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The Madison Murder: On the case with Roberta Isleib...
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Murder Mystery Night in Madison Thursday 4/30.
On Thursday, April 30th, murder comes to Madison. And, as one might expect, local author Roberta Isleib is at the center of it all. This year’s Madison Cares’ Movie Night, an annual fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity, has been dubbed “Murder Mystery Night in Madison.” In addition to an 8 o’clock screening of the Hitchcock classic Rear Window, Isleib has written an interactive short story for the event. And, along with offering free wine and food samples, participating merchants will also be serving up clues to the crime. Attendees are encouraged to play amateur sleuth and figure out whodunit, with one lucky winner receiving a weekend getaway for two. Tickets for the event are $35 and $50, and can be purchased in advance at several local stores. For more information, click here.
Isleib is the author of two mystery series. The first, the Golf Lover’s Mysteries, was launched in 2002, and features neurotic golfer Cassie Burdette. More recently, she penned three titles in the Advice Column Mysteries, introducing readers to Dr. Rebecca Butterman, a psychologist/advice columnist with a knack for stumbling upon bloodied and beaten bodies. (The most recent, Asking for Murder, was released by Berklee Prime Crime in September.) A golf enthusiast with thirteen years experience working as a clinical psychologist, Isleib writes what she knows. In addition to incorporating her hobbies and work experience into her stories, she also sets them locally: the Rebecca Butterman books take place predominantly in Madison and Guilford.
On Thursday night, the town of Madison will again find itself at the center of Isleib’s focus. Her short story takes place there and features a cast of residents and business owners, all of whom are suspect in murder. Even the unfortunate victim, Alan Goldberg, has local ties—he’s Madison’s first selectman! (Read the story below.)
Isleib will be appearing at R.J. Julia at 7pm that same night for a private event titled “Behind the Mystery.” Participants who purchase “Patron” tickets ($50 each, limited quantity available) will be treated to a discussion between the author and the store’s owner, Roxanne Coady. Fortunately for us, Roberta agreed to a quick interrogation. Make sure to read between the lines for possible clues to the mystery…
1) You have the distinction of casting your friends and neighbors in a murder mystery where everyone is suspect. How much fun was that?
I was so delighted to be asked to do this by Madison Cares. It was a blast--and all for a great cause--Habitat for Humanity. As you know, my "advice column" mystery series is set in Guilford and Madison, CT. I love writing about local places, and including insider information and a few jokes too. The Madison Murder takes place entirely in downtown Madison, featuring the movie theater, the bookstore, and lots of the local shops. At first the police think the crowd may just be over-caffeinated--we do have six coffee shops in one small town after all. It was also tons of fun to take a few of our local celebrities and weave them into the story.
2) The unfortunate victim in your story is the very real first selectman of Madison, Al Goldberg. How did he manage to top your hit list? Or are you making a not-so-subtle political statement?
Absolutely no political statement intended! I needed to choose a murder victim who was involved in the town and steeped in all its controversy, because controversy breeds murder suspects. Since Al is the political head of Madison, he was the natural choice. (I did contact him ahead of time to ask his permission--he very graciously agreed to be part of the story.)
3) You’ve published eight full-length mystery novels to date. How did writing this short story compare?
In a very short story, the writer doesn't have time to develop characters or describe the setting extensively. It all happens quickly. I could only take a few words to anchor the readers in Madison and introduce our colorful local characters. And I had to figure out the "story behind the story"--that is, why someone would feel desperate enough to resort to murder. So I guess I'm saying the basic structure is quite similar--crime, motive, suspects, detectives, clues, murder weapon--but all squeezed into 1000 words. A challenge! But it was nice to be able to wrap the whole project up within a month, rather than spending a year on it.
4) Readers will recognize Detective Jack Meigs from the Advice Column Mysteries, which feature Dr. Rebecca Butterman. She has a knack for out-sleuthing him. How do you think he’d feel to know that some lucky participant who figures out “whodunit” is going to win a weekend getaway for two while he’s left to be the last to know?
I love my detective, Jack Meigs. In the book I'm currently writing, he's one of the two main characters--so far Dr. Butterman hasn't made an appearance. He's a good cop, not a bumbling fool as police (and psychologists for that matter) are often depicted in fiction. So he'll be solving the murder right along with the civilians on Thursday and delighted to have their assistance. I've also included a rookie cop named Officer Reilly from the new book.
5) In addition to being a mystery writer, you’re also a clinical psychologist. So you can tell us…is this not the biggest and 
best mind-game that you could ever hope to play?
I had a wonderful time imagining the story and writing it up--I'm sure Thursday night will be fun for everyone. And I'm hoping all the suspects will be good-humored about their parts in the story--I do intend to stay living in Madison after all!
6) You will be appearing at R.J. Julia with owner Roxanne Coady at 7pm on April 30th for a special “Behind the Mystery” event for those people who purchase “Patron” tickets. Can you give us the scoop on that?
