Model Railroad Show - West Springfield, Massachusetts

 

 

This weekend is the model railroaders' big event of the year - the annual Amherst Railway Society Railroad Hobby Show.  A universe of train layouts is spread out over four buildings on the Eastern States Exposition fairgrounds.  The event attracts thousands every year, and is one of the most enjoyable outings of the winter season -- even if you're not a model railroader. 

 

There is something decidedly nostalgic, not only in the hobby, but in the towns through which the little trains run.  You step back into time, and everyone is greeted with a smile.  The dates and location are here:

 

 

Saturday January 30, 2016 - 9:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday January 31, 2016 - 10:00am - 5:00pm

The show is located in the Better Living Center and the adjacent Young, Stroh and Mallary Buildings at:

The Eastern States Exposition Fairgrounds
1305 Memorial Avenue
West Springfield MA. 01089


You can read more info on the Amherst Railway Society site here.

  

 

There's even something for old movie buffs like me.

Whitewash in the Berkshires

This is to announce my latest novel in the Double V Mysteries series - WHITEWASH IN THE BERKSHIRES.

Juliet Van Allen and Elmer Vartanian, the Hartford, Connecticut-based amateur sleuths are off in the fourth adventure in the series.  This time they shuttle between Hartford and the Berkshires of western Massachusetts in the bleak midwinter of 1951:

  An incident from Juliet's past puts her on a blacklist.  A priceless work of art brings her to a secret bunker.  A kidnapping and a threat to her life result in a desperate chase.  How does all this fit in with the unidentified corpse?  Elmer has no idea, but he's right behind her.  The partnership of the wealthy heiress and the ex-con continues in this fourth book in the Double V Mysteries series.

 

The cover art was done by Casey Koester, who also writes the blog: Noir Girl - Adventures of a '40s Girl in a Modern World.

Casey has done the first three covers in this series for me in a unique style that is whimsical, playful, and I think somewhat haunting.  I'm a great admirer of her work. 

 

The book will launch Friday, February 5th, but is available now on pre-order for Amazon.  It will be out in eBook and print. 

Talk on the Ames Company - Chicopee, Massachusetts

Today I'll be speaking before the Chicopee Historical Commission at the City Council chambers for a talk on the Ames Manufacturing Company during the Civil War, which will be audio recorded for an archive project.  My thanks to Mr. Joseph Pasterniak of the Chicopee Historical Commission for inviting me to participate.

The material for this speech comes from my book: The Ames Manufacturing Company of Chicopee, Massachusetts, a Northern Factory Town's Perspective on the Civil War.

Double V Mysteries series FREE in eBook unti Jan. 5th!

My DOUBLE V MYSTERIES BOX SET - the first three novels in this "noir cozy" mystery series set in 1949-1950s New England is FREE in eBook until Tuesday, January 5th.

Books include:

Cadmium Yellow, Blood Red

Speak Out Before You Die

Dismount and Murder

 The fourth book in the series, Whitewash in the Berkshires, will be out next month. This will give you a chance to get acquainted, or caught up. Help yourself. Happy New Year. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HL0478S