“In every land,
Hardness is in the north of it,
Softness in the south,
Industry in the east,
And fire and inspiration in the west.”
Hardness is in the north of it,
Softness in the south,
Industry in the east,
And fire and inspiration in the west.”
Irish saying
The Cast of Imaginary Characters:
I didn't include the list in my book because nowadays most novels don't. Some people don't care for Prologues, a cast of characters, maps, or other distractions. As an avid electronic reader, I agree they are hard to see on e-devices. But as a printed book lover I enjoy all the extra tidbits.
However, as a reader of classic Agatha Christie novels, I loved her list of characters, the maps, the rooms, and all the little extra tidbits of information. So if you like these tidbits here they are - stay tuned for more maps, room layouts, and secret messages.
Black Mesa AZ:
An imaginary town located on the Northern Arizona Mogollon Plateau. Pop; 2000+, established 1870, Irish Catholic immigrants, an old Route 66 town bypassed by I-40. It's a 1950’s neon vibe of restored downtown buildings, and a summer tourist destination with lakes, camping, near the petrified forest on the Navajo/Apache County line. Close to Sunrise ski resort on the Apache Rez, Grand Canyon, Meteor Crater, Volcanos, Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, Sunset Crater, Dinosaur Park, and Native American Ruins. Four seasons, and 20 to 40 degrees cooler than Salt River Valley.
An imaginary town located on the Northern Arizona Mogollon Plateau. Pop; 2000+, established 1870, Irish Catholic immigrants, an old Route 66 town bypassed by I-40. It's a 1950’s neon vibe of restored downtown buildings, and a summer tourist destination with lakes, camping, near the petrified forest on the Navajo/Apache County line. Close to Sunrise ski resort on the Apache Rez, Grand Canyon, Meteor Crater, Volcanos, Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, Sunset Crater, Dinosaur Park, and Native American Ruins. Four seasons, and 20 to 40 degrees cooler than Salt River Valley.
Husband and wife forensic consultants:
Minerva Helen Doyle:
Computer Science Instructor at Navapache Community College, cyber-crimes forensic expert, Computer consultant Black Mesa Marshal's Office, quilter, hiker, line-dancer
Michael Sean Doyle:
Retired A.T.F. (alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and explosives) agent, forensic profiling expert, part-time deputy Black Mesa Marshal's Office, gold prospector, fisherman, hiker, Marine, Soon to join NCSO
The Steven Family:
Mary Elizabeth Steven:
The matriarch, rancher, farmer, former B-Western movie star and extra
Victor Mature Steven:
the oldest brother, rancher, gold prospector, hunter, Sheriff’s posse, Teddy Roosevelt re-enactor, member NCSO
Pearl Hannah Steven:
Victor's wife, homemaker, Alice Roosevelt re-enactor, Relief Society, Black Mesa Quilter’s, horsewoman, farrier, line-dancer
Loretta Young Steven:
ER (Emergency Room) nurse, older of the twin sisters, Mary’s caretaker evening, Hospital midnight shift, prospector, hiker
Deborah Kerr Steven:
NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) nurse, younger of the twin sisters, Mary’s caretaker daytime, Hospital 3rd shift, prospector, hiker
Errol Flynn Steven:
aka Flynn, youngest brother, Geology professor at Navapache Community College, gold prospector, hunter, fisherman, hiker, rodeo competitor, member NCSO
Jennifer Marie Steven:
Flynn’s wife, kindergarten teacher Black Mesa Elementary School, quilter, hiker, line-dancer
Lizbeth Marie Steven:
aka Lizzie, Bumpkin, Flynn and Jennifer’s baby, Mary’s granddaughter
Gloria Grahame Steven Fitzroy:
the youngest sister, English Department Chair at Navapache Community College, English professor, President of Black Mesa Chamber of Commerce Welcome Committee
Richard Henry Fitzroy:
Gloria’s husband, retired from Paper Mill, tax accountant, prospector
Friends, Neighbors, and others:
Rose Jean Wilde:
the small business owner, owns Black Mesa Cafe, shopping center buildings, rents out beauty parlor, Antique store, Black Mesa Chamber of Commerce Member, line-dancer, square dancer, horsewoman
Charles Louis Dubois: former RCMP Mounty (Gendarmerie Royale du Canada),
Marshall for the City of Black Mesa, hunter, fisherman, prospector
Sonia Helena Dubois:
aka Sunny, Charles' wife, caterer, cookbook author, Our Lady of Perpetual Peace Altar Society President, barrel racer, horsewoman
Ed Sanders:
Paragon Realty, Black Mesa Chamber of Commerce Member
Francine Connie Sobota:
Owner Francine’s Beauty Salon, Black Mesa Chamber of Commerce Member, line-dancer, square-dancer
Melody Francis Sobota:
aka Mel, beautician, Francine’s daughter, line dancer
Deidre Tipps:
waitress at the Black Mesa Café
Billy ‘the Kid’ Tipps;
son of Deidre
Various Church Ladies of the OLPPAS:
Our Lady of Perpetual Peace Altar Society
NCSO:
Navajo County Sheriff’s Office Posse, Search and Rescue Team
BM-GPA:
Black Mesa Gold Prospector’s Association
