Welcome!

Maren Tirabassi and Maria Mankin's newsletter for the Rev and Rye Mystery Series

Hello folks,

Welcome!

You are on this list because we hope you will enjoy Death at Fair Havens, an LGBTQIA-friendly cozy mystery to be released by Brain Mill Press on April 26, 2022. We’ve had a two-year pandemic wait for this book to be released (and we all know that a year in pandemic time is roughly equivalent, although vastly less pleasurable, than the 7 to1 ratio that is a dog’s age). The upside to having lived a decade since February 2020 is that the second book of the series, Death in the Woods is already in the hands of our fantastic agent, Ben Miller-Callihan at Handspun Literary Agency.

Who, you may be wondering, are Rev and Rye, our unlikely sleuths?

Wanda Duff is an unconventional New England clergywoman, addicted to chicken wings, high-octane ice cream, and saying yes to anyone in need of a prayer, even the folks her town might think don’t deserve one.

When parishioner Niels Pond dies unexpectedly at the Fair Havens assisted living facility, Wanda’s duty to minister to his family is beset by her suspicions about the circumstances of his abrupt passing. Wanda finds an unexpected co-detective in high school vice principal Prudence Rye, who fled town on graduation night a decade ago and returned only recently.

Rye puts her job on the line to investigate the mourning Ponds with the surprisingly edgy Wanda. As they expose difficult family truths and uncover a dangerous operation operating out of Fair Havens, Rye and Wanda discover curiosity has an unanticipated cost.

Next month, we look forward to sharing a sneak peek at the supporting cast. Here’s a teaser:

Hardy Rye, ex-sheriff and single parent/current landlord of Prudence Rye is a brilliant cook, so in the second book, murder may be served up alongside a slice of passive aggressive pie.

Tony Stari Tomeo, choir director and absolutely fabulous best friend can make even a funeral into musical theatre magic…or at least bring a little drama!

Once a month, we’ll send news, bonus insights into the characters, and keep you up to date on where we’re speaking online and in person. There will be free and free-standing short stories with the characters and reviews of mysteries we are reading and loving. We also look forward to the occasional contest (would you like to see your name as a character in a future book? or win a copy of the book along with some chocolate to die for?)

Feel free to check us out on Facebook or our website, Calling All Characters, as well. There, you can find our blog and links to our other books. It’s also a great place to find out more about our core belief that even in this light-hearted genre, we seek to celebrate the inclusion of all people. The resolution of Death at Fair Havens depends on the clue-gathering of people with dementia (ever notice how often that diagnosis translates to “discard this person”?) and a shell casing located by a person who is deaf and did not hear the shot (hint: smell, vibration, and follow-that-dog!)

Your Death at Fair Havens preorder gives second-in-the-series Death in the Woods a boost!

Maren and Maria