The Car in the Field

by Louise Gorday

In June 1923, private investigator Tatum “Shoe” Shoemaker returns to the bayside town of Nevis, Maryland, to marry his sweetheart, Fannie Byrne. The last thing he anticipates is the violence that seems to dog his every step. He would prefer to believe the incidents are coincidental, but when someone begins sabotaging Fannie’s wedding plans, he is drawn into a twisting tale of murder, War of 1812 buried treasure, and greed at the highest levels of the town’s government and the town’s elite. With the help of his brother Rudy, and Riley Tanner, the managing editor of the Nevis Evening Star, Shoe scrambles to identify an enemy who won’t stop until he puts Shoe six feet under.

This book is a stand alone sequel to The Dame on the Dock

This story was inspired by an abandoned car in a cornfield in Calvert County, MD. Each year the owner of the field plants a new corn crop around the old, rusting junker. I've often wondered why the car is there. Wondering finally got the best of me and I decided to create a story about it. If you're ever traveling down Route 4 through the county, take a quick look to the left when you reach the Tractor Supply--yes, Calvert County is still beautifully rural--on the right. Said vehicle is down in the field, and it looks like a new corn crop is being planted this year.

279 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 23, 2024

About the author

Louise Gorday is an award-nominated author of twelve novels, many of which center on life in a small fictional Southern Maryland town based loosely on Chesapeake Beach, Maryland. Her plots range from historical fiction describing the founding of the amusement park in the early 1900s and a private investigator in the 1920s to the modern-day fantasy escapade of an immortal battling Pandora’s grandson for the dark muse of Edgar Allan Poe. Whether it be Solomons Island, Upper Marlboro, or a trip down a notched road, she loves to include local places and Maryland customs in her stories. Louise lives in Dunkirk, Maryland, with a very patient husband, two Shelties, and Emmett, an African Grey who sings the Sponge Bob Square Pants theme song.
"I could blame it on a stapler. Or maybe it was the Scotch tape, the dog ear, or the occasional white paste. Whatever it was, once I found I could join pieces of paper and write stories, I was forever enthralled by this great adventure called writing."
Louise's novel Edgar and the Flyboys was recently a finalist in Poe Baltimore's 2022 Saturday "Visiter" Awards, which honor artistic works that continue Edgar Allan Poe's legacy.

Website and to subscribe to Louise's mailing list: https://www.louisegordaybooks.com/

The Five-Fingered Elf book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hjA_...

Reviews

[✨ ੈ✩‧April ♡ ʚ♡⃛ɞ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book through the goodreads giveaways!

"The Car in the Field" by Louise Gorday is a brilliant and unforgettable read that deserves every one of its five stars. Gorday’s novel is a masterful blend of mystery, emotion, and insightful storytelling that captivates from beginning to end.

The book’s plot revolves around a compelling mystery that unfolds with both suspense and nuance. Gorday’s writing is sharp and evocative, drawing readers into the story with vivid descriptions and intricate details. The mystery at the heart of the novel is skillfully crafted, with twists and turns that keep you guessing while maintaining a strong emotional core.

Character development is a standout feature in "The Car in the Field." Gorday creates multi-dimensional characters who are deeply relatable and engaging. Their personal struggles and growth are portrayed with sensitivity and depth, adding layers of complexity to the narrative. The relationships between the characters are particularly well-developed, contributing to the book’s emotional resonance.

The setting of the novel is also noteworthy, with Gorday’s descriptive prowess bringing the environment to life and enhancing the overall atmosphere of the story. The balance between the mystery elements and character-driven moments is handled with finesse, making for a well-rounded and satisfying read.

In summary, "The Car in the Field" by Louise Gorday is a must-read for fans of mystery and character-driven fiction. Its compelling plot, richly developed characters, and evocative writing make it a standout novel that resonates long after the final page. Highly recommended and deserving of every bit of its five-star rating!

[Shilo Goodson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book appears to be the second in a series. I hadn't read the previous book. I didn't even realize when I started reading it that there was a previous book. While it can technically be read on its own, there were definitely places where I was confused. I felt like I needed to understand the backstory a bit better to get what was going on.

I wasn't a huge fan of the book. I just felt like there were a lot of places where the plot didn't make sense. Part of that might be that I haven't read the previous book. I also tended to struggle to understand the motivations of several of the characters.

This book does have some swearing. There are no sex scenes or any graphic violence, though.

[Lindsay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway and here’s my honest review! ✨

1.5 stars for me! I didn’t realize this was the second book in a series until I read other reviews because parts just didn’t make sense. It could probably be read as a standalone but you’ll be wondering what’s going on because they reference a lot of things that happened in the past without giving much detail.

I also just couldn’t get into the book. I would have DNF’d it but I can’t bring myself to do that, thankfully it wasn’t a long read, but it just took me awhile because I put it down for months before picking it back up again.

I did like how everything sort of came together at the end though.