Patricia Stoltey

Author

The Desert Hedge Murders — Excerpt and Synopsis

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Once again it’s time to inflict a little blatant self-promotion on my friends. Originally, I had planned to post just the back-of-the-book excerpt of my new mystery, The Desert Hedge Murders, but then I decided to show off that rattlesnake skin background as well. So I scanned the book cover, then cropped off the bottom with the bar code to save space. Here it is:

The synopsis:

Retired Florida judge Sylvia Thorn escorts her elderly mother’s travel club to the gambling city of Laughlin, Nevada, but before the ladies are even settled in their hotel rooms, one of them finds a body in her bathtub. The innocent weekend of gambling and ghost-hunting turns into a frantic search for the connection between the dead man and the Florida Flippers, until one of their own disappears and the relationship becomes clear. From flamboyant Marianne Gruber, whose husband was killed by a three-legged alligator, to lottery winner Diane Chacon, author of a sexy novel for the older generation, the ladies try their hand at crime solving.

Finally FBI agent Damon Falls, the younger man in Sylvia’s life, calls a halt to the Flippers’ investigation. Once the elder group is under control, Sylvia teams up with the mysterious Patsy Strump, a last minute addition to the Flippers’ vacation, and they do a little sleuthing of their own. In the touristy ghost town of Oatman, Arizona, and an after hours tour of the Lone Cactus Gold Mine, Sylvia and Patsy find clues … and trouble.

Sylvia’s brother, reluctant clairvoyant Willie Grisseljon, and her father, alarmed at what Willie sees unfold in his visions, abandon their bachelor weekend in Florida and fly to the rescue. The Desert Hedge Murders is full of plot twists, complicated by mistaken identities, secrets and lies, and the energetic and often crazy antics of the Florida Flippers.

In September, I’ll be giving away a couple of books from this blog and from my website. There will be plenty of advance warning, which will give you the chance to participate . . . or run screaming in the other direction. Stay tuned.

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Comments

  1. This book sounds like a blast! I want to read it. The Florida Flippers sound like a fun and interesting bunch of women.

    Thank you for dropping by my blog, earlier. I appreciate your comments. I especially wish that everyone would read this part: “The freedom to speak our minds belongs to all of us, but can we do it with civility and fairness? Let’s forget the screaming and the name-calling, and let’s send the organized rabble rousers on their way (no matter what they’re chanting this week and no matter what color t-shirts they’re wearing). Let’s start talking to each other. Even better, let’s listen to each other.” Bless you for that.

  5. Thanks for the supportive comments, everyone!! I hope that translates into lots of requests to your local library to order this book. The ISBN number is 978-1594147852.

  10. Oh, I’ll just have to get this for my 89-year-old friend, Mary Alice, who just loves mysteries. And before I give it to her, I’ll have to read it as well. Sounds too good to pass up.
    Karen

  11. Feel free to post anything you want here, Galen. IT’s so much easier than hopping all over the internet…

    And thanks to all for the early visit. I’m off to man the desk at the Northern Colorado Writers Studio so I’ll be checking in more later.

  12. Very nice synopsis, Patricia those are sooo hard to write. Yours is clear, compelling, and comprehensive. Looks like a good read. I’m with Jane, the three-legged alligator made me laugh aloud. Not to funny for Mr. Gruber, though, huh?

    Say, on another matter…can you help me find Jack Regan’s site? Been looking for it everywhere. If I don’t find it, I’m just gonna post his comments here! (Grin)

    Best Regards, Galen
    Imagineering Fiction Blog