Trial by Town Blitz Tour & Giveaway!!

Trial by Town By Sharon Fernicola
Genre: Adult, Mystery

A gripping small town murder mystery

In the quiet coastal town of Keansbury, reputation is everything.

When eighteen-year-old Peter Keans—the heir to the town’s most powerful family—is found murdered, shock quickly turns to certainty. A young woman is arrested, and for all residents the case appears simple.

Justice, they believe, will be swift.

Attorney Katie Russo isn’t so sure.

Invited to review what seems like an open-and-shut prosecution, Katie begins to notice small inconsistencies buried beneath the surface of the investigation. As she looks deeper, she discovers a community bound by loyalty, economic dependence, and an unspoken understanding that some truths are better left alone.

With the trial approaching and tensions mounting, long-held assumptions begin to fracture. In a place where reputation defines identity and silence protects power, the search for truth threatens far more than a single verdict.

TRIAL BY TOWN is a character-driven small town murder mystery about justice, moral ambiguity, and the quiet pressure of a town determined to protect its own.

Excerpt:

“Mr. VanAnt, as you may know, the Professor asked me to speak with Miss
O’Neill. I did so only to be of help.” She made certain her tone continued calm and
reassuring, not wanting to give the misimpression that she was speaking as a defense
attorney. “Miss O’Neill is unwavering in her claim of innocence.”
He was quick to respond, the red deepening in color. “I’m not surprised by
anything she says. She’s always been a strange girl. Her uncle was strange. I guess it
was just in the genes. However, that’s not an excuse. Mrs. Russo, as far as myself and
this community are concerned, she killed him. Whether by accident or intentional,
she killed him. The sooner she’s removed from here, the better. We have enough to
deal with without her presence being a constant painful reminder.”
He tried to take another sip of coffee, but his shaking hand made him unsteady.
A small amount poured onto the table. Katie grabbed a few napkins to blot up the
puddle. She worried that she may have pushed him too far, but as concerned as she felt
for him, she was compelled to continue the discussion.
“I can only imagine the pressure you’ve been under. The Professor mentioned
that Mr. Keans Sr. has had virtually no involvement with the business since his son’s
death.”
He paused a moment, then looked directly at Katie. “One does what one needs
to do to survive. I have a responsibility to our customers, our workers, our community,
and our families. A lot of people have been affected by this tragedy, and I’ll do
everything and anything it takes to see that this business continues.”
Katie felt a chill up her spine. His words almost sounded like a threat. Perhaps he
wasn’t quite the gentle giant she had thought. It was clear that the conversation had
gone as far as it was going to go. “I’m certain you have everyone’s support and
appreciation.”
Katie glanced at her watch and noted the lateness of the hour. “I’ve taken up
enough of your time.” She rose and extended her hand. “This was an unexpected
pleasure meeting you, and I very much enjoyed the tour.”
“Likewise.” He held the chair for her, the way a gentleman did in an old blackand-white film, and then escorted her to the elevator. “I hope you don’t mind if I say
goodbye here. I have a few hours of paperwork ahead of me and I’d better get started.”
“Not at all. Again, thank you.”
He stood there looking at her until the doors closed. The chill she got earlier
seemed to return. She tried to explain away her discomfort. After all, he had a right to
feel such anger, and it wasn’t directed toward her. More chills as she walked briskly to
the car, only this time, they were caused by the late afternoon breeze off the water. She
slid into the seat and turned on the engine and the heater and waited until she was
sufficiently warmed. As she drove out the gate, she thought about his words. Other than
Jennifer, everyone she’d spoken to since arriving were aligned in their sentiment,
although none expressed it so succinctly as Mr. VanAnt. “The sooner she’s removed
from here, the better.” Katie rounded the bend, happy to be heading toward the comfort
of the Professor’s home.
As he lost sight of her car, VanAnt drew the blinds and returned to his paperwork.

About the Author

Sharon Fernicola is a writer drawn to layered mysteries, emotional realism, and characters who challenge assumptions. Her fascination with crime and justice began early, watching Perry Mason with her father and falling in love with the genre’s blend of intellect and drama. Her debut novel, Trial by Town, explores the fragile line between perception and truth in a small town desperate to preserve its legacy.

In her 70s, Sharon completed three triathlons, obtained dual Italian–American citizenship, and wrote her first book—living proof that bold dreams don’t come with an expiration date. She brings a poetic sensibility to her storytelling, blending suspense with empathy and nuance. When she’s not writing, she’s mapping out her next adventure or putting in time at the gym, always chasing the next challenge with curiosity and grit.

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