Hi there, guys and dolls! Here’s a continuation of my who’s who of Santa Lucia, finishing up with some of the fine folks listed in my third novel, A NATE TO REMEMBER.

Nathan Reed – Otherwise known as “Nate,” the one that you will remember. Swarthy and handsome, this poor devil shows up dead, with an arm length of people who have reason to want to see him as such. He’s shot clean through the heart, so is it just a good aim or a crime of passion?

Margot Williams – Shock and horror, one of our beloved, main heroines turns out to be a major suspect and possible murderess. Turns out “Margot” may not be who she claims to be. We get to find out how and why she came to Santa Lucia to stay, but will she be able to remain?

Tom Malone – Margot’s devoted and faithful boyfriend, who also happens to be Santa Lucia Police Department’s lead detective. Not only do the revelations about the object of his affection leave him stunned, he’s also been pulled not only from the case, but also his job, as he is intimately involved and a suspect, as well.

Jeannette Fox – A new resident to Santa Lucia and sewer at Poppy Cove, she mysteriously disappears around the time of Nate’s murder. Now why exactly would that be?

Mildred Coleman – Widow owner and operator of Mrs. Coleman’s Boarding House, a beautiful old craftsman house where some of our characters in this story have been staying. As a tidbit of information, Loretta Simpson, Santa Lucia Times Society Editor had stayed there when she first moved to town but it didn’t work out all that well. Mrs. Coleman is convinced she runs a tidy and clean ship with strict rules, but is it really as wholesome as she thinks it is?

Sophie – the new “French Art Tart” (well, actually the Art Teacher up at Stearns Academy). She has that certain way about her. The wiggle in the walk, the touchy-feely and the accented turn of phrase that keeps all the men running, or so she thinks.

Adonis – Another recent resident, also on the kooky art scene. He likes to think of himself as a Greek God, although the challenges of middle age are taking their toll on this lothario, what with balding and gray hair in a pony tail. He’s a little bohemian and beat, wearing those leather sandals and smoking those funny cigarettes. He thinks Daphne is in fine form, however.

Daphne Huntington-Smythe – one of our beloved Poppy Cove shop owners. The fair haired, carefree Daphne truly feels challenged in her life. Everything has always been so easy and breezy for Santa Lucia’s golden girl, and maybe that’s just the problem. She’s never questioned her choices and when she learns that most of the people around her have lived a more daring and compromising life than her, she feels the itch to do something she might regret, or at least be able to have a secret to privately smile about.

Daniel Henshaw – Daphne’s beau and the Riding Instructor at Stearns Academy. Good old steady Daniel, happy and content in his busy life is at a loss at how to handle Daphne’s urge to rebel. Blissfully unaware of the powers that be in the shape of Sophie, he’s keenly aware of the attentions of Adonis to his girl, knowing that the guy’s intentions are not just for art studies. Daniel does his best to help Daphne feel more like everyone else around her, he plans for their own “day to remember,” which could be more than they both bargained for.

Marjorie Cummings – Head Seamstress at Poppy Cove and the rock the girls rely on. She’s got her own past to tell, and doesn’t hesitate to share it with Margot, just when she needed to hear it the most.

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more posts. And don’t forget to give my Poppy Cove Mysteries a try if you haven’t already.

Toodles, Barbara Jean