Deeper, Darker Nashville

It's the place I played soccer and came home from school every day. It's the place I saw Friday night football lights go out and cried over boys (and girlfriends; honestly, who is more cruel?). It's the place of rolling hills and blooming pear trees, crumbling stone walls and numerous historical markers (one less because of my sister and her Camaro). All of these things I knew.

But as I research Nashville for my series, I learn its deeper, darker sides. And I like them!

Today I discovered a community on the far north side of Nashville, completely new to me, called Paradise Ridge. It traces its roots to the very early years of the state and is the site of multiple crimes and murders. It was established by two brothers from North Carolina, named Paradise. But, to be fair, they weren't the wild ones! That honor falls to the three Bills: Black Bill, Rattlesnake Bill and Gentleman Bill. You really can't make this stuff up.

What actually brought me to this community was a link titled "Ade Family Murder of 1897." What mystery writer could bypass that? I didn't and it proved good reading. Late at night a man spotted the blush of fire half a mile away and ran to the rescue, only to find his neighbors bodies inside the burning buildings. It seems the Ades - two parents, their son and daughter - and a neighbors ten year-old daughter were all murdered before the fire was set. The motive? Jacob Ade stored large amounts of meat, which had been stolen. The murderers did not realize there was $300 sitting in a can right beside them. They were never caught.

This was certainly an unexpected, and most interesting, surprise in my research. Searching also brought me the Mysteries&More bookstore and a mystery fan organization called Mystery Readers International - talk about your PR must-knows!

So this is my bits and pieces of writing/research sharing for today. The kids should be awake soon, but I have enjoyed this peaceful morning. The WIP feels a little further along. (Ok, that's my tough one: further or farther?)