Red Herring by Archer Mayor

The problem with Archer Mayor’s detective mystery books, featuring fictitious Vermont detective Joe Gunther, is that once you start them you can’t put them down!

Three deaths – one an apparent rape and murder, one an apparent suicide and one an apparent drunk driving accident. Totally unrelated, or are they?  And are any of them really what they seem to be?

Another case for Joe Gunther. He focuses on the apparent “red herring”–a single drop of blood left on, or near, each body. And, as it turns out, not from the bodies themselves.

One of Joe’s many assets is that he has been in his profession a long time.  He has many useful contacts, both orthodox and less so, that can help with analyzing the elements of the crime scene, including some rather high tech approaches for identifying the probable source of the blood in the blood spots.

However establishing the fact that there is a link among the three deaths, what it is, and who is responsible, takes Joe’s intuition as well as analysis, playing some hunches, and getting help (or maybe not) from two woman, one part of his past, and one that may become part of his future.

Red Herring is a page-turner right to the last page, and the interesting twist at the very end will make you eagerly anticipate reading about the next challenge for Joe Gunther.

The book is available at Tempest Book Store in Waitsfield and also in iBooks.

Tickets are still available to see Archer Mayor in person at West Hill House on Friday 26th and Saturday 27th August.  Call 802-496-7162 for details.

Red Herring

Archer Mayor

Mystery fans seldom get to meet their favorite writer let alone sit down with him and  talk about the secrets of the trade. On August 26 and 27, at the West Hill House B&B in Warren, VT, you will get that chance, with Vermont’s own detective mystery writer Archer Mayor.

The author wears many hats: medical examiner, cop, fire fighter, reporter, photographer … stir these all together, add a pinch of intrigue and one large helping of a mysterious murder and from these ingredients Archer Mayor has created Vermont’s own fiction super sleuth Joe Gunther. Joe is a local policeman, who is best described as kind and compassionate but sharp and intelligent, in short the kind of cop you hope shows up when you need one.

If you have never read an Archer Mayor mystery, go get one (or more). Red Herring is his latest in paper back.

All these events are being held in the Handsome Red Barn at West Hill House B&B in Warren, VT. The details are:

• Friday evening, August 26 at 7 pm: Archer Mayor brings his personal experience as a medical examiner to the front with an enjoyable and informative talk, “Not CSI: Forensics – Truth or Fiction.” $10/person. Light refreshments provided.

• Saturday afternoon, August 27 at 2 pm: aspiring writers will gather to attend a 2-hour workshop entitled “How Archer Does What He Does”. Attendees will gain insight into site, plot and character development. $30/person, $15 for students with ID. Light snack provided.

• Saturday evening, August 27 at 7 pm: “Archer Mayor Let Loose”. This informal evening will be fun filled as Archer Mayor entertains with his insight, experience, humor and storytelling. Autographed book included. $25/person. Dessert buffet provided.

Advance tickets are required, space is limited. This is a sanctioned event of the Vermont Festival of the Arts. Call 802-496-7162 for tickets.

Come and stay at West Hill House B&B on the Friday and Saturday night and attend all three events for $50 per person plus the cost of your room.

Charles Pruitt our Artist-in-Residence

Here at West Hill House we are delighted to be hosting artist Charles N. Pruitt, a West Texas native, born in 1941 near the small farming and ranching community of Colorado City, Texas. An award winning artist, Charles enjoys painting primarily landscapes of the Southwest however from  August 24-26, 2010 he will once again be turning his brush and oil paints to the wonderful Vermont scenery in the Green Mountains.

As our Artist-in-Residence Charles will be conducting plein air workshops and demonstrations as well as providing individual guidance to both novice and experienced oil painters. The location will be the beautiful gardens of West Hill House.

We are fortunate to have several of his paintings currently on loan and gracing the walls of the B&B giving guests a glimpse of  the special treat we have in store this August. Even if you are not staying with us you are welcome to come and view his paintings – please call to confirm a time.

Workshop Dates: August 24, 25 & 26, 2010

Time: 11 till 3 each day

Prices:
• $60 per day (including lunch)
• $150 for all 3 days (including lunch)Special: $50 for all 3 days with a 3-night stay

Please call to book: 802-496-7162.          Spaces are limited.

Participants should bring your own easel, canvas, paints, brushes etc. and a stool.

He is returning to the Valley following a field study visit in the fall of 2008, and will host a 3-day workshop at West Hill House B&B. The painting here is an example of the work he did in 2008.

The daily workshops will start with a demonstration painting by Charles, followed by guidance on an individual basis for each participant as they do their own painting. Participants should bring their own easel, canvas, paints, brushes etc. and a stool.

Field Study - Sugar House on West Hill Road

Dates: 24th, 25th & 26th August 2010

Prices will be as follows:

• $60 per day (including lunch)
• $150 for all 3 days (including lunch)
• Special: $50 for all 3 days with a 3-night stay

Please call to book: 800-209-1049 or 802-496-7162. Spaces are limited.

This is a sanctioned event of the Vermont Festival of the Arts.

Robert J. O'Brien

Update:  We have had to cancel this event for 2009.  However we hope to be able to run it in August 2010 during that year’s Arts Festival.  Please let us know if you would be interested.

We are delighted to announce that noted Vermont artist Robert J. O’Brien will be “in residence” at West Hill House from August 9th for a few days, during the Vermont Festival of the Arts.

Robert will be offering a 3-day workshop among the beautiful perennial gardens, ponds and woods around the B&B.

Guests are invited to book in to West Hill House for 3 or 4 nights starting on the 9th and sign up for this workshop by calling us at 800-209-1049. Spaces are limited.

This is a sanctioned event of the Vermont Festival of the Arts.