Murder at the Shipyard

Murder at the Shipyard (working title) is the second conceived book in the Eden Pond Series.

Overview

In September 1942, the Oregon Shipbuilding Company goes all out to build a war-critical Liberty Ship in record time, ten days from laying the keel to launch. Caught up in patriotic fervor, new welder Eden Pond is eager to do her part. But when the truculent foreman of her work crew falls from a high catwalk on day one of the effort, evidence points to murder. The lead suspect is a young welding helper Eden had been teaching to read so he could enlist in the army.

Detectives on the case learn about the relationship, and turn their attention to her. Things heat up when they discover Eden had rebuffed amorous advances by the dead man, going so far as to threaten him if he didn’t keep his hands to himself. With the yard working round the clock to get the ship done in time, Eden must find out what really happened before the police decide they don’t need to look any further than the young female welder with an axe to grind.

Chronology
The events of the novel take place in September 1942. Murder at the Shipyard follows The Lethal Shore and "The Railroad Job." It precedes Death of a Lady Pilot.

Historical Note
The SS Joseph N. Teal was in fact built in ten days. The ship was christened by Anna Boettiger, President Roosevelt’s daughter, who himself attended the launch in a surprise visit. During this period, increasing numbers of women were being hired at the shipyards, and they were recognized as especially skillful welders.

Major Characters

• Eden Pond
• Martin Kadash
• Ursula Voronin
• Victor Thibault

Points of Interest

• Kaiser St. Johns Shipyard
• St. John's, Portland