The Copycat Caper

Charlie Collier here. You won't want to miss my third caper. In this adventure, the local newspaper is filled with reports of a pair of unsolved crimes in the Oak Grove area-the theft of a rare painting from the local art gallery, and the discovery of hundreds of dollars in counterfeit bills at a downtown convenience store. Meanwhile at school, the drama teacher, Mr. Miles, a long-time thespian well past retirement age, stops by Mrs. Jansen's class to recruit cast members for the new sixth grade play, one which he has written. Mr. Miles, well aware of my reputation, asks me if I would consider playing the role of the private detective in his play. At first, I politely decline. I've never thought of himself as an actor. But when Scarlett is cast as the young heroine, I reconsider. The next day I pay a visit to Eugene to tell him about my new stage role. During the conversation, he asks me if I've heard the good news-it's the 75th anniversary of the Sam Solomon Mystery Theater-a series of old-time radio programs that ran in the 1930's and '40's. Eugene informs me that a local radio station, in celebration of the anniversary, is currently running the programs. How could a crime spree, the school play, and the Sam Solomon radio series possibly be connected? There's one way to find out.
About the Author: John Madormo, a Chicago area screenwriter, author, and college professor, has created a body of work that has attracted the attention of motion picture producers and publishers. John has sold a family comedy screenplay to a Los Angeles production company, signed a contract for a three-book deal with a major New York publisher, and was recently named the Grand Prize winner of a national writing competition. Here are just a few of his accomplishments: * John signed a contract for a three-book deal with Penguin Books for Young Readers. The middle-grade mystery series, entitled Charlie Collier, Snoop for Hire, follows the exploits of a 12-year-old private detective who sets up shop in his parents' garage and solves cases for fellow sixth-grade classmates. Mystery #1, "The Homemade Stuffing Caper" was published in 2012. Mystery #2, "The Camp Phoenix Caper," hit bookstore shelves in 2013. And Mystery #3, "The Copycat Caper," was released in 2014. For more information, visit the official Charlie Collier website: www.charliecolliersnoopforhire.com. * John sold a family comedy screenplay, "Coach Dracula", to Dog & Rooster Productions, Studio City, CA. (Sheri Bryant will produce; Greg Aronowitz will direct). * He optioned a family comedy screenplay, "Two-Faced!", to Doris Roberts ("Everybody Loves Raymond") Enterprises. Ms. Roberts and her manager/son, Michael Cannata, held the rights for 3 years. * John Madormo completed a screenplay adaptation of the young adult novel, The Ghost of Lizard Light by Elvira Woodruff, for Flatiron Films (producers of the 2000 release "Pay It Forward" starring Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt). * For more information, visit www.johnmadormo.com.