About the Book

A dinner invitation for Digger, who is accompanied by the very pale Uncle Benjamin, gets her involved with a recently discovered relative of their elderly friend Thelma, whose brother died during World War II. DNA testing has led his until-now-unknown great-grandson, Peter, to Maple Grove in the Western Maryland Mountains. Thelma enlists Digger's help as she gets to know Peter.

But his presence is not the only surprise. Letters Thelma recently received from another brother’s estate raise questions about what happened to some of her parents’ prized possessions. Were they submerged with the family's old farm house, which became part of Deep Creek Lake when it was filled in the mid-1920s?

Digger and Uncle Benjamin see no way to learn more, but night visits to the lake by an unscrupulous duo may mean someone else is looking for valuables to plunder. But how would they know it exists, and what would convince them to dive for it? And what will happen to Digger or her friend Marty if they get in the way of the treasure seekers?

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Excerpt

Wednesday, Day 1

Uncle Benjamin spoke vigorously. “I tell you, something’s wrong. In the twenty years after my Clara died, Thelma Zorn never invited me to her house for dinner. Why would she invite you now?”

Digger couldn’t hide a smirk. “Should we make a list of reasons she didn’t ask you?”

“Respect your elders. Especially the dead ones.”

“I respected you when you were alive and when you popped up on my kitchen table after your burial. I can still think of reasons Thelma might not invite you to dinner.”

Uncle Benjamin harrumphed and floated into the back seat. “I shouldn’t have let you talk me into coming.”

“I didn’t…” Digger stopped. Because Uncle Benjamin had to stay in his former (now her) home, the Ancestral Sanctuary, or with her, he often felt bored. No need to remind him he had invited himself.

“What exactly did she say?”

“She said she was going through some old family letters a lawyer sent her from her late brother’s estate. Something I might want to see. That’s all.”

After Thelma has met her surprise great-grandnephew, she receives a copy of a letter her late brother wrote to his love in Germany.

Franklin stayed on his feet. “It’s dated December 12, 1944. Gee, that would be just before the Battle of the Bulge.”

“He died in that battle,” Thelma said, softly.

Franklin’s eyes widened. “I didn’t know. I’m sorry.” He went back to the letter.

My love Marta,

I write this the night before we leave. You know I wasn’t allowed to tell you when, and I don’t know when we’ll be back. But you and I will be together in spirit, always. And soon in person, I hope.

You asked if I told my parents about you. They will like you, I know, but I will have to wait until the war is over. Your parents hate the Nazis, but not as much as my parents. Well, maybe they do more than mine. But I can’t tell my parents I’m in love with a German girl right now. You know I will stay in Europe until I can bring you home with me.

For now, look in our favorite spot in the holzschuppen. You’ll find something there to keep you company until we see each other again.

I love you forever.

Thaddeus

Digger’s eyes were moist and her nose ran. Thelma had already pulled a tissue from her pocket. She managed to say, “Such a treasure.”

Peter’s expression showed obvious relief. “I have a copy at home, and one with me.” He nodded to Thelma. “This one is for you. It should stay in America.”

Marty asked, “What’s a holzschuppen?”

Thelma spoke before Peter did. “It a woodshed. My grandfather spoke English, of course, but he used that German word for the lean-to on the farm, where he stored firewood.”

“My goodness,” Maryann said. “We may have just learned where Peter’s grandmother was conceived.”

Uncle Benjamin came out of the backpack with a loud cackle. “Even I wouldn’t say that.”

Later, there’s concern that Peter is missing.

Digger cleared her throat. “Peter had some notebooks, and I gave him some granola bars to put in the backpack. Did you find anything besides the passport?”

Sheriff Montgomery’s phone buzzed and he held up one finger. “What’s up Collins?” He paused, listening. “Uh huh. Okay. Sure. I’ll meet you at the hospital in Oakland.” He stood.

“Is Peter okay?” Digger asked.

“He didn’t answer your question about other items in the backpack,” Uncle Benjamin said.

“They found a body face down in the lake. It’s the middle of the night, so Department of Natural Resources Police asked our county medical examiner for help, and they’re bringing it to our hospital. I don’t know who it is.”

About the Author

Elaine L. Orr writes four mystery series: the Jolie Gentil series at the Jersey shore, the River’s Edge series along Iowa’s Des Moines River, the Family History Mysteries (set in Western Maryland), and the Logland series, which features a small-town Illinois police chief – and a cozy feel. Behind the Walls was a 2014 Chanticleer Mystery and Mayhem Award finalist, and Demise of a Devious Neighbor a 2017 finalist. The Unscheduled Murder Trip received an Indie B.R.A.G. Medallion in 2021. Elaine also writes plays and what she calls reflective fiction, including novellas Falling Into Place and In the Shadow of Light. Elaine is a member of Sisters in Crime and the International Book Publishers Association.

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