My grandmother was a Finnish/Swedish immigrant. She came to America in the 1890s—Geronimo was still alive when she landed at Ellis Island as a six-year-old. While she adapted fully to her new home in Mississippi, she also retained a love for some of the traditions of her homeland. Midsummer Eve is a celebration of the gifts of summer. The symbols for traditional celebrations are flowered wreaths in the hair of young women and children, Maypoles, and bonfires. The traditional feast is pickled herring, new potatoes, and schnapps. My grandmother loved pickled herring and tripe—two things I cannot choke down.
I love the folklore surrounding the holiday: girls ate salted porridge so their beaus could bring them water in their dreams to quench their thirst. Sometimes treasures can be found in the slanting rays of moonlight.
In my story, the residents of Zinnia, Mississippi are partaking of this annual celebration when the theft of a valuable guitar puts a young musician's life in danger. Only Trouble, the black cat detective, can save the day—and the romance blossoming between Leah and Blake.