My name is Shaun Marlow and I write mysteries. When I inherited my grandfather's house, a couple of miles from the town of Winterdale, I packed up and moved into it.

I wanted the serenity of small town life and chance to fully involve myself in my writing without the distractions of city living. Little did I know that wasn't going to happen.

Within a few days of the move I met three men, all gay but then so am I, and we became friends. I had no expectations of more because I find relationships almost impossible to maintain -- my fault, I know, but it is what it is.

I also met a stray cat. I named him Laird after he decided I was going to be his person.

If it wasn't for him things might have turned out quite differently in my new life. Then there was the disappearance, and ultimate murder, of Norma Willows, the town gossip and flirt.

I became involved because she came on to me more than once. Lucky me? One of my new friends was the sheriff, Alan Quinn, who didn't really object when I stuck my nose into the case, once he decided I hadn't killed her.

Last but not least, I managed to obtain a stalker, much to my and Alan's dismay. Yes, my new life was definitely turning out to be much more interesting than I'd expected.

. .