Lion Township is a place forgotten by time. Carved out of the thick forest region of the Adirondack Mountains in New York State, it is shaped like a lion. For over one hundred years it has stood still awaiting revival. But forces prevail that keep the region in stillness. This mystery novel explores this place with its secret cave, its murders, and its hidden agenda for global warfare and terrorism. A Map of Lion Township is provided to the reader to follow along as the suspense builds. Trace the characters' trips over to River Centre, or up the back of the lion, or up lion's tail road. Circle Mt. Petite with them, climb down into Kiss Cave as the mystery unfolds.
Within the township is the tiny, antiquated town of Lionsville. It is the center of intrigue. Follow along as the characters come to life running up and down its one short street in pursuit of adventure. A graphic style Map of Lionsville is provided of the town that time has left behind.
This book spans almost 60 years. There is no mystery to the timeline, so dates are clearly marked.
Part I: Evil On The Loose is 1970. A murder is committed that will be forgotten by most, but will haunt others until the end. Who murdered Laura Mason? Where did the fugitive go? Where is the decaying body of Buddy? Why is Quincy Mason locked in his own frozen world? Where did the twins go? Did the FBI sweep the murder under the run calling it solved? Then why did the sheriff put the box in cold case storage?
Part II: Until Death Do Us Part takes us back to the 1950s and brings us up to the murder of 1970. It tells of the two who are parted by different kinds of death. Did Quincy Mason love too much? Was it the blizzard that buried him?
Part III: A Den Of Lions is the present day. Looking for a quiet place to retire, Detective Thomas Beaumont gets embroiled in the cold case murder that is now over 40 years old. It is compounded by federal agents seeking his help, and assorted town characters who do not want him there. Who is the mysterious shadow that disappears when you get too close? Who are Max and his cohorts of evil? Why does Harvey Franklin report his patrons' movements to Max? Why does Onatah Marquis report her real estate findings to Mayor Donahue? How does Kiss Cave remain a secret? Why is someone trying to murder Thomas Beaumont? What surprises does the cold case evidence box hold? What does ATF hope to find in a place forgotten by time? What riddles lay deep underground? Who is the kingpin in the weapons trafficking? Is Brad Rowe guilty or was he framed? Can a death-bed confession help to unravel the mysteries?
Part IV: Morphing Of Bartholomew takes us back to 1970 and brings us up to the present day. It is time to sort out the lies from the truth. A convoluted life of deception, treachery, murder, and crime cycle until Bartholomew returns back to himself. What help did Bartholomew have? Can his spirit survive the onslaught of his own making?
Part V: The Lion Rests continues the present day. All the questions have been answered. Lion Township, once a place forgotten by time, is revealed to the world as a place of treachery and murder. The lies have been exposed; the truth is once again established. Soon that which had been publicized to the world is forgotten. The township is once again a tranquil place, a place forgotten by time.
Some of the places mentioned actually exist. There really is a New York City, Albany, Buffalo, Carthage, Baldwin, East Aurora, and Montreal.
There is no such place as Xavier County, Castle Point, River Centre, Mt. Petite, Lion Township or Lionsville in New York. But these fictional places are set within Adirondack Park, a very real and beautiful region. Let the flavor of that special region seep into these fictional places to make them seem real for you as you read.
Enjoy!
