Lottie’s Legacy is a ‘whydunit’ spanning four generations. Based on a packet of 100-year-old love letters, this mystery born of tragic love stories examines the questions of ancestry, crime and intent. Two strangers who live a continent apart meet in an isolated graveyard in Alabama–she, to bury her mother and he, to honor his grandmother. Both seek answers to the question of why: why did their loved ones choose this particular spot to be laid to rest? They meet in the graveyard over decades to trade stories of their loved ones, unaware of the deep secrets also buried there. Lottie–a bold, independent woman before her time, flees from her family resolved to assure a full range of opportunities for her child at any price. Jimmy–reveals his character and his love for his sweetheart through a series of wartime letters. He is given mere minutes to choose between duty to country and love of family. Lila–a naive young woman, strains against the evangelical influence of her family and beliefs that compel her to commit an unforgivable act. Charlie–adopts a strong moral code from mentors he never met and returns their gifts with gratitude. His lifelong aspiration is to live to see his father’s remains return home. Don–a government forensic anthropologist whose dedication to his boys goes beyond his job description, delves into their deep secrets to complete his mission of returning the missing from America’s conflicts to their families. The two friends from distant parts vow to meet at the graveyard to celebrate his 100th birthday. What secrets might be revealed if they both live to share that day? The author challenges readers to identify the more than a dozen crimes committed by this lineup of characters throughout the course of this ‘whydunit’ and to judge for themselves the magnitude of Lottie’s Legacy.
