A WHARF RAT MYSTERY IN LETTERS
POSTMARKED SHELL BAY
A thirty-year-old case. Two old friends. Every clue arrives in the mail.
Sarah Cooper's old boss has written back to her by return from his retirement home - which is a clue in itself, as 'Ol Thurgood is not known for his communication skills. The mystery unfolds letter by letter. Start whenever you like: Envelope 1 goes out when you join, and and a new one follows every two weeks, by physical mail or by email.
A Cozy Mystery In Letters, Delivered To Your Door
Postmarked Shell Bay is a cozy mystery told entirely in letters, by Canadian author Jackie Sharp. Every two weeks, a new envelope arrives by mail or by email. Each one holds real typewritten letters and replica clues for you can solve the mystery yourself. It's a spin-off from the Wharf Rat Mysteries, set in the seaside town of Shell Bay, somewhere on Vancouver Island, British Columbia
The Story
Sarah Cooper spent thirty years as the secretary at Thurgood Investigations Inc, a small private detective agency in Steveston, Vancouver. Now she's retired to a boat at Sea Breeze Marina in Shell Bay. Sarah and her fellow liveaboards have taken up the hobby of amateur sleuthing, to the irritation of the local police.
When she writes to her former boss, 'Ol Thurgood, who now resides in Willow Brook Retirement Community, she expects a grumpy reply, maybe in a month or two, maybe never. Instead, 'Ol Thurgood writes back immediately. A new resident has moved into the retirement community, someone who 'Ol Thurgood had hoped never to see again. Now 'Ol Thurgood needs a file from the agency's old storage boxes, and he has some strict instructions for Sarah.
What follows is a mystery that unfolds one letter at a time, between a chatty amateur sleuth and a stubborn retired private investigator with something to hide. It has small-town secrets, old friendships and a case that was never closed.
Who it's For
Postmarked Shell Bay is for readers who love cozy mysteries, small town amateur sleuths, epistolary novels and armschair detective puzzles. It's also for anyone who misses the pleasure of a real letter in the mailbox. It makes a thoughtful gift for mystery lovers, book clubs and anyone who prefers a whodunit with a cup of tea and slice of cake, rather than a thriller with a gory body count. You don't need to have read the Wharf Rat Mysteries to enjoy it.
1
Choose mail or digital
Real typewritten letters in a physical envelope sent to your door, or illustrated PDFs sent to your inbox. It's the same story either way.
2
An envelope every two weeks
Mailed envelopes go out on the 14th and 28th of each month - the first one goes out with the next available mailing date. PDFs are delivered every 14 days - first one immediately after signing up.
3
Solve it before they do
Each mailing - either physical or digital holds a letter from Sarah and a letter from 'Ol Thurgood, plus enclosed clues (or maybe red herrings!) The solution arrives sealed so you can test your theory and sleuthing abilities before the big reveal!
MEET YOUR CORRESPONDENTS
Thirty years a secretary for 'Ol Thurgood, Sarah "retired" to Shell Bay to live on a boat in Sea Breeze Marina. Now she's the most enthusiastic (or most annoying, if you ask DI Linda Jenkins) amateur sleuth in town.
Sarah is endlessly curious, (nosy) and insists that her fellow "Wharf Rats", the other liveaboards, Jewell and Joseph, follow the Wharf Rats Investigative Standard Operating Procedures (W.R.I.S.O.P)
'Ol Thurgood is a retired Private Investigator, the owner and operator of Thurgood Investigation Inc.
He now lives in Willow Brook Retirement Community and dreams of the days when he was out in the field. 'Ol Thurgood has no patience for the 'world wide web" or hippies. Or people who live on boats. Or journalists. He's still sharp as a tack, and is quite fond of Sarah, but would never tell her.
questions?
What is Postmarked Shell Bay?
A cozy mystery told entirely in letters between retired secretary Sarah Cooper and her old boss, retired Private Investigator, 'Ol Thurgood. A new envelope of letters and clues arrives every two weeks, either by physical mail, or by email
Do I need to have read the Wharf Rat Mysteries?
No. The letters stand on their own, although regular readers of the series will spot some familiar faces
When can I start?
Whenever you like. Your season begins the day you join, and for the mailed edition, the first envelope will go out immediately, and then on the 15th and 30th of each month. The digital edition will arrive in your inbox every 14 days, from the day you join.
Is the digital edition the same story as the mailed one?
Yes. Both editions have the same letters and enclosures.
Where do you ship? What does it cost?
Canada, USA and UK. Shipping is included for Canada. Additional rates apply for USA and the UK
Is there a payment plan?
No, not at this time. One payment of $95 CAD for the mailed edition (plus shipping if applicable) or $24.99 CAD for the digital edition covers the whole season.
What if I don't receive the mailed envelope?
I ask that you give it a few days especially over holiday periods, but then contact me immediately for a replacement. If you change address, also contact me as soon as possible, to make sure you receive the whole season.
Does this make a good gift?
It makes a great gift for the cozy mystery enthusiasts in your life! Just complete the correct shipping address at the checkout, and let me know if there is a message you'd like to include. The digital edition is a little trickier, as the system is set up to send the emails to the address associated with payment. But just email me straightaway with the correct email, and I'll amend manually.
Will there be more seasons?
Absolutely! I am working on them right now!