San Juan Bautista

Did she fall? Or was she pushed? Or maybe the question should be which time?

This is the mission where Kim Novak fell from the tower in Alfred Hitchcock's classic movie "Vertigo." Not once, but twice! How is that possible? Well you got to see the movie.

But look closely at this tower. It is not a tower at all, but a Campanero. Mission San Juan Bautista has no tower. Alfred Hitchcock used clever editing and splicing to create that memorable scene of James Stewart and Kim Novak climbing up those stairs.

 

Mission San Diego

Mission San Diego is the first of the California Missions built so it is an appropriate setting for the first of my "Mission Mysteries."

The historical facts, which serve as the basis for this mystery are that Captain Fernando Rivera, of the Spanish army had imprisoned several of the local natives for their part in a revolt at the Mission. Much to Captain Rivera's chagrin, the Franciscans prevailed on the governor of California to have the prisoners released.

On the day the last prisoner was supposed to be released he was found dead in his cell. Suicide was given as the cause of death. For over 200 years there has been a lingering suspicion that the Spanish army was in fact the cause of his death.

With these facts in hand I have created a mystery involving not just one but two deaths. Who is responsible? The Spanish army? A falling out among thieves? Revenge on the part of some of the Natives for wrongs previously committed.

The protagonist of this mystery is a Franciscan Friar who is also a physician. He is called upon to use his unique set of skills in unraveling a very tangled set of facts

 

Mission San Diego

The first of the "Mission Mysteries" A Convenient Death at San Diego  will be released in Mid June. Watch for it. It is based on an actual incident in the very early history of the mission. There had been a revolt and several Indians were imprisoned. On the day the last one was to be released he was found dead in his cell. Suicide was given as the cause of death. Foul play has been suspected for over 200 years.

Mission San Miguel Collonade

Look carefully down to the far end of this colonnade. Why is there a cannon at this mission??

Mission San Miguel

Mission San Miguel "The Un-retouched Mission."  Some how, in over 200 years of existence this mission has escaped the "restorer's" usually misguided efforts. When you step into this mission and look at the painted decorations on the wall you are seeing the work of Native Californians. Esteban Munras directed Salinan craftsmen in creating beautiful swags, columns, and draperies. This mission, more than any other gives one a real sense of being back in the 18th century.

The All Seeing Eye of God at Mission San Miguel