Frank Lazarus's Blog: A New Chapter Begins, The Coligny Beach Murders
January 13, 2024
Recruiting Murder EXCERPT
The Graduation Party of the Beaver Country Day School was being held at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts.
The dance had ended, and Tyler Longenecker and Katie Reynolds walked off the floor together. Tyler was a highly recruited basketball player who had recently committed to Duke University in the Fall.
Tyler asked, “How about going outside for some fresh air and a beer? I’ve got two tickets left.”
“Sure!”
They stopped by the bar and picked up two Samuel Adams, and Tyler led her outside. It was still mild outside, and on a clear night, the stars and half-moon were shining brightly. “Wow, what a gorgeous night,” he said; girls love that shit!
They headed to the pool area, and Tyler knew the cabanas were unlocked. They could have some privacy there, at least for a bit. They entered and sat close to each other on a chaise lounge. Tyler raised his beer bottle and toasted, “To our futures, Katie.”
Katie returned the toast, “To the Class of 2022!”
Tyler reached in and gave her a peck on the cheek. But he pulled back only an inch or two, waiting for her to glimpse into his eyes. When she did, he looked into hers and slowly inched closer to her lips. Her mouth opened invitingly, and he accepted the invitation. Their tongues found each other and explored. Tyler’s arousal was now in full throttle, and it seemed that Katie was keeping pace. Her hand found its way down to his zipper, but without opening it, she gently massaged it as it continued its growth. “Oh, Katie, that feels so good; please don’t stop.”
She couldn’t and wouldn’t! She started unbuckling his belt as he reached around and began unzipping her dress. By the time he had worked it down to her waist, Katie had slumped, and her body fell out of Tyler’s arms, collapsing onto the chaise lounge.
Tyler froze for a minute, and then Nathan, Billy, and Sheldon entered the cabana.
“She’s out cold,” Tyler said. “Those roofies are quick-acting. Guys, I’m still hard; I’m going first.”
Lincoln Anderson had just dropped off two work friends and was heading home on West End Boulevard in Emporia, Virginia. Lincoln had recently gone from an unknown basketball player to a full scholarship recruit to Richmond Commonwealth University, thanks to the discovery by Future Stars, LLC.
Between Taylor and Greene Streets, he saw a bike lying on the road. A strange place for an abandoned bike, he thought. It was a narrow, one-way street, so Lincoln had to pull off onto the grass. He parked and got out. He walked towards the bike, and as he got within ten feet, he noticed a young girl lying in the drainage ditch. He ran over to her, knelt down, and gently pushed her to see if she was awake. There was no movement.
He ran back to his car and dialed 9-1-1 on his cell phone.
“This is 9-1-1; what is your emergency?”
“Yes, I am on West End, and a girl has fallen off her bike, and she’s not moving. I think she needs an ambulance really bad.”
“Where on West End?”
“Right at Taylor and Greene.”
“And your name, sir?”
“Lincoln Anderson.”
“OK, Mr.Anderson, please wait for the ambulance and police, and do not touch the girl. They should be there within five minutes.”
She hung up. Lincoln thought he should call home; hopefully, his dad could come over. He dialed his dad’s cell.
“What’s up, Lincoln?”
“Hi, Dad, can you get over to West End? I was driving home and saw a bike lying on the ground. When I went over to it, there was a girl lying in the ditch next to it. I called 9-1-1, and they are on their way, but I hope you can get here.”
“I’ll be right there, Lincoln. You did the right thing, but do not answer any questions until I get there. Do you hear me? Is there anyone else there? Other drivers pulled over?”
“Not yet!”
“I’m on my way.”
Ten minutes later, a police car arrived, and Lincoln could hear the ambulance approaching behind them. Lincoln got out of the car and walked towards the girl. Two uniformed police officers jumped out of their car; one pulled his gun and said, “Halt right there, young man; put your hands up in the air?”
The other officer walked to the girl’s body and placed his hand on her throat. He turned and said, “She’s gone.”
They both walked towards Lincoln and said, “Keep your hands in the air. We just need to search you; do you have a weapon?”
“No, I don’t have any weapon; what am I a suspect? I just saw the girl’s bike and stopped to see if I could help.”
The officer frisked Lincoln and then looked into his pockets. Out of his side pocket, he pulled out a small pouch that contained a white powdery substance.“What’s this?”
“What do you mean? That’s not mine, whatever it is.”
“Turn around, smart Alec. We are taking you into the station for questioning; turn around; cuff him, Buddy.”
