Day 5 of Sydney Rye Kindle World Week
I’m very excited to be a part of the launch of the Sydney Rye Kindle World has launched. As an extended St. Paddy’s Day present from me to you, valued readers, Written Words presents excerpts from each of the seven novellas in the project.
In today’s installment from Fatal Interest, Julie Gilbert takes Sydney and her gigantic dog Blue into the world of the Ghost Girl.
I cursed, or at least I tried to. I think it came out as fudge as my brain was still working off Nadia’s child-friendly list. Kicking the door so I wouldn’t break my hand, I shouted for Carly to open the door. Hearing the sound of disengaging locks, I stopped kicking the door and waited.
Carly opened the door and waved me in.
“She’s not here,” she said wearily. “I told her not go, but she doesn’t listen to me. I mean it’s like she’s not even the same person anymore. She’s so moody and withdrawn.”
“Where is she this time?” I demanded.
“She snuck off with David Richter,” said a voice from behind me.
Whirling, I saw Bethany Westcott in the threshold. Her blond hair looked like she’d recently showered. Her blue eyes held plenty of anger, but I could tell she was calculating whether or not she wanted to give me more details.
“Where did they go?” I asked. After waiting an appropriate interval for her to answer, I continued, “I need to find her if I’m going to write her up for this.”
“Don’t! She can’t afford another report.” Carly looked genuinely upset. “Please. She’ll come out of this funk eventually. I know it.”
The protest had pulled my gaze to Carly, but I shifted my attention back to Bethany. She still looked uncertain. I thought the idea of getting Andrea into trouble might appeal, but then it occurred to me that if she was with David Richter, I’d have to write him up too. That must be the source of Bethany’s hesitation, her high school crush.
“I don’t have to write them up,” I said, changing my approach. “But I do need to find them.”
“I think they’re headed to the woods,” Bethany admitted, after another lengthy pause. She sniffed. “I don’t know what he sees in her. She’s a geek. He’s way out of her league.”
“You’re just jealous David didn’t ask you to the woods,” Carly taunted.
I speared the girl with a sharp look. My presence was the only thing preventing Bethany from lashing out with more than words.
The Westcott girl mentally murdered Carly a few times.
“Thank you for your help, Bethany. Please return to your room.” I wanted her gone and fast.
Her expression darkened at being dismissed, but she finally stomped back to her room and slammed the door.
Turning back to Carly, I gave her my best disapproving look. She lowered her head like a puppy waiting to be scolded.
“You shouldn’t provoke people like that.”
“I know, but she needs to be knocked off her high horse sometimes.”
The expression caused my eyebrows to lift. It sounded like something my grandmother would say. Given Carly’s wisplike figure, I decided to talk some sense into her.
“A lot of people in life are going to require similar correction, but it’s usually best not to take the direct approach with them. They tend to come with large wallets, long memories, and a vindictive streak that can come back to bite you later.”
What’s Fatal Interest about?
Sydney Rye doesn’t believe in ghosts … until she meets one.
Without warning, the Ghost Girl appears in her room and tells her to expect a phone call. Despite the strangest referral ever, Sydney accepts what appears to be a simple case of high class mischief at an exclusive boarding school.
The Head Mistress can’t tell her much, but she fears one of the students might be in danger. Rooms are being searched seemingly at random, and the list of potential targets stretches to nearly everybody. Still, compared to Sydney’s other cases, this one has all the markings of an open/shut one for her and Blue.
Looks can be deceiving.
Somebody has a keen interest in this small, posh school, and it’s up to Sydney and Blue to expose the bad guys before that interest turns fatal.
About the author
Julie Gilbert teaches high school chemistry and writes books in a wide range of genres, including Young Adult science fiction, Children’s, fantasy, poetry, Christian mystery, mystery/suspense, mystery/thriller, and traditional science fiction. She is also a huge fan of Star Wars, the Yankees, the Giants and candy.
Before publishing Fatal Interest, Julie published four volumes in the Lei Crime Kindle World:
Learn more about Julie at her
- – website
- – Julie C. Gilbert Facebook page
And follow her on Twitter: @authorgilbert.
What are Kindle Worlds?
Kindle Worlds is an Amazon initiative that allows authors to publish stories set in another author’s fictional universe. The Sydney Rye Kindle World is based on the characters and situations created by bestselling author Emily Kimelman.
The Sydney Rye series of vigilante mysteries feature a strong female lead and her rescue dog, Blue. It is recommended for the 18+ who enjoy some violence, a dash of sex and don’t mind a little salty language. Not to mention an awesome, rollicking good mystery with tons of action that will keep you reading late into the night!