Guest Blogger: Jan Morrison aka Kitty MacDonald

Thank you, Carol, for inviting me to share a whiskey sour under The Tiki Hut. I’m Corporal Kitty MacDonald, and I don’t often get time off from my busy existence as an officer with the RCMP in Nova Scotia. We have beaches but sometimes it seems like I only see them when there is a body on them – not a sun-bathing body – but a dead one. I love my work though.

My first real murder case was after a baby was found on the rocks at scenic Peggy’s Cove – no beach there – but huge boulders. The baby, named Pearl by the young woman who found her, was alive, but alas, her mother, a notorious party-girl from Halifax, was not. She was found at the Dorey Motel – deader than the summer is now. Hopefully you’ll be able to read about it soon in the book my writer has written about the story – The Rock Walker.

I’d like to talk a bit about Thanksgiving. In Canada, Thanksgiving is held the 2nd Monday of October – a good month before it is celebrated in the States. Makes sense when you think of it – our harvest is earlier, as is our winter. 

A few years back I was called to the small town of Annapolis Royal. One of the gardeners at the Historic Gardens had been found pegged out on a heather bed. It was just before Thanksgiving and the town of Annapolis Royal was busy rolling up its sidewalks. A place that is over-run with B&B’s, wonderful historic sites and glorious scenery, it becomes a bit of a ghost town after the last turkey sandwich is eaten. 

The locals really get down to fun when all the tourists and summer folk have left. They are a very cultured bunch, into fine art, philosophy and in this case, murder. I had my hands full with this case, which Jan has named Earth Bound. I won’t tell you how it all came out – not even Jan knows that – but Thanksgiving in small town Nova Scotia can be more complicated than you might imagine. 

For you who like gardening – I learned a lot hanging around the crew at The Historic Gardens. One of the perks of this job is finding out how different people live and work. I also learned quite a bit about Buddhist statues and what people will do for lust and greed!

When I’m not working I am busy with my own home. I’m single now, my husband and I split up a few years ago. I have two teen-aged sons who keep me on my toes. I like walking and my mum is always trying to get me back to the social whirl of Chester, a drinking town with a sailing problem on the South Shore. I stay put in my home close to Peggy’s Cove. It is quiet and just what I need after days out in the world of murder, chicanery and drug dealing. Or is it?

Oh, my cell is ringing. Must be my boss, D’Entremont. He is always on my butt, but I adore him – just don’t tell him that. We have to pretend animosity to keep the others wondering! And in case you’re speculating, we have no romantic interest in each other.

See you later, Carol. Thanks for having me on your beach. Come on up to Nova Scotia some day and I’ll show you a murderous good time!

Comments

Jan Morrison said…
Thanks so much Carol for hosting my protagonist, Kitty. She said she had a ball hanging out on your warm Texan beach and doesn't want to come home to the icy rocks of the Atlantic! Ah well. I won't be around today but hope people enjoy this bit of my work - and I'll answer any questions either late tonight or tomorrow!
Oh, I am intrigued. I do love a good mystery. Write on . . .
Jan Morrison said…
Thanks Clara - both of these have been fun to write - and one reason is that they all take place in Nova Scotia which I think folks will find intriguing. It is a place like no other.
Linda G. said…
Jan, Kitty sounds like a fascinating character. Mysteries are just my cup of tea, and The Rock Walker sounds like it will be a wonderful read. Best of luck with it! :)
Slamdunk said…
Thanks Carol and Jan. The character is very appealing--and crime stuff is right up my alley.
Isis Rushdan said…
Hi Jan, you took a morbid topic and actually made it interesting. The Rock Walker sounds like it'll be a good book. How was your Thanksgiving?

Carol, good to have you back from your break :).
LR said…
That sounds very interesting, Jan. I'd def. read it. ;)
Arlee Bird said…
I'd love to make it to Nova Scotia one day. I love Canada and have traveled a lot through Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. There's still so much left to see.
Thanks for the interesting tidbits and good to see you at the Tiki Hut, Jan.


Lee
Tossing It Out
Please see my guest post at:
So You Want to be a Writer?
Liza said…
Jan, this is the first time I've seen snippets of your work...and it's been such fun getting to know Kitty! I look forward to reading more, and more and more! Carol, thanks for hosting Jan, I mean, Kitty today!
Luanne G. Smith said…
It's always fun to hear characters speak for themselves. And the novel sounds interesting. Love a good mystery.
I know Jan! Sounds like a great area to explore for inspiration.
Joanne said…
This was fun ... "And in case you’re speculating, we have no romantic interest in each other." Hmmmm, yet? Maybe in the sequel?
I hope to spend most of next summer in Nova Scotia - have never been, always wanted to go! We are getting an RV and plan to head up there in June-ish. Hope not to find any bodies on the beach, but if we do, I'll help you look for clues! Your characters sound great and who doesn't love a good murder mystery??
I like this character. What an interesting guest post! : )
Jan Morrison said…
Thanks all, I got a message from Carol that Kitty was going to stay in her neck of the woods. I'll have to haul her back at least long enough to finish Earth Bound and then I have a few more murders for her to solve! She's going to be a busy girl but I don't know why she couldn't go down for a vacation and just run up against some trouble? I'll have to go hang with Carol to do some research of course...
Anonymous said…
Kitty and these cases sound intriguing. This was a wonderful guest post.
LynNerdKelley said…
What a thoroughly entertaining post, Jan. Kitty is now a real person to me! Very cool.

Carol, thanks for hosting Jan today!
Anonymous said…
Well, Jan. I thought I knew you before I read this interview (thanks, Carol, for hosting her!), but I didn't really. Wow. What a fascinating job to have. Your life reminds me of the British murder mysteries I love to watch through my Roku: Jack Frost, The Midsomer Murders, etc etc. You live the real thing! And that photo of Annapolis Royal is the kind of setting for murders in the above shows.

I would love to visit Nova Scotia: what a great "setting." And I do hope you find someone "special," if that's what you want!

I'm now going to check out Earth Bound!!
Ann Best, Author of In the Mirror, A Memoir of Shattered Secrets
Anonymous said…
p.s. I see Earth Bound is nearing the end of first draft. So FINISH it!
Carol Kilgore said…
Jan, Kitty says the condos were a bust so expect her home on schedule. But with a new love for enchiladas and Margaritas.
Tami Brothers said…
Ohhhhh! This definitely caught my attention. That baby on the rocks scene... Need to read that story for sure. I like this girl. ;)
Ciara said…
I'd LOVE to go to Nova Scotia one day. Two teen boys? I have three boys and only one is teen. That is enough.
Carol Kilgore said…
I want to thank Jan for allowing Kitty to visit with us here at the Tiki Hut.

Great post.
It was nice meeting Kitty! An interesting story with beautiful photos! Thanks for making this fun Carol and Kitty! Though I suspect Jan helped.
Carol Kilgore said…
I suspect she did - LOL :)
Manzanita said…
I'm sorry I missed this post. I love murder mysteries but I imagine they are not so much fun when they happen for real. Thanks for sharing the life stories.
I'd really like to visit Nova Scotia. My kind of geography.
Manzanita@Wannabuyaduck
Carol Kilgore said…
Same for me about real-life murder. I'd like to visit Nova Scotia, too.
I'm definitely sold. I want to know lots more about Kathy on the job.

I don't have time to write any more because I'm too busy reading all the books my blogger friends are getting published. You ladies rock! :D

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