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| Sunset Over Long Beach, NY |
A.R.
Kennedy lives and works on Long Island, New York (and no, she does not have
that Long Island accent). Her debut series, The Nathan Miccoli mystery series,
is set in New York. Learn more about A.R. and her books at her website.
My Nathan Miccoli Mystery series starts in Long Beach, NY.
One of the main characters, Lily Brannon, lives there. Why Long Beach? Because
I live in Long Beach. And they say write what you know.
Long Beach, New York, ‘The city by the sea’, is located on a
barrier island off the south shore of Long Island, NY. It’s about a 50-minute
train ride from Penn Station in New York City.
Long Beach in the summer is a bustling place (and I’m not
just talking about the parking situation. Remember how excited George Costanza from
Seinfeld got when he found a prime
parking space? The same goes here in the summer!)
Each summer, the City of Long Beach entertains residents and
visitors with concerts and movies on the beach—my favorite is Jaws, oh the irony!—arts and crafts
festivals on the boardwalk and fireworks. The first Friday after the 4th of
July hosts a ‘Fireworks Extravaganza’. I can watch the fireworks, shot off from
a barge in the ocean, from my balcony!
There’s something for everyone during Long Beach summers.
Foodies will enjoy the Shoregasboard, an array of food trucks from local eateries, parked
beachside. (Plus there are other concessions on the boardwalk).
Film buffs will enjoy Long Beach International Film
Festival, now in iths 7th year.
Long Beach also organizes adult summer volleyball leagues on
the beach. (Lily has demonstrated her lack of athletic ability on the sandy
court. Fortunately, I have not. I’m strictly a cheerleader.)
Plus, of course, the water activities! The 9th annual NY
Surf week was held in July.
If you’re more like me and just want to sit on the beach and
read a book, Long Beach is a great spot. According to an article on timeout.com in May
2018, ‘the National Resources Defense Council ranked Long Beach among the
cleanest beaches in the U.S. (and the spiffiest in New York)’.
But, please don’t think Long Beach is only to be enjoyed in
the summer! It is great all year round. The Polar Bear Splash, benefiting
Make-A-Wish, is held annually on Super Bowl Sunday. It is fun for all—the ones
who plunge into the cold waters and those watching, while huddled in their
parkas. The Irish Festival and Fall festival are held in October. The Turkey
Trot is run on the boardwalk in November.
Surf’s up all year. I see surfers riding the waves during
all the seasons (while wondering how they endure the cold water and even colder
temperatures). The 2.2-mile boardwalk has been replaced (after being destroyed
in 2012 by Hurricane Sandy) and is used by bicyclists, walkers and runners
throughout the year.
As the Nathan Miccoli mystery series has progressed, the
main characters, Lily and Nathan, a NYPD detective, have moved to Queens, New
York. But at least one scene in each of the six books occurs in Long Beach. Volleyball
on the beach. Walking on the boardwalk. Dining at one of the many restaurants. Gone
But Not Calm, book six in the series, finds Lily stranded in Long Beach as
Hurricane Sandy hits. (Superstorm Sandy for those who want to be technical.
However, I’ve never heard a Long Islander ask how I managed through the ‘Superstorm’.
It’s always ‘Sandy’ or ‘the Hurricane.’)
Want to visit? longbeachny.org is a great resource.
If you like novels involving pets, check out my newest book,
Saving Ferris, on pre-order now. https://amzn.to/2PhcEJL In Saving
Ferris a woman shoots an intruder to save her dead husband’s golden
retriever Ferris. In the eyes of the law, one can use lethal force to protect
themselves and others, but not property. Pets are considered property. Will
saving Ferris's life cost Cecilia her freedom? And a second chance at love?
Gone But Not Missed
Lillian Brannon
wakes up on Valentine's Day in an exact replica of her bedroom but the only
item that she believes is authentic is her dog, Laude. She is held captive in
her kidnapper's basement apartment, summoned upstairs once a week for a chaste
dinner. But will his kindness last, and more importantly, why isn’t anyone
looking for her? Lillian’s story is interwoven with that of Nathan, a NYPD officer,
who is intrigued by Lillian’s disappearance- how can a young woman be gone for
two weeks before a Missing Person Report is filed? Local police believe Lillian
has voluntarily abandoned a life she didn’t like. Lillian’s best friend
convinces Nathan the authorities are wrong. With no jurisdiction, no resources,
and no witnesses, he is compelled by the pictures of Lillian with her sweet
smile and sparkling green eyes to obsessively take up the case. Armed with
Lillian’s keys and personal information, he spends hours, then days in her home
trying to find clues that will lead him to her.
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