All Things Slip Away

Spookie Town Murder Mysteries #2

by Kathryn Meyer Griffith

Ten years ago Frank Lester, a Chicago homicide detective, though he had rid himself forever of the Mud People Killer who'd kidnapped and murdered six people. Frank had shot him as he'd fled through a snowy night, and he believed, had killed him, though a body was never found. But the killer wasn't dead. He'd only been waiting to take his revenge on Frank and those he cares about now...ten years later. Frank retired early and is living back in his hometown of Spookie (a quaint throwback of a place in the woods) when the killer resurfaces to take up where he left off. Kidnapping more innocents and tormenting Frank and the people he cares about. Unless Frank and his artist girlfriend, Abigail Sutton, can find and stop him before he kills any more people, them included.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Paranormal, Cozy

231 pages, Hardcover

First published November 30, 2005

About the author

About Kathryn Meyer Griffith 2023
Since childhood I’ve been an artist, and have worked as a graphic designer in the corporate world and for newspapers for twenty-three years before I quit to write full time. But I’d already begun writing novels at 21, over fifty-one years ago now, and have had thirty-five (romantic horror, horror novels, romantic SF horror, romantic suspense, romantic time travel, historical romance, thrillers, one non-fiction short story collection, dinosaur books, and murder mysteries) previous novels and thirteen short stories published from various traditional publishers since 1984. But I’ve gone into self-publishing in a big way since 2012; and upon getting all my previous books’ full rights back for the first time in 36 years, have self-published all of them. My seven Dinosaur Lake novels and Spookie Town Murder Mysteries (Scraps of Paper, All Things Slip Away, Ghosts Beneath Us, Witches Among Us, What Lies Beneath the Graves, All Those Who Came Before, When the Fireflies Returned, and Echoes of Other Times) are my best-sellers.
I was married to Russell for over forty-three years; have a son, two grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. I live in a small quaint town in Illinois. I have a quirky cat, Sasha, and we live happily in an old house in the heart of town. Though I’ve been an artist, and a folk/classic rock singer in my youth with my late brother Jim, writing has always been my greatest passion, my butterfly stage, and I’ll probably write stories until the day I die…or until my memory goes.
2012 EPIC EBOOK AWARDS *Finalist* for her horror novel The Last Vampire ~ 2014 EPIC EBOOK AWARDS * Finalist * for her thriller novel Dinosaur Lake.

*All Kathryn Meyer Griffith’s books can be found here:
http://tinyurl.com/ld4jlow
*All her Audible.com audio books here:
http://tinyurl.com/oz7c4or

Novels and short stories from Kathryn Meyer Griffith:
Evil Stalks the Night, The Heart of the Rose, Blood Forged, Vampire Blood, The Last Vampire (2012 EPIC EBOOK AWARDS*Finalist* in their Horror category), Witches, Witches II: Apocalypse, Witches plus Witches II: Apocalypse, The Nameless One erotic horror short story, The Calling, Scraps of Paper (The First Spookie Town Murder Mystery), All Things Slip Away (The Second Spookie Town Murder Mystery), Ghosts Beneath Us (The Third Spookie Town Murder Mystery), Witches Among Us (The Fourth Spookie Town Murder Mystery), What Lies Beneath the Graves (The Fifth Spookie Town Murder Mystery; sixth, All Who Came Before, When the Fireflies Returned (the seventh Spookie Town Murder Mystery), Echoes of Other Times (the eighth Spookie Town Murder Mystery), Egyptian Heart, Winter’s Journey, The Ice Bridge, Don’t Look Back, Agnes, A Time of Demons and Angels, The Woman in Crimson, Human No Longer, Six Spooky Short Stories Collection, Forever and Always Romantic Novella, Night Carnival Short Story, Dinosaur Lake (2014 EPIC EBOOK AWARDS*Finalist* in their Thriller/Adventure category), Dinosaur Lake II: Dinosaurs Arising, Dinosaur Lake III: Infestation and Dinosaur Lake IV: Dinosaur Wars, Dinosaur Lake V: Survivors, Dinosaur Lake VI: The Alien Connection, Dinosaur Lake VII: The Aliens Return, Memories of My Childhood, and Christmas Magic 1959.

