Fresh Fiction Blog | Bernadette Pajer introduces A SPARK OF DEATH

Introducing a new sleuth to readers is a bit like bringing a child to his first day of school. You try to make the event exciting and you hope your child finds success, but once introductions are made, you must walk away, and the child--your beloved sleuth--must find his own friends. The folks at Fresh Fiction have kindly given me this opportunity to introduce my sleuth, Professor Bradshaw, to you. Set in 1901 Seattle, A SPARK OF DEATH launches the Professor into an entirely new career--electrical forensics--because he's unlucky enough to discover his colleague dead in the engineering lab, and because he alone (or so it seems) possessed the motive, means, and opportunity to commit murder. Who is Professor Benjamin Bradshaw? I'll let a few folks from Bradshaw's world explain, and then, if you feel he's someone you'd like to get to know better, you can pop over to my website to read chapter one and peek at the reviews (they've been great! Sorry, proud mom!) http://bernadettepajer.com/

Frank Graves, President of the University of Washington (1901): "Benjamin Bradshaw is a treasure! Top-notch engineer, a hands-on inventor. Worked for a time with the Seattle Light Company, so he really knows the practical side of his specialty, and he passes that on to his students. They love him. He knows how to explain the most complicated theory in a way they can understand. The University is lucky to have him."

Justin Bradshaw, age 8: "Dad's OK. He's grumpy sometimes, and makes me take baths, but he's pretty good at baseball and helps me with my homework. He builds cool stuff in the basement. One day, he made this great big explosion, it was so neat! He said he didn't mean to and Mrs. Prouty was real mad."

Mrs. Prouty, housekeeper: "He needs to go out of the house more, that's what he needs. Spends far too much time down in that basement. It's obsession with him. Tinkering with all those gadgets and wires, ignoring his household. He's got a heart of gold, not that he ever shows it. Would give the world to protect his boy, but he'll not put on a good suit to save himself."

Detective James O'Brien, Seattle Police: "It's the quiet, intelligent men that run deepest. I knew the minute I clapped eyes on him there was more to him than the gossip about his feud with Oglethorpe. I've met other men like him, and it can go either way. They're rock solid, or they've got secrets that drive them mad. Hard to tell yet which way Bradshaw will go."

Professor Wesley Oglethorpe (before his demise): "Bradshaw's a dolt. Don't know how he wiggled his way into a post in the engineering department, he understands theory no better than a child. He belongs at a trade school where the teachers are expected to be covered in creosote. The university is a place for higher learning, for researchers like me who can divine the next great leap in electrical knowledge without getting our hands grubby."

Henry Pratt: "Aah, Ben's alright. He's my best friend, truth be told. Known him, oh, going on twenty years. Bit too sensitive, if you ask me, can't let things roll off his back. Smarter than anyone I know. That wife of his did a number on him, and I'll never forgive her for that. I'd trust Ben with my life."

Missouri Fremont: "He has kind, sad eyes, and I respect him immensely, even when he frustrates me. I won't say anymore because it might embarrass him, but I do want you to know that he is not my guardian, nor my uncle, nor a relative at all. And I don't think our age difference is of any consequence."

Bernadette Pajer

A SPARK OF DEATH
The First Professor Bradshaw Mystery
coming July 2011 from Poisoned Pen Press

Comments

Sounds like an intriguing read!
Good luck and happy writing!
(Tracie Travis 1:16am July 15, 2011)

Sounds like an auspicious start to a new series. I wish you much success with your new sleuth!
(Karen Gervasi 6:50am July 15, 2011)

A mystery series...this will be great! Thanks for sharing!
(Dawn Staniszeski 10:06am July 15, 2011)

they way you did the book is great and then you keep all on there toes and the cover is great
(Desiree Reilly 1:15pm July 15, 2011)

What a clever way you handled the "reviews!" I love it. Makes the book even
more intriguing to read. That book cover sends chills up my spine. Would love
to read this....with all of the lights on!
Connie Fischer
[email protected]
(Connie Fischer 1:21pm July 15, 2011)

I went to your website, saw the wonderful cover, and tried to find the first chapter to read. Either I'm totally stupid, or it wasn't there. It could be my server, who doesn't put half of the items up on my pages as well. I don't have a lot of choices on dial-up. Anyway, I loved the cover, and am sure you're thrilled with the reviews. I would love to read your book, and would love to pass it around to my friends at the library. Perhaps they'd choose it for their book club. Congratulations and best of luck with the series.
(Peggy Roberson 1:24pm July 15, 2011)

I've only lately been drawn to this genre, but I've been well rewarded for my interest so far.

