Chapter 1

Quest Denied

Bath, England—Friday, April 16th, 2004

The man in the tan mackintosh, slogging through the driving rain, believed himself to be neither evil nor cruel. Ambitious, impulsive, greedy—yes. The prospect of splitting two million pounds sterling and a share of academia’s limelight had propelled him to this night’s quest. Only Abner Fraume stood in his way. The man braving the storm cautioned himself that brute force would be unacceptable. But anger sometimes overtook him, driving him to extremes. Temper, temper, he reminded himself. I must control my emotional swings.

Head down, he made his way across the wet cobblestones of Upper Parke Crescent. A sudden gust heaved him sideways. Holding the upturned coat collar close about his neck, he pushed through the storm. A row of attached brick homes followed the arc of the street—identical except for the wood trim around their doors. Wrought-iron fences separated the stone stoops from the curving sidewalk. The gate at number nineteen stood ajar. An invitation? Perhaps, but not if the old mule knew who was calling.

Professor Emil Kravitz climbed the granite steps to shelter under a small peaked roof. He rapped the tarnished brass knocker. No reply. He tried twice more, then peered through the octagonal stained-glass window. A dim light illuminated one room at the far end of a long hall. He brushed away the rain from his gray-black beard and mustache as he waited. Damn it! Emil thought. The old mule’s in there, and he’s ignoring me.

Merely lusting after life’s finer things, Emil hadn’t broken any laws yet. He wanted to be known as a historian of note and a collector of dated artifacts, but lacked the diligence and finances to pursue these passions honestly. He was sick and tired of drilling endless crops of young brats who couldn’t care less about a real education. But teaching put food in his mouth, gave him a place to call his own, and left plenty of time for private historical research. Except that his precious research and timing were never quite on the money. Fraume always got there first.But what’s wrong with wanting more? Coercing Fraume into a profitable partnership has got to be the way. He’ll come around, I’m sure.

Emil checked the street once more for possible witnesses. No one. Extracting a bi-fold case from inside his coat pocket, he withdrew several tools. The lock-picking technique he’d acquired from one of his more enterprising students. Emil hesitated for a moment as a tinge of guilt rushed through his spine—now he was actually breaking the law.

Inserting a shearing probe and lifting pick into the keyway, Emil set back each of the locking pins until the lock yielded. Pressure on the knob allowed the door to swing inward. He tucked the tools away and removed a Maglite torch from a deep coat pocket. Stepping inside the dark front hall, the intruder listened for any response to his break-in, but heard none. Emil shed the dripping overcoat, leaving it in a heap on the worn carpet. In his black turtleneck sweater and black pants, he melted into the lonely shadows.

The pale light he’d seen from the stoop emanated from the farthest room, four dark doorways down the hall. A quick glance followed the beam of his torch into each room as he silently stole past the smell of tobacco in a sitting room, the clutter of an unmade bedroom, the garlicky aroma of a small kitchen, and a loo that reeked of unlaundered towels. approaching the final doorway, a floorboard creaked. Emil flattened himself against the wall, unsure why stealth mattered. Confrontation was inevitable.

Convinced he remained undetected, Emil put away the torch and pulled on a pair of thin leather gloves before sidling into an office. Stale air irritated his nose, and he suppressed a sneeze. Floor-to-ceiling bookcases lined four walls. A single shaded window faced the rear of the house. Dusty tomes, periodicals, scribbled notes, and cartons lay scattered across the bare floor, leaving only a narrow path for walking. A brass lamp with a green glass shade lit a desk in the far corner.

A noise made Emil stop short. Then he recognized snoring, explosive snorts, and a few murmurs. He inched forward and saw eighty-eight-year-old Professor Abner Fraume, head pillowed over crossed arms on the desk. Thick-lensed glasses lay beside the bald pate. Liver spots on Abner’s scalp stood out amid wisps of white hair.

Emil paused to slow his breathing. Friendly persuasion should be enough. At most, a little arm twisting. After all, the good professor stands to gain as well, and I’ll be doing all the legwork. Selling everything will mean certain wealth, and our combined scholarly papers will bring undoubted academic acclaim. I’ve already got that wealthy German collector who wants to purchase the lot. Maybe I can improve my bargaining position with the old mule if I find either the artifacts or his manuscript first. How can he resist my offer then?

