Crossroad
A Mystery
On a desolate road in the Oregon high desert, an apprentice mortician stumbles upon a horrific car crash–and into a vortex of treachery, long-buried secrets, and growing menace.
Melisende Dulac is a fish out of water after relocating from the East Coast to a small community in the Oregon high desert. But just as she’s beginning to think of Barlow County as home, her life takes an ominous turn when she comes upon a grisly multiple car wreck and three shattered bodies on an isolated road outside of town. Near the scene, Melisende trips over a fourth body, that of a newborn girl lying a physics-defying distance from the wreckage. There is no one to claim the infant, nor a clear indication she was even part of the accident.
The crash offers plenty of opportunities for an apprentice mortician–but when the victims’ bodies are stolen from her family’s mortuary, Melisende is branded suspect number one. Then, Portland lawyer Kendrick Pride arrives on the scene on behalf of one of the victim’s families–or so he says–and Melisende begins to see that there’s much more to this enigmatic figure than meets the eye.
As the shadows gather and the mystery deepens, Melisende must race to find the truth–or be swallowed by the darkness.
- Honorable Mention, 2020 Spotted Owl Award for Best Northwest Mystery
- Check out location maps for Crossroad and other Melisende Dulac stories
- Learn about Bouton Funerary Service
- Learn about the Barlow County Sheriff’s Department
Get Your Copy
From Crooked Lane Books
Print • ISBN 9781643852805
eBook • ISBN 9781643852812
Edited by Shannon Jamieson Vasquez
Cover design by Melanie Sun
Book design by Jennifer Canzone
Audiobook narrated by Eleanor Caudill
Crossroad is now available as an audiobook, in a wonderful edition narrated by Eleanor Caudill.
Read with your ears: Audible | Apple Books | Kobo | Scribd
W.H. Cameron Short Stories and Novellas
Hey Nineteen
During one of her first solo body removal jobs as an apprentice mortician, Melisende Dulac discovers an old man’s sad end may not be all that that it seems.
This story is the first in the Melisende Dulac chronology.
Waldo’s Gold
When a grave at the cemetery owned by her family is looted practically under her nose, Melisende Dulac sets out to track down the perpetrator and, in the process, solve a century-old mystery.
This novella follows the events of Crossroad.
Christmas Spirit
When a young mother is accused of drowning her child on Christmas Eve, a surprise discovery during the body transport forces apprentice mortician Melisende Dulac to confront her own ghosts of Christmas past—and help bring the perpetrator to justice.
This story follows "Waldo's Gold" in the Melisende Dulac Chronology.
The Sheepshooter’s Funeral
Work-in-progress
When a young rancher is found dead at the site of his ancestor’s heroic death, many suspect he took his own life. While arranging his funeral, apprentice mortician Melisende Dulac discovers not only was the death a murder, but everyone close to the victim has something to hide.
When complete, this novella will take place after the events of "Christmas Spirit."