Your professor and his first adventure are immediately tempting! Happy and successful launch!
(Carla Schuller 1:35pm July 15, 2011)

electrical forensics! who would have imagined. Sounds electrifing/ Please enter me in the draw.
(Heather Pearson 1:38pm July 15, 2011)

Sounds fun! I love forensics and can't imagine they had anything forensic back in the day so I am sure it would be a great read. Good luck with the book. Amazing reviews!!
(Vicki Hancock 2:00pm July 15, 2011)

Love the cover... Sounds like a great book. Can't wait to read. Good luck with the book
(Diane Castiglione 2:18pm July 15, 2011)

I look forward to meeting Prof. Bradshaw.
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 2:38pm July 15, 2011)

An early CSI !! The excerpt is certainly enough to make me want to read more!!
(Cate Sparks 3:18pm July 15, 2011)

Since I lost Jim Quilleran to his author's death, I'm looking for a new mystery series sleuth to follow. Professor Bradshaw just could be my man.
(Sue Farrell 4:00pm July 15, 2011)

How interesting! Your excerpt makes me want to read more about Professor Bradshaw.
(Anna Speed 4:23pm July 15, 2011)

Love the short character sketches. This looks like a well-developed read.
(Alyson Widen 4:27pm July 15, 2011)

SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT, NEW SLEUTH...I AM IN IT TO WIN IT!
(Silvana Moscato 6:04pm July 15, 2011)

The cover made me want to rear the book right away,but the book sounds so good,hope I get to read it.
(Bonnie Gonzales 6:51pm July 15, 2011)

A SPARK OF DEATH looks wonderful. Yes please!!
(Mary Preston 7:38pm July 15, 2011)

Sounds intriguing..would love to win to read it!
(Leanna Morris 8:03pm July 15, 2011)

Intrigue, science, forensics -what more could a person want in a book??
(Christine Schultz 8:21pm July 15, 2011)

Love the locale, the period, and the setup sounds like my kind of mystery.
(Janet Martin 8:30pm July 15, 2011)

Ooooh! Sounds so good. Like an old Agatha Christie novel. Can't wait to read it.
(MaryAnne Banks 9:13pm July 15, 2011)

This is my kind of reading. A good plot, lots of characters,
and easy reading. I don't think every book needs to be deep and hard to read. The cover caught my attention and pulled me right in when I read the excerpt. A sucessful writing career with your new series.
(Rosemary Simm 10:56pm July 15, 2011)

Love the historical era and would love to read the new mystery.
(Sigrun Schulz 12:15pm July 16, 2011)

I've added it to my reading list.
Theresa N
weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com
(Theresa Norris 10:20am July 16, 2011)

My cousin works at the UW in Seattle and I know he would just love this fabulous mystery!
(Susan Coster 12:56pm July 16, 2011)

Nothing like a good mystery book to keep me up late at night. This one "sparks" my interest!
(Janice Milliken 3:41pm July 16, 2011)

Sounds great to me. Thank you for the chance of reading your book!!
(Jeanne Sheats 6:25pm July 16, 2011)

My favorites are mysteries. Can't wait to try out a new detective series. Always looking for a new interesting character. Yea!
(Constance Biller 11:32pm July 16, 2011)

Adding to my ever growing to read list. I need to be left with my books on an island so I can catch up. LOl I would love to read this and I love the cover.
(Patti Paonessa 7:31pm July 17, 2011)

Interesting POV of the characters who give their impression of the main fella'. It's got my attention....;)
(Sheila Calabretta 9:52pm July 17, 2011)

This sounds like and interesting read. Good luck.
(Kathleen Yohanna 5:11am July 19, 2011)

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