What is the Kary Turnell Mystery Tour?
Kary Turnell Mysteries put a novel face on places and destinations in New Hampshire. In this case, it’s the countenance of that supremely insightful, fedora-wearing investigator, Kary Turnell. The Mystery tour provides an opportunity to do more than simply read how some clever sleuth solves deadly crimes at a bunch of fictional crime scenes. Now, you can travel to the actual settings where the crimes take place, because Kary Turnell Mysteries are set in some of New Hampshire’s favorite travel destinations—historic resorts, popular attractions, and prominent communities.
The Kary Turnell Mystery Tour is a self-guided activity. You may choose to read the books before seeing the settings; or visit first, then revisit the scene of the crime by reading the books when you return home. You can complete your journey in a series of day trips, spend a weekend, or build a vacation around the Tour. The order in which you decide to read the mysteries or complete the tour is up to you.
A brief description of the locations in each mystery:
While reading A Last Resort, you’ll feel that you’re walking the halls of the beautiful Balsams Grand Resort Hotel. As pictured here, The Balsams is a beautiful nineteenth century property set in Dixville Notch, once described as the Switzerland of America. Presently, the resort is closed for renovation. However, the view of the resort across Lake Gloriette with Dixville Notch as a backdrop is one of the most breathtaking in New Hampshire (thebalsamsresort.com). Tour participants will want to check out the famous Ballot Room, where US presidential candidates receive their first votes every four years. While you’re inside, be sure to visit the historic ballroom, bowling alley, and elegant movie theater—that Turnell accesses by a network of underground tunnels. |
The resort’s elegant tower provides views of its beautiful nine-hole golf course, and the Presidentials in the distance (mountainviewgrand.com). On the golf course, take special note of the 4th hole, where Turnell discovered something truly sinister. |
Whacked provides a visit to the historic Wentworth By the Sea Hotel and Spa (marriott.com). There, Turnell’s investigation takes him from the property’s beautiful granite veranda, to its historic ballroom and opulent indoor swimming pool. Also, there’s some hair-raising activity on its seaside golf links. |
In One Track Mind, you’ll follow the murderer’s escape path up the historic Mount Washington Cog Railway (thecog.com) to the summit of New England’s highest peak, where the Tip Top House and Sherman Adams Building come into play. The chase continues down the Mt. Washington Auto Road (mt-washington.com), and into bucolic North Conway village (mtwashingtonvalley.org), with stops at some of the many excellent restaurants, shops, and traditional motels that line White Mountain Highway. |
A Thief in the House takes you inside the beautiful Greek Revival State House in Concord (gencourt.state.nh.us). There, amongst all of the vestiges of the state’s political history, Turnell’s investigation takes him into the state legislative chambers, past a valuable historic document, and into the cafeteria where political figures have eaten for more than two centuries. Next, it’s down the road to the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (starhop.com) where artifacts from our nation’s space program interest some unsavory characters. Then, head two miles north to Beaver Meadow, the state’s oldest golf course (bmgc.golf); be certain to visit the 14th hole, as the culprit did. |
In Long Walk, Short Deck, there is a murder aboard the MS Mount Washington (cruisenh.com). The investigation takes Turnell and his team throughout the historic vessel, then to quaint Wolfeboro (wolfeborochamber.com), the nation’s first summer resort, and on to pretty Alton Bay, to Plymouth State University, and to a beautiful cathedral in Manchester.
|
The investigative team returns to Manchester (manchester-chamber.org) in Knock Knock. Who’s Dead? This time, they work a murder scene in the city’s unusual Cat Alley, canvas its vibrant Elm Street commercial district, and then hone in on suspects at the exceptional Manchester Historical Museum (manchesterhistoric.org). |
Finally, follow the path of the investigators in The Remorseful Pawn, that leads from Cochecho Falls in fascinating downtown Dover (dovernh.org), to the state university in Durham, before concluding at several lodgings, accommodations, and historic sites (blackheritagetrailnh.org) situated by the Piscataqua River in the city of Portsmouth (portsmouthnh.com).
|
Once you’ve ticked all of the places on the list, you will be eligible to receive a signed copy of the author’s forthcoming mystery. More information will appear on this website.
Click here to download a printable version a printable version of The Kary Turnell Mystery Tour.
Photo Credits
Dan Houde/Wiseguy Creative
Mark Okrant
Mary DeVries, Wolfeboro Chamber of Commerce
Michelle Davis, Chamber Collaborative of Portsmouth
Mount Washington Auto Road
Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa
MS Mount Washington
Plymouth State University
Wentworth By the Sea, A Marriott Resort & Spa