A LITTLE MYSTERY IS A GOOD THING. IN LIFE AND ROMANCE
Author Randy Overbeck Talks About a Couple of Serious Topics
For those who are, like me, Type A personalities, we have had to endure the painful lesson that there is much in life out of our control. Of course, this was always true, but the pandemic has simply made the point undeniable. In fact, more than nine months into this debacle, there is much about the virus that remain mysterious. Where exactly did it 
originate? Why does it behave so much differently than other viruses? Why are some people affected not at all and can still spread the virus to others who suffer greatly and even die? Scientists and medical experts the world over are working to unravel these mysteries, but there is far more unknown than known about this plague.
I believe this brings one lesson front and center, especially for type A-ers: mystery is an undeniable part of our world. Not only are there many things we can’t control, there are many that we can’t get our heads around. In Shakespeare’s eloquent words, “There is more to heaven and earth, Horatio, than is dreamt of in your philosophy.” (It’s from Hamlet.) While the bard was actually referring to a ghost (one of my favorite topics) it could easily apply to other mysterious elements of our lives, including our love life.
Many of us yearn to find our soulmate, the perfect partner, our other half, all the while thinking if we can control enough factors, meet enough people, sort through enough relationships, we’ll discover that one right person. But from this pandemic lesson we can learn that in love, like in science, there must remain some mystery. If men recognize that women cannot always be rationalized (and the other way around), then we can be content and even happy with some mystery with the other sex. Geez, I’ve been married a very long time and there still are things about my lovely wife I don’t get. And I’m okay with that—mostly.
Perhaps that’s why, when I wrote my newest series, the Haunted Shores Mysteries, I decided to make mysteries and romance close bedfellows. These novels have been described as “a cold case murder mystery wrapped in a ghost story served with a side a romance.” In the first entry, Blood on the Chesapeake, published last year by The Wild Rose Press, and the second novel released this summer, Crimson at Cape May, 
the narrative traces Darrell’s efforts to secure justice for a murdered victim AND to find love at the same time, finding neither an easy task.
Readers have found this a welcome combination.
Blurb for Crimson at Cape May
No matter how far you run, you can never really escape a haunted past.
Darrell Henshaw—teacher, coach, and paranormal sensitive—learned this lesson the hard way. With his job gone and few options, he heads for Cape May to coach a summer football camp. The resort town, with gorgeous beaches, rich history and famous Victorian mansions, might just be the getaway he needs. Only, no one told him Cape May is the most haunted seaport on the East Coast. One resident ghost, the Haunted Bride, stalks Darrell, begging for his help.
He can’t refuse.
Joining forces with Cassie, a street-wise teen and another sensitive, he investigates the bride’s death and discovers her murder is connected to a far greater horror. But can Darrell and Cassie expose those behind the crimes before they end up being the killer’s next victims?
Excerpt from Crimson at Cape May
Why would this woman pursue him?
Now a safe distance away, he studied her. She was thin, with a small, drawn face of pasty skin, and he would’ve guessed her to be about his age, mid-twenties. But there was something about her, something that made him shiver. Did she have a black eye? Were those cuts on her cheek? Why hadn’t he noticed those before, when he passed her on the Promenade?
He sped up, the street crowded, congested with tourists. Normally, the jostling bodies would’ve given him the creeps, but today he was grateful for the numbers so he could blend in.
Not sure where he was headed—except away from his boardinghouse—he kept up a brisk pace. He hurried past the legendary Inn of Cape May, with its ornate, white period architecture and four stories of ancient rooms facing the beach. Any other time, he’d be thinking about taking Erin there. The place had an interesting old-time vibe. That is, if she still wanted anything to do with him. But he didn’t have time for that now. He kept moving.
As he turned back onto Beach Avenue again, the sight of the beautiful blue ocean across the road struck him and he stopped for a moment, then chanced a peek back around the corner. No sign of his stalker.
He reduced his pace, easing past a beach shop, and saw his reflection in the store front. That gave him an idea. Ahead, he spied a coffee shop with two long windows facing the street, the panes so sparkling clean he could see the image of the sun hanging over the ocean in the glass. As he walked along, he turned his head to catch his image and, when he was far enough along, he glanced sideways at the window. Trailing behind him, he could make out, reflected in the glass, only two people, a gray-haired couple. No one else. He took a few more steps, watching and slowing a little, and exhaled. He’d lost her.
He turned and studied the man and woman, who’d paused to examine the restaurant menu posted next to the door. A few feet beyond the couple stood the woman. Darrell’s gaze darted. The couple. The woman. The coffee shop window. Back to her. The petite young woman in the tattered white dress stood hunched not more than ten feet away. Darrell searched for her reflection in the glass. There was not even a shimmer.
Oh no. Not again.
The side of the young woman’s face was beaten and bloodied. Her exposed neck bore a long, ugly purple bruise. The torn dress now had blood seeping across her torso and down her right leg. He looked back. Still nothing in the window. The hairs on his neck stood up.
“What do you want?”
Darrell kept staring and as he watched, the young woman walked through the older couple and stopped in front of him. This close up, her one deep blue eye—the one not blackened—seemed vacant and carried an emptiness that frightened Darrell. She again extended both pale hands, blood now covering them and dripping off her fingertips. Mesmerized, Darrell watched as fat crimson drops splattered red onto the gray sidewalk.
In her soft voice, she said again, “Please, help me. Help us.”
Darrell shook his head violently. “No. Hell, no. Not again.” Last time almost killed him.
Watch the book trailer!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9nWiaGO-KM
About the Author
Dr. Randy Overbeck is an award-winning educator, writer and speaker who has earned recognition in the Midwest and beyond. As a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Dr. Overbeck is an active member of the literary community, contributing to a writers’ critique group, serving as a mentor 
to emerging writers and participating in writing conferences such as Sleuthfest, Killer Nashville and the Midwest Writers Workshop. When he’s not writing or researching his next exciting novel or sharing his presentation “Things That Go Bump in the Night,” he’s spending time with his incredible family—wife, three children (and their spouses) and seven wonderful grandchildren.
Social Media
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Where to Buy Randy’s Books
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/crimson-at-cape-may-randy-overbeck/1137088608?ean=9781509231638
https://www.bookbub.com/books/crimson-at-cape-may-by-randy-overbeck
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9nWiaGO-KM
Book Reviews
“Humor, suspense and romance are all included.” -–an Amazon reviewer
“A thrill ride and a delightful romance.”-–an Amazon reviewer
“There is that suspense of a mystery, a ghost and the romance.”-–an Amazon reviewer
In fact, reviewers have been especially generous in their praise of the CRIMSON AT CAPE MAY.
“A haunting, yet fast-paced whodunit that captures the reader’s attention from page one. A wonderful book!”—Alexandra Ivy, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author
“Delivers an unpredictable mystery along with a powerful look at people…Completely engaged by the intrigue.”—Long and Short Reviews
http://www.longandshortreviews.com/book-reviews/crimson-at-cape-may-by-randy-overbeck/
“With both elements of mystery and suspense, readers across genres will find this second book about Darrell Henshaw intriguing…I highly recommend it.” ★★★★★—Literary Titan
https://literarytitan.com/2020/02/04/crimson-at-cape-may/
“It’s a ghost/mystery story filled with suspense and action. The plot is so engrossing it had me hooked from the very first page.” ★★★★★—Nana’s Reviews, Greece
“The well-plotted storyline keeps a steady pace through two-thirds of the book and then gradually ups the ante, adds tension, grit, drops more pieces of the puzzle then explodes.”—V. Williams, Rosepoint Publishing