by: I.M. Foster
Series: South Shore Mystery
Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery
Release Date: November 2, 2022
Publisher: Inez M. Foster
New York, 1904. After two years as a coroner’s physician for the city of New York, Daniel O’Halleran is more frustrated than ever. What’s the point when the authorities consistently brush aside his findings for the sake of expediency? So when his fiancée leaves him standing at the altar on their wedding day, he takes it as a sign that it’s time to move on and eagerly accepts an offer to assist the local coroner in the small Long Island village of Patchogue.
Though the coroner advises him that life on Long Island is far more subdued than that of the city, Daniel hasn’t been there a month when the pretty librarian, Kathleen Brissedon, asks him to look into a two-year-old murder case that took place in the city. Oddly enough, the case she’s referring to was the first one he ever worked on, and the verdict never sat right with him.
Eager for the chance to investigate it anew, Daniel agrees to look into it in his spare time, but when a fresh murder occurs in his own backyard, he can’t shake his gut feeling that the two cases are connected. Can he discover the link before another life is taken, or will murder shake the peaceful South Shore village once again?
I’m very well. Thank you for asking.
Please introduce yourself to readers.
There’s not much to tell. After finishing my medical studies, I assisted at Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan for a short time before securing a position as a coroner’s physician for the City of New York. However, events in my personal life, plus a growing frustration with the legal system, convinced me to relocate to the village of Patchogue on Long Island. I am now 28 years old and share a medical practice with Dr. Sam Tennyson. Since he is one of the county coroners, I also serve as his assistant coroner.
I developed a love of solving mysteries as a child, and still collect the latest Sherlock Holmes stories, so the chance to assist in the solving of crimes, especially murder, is right up my ally. I love gathering the clues and solving the puzzle each crime presents, a talent I inherited from my Uncle Timothy, who is a sergeant in the New York City police department.
Can you please tell us about some people we’ll meet in your story?
There are so many people who have influenced my life. My Uncle Timothy, of course. My mama was a lady’s maid for a wealthy family in the city, and my “father” was her employer’s son. He took what he wanted and turned her out when he found out about me. I don’t tell many people about that, because I don’t want them to think badly of my mama. There are people that would, you know, even though she didn’t consent. Mama’s brother, Uncle Timothy, took us in, but then Mama died when I was six. She knew my uncle wouldn’t be able to take care of me on his own, so before she died she told him to bring me to my “father’s” sister and ask if they could give me work as an assistant to their groom. It turned out Sarah Adams was nothing like her brother. Instead of giving me employment, they decided they wanted to adopt me. I have to say, even after all these years, I have never felt I was anything less than their son. Nor do my four siblings treat me treat me any differently. From time to time, I call on them to help me out on an investigation. My brothers--Niel, Joe, and Frankie--wait to be asked, but my sister, Izzy, is a bit headstrong and often interferes in spite of my objections. Still, I can never stay angry at her long.
I’ve met a lot of wonderful people since I’ve moved to Patchogue. Sam Tennyson, of course, is my friend and mentor, and Sergeant Ted Owens is on the local constabulary. I’ve also become close friends with a local attorney, Chet Grayson and his family. There is also a certain young lady, Miss Kathleen Brissedon, who has caught my eye. Alas, she often joins forces with my sister to undertake their own investigations. I think I shall go gray before I reach 30.
Tell me about a defining moment in your life.
There have been a few moments that have altered my destiny. The first, I would say, was when my mama died, and I was adopted by Sarah and Richard Adams. Taking me in the way they did and raising me as their own, gave me advantages my mother and uncle never could have afforded me. Not only did they give me a strong family life, but it is because of them I was able to become a doctor. That was my mama’s last gift to me. She knew Sarah and Richard Adams would see I had a good life.
Another defining moment was when Miss Prudence Davis left me standing at the altar. She had insisted I give up my job as coroner’s physician to join her father in her medical practice. I would have been miserable. My guardian angel was looking over me that day though, because when she didn’t show up for our wedding, I was left without a job. As a result, I headed east to Long Island and took up my position there. It was the best thing I ever did.
I’m hoping there will be another defining moment in the near future, because no matter how exasperating she can be, I must admit I have developed a strong attraction for Miss Kathleen Brissedon. She lives with her two brothers, Colin and Ryan, her step-brother, Patrick, and her little sister, Charlotte.
What’s your most prized possession?
That’s an easy one. It’s a stone from Ireland that my mama gave me just before she died. It’s Connamara marble I believe. She told me to keep it with me, and whenever I felt lonely or upset to take it out and it would remind me that I was loved. It’s sort of like a gentle hug from her.
Why do you feel the need to put on your sleuthing hat and investigate murders?
Part of it is because, as assistant coroner, it is my job. But beyond that, I’ve always loved a good mystery. And what makes it even better is that I get to use my medical skills to help bring a killer to justice.
What can readers expect from Murder on Oak Street and your new series, South Shore?
There will definitely be at least one murder in each book. Hopefully, you’ll be able to come along with me and make your own assumptions about who the murderer might be. Of course, it would be nice if I could keep you guessing until the end. You may also find a bit of romance along the way, if I’m lucky.
Daniel, thank you so much for your time.
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Inez is a historian and librarian, who love to read and write and search around for her roots, genealogically speaking. She has a BA in History and an MLS in Library Science and enjoys the research almost as much as she does writing the story. In fact, many of her ideas come to her while doing casual research or digging into her family history. Inez is a member of the Long Island Romance Writers, the Historical Novel Society, and Sisters in Crime.
Places to find I.M. Foster:
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