Emil reached under Abner’s left elbow and tried to dislodge a large volume. The old man snorted and stirred. Emil pulled back, then tried again. Gently lifting the elbow, he studied the title: A History of Sixteenth-Century Medicine, edited by one of Fraume’s colleagues. Not the manuscript Emil sought. He scanned the room for the next place to search, but something stopped him—the snores and snorts had stopped. He turned toward the desk once more. Two gray eyes squinted back at him.

“Who’s there? What’re you doing in my home?” The old man fumbled for his glasses. He slid one wire temple over each ear and pushed the bridge up his pockmarked nose. Slowly focusing on the intruder, Abner suddenly recognized the familiar patchwork beard and mustache. “Emil Kravitz, how the devil did you get in here? And why?”

“Yes, it’s me, Abner. And you know full well what I’ve come for. Herr Koenig’s matrix molds, his chase, and your research manuscripts. I mean to have them. You should agree to my generous terms. It can be a profitable collaboration for us. It’s still not too late, my dear Abner.”

“Don’t ‘dear Abner’ me, you gonif. You’ll never lay hands on either the block molds or my research. They’re my life’s work, more than fifty years’ worth.”

“You’re wrong, Abner. I’m not leaving without them.”

“You can go straight to hell. The items you want are no longer here, I assure you. I’ve sent them elsewhere for safekeeping.”

“Why would you do that?”

“You bloody well know why, Kravitz. Your nasty threats, that’s why. There are some things in this world more important than money. And I’m not afraid of bodily harm. There’s nothing you can do to me that hasn’t been done before.” A tremor raced through the old body. “Remember, I’ve lived through the Holocaust.”

“These are not idle threats, Herr Fraume. I grew up on Chicago’s South Side. Learned a few nasty tricks along the way. They’re not very nice, Professor.” Emil’s words fed his own fury.

“Get out of my house before I call the police.” Abner reached for the telephone.

But Emil got there first. His left hand pressed down on the disconnect, while his right hand tore the cord from the phone’s base and then from the wall socket. Abner pushed away from the desk and tried to stand, but Emil slammed the frail body back into the chair. He folded the phone cord and snapped it on the desk twice to get the old man’s attention.

Abner froze. Emil wrapped the phone cord around the scrawny neck and pulled tight. Arthritic fingers tugged at the cord as weakened lungs struggled for precious air.

Emil loosened the cord. “Where are they, Herr Professor? I’ve no patience for your child’s play. Are they in there?” He gestured toward the maze of cartons cluttering the room. “What did you do with them?” No answer. The victim’s gaunt face revealed only fear. Emil tightened the cord, his pulse racing as his anger grew manic.

Abner’s feeble fists pounded Emil’s forearms, groping the sleeves of the tweed jacket, tugging them inward to loosen the choking garrote. The victim’s glasses fell off, revealing red-veined, protruding eyes. Abner’s feet, in carpet slippers, kicked and flailed until his whole body sagged. Facial muscles drooped as death bled the fear and rage from Abner’s desperate expression.

Emil wiped the sweat off his brow with the back of his hand. He hadn’t meant to kill Abner. Why did the rotter have to be so obstinate? Why couldn’t he have just taken the money and shared in the academic kudos?

The hammering inside Kravitz’s chest slowly subsided and a fresh sensation, euphoria, took its place. Propping the body up in the chair, he rolled it back under the desk. Then he began his search in earnest for three items: the sixteenth-century typeface matrices; an engraved and hallmarked antique metal chase; and Fraume’s manuscript, documenting the elaborate history of these treasures.

The matrices were pouring molds used to manufacture large decorative typeface blocks that could print the initial illuminated character of chapter text. The chase was a rigid metal frame used to hold moveable type in place during printing.

Three hours later, a frustrated Emil Kravitz sat on a corner of Abner’s desk, scrutinizing the office one last time. He’d located five earlier tomes authored by Fraume, but they revealed nothing of the works he sought. After combing through every room in the house, he hadn’t found a single trace of Herr Koenig’s artifacts or Abner’s historical manuscript tracing them. Scattered notes and an arbitrary reference here and there, but nothing worthy of his murderous quest. He wanted to be done with this mess. The first light of morning squeezed through the Venetian blinds. He knew the time had come to leave. Soon neighbors would be taking in newspapers or heading off to work.

