Book Title: MURDER ON THE HIGH SEAS
Character Name: Zachariah Fitch
How would you describe your family or your childhood?
Well, my childhood was great, but later after the death of our parents, my three siblings and I went our own ways. Mainly because I didn’t agree with their professions. My brother was a mercenary, my one sister a nun, and my other sister a Winchester Goose. (A whore.)
What was your greatest talent?
I’d have to say I have a knack for bringing about justice. Righting wrongs.
Significant other?
My wife died a year ago, leaving me as a single father. I have a close friend, Lady Vivienne Harlowe who is a widow. Since she’s a noble and I am not. We’ve remained friends only, but sometimes I can feel sparks growing between us. In a romantic way, that is.
Biggest challenge in relationships?
I guess I have issues with trust. I don’t trust anyone. But then again, in my position as town sheriff, it kind of comes with the territory, I guess.
Where do you live?
I live in the town of Mablethorpe, England.
Do you have any enemies?
Most likely, anyone I’ve ever arrested, and pretty much everyone who inhabits Rotten Row . . . the bad part of town.
How do you feel about the place where you are now? Is there something you are particularly attached to, or particularly repelled by, in this place?
Like I said, I live in town. No one likes the rats that roam the streets. Especially on Rotten Row. I often visit Lady Vivienne at her home of Mablethorpe Castle, and I have to admit it is a much better and nicer place to be. One could get used to it easily.
Do you have children, pets, both, or neither?
I have a seven-year-old daughter, Starah. She recently acquired a black cat that used to be the rat catcher’s cat. She named it Midnight. I really didn’t like the cat but I suppose I’m getting used to it.
What do you do for a living?
I am sheriff of the town of Mablethorpe.
Greatest disappointment?
I regret not being able to solve the murder of Lady Vivienne’s parents that happened seven years ago.
Greatest source of joy?
I have to say being with Lady Vivienne brings me joy, even though she is headstrong and opinionated and drives me crazy at times. She has been helping me solve murders in town, feeling that she wants to help others who are going through what she’s been through losing her family the way she did. She and her bloodhound, Grunt are actually proving to be quite helpful at hunting down and apprehending killers.
What do you do to entertain yourself or have fun?
I work too much and need to have more fun. Or so Vivienne has said. That is why I’ve agreed to go on a ship with a group of people including my daughter. Sure, the crew are all ex-pirates and my gut tells me trouble awaits, but Vivienne says I need to get out more and to spend more time with Starah. So, we’ll see what happens.
What is your greatest personal failing, in your view?
Like I’ve already mentioned, it is not being able to help Vivienne by catching the killers of her parents. But hopefully, that will change soon. I will never give up looking for clues and want to help her find closure.
What keeps you awake at night?
I suppose I am awake nights wondering if I’m being a good father to Starah and also wondering if I should take my relationship with Vivienne past a ‘friend’ level.
What is the most pressing problem you have at the moment?
I suppose at the moment I am having the problem of wondering how I’ll act like I’m enjoying myself aboard a ship of ex-pirates. My daughter’s nursemaid, Nairnie’s husband is the captain. While they were once pirates, they now work for the king. Why doesn’t that bring me any sense of peace at all?
Is there something that you need or want that you don’t have? For yourself or for someone important to you?
I suppose I need a wife, or should I say a mother for my daughter. I also want to find love again with another woman, but it’s complicated. Especially where Lady Vivienne is involved.
Why don’t you have it? What is in the way?
Since Vivienne and I have been friends since childhood, it seems we understand each other and belong together. But even though we’re good friends, we are from two different worlds. She is a noble. I’m a commoner. So tell me . . . do we really belong together after all?
Harlowe & Fitch Historical #5
A shipboard holiday takes a disastrous turn when a body is found swinging from the yardarm.
Sheriff Zachariah Fitch doesn't believe in pirate stories like the ones his daughter's nursemaid, Nairnie spins so well. But his beliefs change quickly when Nairnie's ex-pirate husband, Bear, and his crew arrive at his door one night.
After solving several murders with the help of his good friend (and love interest), Lady Vivienne Harlowe, Zachariah wants nothing more than time to unwind. However, when Bear suggests a day of high seas adventure aboard his ship, Vivienne accepts the invitation for all of them. Against the sheriff's will, of course.
What is supposed to be a fun time on the waves with friends and family, ends up being a horrible nightmare. Another murder investigation is underway as the body of a young thief is found dangling lifelessly from the yardarm of the Falcon, and no one saw it happen. Calm waters soon turn stormy as Zachariah and Vivienne, along with her bloodhound, Grunt, embark upon another murder investigation, this time with their children along. The hunt is on for a murderer whose trail leads them to a thieving ring in Whitstable that includes young orphaned boys . . . one of them possibly a tie to Vivienne's past.
With a medieval hint of Oliver Twist, the streets of Whitstable brim with young pickpockets, ex-pirates, and lots of hope, as a sheriff, a lady, ad her hound embark upon another exciting adventure to catch a killer and bring about justice, in this next installment of the Harlowe & Fitch Historical Mysteries.
Mystery Historical [Oliver-Heber Books, On Sale: September 30, 2025, e-Book, / ]
Elizabeth Rose is the author of over 100 books and counting. She writes medieval, historical, contemporary, paranormal/fantasy, and western romance. She is an award winning, bestselling author and an amazon all-star. Her books appear as ebooks, print, and audiobooks as well.
Her favorite characters in her works include dark, dangerous and tortured heroes, and feisty, independent heroines who know how to wield a sword. She loves writing 14th century medievals, and is known for her many medieval series.
Elizabeth started writing romance back in 1996 and had her first book traditionally published in 2000.
She loves anything paranormal and is inspired by spending time in nature. Elizabeth has a secret garden that serves as her outdoor office where she writes in her hammock in the summer. This same secret garden inspired her series, Secrets of the Heart.
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