The Book Club Murders (tentative title of my next mystery novel)

This is the prologue for my next mystery, tentatively titled, The Book Club Murders.



The Book Club Murders

Carin, Jenny, and Mary investigate two murders of their book club members in Rose Creek and Austin, Mn. They are assisted by Beth and Lisa Dolcheski, deputy sheriff of Spirit Grove.


                                                             Prologue
                                                  Rose Creek, Minnesota


She watched and waited, shielded from view by the protective shadows across the street.  It was 10:08 p.m.  The porch light had flicked on and the door had opened.  Laughter permeated the air as women filtered out of the house, saying their goodbyes and then getting into their cars and driving away.
Laura Walters was the last to leave.  She stood clearly illuminated in the porch light as she shared laughs and final words with the host of the monthly book club meeting. Laura said her last goodbye as she turned, exited the porch, and began the four block walk to her home; it was a neatly kept two story colonial on the north side of County Road 4.
The four glasses of wine she had drunk during the "meeting" seemed to warm her innards, although she still pulled the collar tighter against her exposed neck.  She wore no hat as she braved the winter chill and negotiated the icy sidewalk guiding her to her house, slipping and sliding a little as she proceeded.  A wordless, ephemeral melody flowed from her lips, guaranteeing that she would pay little attention to her surroundings.
Nightstick in hand, the stalker inched closer to her target until she was only a few steps behind.
The night was quiet except for Laura's singing and the crunching sound made when their boots mashed chunks of ice on the sidewalk.  Both figures stopped when Laura ceased vocalizing the wordless melody and turned to see the one behind her.
Her eyes brightened, losing the dull sheen of inebriety.  "I thought-."  Before Laura could finish the sentence the nightstick crashed into her skull several times, sprinkling the sidewalk and snow with spatters of blood.
Breathing heavily, the stalker removed a glove and felt for a pulse in Laura's neck.  There was none.  "One down," she said to no one and then quickly returned to her vehicle two blocks away.