In the Shadow of Ely Marsh

Elizabeth Blackwell leads you through a summer of intrigue and an event that changed her life forever. "I didn't know it at the time, but the events that were unfolding were the beginning of my life changing. I watched Daddy disappear down to the dock, when the only thing visible was a small flicker from his flashlight in the distance. There were no sounds. How strange this was. Momma and I stood there looking out the old screen door. I'm not sure why Daddy went down to the dock; the screaming didn't even come from that direction. I didn't ask. Momma made a fuss but Daddy ignored her. I suppose I kept quiet because I knew the pecking order and knew my place, besides, the man was my Daddy and he must have known what he was doing. His time investigating seemed endless." Liz has a cursed life, expected to follow her father into the family fishing business, but she rebelled and only wished she had the life of other wealthy Savannahians. From her family's dock she can see the Ely's mansion across the marsh that holds their namesake. Liz wallows in pity and finds the hard road of alcohol and drugs the route to escape her unhappiness. Misfortune follows her as she is whirled into a murder mystery and attempts to escape to a small fishing village in Northern Florida. She eventually must face her demons, her family, and herself to come to grips with the realities of her life. In the Shadow of Ely Marsh, explores life's toughest challenges through adventure, mystery, crime, and redemption. You will meet her upstanding and over achieving big brother Wright, her nemesis and former lover Wade Turner, and Dixie, a friend to whom Liz unexpectedly seeks to escape from her troubles. The characters create intrigue as well as adventure and soul searching as you venture into the Shadow of Ely Marsh.

About the Author Stefan Kulakowski grew up in Ft. Myers Florida enjoying the salty Gulf of Mexico and the area beaches. He now resides in Tallahassee after attending the Florida State University and getting a Bachelor of Science in Criminology in 1985. He’s always had a passion for enjoying good conversation and learning from the people he’s met, places he’s been, and life’s experiences to create unique characters to write about. Stefan still enjoys travel to small coastal communities, the beach, fishing, camping, and time with his grown children Chris and Nicole.