While donning his overcoat and cap, he noticed a sealed, stamped letter, ready to be posted, sitting on the half-round table next to the front door. The address read:

Mrs. Edythe Bender
The Olde Victorian Bookstore
123 East Franklyn Lane
Annapolis, Maryland 21401 U.S.A.

Emil slid the letter into his pocket, reset the latch, and left. He had some idea where he might look next.

BookLoons Reviews

Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth (2013)

Death Goes Postal, A Dan and Rivka Sherman Mystery

Authors of the Paco and Molly series, Rosemary & Larry Mild, have created a new series – Dan & Rivka Sherman Mysteries. The Shermans have given up their successful professional careers to become the owners of The Old Victorian Bookstore in Annapolis, Maryland.

To their dismay, instead of living the quiet life of booksellers, they become enmeshed in a search for fifteenth-century typesetting artifacts. The brother of the last owner of the bookstore gave his life to protect their whereabouts. Someone joins their literary critique group to suss out the location of the very valuable antiques. Life turns from a mercantile enterprise to mugging, robbery, kidnapping, and murder. Not at all what they bargained for.

The Internet, a young boy's term paper, the U.S. Mails, the FBI and Scotland Yard all become a part of this delightful mystery. Death Goes Postal is a fun new addition to the mystery field.

BellaOnline's Mystery Books Site

Reviewed by Edie Dykeman Mystery Books Editor

Death Goes Postal, A Dan and Rivka Sherman Mystery

In Bath, England, Professor Abner Fraume was killed by Professor Emil Kravitz who was intent on taking possession of certain property he thought was in Fraume’s possession. After hours of searching Fraume’s home and office all he found was the name and address of the professor’s sister who lived in the United States.

Edythe Fraume Bender and her husband Bernard owned The Olde Victorian book store in Annapolis, Maryland. Unfortunately, they were searching for a buyer for their beloved shop due to Bernard’s dementia and Edythe’s cancer. Her brother, Abner, had been sending her hints as to the whereabouts of his collection of fifteenth century typesetting artifacts and research in case of his unexpected death.

Edythe finally found the perfect buyer for their shop, but she died of cancer before she could tell them about the artifacts and the clues. New owners Dan and Rivka Sherman were shocked when a series of crimes were committed related to the book store and its employees. Little did they know the perpetrator was hiding in their midst via a popular critique group that met weekly hosted by the couple.

What followed was a tale of danger and horror to all who stood in the way of Kravitz and his goal to obtain the historical items and took the investigation from England to the United States.

The newly created characters are interesting and the bookshop makes a great base for new mystery stories. The pace of this story works well as does the unique way clues are presented to Edythe and later the Sherman’s. The authors provide clues in such a way that readers can also try to solve the puzzle, which is a fun way to keep them engaged in the tale. One interesting technique the Mild’s use for this book is that the killer is known from the beginning, but the suspense is still taut and the storyline intriguing. Fans of the authors and their previous mysteries will enjoy this new series.

In Bath, England, Professor Abner Fraume was killed by Professor Emil Kravitz who was intent on taking possession of certain property he thought was in Fraume’s possession. After hours of searching Fraume’s home and office all he found was the name and address of the professor’s sister who lived in the United States.

Edythe Fraume Bender and her husband Bernard owned The Olde Victorian book store in Annapolis, Maryland. Unfortunately, they were searching for a buyer for their beloved shop due to Bernard’s dementia and Edythe’s cancer. Her brother, Abner, had been sending her hints as to the whereabouts of his collection of fifteenth century typesetting artifacts and research in case of his unexpected death.

Edythe finally found the perfect buyer for their shop, but she died of cancer before she could tell them about the artifacts and the clues. New owners Dan and Rivka Sherman were shocked when a series of crimes were committed related to the book store and its employees. Little did they know the perpetrator was hiding in their midst via a popular critique group that met weekly hosted by the couple.

