Murder by Midsummer

At the Moon's Landing Renaissance Carnival, the greatest performance may be murder. Photographer Birdie Lopez and her loyal coonhound Butterscotch are hoping for a peaceful summer in the small seaside town of Moon's Landing… until a traveling Renaissance carnival brings trouble to town. When the colorful fair sets up on the edge of town, Birdie is assigned to photograph the festivities for the local paper. Between armored jousts, falconry demonstrations, and larger-than-life performers, the carnival promises to be the highlight of the season. But the magic fades quickly when the fair's star attraction, Sir Garrison McPherson, the famed "Knight of Midsummer," is found dead beneath the jousting platform. The sheriff calls it a tragic accident. Birdie isn't so sure. With Butterscotch sniffing out clues and a camera full of suspicious photographs, Birdie begins digging into the carnival's secrets. Behind the polished armor and theatrical smiles, she uncovers rivalries, unpaid wages, and simmering tensions among the performers. Now Birdie must uncover who wanted the knight silenced before the carnival packs up and leaves town… taking the truth with it. (This is a Short Story)