“Wait, what the hell is this? I ain’t done nothing.”
The officer grabbed Lincoln and forcibly turned him around. Lincoln stumbled, falling to the ground. One officer kicked him in the butt, while the other pulled out a club and hit him several times on the shoulder.
“Now, are you going to get in the car peacefully, or do we need more discipline?”
Just then, Lincoln’s father pulled up and jumped out of his car, “What’s going on here? Why is my son on the ground?”
“Who are you?”
“I’m Lincoln’s father, Dwight Anderson; who are you?”
“I am Officer Jerome Abbott, and this is Officer Buddy Wilkins with the Emporia Police Department. Your son stumbled when we were putting the handcuffs on him. We are taking your son in for questioning about this young woman’s death and this substance we found on him,” showing the white pouch to Anderson.
“Dad, whatever that is, it ain’t mine. This guy just reached into my pocket and pulled it out like it was a magic trick. And they have been kicking and clubbing me.”
“Is this the way you treat all your suspects or only the Black kids? Lincoln, let’s just go down the station and get this sorted out. Don’t say a word. Officers, I’ll follow you, but do not ask my son any questions until I arrive.”
The dance had ended, and Tyler Longenecker and Katie Reynolds walked off the floor together. Tyler was a highly recruited basketball player who had recently committed to Duke University in the Fall.
Tyler asked, “How about going outside for some fresh air and a beer? I’ve got two tickets left.”
“Sure!”
They stopped by the bar and picked up two Samuel Adams, and Tyler led her outside. It was still mild outside, and on a clear night, the stars and half-moon were shining brightly. “Wow, what a gorgeous night,” he said; girls love that shit!
They headed to the pool area, and Tyler knew the cabanas were unlocked. They could have some privacy there, at least for a bit. They entered and sat close to each other on a chaise lounge. Tyler raised his beer bottle and toasted, “To our futures, Katie.”
Katie returned the toast, “To the Class of 2022!”
Tyler reached in and gave her a peck on the cheek. But he pulled back only an inch or two, waiting for her to glimpse into his eyes. When she did, he looked into hers and slowly inched closer to her lips. Her mouth opened invitingly, and he accepted the invitation. Their tongues found each other and explored. Tyler’s arousal was now in full throttle, and it seemed that Katie was keeping pace. Her hand found its way down to his zipper, but without opening it, she gently massaged it as it continued its growth. “Oh, Katie, that feels so good; please don’t stop.”
She couldn’t and wouldn’t! She started unbuckling his belt as he reached around and began unzipping her dress. By the time he had worked it down to her waist, Katie had slumped, and her body fell out of Tyler’s arms, collapsing onto the chaise lounge.
Tyler froze for a minute, and then Nathan, Billy, and Sheldon entered the cabana.
“She’s out cold,” Tyler said. “Those roofies are quick-acting. Guys, I’m still hard; I’m going first.”
Lincoln Anderson had just dropped off two work friends and was heading home on West End Boulevard in Emporia, Virginia. Lincoln had recently gone from an unknown basketball player to a full scholarship recruit to Richmond Commonwealth University, thanks to the discovery by Future Stars, LLC.
Between Taylor and Greene Streets, he saw a bike lying on the road. A strange place for an abandoned bike, he thought. It was a narrow, one-way street, so Lincoln had to pull off onto the grass. He parked and got out. He walked towards the bike, and as he got within ten feet, he noticed a young girl lying in the drainage ditch. He ran over to her, knelt down, and gently pushed her to see if she was awake. There was no movement.
He ran back to his car and dialed 9-1-1 on his cell phone.
“This is 9-1-1; what is your emergency?”
“Yes, I am on West End, and a girl has fallen off her bike, and she’s not moving. I think she needs an ambulance really bad.”
“Where on West End?”
“Right at Taylor and Greene.”
“And your name, sir?”
“Lincoln Anderson.”
“OK, Mr.Anderson, please wait for the ambulance and police, and do not touch the girl. They should be there within five minutes.”
She hung up. Lincoln thought he should call home; hopefully, his dad could come over. He dialed his dad’s cell.
“What’s up, Lincoln?”
“Hi, Dad, can you get over to West End? I was driving home and saw a bike lying on the ground. When I went over to it, there was a girl lying in the ditch next to it. I called 9-1-1, and they are on their way, but I hope you can get here.”
“I’ll be right there, Lincoln. You did the right thing, but do not answer any questions until I get there. Do you hear me? Is there anyone else there? Other drivers pulled over?”
“Not yet!”
“I’m on my way.”
Ten minutes later, a police car arrived, and Lincoln could hear the ambulance approaching behind them. Lincoln got out of the car and walked towards the girl. Two uniformed police officers jumped out of their car; one pulled his gun and said, “Halt right there, young man; put your hands up in the air?”
The other officer walked to the girl’s body and placed his hand on her throat. He turned and said, “She’s gone.”
They both walked towards Lincoln and said, “Keep your hands in the air. We just need to search you; do you have a weapon?”
“No, I don’t have any weapon; what am I a suspect? I just saw the girl’s bike and stopped to see if I could help.”
The officer frisked Lincoln and then looked into his pockets. Out of his side pocket, he pulled out a small pouch that contained a white powdery substance.“What’s this?”
“What do you mean? That’s not mine, whatever it is.”
“Turn around, smart Alec. We are taking you into the station for questioning; turn around; cuff him, Buddy.”
“Wait, what the hell is this? I ain’t done nothing.”
The officer grabbed Lincoln and forcibly turned him around. Lincoln stumbled, falling to the ground. One officer kicked him in the butt, while the other pulled out a club and hit him several times on the shoulder.
“Now, are you going to get in the car peacefully, or do we need more discipline?”
Just then, Lincoln’s father pulled up and jumped out of his car, “What’s going on here? Why is my son on the ground?”
“Who are you?”
“I’m Lincoln’s father, Dwight Anderson; who are you?”
“I am Officer Jerome Abbott, and this is Officer Buddy Wilkins with the Emporia Police Department. Your son stumbled when we were putting the handcuffs on him. We are taking your son in for questioning about this young woman’s death and this substance we found on him,” showing the white pouch to Anderson.
“Dad, whatever that is, it ain’t mine. This guy just reached into my pocket and pulled it out like it was a magic trick. And they have been kicking and clubbing me.”
“Is this the way you treat all your suspects or only the Black kids? Lincoln, let’s just go down the station and get this sorted out. Don’t say a word. Officers, I’ll follow you, but do not ask my son any questions until I arrive.”
January 12, 2024
WOW! 2023 was a busy year
I wrote four books last year, and three were published: THE MURDER GAMBIT, THE PHENOM, AND RECRUITING MURDER. All three are part of the Brown and McNeil Mystery Series.
The fourth book, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: 103 First Dates, is being edited and scheduled for release in March 2024.
GBU103 changes genre; I'm calling it Creative Non-Fiction as I document my seven years in search of my soulmate following my 2006 divorce. While introspective for sure, I believe it is a somewhat humorous look at online dating.
The fourth book, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: 103 First Dates, is being edited and scheduled for release in March 2024.
GBU103 changes genre; I'm calling it Creative Non-Fiction as I document my seven years in search of my soulmate following my 2006 divorce. While introspective for sure, I believe it is a somewhat humorous look at online dating.
Recruiting Murder
I am excited to announce that my new book, RECRUITING MURDER, has just been released.
Previewers are telling me this is the best of the three so far (even though I, of course, claimed they are all GREAT).
The venue changes in RM; it is no longer set in Philadelphia, but dually in Brookline, MA, and Emporia, VA. But Philly connections remain as Vernon Brown and James McNeil go to Emporia to help prove the innocence of McNeil's nephew.
I hope you like it; please let me know, and thank you!
Frank Lazarus
Previewers are telling me this is the best of the three so far (even though I, of course, claimed they are all GREAT).
The venue changes in RM; it is no longer set in Philadelphia, but dually in Brookline, MA, and Emporia, VA. But Philly connections remain as Vernon Brown and James McNeil go to Emporia to help prove the innocence of McNeil's nephew.
I hope you like it; please let me know, and thank you!
Frank Lazarus
July 6, 2023
Who Is Vernon Brown?
Detective Vernon Brown never pursued fortune and fame, But THE MURDER GAMBIT brought him both!
He was born in 1961 and grew up in the same West Philadelphia neighborhood he lives today. For those of you who went to Overbrook High, YES, there were a Vernon Young and Blinkie Brown, who were both Physical Education teachers at Overbrook and coached track.
Vernon Brown attended West Philadelphia High School and, after that, a degree in Criminal Justice at Temple, hoping it would speed up his promotion to Detective. It did, and in 1992 he became a detective in the Philadelphia Police Department.