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Reviews

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frank is a retired cop from Chicago who has moved back to hometown of Spookie to write books. Annie found this quaint little town after her husband was killed. She is a great artist and has started painting ads for some the town's businesses. When a young girl disappears and a mud doll is left in her mailbox, Frank knows it is the same serial killer he had been chasing in Chicago for killings that had taken place there. He figures the killer has followed him to seek revenge for Frank shooting him. As the plot thickens and more people disappear in their little town. It sets everyone on edge. The story keeps getting better as it goes along and is well worth the read. The only thing that I found frustrating was not with the story or the author...it was a with the lack of a good editor.

[Beverly McClure · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALL THINGS SLIP AWAY, book #2 in the Spookie Town Mysteries begins with a Prologue, ten years earlier, where police officer Frank Lester is on the trail of a kidnapper and killer, which then brings the reader to the present. And when a teen girl goes missing, we are caught in the middle of a mystery that affects the entire town. Did she run away? Is she lost, or kidnapped, or worse? This isn’t the first time that people have vanished, with no trace. And it won’t be the last.

So, turn on the lights, lock all the doors and snuggle up in a comfy chair to see what is going on in the small town of Spookie. Katheryn Meyer Griffith has written another mystery that will keep you guessing why people are disappearing. We met some of the characters in SCRAPS OF PAPER, the first book in the series, so they seemed like old friends. If you enjoy adventure, suspense, mystery, and a bit of romance, this is the book for you. Happy reading.

[LibraryCin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Artist and widow Abby has been living on the town of Spookie for a year or two now (?). She is good friends with retired detective, Frank. When a local girl who works at the grocery store disappears, the town is on edge. When a little mud clay doll appears, Frank knows it’s a serial killer, whom he thought he’d killed 10 years earlier in Chicago, back to kidnap and murder again. This time in Frank’s small town.

I really liked this. There were parts from the killer’s POV, and honestly, most of the time when that’s included in a book, I don’t find those parts interesting, but that was not the case with this book. I was also engaged in those parts. The book takes place throughout the Fall including Halloween and up to Christmas, so it felt like a “nice” (well, as nice as serial killer mysteries go!) Fall read. Have to admit, though, there was more than once where I said to myself – call the police! Don’t do these things yourself (and that includes “talking to” Frank – he’s not a cop, anymore!). This was the 2nd book in a series, but to be honest, I remember next to nothing of the first book, so I would say you don’t need to read the first one first.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abbie and Frank

This is the second book in a very by a new-to-me author.
Frank is a retired cop from Chicago who has moved back to hometown of Spookie to write books.
Annie found this quaint little town after husband was killed. She is a great artist and has started painting meals for some the town's businesses.
When a young girl disappears and a mud status is left in her mailbox, Frank knows it is a serial killer he had been chasing in Chicago for killings done there. He figures the killer has followed him to seek revenge for Frank shooting him.
As the plot thickens and more people disappear in their little town. It sets everyone on edge. The story keeps getting better as it goes along and is well worth the read. I have the three books in this series on my tablet to read. I am sure they will be just as good.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series...can't wait to read book 3!

[Mareena · Rating 5 out of 5]

A decade ago, Chicago Homicide Detective Frank Lester and his partner Sam Cato tracked a vicious serial kidnapper and murderer who claimed six victims. The criminal, dubbed 'The Mud People Killer' by the press - for the crude mud sculptures he left in the victims' mailboxes after they were taken - specifically targeted Frank Lester by sending him taunting notes about each victim. Frank had shot him on a snowy night during a foot chase, and he believed, had killed him, although a body was never found.

However, the killer wasn't dead. He was only biding his time, waiting to exact his revenge on Frank and everyone he cares about now...ten years later. Frank retired early and is now living back in his hometown of Spookie - a quaint throwback of a close-knit community in the woods - when the killer resurfaces and takes up where he left off. Kidnapping more innocent people and tormenting Frank and everyone he cares about. There must be a way to stop him; and Frank and his artist girlfriend, Abigail Sutton, are determined to find it, before he kills more people, them included.

