The Black Sapphire

Short Story Press Presents The Black Sapphire by Ruth PettiteGruesome homicides set off this fast read as character after character enter the plot. Set in the Old South, Ruth has gone back to her roots and boots to bring us a dialogue we will never forget with the interaction between Reynoir and Mattie. This spine tingling story tests the faith of the strongest person while "The Black Sapphire" peaks as one of the author Ruth Pettite's best shorts yet.Detective Adam Reynoir, planted deep in Southern tradition, is on the Demure murder case in this mind boggling tale of suspense. Little does he know what lies ahead. Mystery and mayhem fill the pages of this incredible five chapter short story. This gripping page turner is one that can work into any mystery reader’s love pile. Belief structures are bound to be twisted before the end.Old school Samuel Demure takes his ancestral beliefs very seriously with class and style running in tandem to set the stage for something that has been in his family for many generations. Greed has always been at the root of evil and who best to know that than a true southern Gentleman right down to his southern housekeeper.With his many years on the force as a detective provide the experience Adam Reynoir needs to solve the crime of these gruesome murders. Yet the story remains mind boggling with countless unanswered questions. There are other people involved, some of them he has never met, but the clues are lying around in the most unusual places.To the casual eye the jewel is most unimposing and might even be mistaken for a simple rock. Don't let that fool you. The characters have no clue as to the importance of this stone and only the unsuspecting need beware. As the questioning begins, the plot unfolds with each clue managing to appear and seems to fit right in. Yet there is more to know about the minerals of the earth than shiny little pebbles.As the story unfolds, the scenery expands and soon the reader feels engulfed in the trappings of this southern era. It is easy to see the moss laden trees as if they were a blanket about to choke you. The humidity seems to make your clothes cling to your skin as it attempts to crawl right off your body, and your brain works at lightning speed trying to figure out who in the world could be the guilty one. The heat of the south will get to you through the pages of this story, making you sweat out before reaching the end. Ruth Pettite, author of short stories and novels, began her work as a writer when she was only a child, but the years of experience served her well as this work brings out areas of suspense yet to be considered. “The Black Sapphire” is truly a great work that leads its reader to every conclusion but the expected. It is not for the weak of heart, nor of the unsound mind.