Deborah Malone returned to the scene of the crime Saturday — a crime that she made up.

Malone, a Rome, Ga., author, was at the Marietta Museum of History to talk about and sign copies of her new mystery book, “Murder in Marietta.” The book is the second involving her character, Trixie Montgomery, following up “Death in Dahlonega.”

Malone said she became interested in the museum and Marietta after writing a story detailing the locations of the Great Locomotive Chase for Georgia Backroads magazine. So she decided to have the murder in her new book happen in James Andrews’ raiders’ room at the museum, the former Kennesaw House.

“It’s great to come back and talk to people about the story and how they will feel when they read it,” Malone said. “I hope they will enjoy it.”

The suspect in the Marietta murder’s name is Doc, the initials of Marietta Museum director and founder Dan Cox.

Malone said Cox served as the basis for the museum director and suspect in the book.

“I just like Dan,” she said. “I think he’s a great character. The murder took place at the museum and I needed a director.”

Cox took the book in stride.

“I’ve been a suspect all my life, of something,” he said, laughing. “It was a fine book. I had a great time with it. I usually try to find the best of everything.”

This wasn’t the first time the museum has been featured in entertainment. It appeared on the History Channel program “Haunted History,” and other shows looking to research the 700 ghosts some believe stayed in the former hospital and morgue from both the Union and Confederate armies. Cox said it’s all good for business.

“I’ve had investigators from across the state with their infrared cameras,” he said. “They find what they want to.”

The killings in “Murder in Marietta” and “Death in Dahlonega” both took place in museums, but Malone said that won’t be the case with her third book, “Terror on Tybee Island,” due next year, or her planned fourth book, “Chilled in Chattanooga.”

Kitty Klein of Kennesaw was the first of the dozen attendees of the event to get in line for the book signing. She said she is looking forward to hearing about how the book incorporates the locomotive chase.

“I can’t wait to read it,” she said.

“Murder in Marietta” is available at the museum, located at 1 Depot St, Suite 200, on Amazon.com or through Malone’s website, www.deborah-malone.com.