Along the way, he met his wife, Veronica (Ronnie), who is a Pediatric Nurse at CHOP. They do not have any children, as both were married to their jobs.
In February of 2019, Brown and his partner, Chuck Jankowski, were called to the scene of a hit and run at 52d and Chestnuts Streets in West Philly. During the investigation, Brown befriended the deceased's son, James McNeil. Working together, they helped uncover a sinister plot of killing old people for profit. This became the basis for THE MURDER GAMBIT!
In 2022, Brown is forced to arrest James's grandson, Bo Campbell, for the murder of his friend Sherman Claxton. THE PHENOM was born. Once again, McNeil and Brown work to clear Bo, digging deep into the underbelly of the Philadelphia drug scene.
The friendship of Brown and McNeil next leads to Southern Virginia, as McNeil's nephew is accused of rape in a racially charged thriller, RECRUITING MURDER!
THANKS TO ALL WHO VOTED ON THEIR "BLURB OF PREFERENCE" IN EARLY JULY. THE VOTE WAS SO CLOSE, I DECIDED ON A HYBRID.
And BTW, Version 1 I wrote, Version 2 was written by Artificial intelligence (AI). Scary stuff!
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ASKED, THE PHENOM LAUNCH DATE IS SCHEDULED FOR LABOR DAY!
He was born in 1961 and grew up in the same West Philadelphia neighborhood he lives today. For those of you who went to Overbrook High, YES, there were a Vernon Young and Blinkie Brown, who were both Physical Education teachers at Overbrook and coached track.
Vernon Brown attended West Philadelphia High School and, after that, a degree in Criminal Justice at Temple, hoping it would speed up his promotion to Detective. It did, and in 1992 he became a detective in the Philadelphia Police Department.
Along the way, he met his wife, Veronica (Ronnie), who is a Pediatric Nurse at CHOP. They do not have any children, as both were married to their jobs.
In February of 2019, Brown and his partner, Chuck Jankowski, were called to the scene of a hit and run at 52d and Chestnuts Streets in West Philly. During the investigation, Brown befriended the deceased's son, James McNeil. Working together, they helped uncover a sinister plot of killing old people for profit. This became the basis for THE MURDER GAMBIT!
In 2022, Brown is forced to arrest James's grandson, Bo Campbell, for the murder of his friend Sherman Claxton. THE PHENOM was born. Once again, McNeil and Brown work to clear Bo, digging deep into the underbelly of the Philadelphia drug scene.
The friendship of Brown and McNeil next leads to Southern Virginia, as McNeil's nephew is accused of rape in a racially charged thriller, RECRUITING MURDER!
THANKS TO ALL WHO VOTED ON THEIR "BLURB OF PREFERENCE" IN EARLY JULY. THE VOTE WAS SO CLOSE, I DECIDED ON A HYBRID.
And BTW, Version 1 I wrote, Version 2 was written by Artificial intelligence (AI). Scary stuff!
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ASKED, THE PHENOM LAUNCH DATE IS SCHEDULED FOR LABOR DAY!
May 10, 2023
My Debut Novel is Released!
My very first book, The Murder Gambit, has been released on Amazon this week in e-Book and paperback formats.
An unexplained death in a nursing home. A man The Murder GambitFrank Lazarusfalls from a balcony. A hit and run in the middle of a city street. An execution in a home. A woman collapses dead after a date.
Five murders. Five methods. Five police jurisdictions.
What's the connection?
Philadelphia-area detectives are under pressure to solve the murders while dealing with their own issues.
Speeding like the lead car at Talladega towards a shocking conclusion, is The Murder Gambit a Shakespearean tragedy or a sinister reality?
I look forward to hearing from you and appreciate in advance your consideration of my book.
An unexplained death in a nursing home. A man The Murder GambitFrank Lazarusfalls from a balcony. A hit and run in the middle of a city street. An execution in a home. A woman collapses dead after a date.
Five murders. Five methods. Five police jurisdictions.
What's the connection?
Philadelphia-area detectives are under pressure to solve the murders while dealing with their own issues.
Speeding like the lead car at Talladega towards a shocking conclusion, is The Murder Gambit a Shakespearean tragedy or a sinister reality?
I look forward to hearing from you and appreciate in advance your consideration of my book.
A New Chapter Begins, The Coligny Beach Murders
I’m excited to share that my latest novel, The Coligny Beach Murders, will be released on October 1st. This is the seventh book in the Brown & McNeil Murder Mystery Series, and I can honestly say it’s
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