I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was a very intriguing plot, filled with sympathetic characters that I really came to care about. And, I know this will probably sound strange to everyone, but I even felt some slight compassion for the murderer - not in any way for the horrible things he did - but for the mental anguish he experienced within himself. I give All Things Slip Away by Kathryn Meyer Griffith an A+!

I will say that this book was a little slow for me to get in to at first. Although, that had everything to do with my own reading pace and nothing else.

[BookLoversLife · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you could sum up All Things Slip Away in three words, what would they be?
Great Murder Mystery.

Who was your favorite character and why?
I don't have a favourite one because I enjoyed them all. Abigail is a competent heroine, she is a normal woman and has her insecurities but will do what she can when needed. Frank was even better. He is so kind and nice and a great match for Abigail. Both are equally good and both bring something special to the book.

What about Abby Elvidge’s performance did you like?
Abby was a good narrator. It was easy to listen to her and she made a great Abigail, though I do think she could of added a little more to the other characters.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Yes. Like book 1, I wanted to keep reading to see what happens.

Any additional comments?
All Things Slip Away was a great second book. It can be read as a standalone but I recommend reading book 1 so you can get a feel for the characters. Kathryn Meyers Griffith is such a good story teller and invests so much into her characters. She does the same here and creates a really good murder/ mystery that will keep you reading.

[Chocalicious Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Things Slip Away is another great small town mystery. This story began ten years before when Chicago Homicide Detective Frank Lester and his partner Sam Cato pursued a serial kidnapper and murderer – The Mud People Killer -- who claimed six victims. The killer seemed to have had a personal vendetta against Frank who finally shot him one night during a foot chase. Problem was the body was never found, so there was no proof that the killer was dead.

Guess what? He wasn’t!

He was just waiting. Waiting for the right time to strike again. Waiting for Frank. And strike he did!! Yup. He waited for Frank to retire in his hometown, Spookie, and BAM! He picked up where he had left off ten years ago.

Wow. You have to read this nail-biting story filled with great characters that you will simply love.

An excellent read!

*I received this free audiobook in exchange for an unbiased review.*

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frank Lester was a Chicago cop who almost caught a killer - shot him, but the killer got away. Years alter, he has moved to Spookie, a small town where he grew up, trying to have a quiet retirement. Only the killer has come to Spookie and is after those he cares about.

I liked many elements of this story, especially Abby, Frank's girlfriend. I got distracted however, by elements re. foster care services etc... that didn't ring true to me. I think that lessened my enjoyment of the story. But overall, a good character story.

[Deedra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts in the past.A kidnapper is leaving 'mud people' sculptures in mailboxes or on windowsills of victims houses after he kidnaps them.Frank,a detective at the time,finally shoots the man but they never fins his or any other bodies.10 years later,it starts again.I liked this story.Abby Elvidge did a wonderful job narrating.
"I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot com"

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this one immediately after reading "Scraps of Paper". I enjoyed this one just as much as I did the first one. This one is a little more creepier than the first one. But once again, I wished there was more "heat" for the two main characters. Can't tell if there is more to this series or this is it?

[Staara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked Abby in this book more than the first book.

I did find the pov of the evil guy interesting to read, however, I'm not that sure that his mental health issues were really looked into that much, with regards to do what he does.

Abby still continues to be a successful artist, with many 'clamouring' to get a commission as she's such an amazing artist, this part annoyed me, as she's heavily reliant on her art, and to be honest, I do wonder how likely it is for an artist to get tonnes of people 'clamouring' for her artistic expertise.
I liked reading about Frank a bit more, but for an ex-cop, he is a bit slow, especially with what is going on in the flat.
I found when he gets caught in a situation ridiculous, can people really be that stupid?

I also found it annoying how often 'free food' was mentioned, I mean okay, people offer to give food to you, it just makes you sound like some greedy & selfish person that only cares about getting free food, and not appreciate the person offering it to you.

Oh and of course one of the girls just happens to be an artist (something that we had in the book before this one) and a pretty good one at that.

