Dear Kids and Grown-up Readers,
Since Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets is the first of the Botanic Hill detectives mysteries, I thought it was time to reveal the origin of the “Botanic” part of the series name.
I was further inspired when I recently hired a graphic artist to make a cool map of Botanic Hill. That way, you will be able to track the detectives’ whereabouts as they solve the mystery. The map will appear in the front matter of the book, right after the Table of Contents. I think you’ll like it! But back to the origin . . .
In San Diego where I live, there are streets named “Jacaranda,” “Upas,” “Spruce,” “Nutmeg,” and so on, representing various types of trees, flowers, spices, nuts, herbs . . . in other words, botanics. I’ve always found those street names charming and have often fantasized that something magical would happen if I could just live on Nutmeg Street. So, it’s no accident that I created a character who does. The kids’ case about a stolen ancient Egyptian urn launches from Mrs. Thornsley’s house on Nutmeg Street. Hence, the title and why I chose Nutmeg first.
So get a clue, Readers. Stay tuned for additional books in the Botanic Hill series. Each will begin with a botanic street name followed by a two-word clue to the mystery. Since there are twenty-six streets, from A-Z, on Botanic Hill, my plan is to live long enough to write a mystery for each. Since I’ve only written three so far, I better stay healthy and get busy. Happy exploring to each of you when come February 1, 2020, it will be your turn to visit lush, beautiful Botanic Hill!
