Local author writes Delaware murder mystery

“Still Life in Blood,” by Crystal Heidel, is a murder mystery that takes place in Lewes, Rehoboth and Dewey.

The book is about Francesca, an artist in Rehoboth Beach, who has secret psychic abilities. When she has a vision of a murder that actually comes true, she must discover who the murderer is, the deeper meaning behind the murder and how this all connects to her.

Cultured Pearl and Dogfish Head Brewery are among several local restaurants readers will recognize within the story. Characters also stop for french fries at Thrashers on the Boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach.             

Heidel says she was inspired to write a murder mystery because she grew up watching them, as well as police procedurals. One of her favorite shows as a kid was “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” which influenced one of the characters in her book, she said.

Heidel, who has lived in Delaware for about half her life, resides in Milton. When she was writing the book, she said she followed the writer’s adage, “Write what you know.” 

This is why the story takes place locally, Heidel said. It’s also why characters in the story include a Delaware State Police homicide detective and the editor of a local newspaper, based on the Cape Gazette.

“Still Life in Blood” is filled with suspense, which Heidel says she creates using in a lot of red herrings. When a friend called to tell her that she knew who the murderer was at only page 35, Heidel responded, “No you don’t!”

Currently Heidel is helping other local authors get their books published and working on a sequel to “Still Life in Blood.” 

She said about 60 percent of the first draft is written. Her goal, she said, is to have it released by December.