OMN Welcomes Mary Cunningham, Author of the Cynthia's Attic Series of Mysteries for 'Tweens

Omnimystery News is pleased to welcome Mary Cunningham, author of the Cynthia's Attic series of mysteries for 'tweens.

The third book in her series (and the subject of today's post "History Meets Mystery") is Curse of the Bayou (Echelon Press, December 2007 Trade Paperback, 978-1-59080-575-6). The Magician's Castle (Echelon Press, March 2011 Trade Paperback, 978-1-59080-656-2), the fourth book, is published this month.

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From the moment I heard the story, I longed for the ability to travel back in time and solve the mysterious disappearance of my great-great-grandfather, Augustus Bulleit (Boilliat). The most intriguing adventure from my ‘Tween book series evolved from his ill-fated trip down the Mississippi River in 1860.

Cynthia's Attic Book Three: Curse of the Bayou is loosely based on the disappearance of Augustus during a flatboat trip down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans. It's widely believed he was murdered for the contents he carried and his boat. Being the first in his family to come to America (around 1826), his death is particularly distressing because information about his French roots all but died with him.

According to his youngest granddaughter (my Great-Aunt Blanche), in the fall of 1859, Augustus built a large boat ninety feet in length with the halves of two immense poplar logs. It was his custom to purchase produce and other crops and re-sell them at points in the south, and to also take the merchandise of neighbors down the river to sell on commission. On this trip, he docked safely at Memphis and disposed of his cargo for a good profit. He wrote in a letter home that he also purchased land in Metropolis, Illinois, but that was the last communication from him. It's assumed he was murdered and robbed for the money and the land mentioned in his letter. This is based on the fact that one of the men he employed to make the trip with him, made claim to the land shortly after Augustus disappeared.

The only additional information ever received was that the merchandise he purchased to take home arrived at the Metropolis, Illinois wharf and was claimed by another person. No title to the land was ever found. You can imagine why this mystery fascinated me over the years and still does. What happened to Augustus? How did he meet his demise?

Who better to solve this real life family mystery than Cynthia's Attic time-traveling duo, Cynthia and Gus? Curse of the Bayou takes them deep in the Louisiana bayou where they meet an old Cajun guide named Mudbug, and encounter a nasty pirate with a strange connection to the disappearance. Do they solve the mystery? Guess you'll have to read the book.

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Mary Cunningham is the author of the 4-book, award-winning 'tween fantasy/mystery series, Cynthia's Attic. Her children's mystery series was inspired by a recurring dream about a mysterious attic. After realizing that the dream took place in the home of her childhood friend, Cynthia, the dreams stopped and the writing began.

She is also co-writer of the humor-filled lifestyle book titled, WOOF: Women Only Over Fifty, Christmas With Daisy, and "Ghost Light", a short story inspired by her Indiana basketball roots.

She is a member of The Georgia Reading Association, the Carrollton Creative Writers Club, and the Pulpwood Queens Book Club. When she gives her fingers a day away from the keyboard, she enjoys golf, swimming and exploring the mountains of West Georgia where she makes her home with her husband. Together they've raised three creative children.

For more information about Mary and her book, visit her website at MaryCunninghamBooks.com.

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About Curse of the Bayou: Colorful pirates, SuRana -- a shape-shifting puma, and an old Cajun guide named Mud Bug join Cynthia and Gus as they explore the Curse of the Bayou.

The third quest for the adventurous, twelve-year-old best friends finds them in a Louisiana bayou. There, they search for answers in the disappearance of Cynthia's great-grandfather, Beau Connor, who was on his way down the Mississippi River to sell a flatboat full of produce.

With the help of a magic trunk in Cynthia's attic, this time-traveling duo venture back to 1914 New Orleans. The warm welcome and advice from old friend, Gabriella, is small comfort when Mud Bug warns them to stay away from Buzzard Jack LaBuse, the meanest, orneriest pirate this side of the Mississippi, his gang of misfits, Snags, Darby, and Salty Sam, their thieving parrot mascot.

A trip to the Connor's Southern Indiana farm reveals a strange connection between Beau and Buzzard Jack, and a family curse that might be responsible for Cynthia's great-grandfather's disappearance. Returning to New Orleans, a harrowing ride on a roller coaster sends them farther back in time to 1844, straight into the clutches of the evil pirate, fighting for their lives. A mysterious treasure and heart-stopping adventure lead to a final confrontation in the girls' mission to save Great Granddaddy Beau.

About The Magician's Castle: Magical costumes, disappearing stairs, and a spooky attic filled with dusty antiques — what more could two, adventurous, young girls ask for?

Sebastien the Great, a magician whose fiancée, Kathryn, has disappeared through the magic trunk vows revenge. If Cynthia and Gus don't find a missing page from the “Book of Spells,” Cynthia's family will face financial and personal ruin.

Follow this time-traveling duo as they journey back to a 1914 Swiss castle where Eva, Sebastien's grandmother, gives them clues on where to begin their search. Their journey takes them through miles of tree tunnels, an enchanted garden ruled by a cranky rock monster, and high into the majestic Alps.

But the adventure doesn't really start until they get the surprise of their lives and are sent fifty years into the future, have a shocking encounter with another set of best friends, and receive a fresh set of clues that could lead to Kathryn's return. But at what price?

Watch a video trailer for the Cynthia's Attic mysteries below.