I found the entire adoption thing completely unrealistic, so adoption agencies just hand out children to anybody who wants them, without looking at their income, and living conditions for the children, food, clothing etc? especially when Abby's income isn't that much, and she scrapes by-but of course being an artist, she cannot get off her backside, and her high horse, ad get a decent job-for the children. Instead she selfishly relies on her art only, thinking that one commission, after another will help feed the kids, keep them entertained, give them clothing etc. The adoption agency/home for children willingly offers her the kids, without asking any questions about her finances?

Also with the murders that go on, nobody figures out the obvious thing that could've happened to those that went missing? Even if one of the characters mentions it but obviously without knowing what her words mean to the investigation that swamp/quicksand location that Myrtle talks about, and she says one wrong step, and you can get sucked in, and nobody figures out that the dead bodies could have been taken there?
and it's the same kind of situation in Chicago, and nobody figures it out in Spookie, until later on?

I still do like the writing, I do like Myrtle and the other characters in the book, it's just that some of the writing is a bit-well not to my liking!

[Ella Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

A masterclass in suspense, layered, haunting, and deeply human.

Kathryn Meyer Griffith doesn’t just write stories, she builds worlds. And in All Things Slip Away, she proves yet again that her decades of storytelling experience aren’t just impressive, they’re felt on every page.

This isn’t just a murder mystery, it’s a haunting reflection on memory, fear, and justice. Ten years after a killer was presumed dead, he returns like a ghost from the past, targeting not just innocents, but the very soul of Frank Lester, our flawed yet compelling protagonist. Griffith paints small-town life with eerie beauty and brings characters like Abigail to life with tender realism and emotional weight.

What I love most is how quietly confident the writing is. There's no rushing. No flash-for-the-sake-of-flash. Just a patient unraveling of dread, hope, and tension that hooks you before you even realize you're sinking.

It’s the kind of book that feels like it was written by someone who has lived with their characters for years. Because she has.

Griffith is a writer in full command of her craft, and this book and this entire Spookie Town series, is proof that you don't need explosions or gimmicks to grip a reader. You need heart, truth, and the courage to tell a story well.

If you love old-school suspense with soul, nuance, and emotional stakes, you’ll want to get lost in Spookie... just be careful what you find.

[Darlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this book 3 stars because in the beginning of the book the story dragged on and on. I was tempted to give up reading it but I continued on and I am glad I did. First off, I have to say the kidnapper/ murderer was very creepy. He heard voices in his head that told him what to do and how to do it, but along with the voices he would also see mud people following him everywhere. I wondered if the mud people were the ghosts or spirits of the many people he killed. His method of killing was throwing his victim into a quicksand bog. Sorry for the spoilers but I can’t say anything about this book without revealing its secrets.
The characters are amazing... I enjoyed the characters... each with their own blend of uniqueness.
I recommend everyone to read this book and push through the beginning of it and the middle and ending is worth the time.

[Maren · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first book, but in the second novel of the series I feel like the author went backwards in writing skills. It sounded more like something a middleschooler would have written instead of a published author. Not exactly bad, but not the something I would expect from an experienced writer either. The characters seem a little flat, and they spend most of their time either feeling sorry for themselves or each other. And aside from the serial kidnapper/killer, everything seems just a little too idyllic to be believable. Even the horribly poor and suffering family being used solely as a plot device to try and garner sympathy seems a bit contrived and one-dimensional.

Very disappointing, and if the next book is more of the same, I am not sure I will continue this series.

[Angela Johnson Guinan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series and just as engrossing as the first. Abigail and Frank are still friends with a quirky cast of small town people who make the book so interesting. This time Frank is at the center of the mystery. A former police detective, an unsolved case makes it's way to this small town and they have to figure it out before more people go missing. As was the case with the first book, the characters and descriptions make you feel like you are a part of the town. Everyone has such a distinct personality without being too much. If you like small town mysteries, this is a good one!

