Synopsis:

During an investigation into a teacher's suicide, detectives Aubrey Taylor and Keith Balon are confronted with a second death. Another teacher who committed suicide under almost identical circumstances. The question is whether this is a coincidence. And, worse, is it suicide ...?

Unfortunately, it doesn't end with these two victims ... The small town of Riswick is quickly startled by a series of gruesome murders. The two bickering detectives, each with their own private concerns, are confronted with bizarre situations that raise more questions than answers and drive the police duo to despair.

It started with suicide. There is no telling where and when it will end...

Genre: Thriller / Mystery

Type: Novel

Words: 54.120

Released: July 9, 2019

Manuscript finished: July 9, 20197

Inspiration: 

The death of a teacher who committed suicide at a Dutch school caused a small discussion in the media. A solid base for a mysterious mini thriller. Instead of a short story, it became a full length thriller. Great how things just find their own way. Even in writing.

Almost simultaneously with the news on the suicide the media announced that the well known, epic circus Barnes & Bailey would stop. In honor of these artists, I have used some of these names in this story. I ´borrowed´ the name Philip Norman from the author (who wrote the biography of John Lennon); Redmond is the first name of writer Redmond O'Hanlon; Keith Balon is a mix-up of Keith (Haring, the artist) and (Eugene) Balon, an ichthyologist. Alex Thomas has the surname of writer Bob Thomas (author of a biography of Walt Disney). Michelle Chisholm is named in honor of American politician, educator and writer Shirley Chisholm. Aubrey Taylor, her first name refers to a song by the band 'Bread'. Jamie Barnes, as mentioned, named after the famous circus. Ronny Sarasani is named after another former circus of which my brother and I, in our younger years, had a sort of 'running-gag': During one of our Family Sunday Car Trips, we saw all those circus cars on a train. We have never been inside a circus tent, but this circus, named Sarasani, has always stayed in our mind. Our line'I saw them on the train!' is enough to bring back memories to those old days...

The title is a combination of two words: Teaching and Detached [= to send a group of soldiers or ships on a separate mission].

List of characters

Characters alphabetical by last name. Nicknames and characters only known by their first name or their last name, are given underneath this list. Unnamed characters are not listed!

• Keith Balon - detective
• Jamie Barnes ('Jay') - friend of Ronny Sarasani
• Conor Biden - Shinzo Security
• Harold Brunswick - spouse of Aubrey Taylor
• Anita Chisholm - mayor
• Angel Cooke - psychologist
• Cheryanne Keegan - student
• Ilonka Koblitz - victim
• Dustin Kramer - FBI agent
• Meryl Kramer - FBI agent
• Michael Lopalito - criminal
• Suzanne Larkin - teacher
• Jake Moncha ('Jacques' / Pythagoras) - suicidal teacher
• Jenny Moncha ('Geneviève') - wife of Jake Moncha
• Philip Norman (The Tank) - principal
• Redmond Norris - Teacher Geology
• Murat Oznatun - criminal
• Tessa Roxburgh - nurse
• Ted Sheegan ('Red') - head of forensic team
• Aubrey Taylor - Detective
• Alex Thomas - Coach
• Ronny Sarasani - friend of Jamie Barnes
• Kelly Schumer - Shinzo Security
• Bryan Shelton - maintenance technician
• Yücel Ülger - criminal
• Julie Versace - teacher
• Susan Vivian - victim
• Walt Voigt - former colleague of Philip Norman
• Walesa - concierge
• James T. Whitaker - forensics teammember
• Trinity Witherspoon - Teacher Music
• Mehmet Yeşilgöz - criminal

• Harman - officer Riswick Police Dept.

Remarks: