Initial SHOCK

by Mary Flynn

When Claire Fournaris heads east to settle her beloved aunt’s affairs, the trip to her uncle’s estate is marked by a terrifying car accident that takes the life of her limousine driver, and very nearly her own life, as well. After another near-death experience involving a shadowy figure in her hospital room, Claire is convinced someone is trying to kill her. Everyone believes she has merely been traumatized by the car accident … until someone else is found dead, prompting a warning to trust no one. As Claire’s visit spirals into endless suspicion, danger, and deceit, one clue is all they have—a dying woman’s last the initials “H. A.” Would it be enough to save Claire in that final moment when her fate hangs in the balance? A spellbinding cozy tale of deception and murder, with unexpected twists at every turn and a cast of characters that will keep the reader guessing till the end.

288 pages, Paperback

Published November 21, 2025

About the author

Mary Flynn is a gold medal author of fiction, non-fiction, illustrated children’s, and poetry, as well as an accomplished speaker. Her mid-century characters are ordinary people living ordinary lives until the extraordinary happens. Then, it’s mayhem and sometimes miracles, or, most recently, mayhem and murder, about which she says that she discovered she likes killing people. Ha! Mary’s observational humor has appeared in the Sunday New York Times, and other dailies and magazines. She is published in the celebrated Saturday Evening Post Anthology of Great Fiction.
Mary was a full-time staff writer for Hallmark Cards in Kansas City, a writer/editor for the leading provider of reading materials used in the U.S. public school system, and an acclaimed conference speaker and business programs facilitator for Disney, where she appeared before more than a quarter-of-a-million people, often sharing the platform with celebrity speakers such as Tony Robbins and Malcolm Gladwell.
She has enjoyed an on-air role with Salem radio.

Reviews

[Ann Tombros · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I started reading this book I could not put it down. I read the entire book in one day. I loved the mystery & can’t wait for Mary’s next book to come out.
I simply love her style of writing. It just wants one to keep reading & reading. I highly recommend this book & all the others Mary has written.

[William Anderson]

Mary Flynn's Claire Fournaris is our gutsy, somewhat reluctant guide taking us on a wild who-done-it ride - just don't try pushing her aside - this gal gives back better than she gets. A who's who of shady characters for Claire to wade through in search of a killer, had me guessing to the very end, and I was still wrong! But loved the journey.

[Suzanne Cottrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Flynn's book is a riveting, page turner. Just when I thought I knew who was threatening Claire and a possible motive, she took me in an unexpected direction. She is masterful at creating tension and suspense up to the very end of the novel. I'll be recommending Initial SHOCK to my friends.