MacCorp News February 2023
From The Moonstone Brooch (Book 13) Research File
President McKinley was assassinated on September 6, 1901, inside the Temple of Music at the 1901 Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York.
The president was operated on by a Buffalo gynecologist because the famed Dr. Roswell Park, the Exposition’s chief medical officer and an expert on gunshot wounds, was in Niagara Falls finishing neck surgery on a patient.
One of the bullets had gone into and exited the president’s stomach and the operating surgeon couldn’t find it. When the president began showing signs of shock, the doctor quit exploring and sewed him up.
While the president did improve, it was temporary and he died on September 14 from an infection caused by the bullet, and Teddy Roosevelt became the 26th President of the United States.
For those who have read The Sapphire Brooch and know how difficult it was for Jack Mallory to stand by and watch John Wilkes Booth assassinate President Lincoln, it might be worse for Clay MacIntyre.
Character Profile: Barclay “Clay” Alasdair MacIntyre
Relationship to the Family: He was Patrick Mallory’s roommate at the University of Virginia.
Current occupation: Investigative Reporter for The New York Times, where he participated in the Newsroom Fellowship Program for two years between high school and college.
Description: Clay is twenty-five, six-feet-tall and weighs a hundred and sixty pounds with wavy brown hair, a three-day stubble beard, and brilliant blue eyes. He has a small scar on his left cheek, a three-inch scar on his right leg, and a two-inch ragged scar on his upper right arm. No tattoos.
In his spare time: He enjoys mountaineering and competing in triathlons.
Dating life: “Are you kidding? I don’t have time for a girlfriend. She would just complicate my life.”
What else would you like to know about me?
Next Month’s Character Profile: Patrick Wilson Mallory
We know a lot about Patrick from The Diamond Brooch and The Bloodstone Brooch, but there’s still much we don’t know. Turn in next month and you’ll learn some new details.
Excerpt from The Moonstone Brooch, Copyright 2023
From Chapter 2:
They all stared at Eric.
“Brooches?” Elliott asked in a tone that made Patrick slink back in his chair. “Are ye implying that Archibald MacIntrye was a Guardian? Ye said ye didn’t know who they were.”
“I do not know them, but I suspected Young Clay’s grandfather Barclay MacIntrye might be. He was a law partner of Sophia’s grandfather.”
“Solicitor Seamus Digby?” Braham asked.
“Yes, but I could not prove it. I met Solicitor MacIntrye in Scotland the same summer I met Samantha there.”
Elliott crossed his legs and smoothed his trousers’ crease. “What makes ye think he might have been a Guardian?”
“Body language does not lie, Elliott, even with those who try to conceal their emotions. You straighten the crease of your trousers as a distraction so that no one will notice your jaw tense, or the slight lift of your eyebrows, or the bounding pulse of your carotid—”
“Ye made yer point,” Elliott said in a tone that meant drop it.
“Back to your question,” Eric said unphased. “The MacIntyres have been on my radar as possible guardians since the early 1800s.”
“So you think Uncle Archibald left a brooch or a box of brooches to Clay?” Patrick asked. “If so, Clay could have gone anywhere in the world. I don’t think we can find him.”
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Survey Feedback
Thanks to everyone who provided feedback through last month’s survey. Here’s a quick summary of the results, and I hope to include as much as I can in future newsletters.
- Survey says: You want to know more about everyone, especially the McBains, MacKlennas, and Stuarts. You’d also like to see some “slice-of-life” updates on different family members.
- Survey says: You want to know about the origins of Elliott and David’s friendship, Erik and the Vikings, the origins of the castle in Scotland and its history, and the Brooch creator.
- Survey says: You want more information about all the brooches and their historical relationships, with a specific interest in these events: the Civil War and Lincoln’s spies and assassination, the Battle of New Orleans (and Jean Lafitte), and Roosevelt and his time in the Badlands.
- Survey says: You have an appreciation for the in-depth historical research supporting each book. Don’t worry, that won’t change. I’m a history buff!
- Survey says: You are enthusiastic about The Moonstone Brooch, Book 13. Yeah!
Family News
Save the date! Austin and Aislinn’s wedding is on April 4 at Mallory Plantation. More info to come.
Awards Season: Amber and Daniel were nominated for their third Emmy Award this year for their gourmet cooking show “Amber’s Gourmet Farm to Table.” If you haven’t seen the most recent season, you’re missing exciting TV.
Isn’t it Remy’s turn to get the girl?
He’ll show up in the next book when his band plays in New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Are you ready for a return trip to New Orleans? I can hear hundreds of voices saying, “Sure, if Jean Lafitte will be there. We want to see him again.”
I’d love to see him again, too!
I’m not sure yet what will happen to Remy, but he will find his soul mate. I don’t have a title or a release date. It takes about sixteen months to research and write a brooch book. I’m only on chapter 3 of The Moonstone so book 14 won’t be out until early 2025.
Can’t I write faster?
At seventy-three? No! I’m taking more time off and I have shorter writing days thanks to Maddie the Maurader who expects me to stop every three hours to play ball or go on walks, even though sometimes she thinks she’s a cat.
And look at her. Who could resist those eyes?
Giveaway!
*One entry per person. The winner will be notified via email approximately one week after the newsletter is released.
Lookng forward to #13 for sure! An historical character(s) I’d like to see in one of the stories is some of the Alamo heros. Davy, Jim, Travis, Sam. Just some food for thought! As far as Remy, maybe he’d like some big band era characters!
That would be a fun group to hang out with!!
You would make both those ideas into the best of books!
P.S. I love the pic of your puppy! Cat in there somewhere for sure! How the heck did she get on the desk without making a complete mess of the place?
Ohh, great ideas both! How about Glenn Miller for the big band?