darkened. “Or I did, until you and your precious Marx started sticking your honkers where they don’t belong. Damn you! Now I’m on the sheriff’s radar again.” She reddened. “If he lets John out, I’m screwed.” The woman grabbed her arm again and squeezed painfully. “It’s all your fault. Why couldn’t you just let well enough alone?” Her voice rose. “Why are you persecuting me? I never did nothing to you. You Yankee snobs and your self-righteous hi-de-hos. I hate all of you.”

Rachel took a step back and Noreen lunged forward, baring her teeth. “Don’t you run away, bitch. You need a lesson in minding your own business, you do.” She drew closer, her hands balled into fists. Rachel took another step backward, but her right heel hit a stack of wood and she fell over. As she tried to push off from the rolling logs, Noreen loomed above her. “This’ll teach you.” She drew her arm back and smashed her fist into Rachel’s nose.

Everything went black.

Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):


Why is your featured book a must-read?

The Penhallow Train Incident is set in the fictional Maine town of Penhallow. I had such fun with the inhabitants of the small midcoast city that I brought them back for my upcoming release Mrs. Spinney’s Secret. As to why you should immediately get yourself a copy, here’s a review from one of my favorite authors, Kerry Blaisdell:

“I read a lot of mysteries, and I have to say, I fell for some of the red herrings in this book. :) A great read! I especially love the "older romance" aspect, as well as all the archaeological references. The mystery was fun, and kept me guessing, and the Big Reveal was handled well. The author has some great turns of phrase, and I loved the Maine setting. Will definitely read more from this author!”

Giveaway –

Enter to win an e-book bundle of all 42 books featured in the Mystery and Suspense Bookish Event:

Open Internationally.

Runs August 11 – 17, 2020.

Winner will be drawn on August 24, 2020.


Author Biography:

Although M. S. Spencer has lived or traveled in five of the seven continents, the last thirty years were spent mostly in Washington, D.C. as a librarian, Congressional staff assistant, speechwriter, editor, policy wonk, non-profit director, and parent. After many years in academia, she worked for the U.S. Senate, the U.S. Department of the Interior, in both public and academic library systems, and at the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, Virginia. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Vassar College, a diploma in Arabic Studies from the American University in Cairo, and Masters in Anthropology and in Library Science from the University of Chicago. All of this tends to insinuate itself into her works.

Ms. Spencer has published thirteen romantic suspense or mystery novels. She has two fabulous grown children and an incredible granddaughter. She divides her time between the Gulf Coast of Florida and a tiny village in Maine.

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