[Loraine Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I bought the first book in this series as what I thought would be a lighter murder mystical book but soon became engrossed in Abby and Frank and all the other characters in Spookie, they became real people, so bought the second book and now I have to get the third! The characters are great, some funny, some not, but the book itself just draws the reader into this small town and it’s people. Hopefully Abby and Frank will go further in their budding relationship and Laura and Nicholas find happiness with Laura, great reading

[John Belcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's There then it's Not

Mental illness can be anything from Autism, to mental instability,committing murder as this story brought out. Even though he had an IQ of 190, he had Ross the line where he thought he was smarter than anyone. When you know you are being singled out for torture, yet you don't know why life becomes frustrating about most everything. Frank and Abby have been through the wringer and yet continue to draw closer to each other finding traits that are exemplified through,trials learning to trust and love each other deeper.

[Diane M Fales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Renewed my love of reading!

Book 1 of this series kept me turning page after page! It’s been years since I’ve spent so much time reading books! The first book introduced the 2 “main” characters and many of the people of Spookie. The 2nd book kept me spell-bound. We get to know more of the people in town, and I really enjoyed reading about how Abby’s heart is captured in book 2. The characters are interesting and the suspense kept building, so I had trouble putting it down. Now…onward to book #3!

[Jodi Pomerleau · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the first book very much, which inspired me to seek out the rest of the series. This book was not as enjoyable as the first one. I found it dragged on with a lot of nothing happening, yet knowing exactly what was to come. It just took to long to get there. I don't know how a starving artist could consider taking on 2 children, but I guess love prevails. The ending leaves a crack open should the author decide to resurrect the Mud People Killer.

[Julia DeMasi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Read

I love this series so far. Can’t wait to start Book 3. This was such an entertains book and always kept me waiting for thee next thing to happen. Book one as just as good as this second one. I will not write about the Storyline. I don’t like giving away anything in a review. The characters are easy to relate to the story line really good. I definitely recommend this book.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This mystery just didn't grab me - I found it too formulaic and I had trouble caring about the characters until well into the book. I did like that the author let us see into the thinking of the killer a few times. That helped a bit. But I won't be reading any more in this series. There are too many other mystery writers I prefer.

[Erth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a great, easy and creative series. i was hooked after the first page.

The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.

i would highly recommend this author and this series.

[Peter Audette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspense and Romance continue

A perfect follow up to Griffith’s first Spookie Town Mystery book. Our characters continue to misstep one after the other into the shadow of danger. The villain is relentless in his pursuit of revenge on Frank whose overconfidence put him in mortal danger.

[Judy Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second book In series measures up to first book.

After reading the first book in this series, I didn't think the second could possibly measure up to the first,but it far exceeded my expectations. It slowly pulled me into the middle of the mystery and guided me along to find the answers to each clue in the puzzle. Well done.




ations.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

AnotherGoodie

Second in series, just as good as the first. Lovely characters, riveting plot, even the bad guy evokes emotions. Abigale must have a metabolism to die for with browning, cakes, breakfast with everything. Enviable. I wish someone would have edited it better as about every page had a hyphen in the wrong place. A bit irritating but a lovely book

[mmobsby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second Spookie Towm mystery moved the relationship between Ally and Frank on nicely. It was also fun to bring in Laura and Nicholas. There could be lots of scope for these characters. I was pleased to see Snowball make several appearances. For me I preferred the whodonit aspect of the first book but the new story was intriguing.

[Jan L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nightmare returns

I enjoyed this book and this town. The characters come alive and the suspense held my attention. The plot was very imaginative, though I don't think the bad guy could remain so anonymous in a nosy small town. Lol. I look forward to another visit to Spookie Town..

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Literally the only problem I had with this was that the formatting could have been better and there was some unnecessary repetition of details. Aside from that I loved this book! Getting the first one on Kindle now! It is a little tropey but in all the best ways, had my heart in my throat several times, and left me feeling happy.

[BRT · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started out as a somewhat cozy-ish series with the first book. With the dark, brutal, and sad subject matter of the second book, the author appears to be veering away from that cozy heading. Although, at times, there is still that glossing over of heavy emotions that lends a cozy air to the story. Intriguing mystery, suspense, and action.