Because Every Story Deserves the Truth - Newletter
Hello Friends
Welcome to the very first edition of my newsletter! I am so glad you are here. My hope is that this space will invite you into the world of Shadows Over Sumter – The Mike Brickley Mystery and encourage you to think more deeply about the story after you turn the final page. As you read, I would love for you to consider the clues, the history, and the reenactments included in the book. When you finish, I hope you will share your thoughts with me—especially which reenactment you believe is the most probable. I know what I believe, but I am even more interested in hearing what you think.
Shadows Over Sumter Progress and latest news
I am thrilled to share that final edits arrive this week. We move to formatting very soon, staying perfectly on schedule to bring this book into your hands beginning August 24. I cannot wait to share it.
Exciting news from the Sumter Community
Over the past few weeks, I have been sharing teasers about the book, and the response has been more exciting than I ever imagined. Recently, questions and comments have started pouring in from the Sumter community, and I cannot tell you how encouraging it is to feel that energy building around this story. Your curiosity, memories, and enthusiasm mean so much to me. I am truly looking forward to hearing from each of you after you read the book—and who knows, perhaps there may even be a book signing in your town. Sumter, your excitement has made this first newsletter feel even more special
Upcoming Book Signing is in the works
I am thrilled to share that my very first book signing is in the works! A wonderful new bookstore, Once Upon a Crime, has opened in Smithfield, NC, just about 10 miles from Clayton—and it is such an exciting reminder that small-town bookstores are making a comeback. My husband and I recently stopped in to visit, and the moment I saw the warm, inviting setup of the store, I turned to him and said how perfect it would be to hold my first signing here. After reaching out to inquire, I received a wonderful invitation to do just that. With a name like Once Upon a Crime, it feels like the ideal place to showcase Shadows Over Sumter – The Mike Brickley Mystery. Stay tuned and watch my Events tab for the official date and time coming in September!
A Note on Research and Writing
If I could say one thing to anyone stepping into investigation and researching today, it would be this: you have no idea how lucky you are. When I began digging into this mystery back in the 1990s, I had nothing but a phone book, a tank of gas, and sheer determination. No internet. No digital archives. No AI to cross‑reference names, decode documents, or point me toward the next breadcrumb. Every lead required a physical trip, a cold call, or hours spent flipping through dusty records that may or may not have existed. Today, you can uncover in minutes what used to take months — sometimes years. Technology doesn’t replace the instinct or the grit required for real investigation, but it amplifies it. It gives you reach, speed, and clarity we could only dream about back then. Use it. Leverage it. Let it take you farther than I ever could in those early days
Finding Meaning in the History
History is best understood not through grand speeches, but through the quiet resilience of those who lived it during the Cold War. In an era defined by shadow secrets and the constant hum of global anxiety, ordinary people had to navigate a world where the threat of nuclear tension was as real as the morning coffee. Their stories reveal how families sought normalcy amidst total uncertainty, making sense of a divided world through small acts of courage and hidden truths. By examining these personal experiences of fear and secrecy, we find a profound reflection of our own resilience. These lived histories offer a vital roadmap for our modern age, teaching us that human connection remains our strongest anchor when the world feels most volatile.
Case Files - Coming September 1st
“In these Case Files, I will dig into what the public record leaves out. Despite Freedom of Information Act requests and hours in the archives, many details around Shadows Over Sumter remained missing or sealed. I turned to AI tools to help connect scattered clues, surface patterns in the documents, and open up a case that might otherwise have stayed in the dark.”
Would you like to be part of a virtual book club?
I am excited to share these new findings with my favorite readers. Share your thoughts with me below.