When we think of the towns along the Hudson, we think of serenity and charm, not cult leaders and murderers. Such is not the case with some of our local writers. Here, a couple of novels that use our local landscape as the backdrop for some thrilling tales.
The Hollow
AnnMarie Martin
Black Bed Sheet Books
For a thriller, there’s no better location than Sleepy Hollow. The town comes with its own built-in spookiness, for obvious reasons. Writer AnnMarie Martin takes advantage of the town’s storied past with her YA paranormal thriller. The story follows Maryanne Rosa, who is plagued by strange dreams of spiders and an urge to visit a little girl’s grave. Her visions put her in the path of a local magazine publisher—and cult leader. Martin lived in Sleepy Hollow for three years, so she knows the terrain, and she started the novel while living in the appropriately named Van Tassel apartments.
Look for this local landmark: Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
The Ice Cream Shop Detective
Ronnie Levine
New Views Press
This mystery novel tells the story of a Tarrytown painter who gets wrapped up in a murder case after being asked by the police to help spot art forgeries. Author Ronnie Levine, who has been published by Westchester Magazine, is also a painter with a studio in Tarrytown. Both Levine and her main character, Lissa, seem especially taken with capturing the charm of the village and its striped awnings. (One hopes that Levine encounters fewer murder suspects in town.)
Look for this local landmark: Tarrytown’s Main Street, with places that resemble the Tarrytown Music Hall and Main Street Sweets