Eye of Newt

Driftwood Mysteries #2

by William J. Cook

The short story, "Eye of Newt," originally published in the collection, Catch of the Day, is the suspenseful second installment of The Driftwood Mysteries. It is both epilogue to the novel, Seal of Secrets, and prologue to the forthcoming novel, Woman in the Waves. The formerly quiet town of Driftwood, Oregon, has barely recovered from the ravages of the ex-convict Raven, after a pulse-pounding showdown on the Yaquina Bay Bridge in Newport. Now Dr. Sterling Friese, Professor of Biology at Pacific Crest University, is using his knowledge of the life sciences to plot the perfect murder. Dean Arlon Wasserman, long suspicious of Friese's extracurricular activities, has hired Invictus Investigations to expose the philandering teacher. Friese will stop at nothing to prevent that from happening, even if it means killing his own boss. Hot on his trail, Police Officers Charley Whitehorse and Tony Esperanza will do all in their power to bring the brilliant and ruthless man to justice.

40 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 2, 2018

About the author

William Cook is a Connecticut native transplanted to Oregon in 1989. He is a graduate of the State University of New York at Albany, where he received his Master's Degree in Social Work. He spent 37 years as a mental health therapist, and he is now enjoying his retirement with his artist wife.

Reviews

[Samantha Henthorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never seen this done before, a short story as the middle book of a series. This is the epilogue of book one and the prequel of book two, great! The thing I am enjoying about William Cook's writing is the clever twists in the crimes. Not your average guess-who-did-it. I enjoyed the continuing character threads of Chloe and detectives Esperanza and Whitehorse.
I think you could read this as a stand-alone if you were looking for a short story, but be warned, you will want to read the other two books!

[Connie Lacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story is an effective transition story from Cook’s novel, "Seal of Secrets," to "Woman in the Waves, The Driftwood Mysteries Book #3." We get to meet an unforgettably sinister college professor who doesn’t care how far he has to go to achieve his goals.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ingenious Story

Cook managed to provide humor, romance, and an almost flawless murder plot in just 39 pages. It helps that most of the characters were introduced in the first Driftwood mystery. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Antigone Walsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a Short Story

A lecherous but talented professor commits what he thinks is the perfect murder. But a Native American cop has figured it out.

This is just a short story. No final resolution.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short story but with good twists to it. A scientist plotting the perfect crime. With Chloe and Detectives Whitehorse and Esperanza in this also
Given audio for my voluntary review

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful short mystery novel taking place on the Oregon coast in the factitious town of Driftwood. A great way to get your feet wet to start reading the Driftwood Mystery series.