Tom Gnagey

Phantom Corpse Tom Gnagey

Ages 15 through adult: Mark and Amy are bright college juniors, a couple since they were toddles. He is a computer major and she is pursuing the study of art. They live in separate apartments in the same building (Mark sees no reason for 2 apartments). They witness a murder, but the corpse disappears before the police even see it. Because they fear their role in the case may be leaked to the killer if they work directly with the police, they choose to collect the necessary evidence themselves. As they gather the incriminating bits and pieces over a week's time, they funnel it, anonymously, to Detective Jackson - the lead detective in the case. The plot is peppered with twists and seemingly unresolvable questions. Initially, the case they are able to build just doesn't make sense to them although eventually they make it all fall into place. They see humor even where it doesn't exist for most folks and vacillate between having a good deal of fun and fearing for their lives. They also manage a significant helping of intimate time together, even if that is mostly left to the readers' imagination.