If you've heard Roxanne talk on the radio or seen her on TV, you know she's the consummate book and publishing expert. So I'm looking forward to hearing from her! And I'll happily talk about what it was like to design the story (hint--my husband did catch me muttering "I'm not getting paid enough to do this" one morning when things weren't quite coming together). And I think we'll both talk about our own recommendations for other mysteries that are great reads.
'Behind the mystery' will also include chocolate-covered strawberries, champagne, and a free book.
* * *
THE MADISON MURDER by Roberta Isleib
Lieutenant Jack Meigs caught the call as he was leaving the station after a long day fighting crime in Madison.
“Lieutenant,” said the dispatcher. “We’re getting flooded with 911 calls from downtown. Big trouble at the Madison Arts Cinema.”
“On my way. I’ll take Officer Reilly with me,” Meigs said, then grumbled to Reilly: “Probably Arnold Gorlick brought in one too many foreign films. Who wants to spend two hours reading subtitles when you’re trying to relax?” He gunned his motor and sped across town, shimmying to a stop in front of the old red brick post office, the paramedics on his heels. A crowd roiled in front of the theatre.
“Maybe they’ve overdosed on caffeine,” said Meigs. “That’s the problem with five coffee shops in one small town.”
“Six, if you count the new tea shop, boss,” said Reilly.
Meigs radioed to the dispatcher for backup on crowd control, then waded through the people until he reached the owner. “What happened here?”
“We had a full house,” said Arnold mournfully as the paramedics rushed into the theatre.
“There was a horrible scream,” broke in an attractive woman. She stuck her hand out and shook Meigs’s big paw briskly. “I’m Deb Heinrich, your state representative.”
“Good grief, is there an election coming up that I don’t know about?” Meigs muttered to Reilly. “A horrible scream?” he prodded.
“Someone screamed and then everyone panicked and ran,” said another woman who introduced herself as Eileen Banisch from the Chamber of Commerce, “except for a man in the back row.”
One of the paramedics emerged from the theatre. “We’ve got a dead guy,” she said for Meigs’s ears only. “You want to take a look before we move him?”
“Wait here,” Meigs told Arnold, motioning Deb and Eileen to follow behind. “I suspect these two know everyone,” he muttered to Reilly. “Save us a lot of time with identification.”
The posse stopped just inside the theatre. Smells of fresh popcorn and coffee made Meigs’s empty stomach rumble. “Walk down near enough to see his face, but don’t get any closer,” he said to the women. “And don’t even think about touching anything.”
“Oh my gawd,” squawked Eileen and Deb in unison, “it’s first selectman Al Goldberg.”
“The first selectman?” asked Meigs. “He’s got his finger in every pie in this town. We’re going to have to sort through a mountain of suspects.”
Meigs escorted the two women back to the lobby and then turned to Officer Reilly. “Here’s the plan: First we identify all the people who were watching the movie in his vicinity. Then we’ll canvass the adjoining merchants and ask if anyone saw something unusual or knows who had it in for Al. It’s a small town. Someone will spill.”
Follow Lieutenant Meigs and Officer Reilly through downtown Madison as they investigate the crime, remembering that some of their leads may be red herrings. Clues can be found in RJ Julia’s, Walker Loden, Maggie’s of Madison, Jolie Boutique, Bella Perlina, Frances Amerique, Given Chocolates, Peter Indorf, Anna Mia, Ciao Bella Moda International, and the Madison Art Cinema. Who murdered the first selectman? And why?
To get things started, here’s Clue #1: Meigs and Reilly crossed the street to talk with Roxanne Coady, owner of RJ Julia Booksellers. “He was a lovely man,” said Roxanne. “I can’t imagine that anyone would want to hurt him.” Then her face darkened. “Though one of my booksellers saw him browsing the store last week and writing down titles to order from Amazon later. So much for ‘Love Your Local.’”
(This is a work of fiction. Meigs and Reilly are characters in Isleib’s novels; all other names and incidents are used fictitiously to benefit Madison Cares. Any resemblance to actual persons or situations is entirely coincidental.)
* * *
From Madison Cares: Tickets are $35 and can be purchased in advance at participating Madison stores, including RJ Julia Booksellers, Given Fine Chocolates, Peter Indorf Jewelers, Jolie Boutique, Anna Mia’s, bella Perlina, Walker Loden, Maggies of Madison, Frances Amerique and Ciao Bella Moda International.
A limited number of “Patron” tickets are available for $50. Patron tickets include reserved seating at the theater and admission to a private event at R.J. Julia Booksellers, “Behind the Mystery,” at 7 pm by Isleib and bookstore owner extraordinaire Roxanne Coady.
All proceeds from the event will benefit Madison Cares. Call (203) 245-2315 for more information.
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