What followed was a tale of danger and horror to all who stood in the way of Kravitz and his goal to obtain the historical items and took the investigation from England to the United States.

The newly created characters are interesting and the bookshop makes a great base for new mystery stories. The pace of this story works well as does the unique way clues are presented to Edythe and later the Sherman’s. The authors provide clues in such a way that readers can also try to solve the puzzle, which is a fun way to keep them engaged in the tale. One interesting technique the Mild’s use for this book is that the killer is known from the beginning, but the suspense is still taut and the storyline intriguing. Fans of the authors and their previous mysteries will enjoy this new series.

THE MYSTERY GAZETTE

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner (12/06/2012)

Death Goes Postal, A Dan and Rivka Sherman Mystery

Magic Island Literary Works, Aug 13 2012 ISBN: 9780983859710 In 2004 in Bath, England, Professor Emil Kravitz believes the "old mule" is in his way. Kravitz wants the Herr Koenig's fifteenth century typesetting molds. He visits Professor Abner Fraume to demand the octogenarian hand them over to him, but the old mule refuses; having hid the valuable relics and sent three letters to his sister Edythe Bender in the States as to there whereabouts. Raging out of control Kravitz kills the man standing in his way. In Annapolis, Maryland Edythe and her husband are ailing so they need to sell their Olde Victorian Bookstore, but refuse to do it to just anyone. They want someone who appreciates old books and will treat the bookstore’s live-in cat Lord Byron with kindness; so she choose their friends Dan and Rivka Sherman. At a book event, employee Liz Nathan mentions the letters, which apparently lead to a break-in and the kidnapping of Rivka; as one of the attendees must be obsessed Kravitz.  Death Goes Postal is a terrific bookstore mystery that is ironically made fresh by the six centuries old typesetting artifacts. The whodunit is fun to follow as readers, Dan and the Feds believe Kravitz is behind the dangerous crimes, but do not know who in the mystery writer’s club he is. Fans will appreciate this engaging whodunit .

Husband-and-wife mystery novelists Rosemary and Larry Mild unveil a new mystery series with the release of Death Goes Postal this Fall. Death Goes Postal features reluctant amateur sleuths Dan and Rivka Sherman. Presented with an offer too good to refuse, the Shermans give up their successful professional careers to become owners of The Olde Victorian Bookstore in Annapolis, Maryland. But owning this bookstore turns out to be anything but by the book.

Rare fifteenth-century typesetting artifacts journey through time to the present, leaving behind not only their original innovation, but a horrifying imprint in their wake: mugging, robbery, kidnapping-and murder. Professor Abner Frame, brother of the bookstore's former owner, possesses these artifacts and gives his life to protect their whereabouts. A greedy colleague poses as one of several newcomers to a literary critique group sponsored by the bookstore. The villain leaves a trail of destruction all the way from Bath, England, to Annapolis, to the Deep South.

Risking life and limb, Dan and Rivka must piece together cryptic clues to solve this perilous puzzle and unmask the ruthless suspect behind the crimes. But the path to finding answers is hardly straight and narrow. The circuitous conundrum includes the Internet, a young lad's term paper, the U.S. mail, the FBI, and Scotland Yard. With so much at stake, and so much danger at hand, is it any wonder that Death Goes Postal?

A mesmerizing mystery that enchants from the first page to the last, Death Goes Postal heralds the advent off a charming and inventive new series. Filled with captivating characters and a plot to die for, Death Goes Postal takes readers on a wild-and wildly entertaining-ride.

"Death Goes Postal" by Rosemary and Larry Mild is a really enjoyable and erudite mystery with some wonderful characters.

The novel is superbly written. Everyone we meet is complex and portrayed in great and convincing detail. We are both moved and motivated by the courageous Edythe and appalled by the evil obsession of Professor Emil Kravitz. The settings are evocative and atmospheric. There is intrigue, deception and tension, and also happiness, sadness and terror; this apparently cozy mystery keeps you on the edge of the seat and unable to stop reading. There is a useful printing glossary at the beginning, so we understand the terminology used in the book. It is always nice to learn something from a book and to be entertained by it at the same time. The best news is that there is to be a series of mysteries involving the Shermans. Excellent!