The Whispering Pines Mystery

Detective James Morgan adjusted his scarf against the biting chill of the November morning as he stepped out of his car. Whispering Pines was a small, picturesque town nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the kind of place where nothing ever happened — until last week. The local baker, Martha Gillis, had been found dead in her shop, and while the townsfolk whispered rumors of an accident, the bruises on her arms told a different story.

The town’s sheriff, Hank Albright, had reluctantly called James in when the case began to look less like an unfortunate mishap and more like foul play. James, a seasoned investigator with the state police, had grown up in a small town himself. He understood the intricacies of these tight-knit communities, where everyone knew everyone — and everyone had secrets.

Day 1

James’ first stop was Gillis Bakery. The cheerful sign above the door contrasted sharply with the somber atmosphere inside. The crime scene tape fluttered in the breeze, and the scent of cinnamon rolls lingered in the air, as if Martha’s presence hadn’t entirely left.