Santa Barbara has long been home to mystery authors, and often the mystery is set in Santa Barbara, or a fictional version of the town such as Sue Grafton’s Santa Theresa. We have a new entry in the field with a twist; the mystery is set in Santa Barbara’s past.

A Murder at the Potter Hotel
by Annie J. Dahgren and Neal P. Graffy.

A Murder at the Potter Hotel is about a time and place – Santa Barbara, California in 1908. That year saw the arrival of the Great White Fleet, having been selected as one stop on the global mission of good will. Joining the community in city-wide celebration, piano teacher Leontine Birabent, her young friend Patrick and Daisy, her tenant, are unwittingly drawn into a web of corporate crime and military deception that ends with someone dead. Though far from detectives, the three are, nevertheless, in the best position to determine who might be responsible – hopefully before the ships sail on.

A Murder at the Potter Hotel is the first in a forthcoming series called A Santa Barbara History Mystery.