Patricia Stoltey

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The Desert Hedge Murders — Excerpt and Synopsis

August 7, 2009 By: Patricia

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.

More from my site

  • A Winner and Other StuffA Winner and Other Stuff
  • More on The Blood-Red Pencil blogMore on The Blood-Red Pencil blog
  • Is It Wednesday Already?Is It Wednesday Already?
  • Wednesday ScrambleWednesday Scramble
  • CURSES!  Foiled by a Priest…  by Susan SpannCURSES! Foiled by a Priest… by Susan Spann
  • Temporarily Out of OrderTemporarily Out of Order

Category: Uncategorized

Comments

  1. Holly Jahangiri says

    August 9, 2009 at 10:19 pm

    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.

  2. Helen Ginger says

    August 9, 2009 at 7:55 am

    This sounds like a great read. A mix of people, ages, danger and fun. I’m looking forward to reading it, for sure.

    Helen
    Straight From Hel

  3. Marvin D Wilson says

    August 8, 2009 at 7:40 am

    Absolutely nothing wrong with a little “blatant self promotion” on your own doggone blog – lol

    Cool synopsis, too. 🙂

    The Old Silly

  4. Terry Heath says

    August 7, 2009 at 1:34 pm

    It sounds like a bathtub full of fun! (Okay I couldn’t resist, but really it does.)

  5. Patricia Stoltey says

    August 7, 2009 at 10:05 am

    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.

  6. Elspeth Antonelli says

    August 7, 2009 at 8:30 am

    What a marvelous synopsis! The three-legged alligator is great, but the name of the ladies’ group is priceless.

    Can’t wait to read it.

  7. Enid Wilson says

    August 7, 2009 at 8:13 am

    Patricia, you’ve cooked up quite a mystery there, elder women, young detective, 3-legged alligator, gambling, ghost hunting, sleuthing…

    Bargain with the Devil

  8. Alan Orloff says

    August 7, 2009 at 7:55 am

    I think I inadvertently made up a new word: rattleskine!

    I shouldn’t try to type so fast.

  9. Alan Orloff says

    August 7, 2009 at 7:53 am

    Sounds like a fun read. I like the rattleskine cover, too. Cool!

  10. Karen Walker says

    August 7, 2009 at 7:34 am

    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. Patricia Stoltey says

    August 7, 2009 at 7:31 am

    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. Galen Kindley--Author says

    August 7, 2009 at 7:05 am

    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

  13. Jane Kennedy Sutton says

    August 7, 2009 at 7:00 am

    I agree with Elizabeth – I can’t wait to read it! I love the three-legged alligator idea.

  14. Elizabeth Spann Craig says

    August 7, 2009 at 5:56 am

    Cool cover, Patricia! And the copy and summary pulled me right in. Can’t wait to read it!

    Elizabeth
    Mystery Writing is Murder

Meet Patricia

I read, I write, I blog, and sometimes I do the laundry and cook. My 2014 novel, Dead Wrong, was a finalist in the thriller category of the 2015 Colorado Book Awards. Wishing Caswell Dead (Five Star/Cengage, December 20, 2017) is a historical mystery set in 1830s Illinois in the fictitious Village of Sangamon. The novel was a finalist for the 2018 Colorado Book Awards for General Fiction. My most recent release, In Defense of Delia (Five Star/Cengage, November 2022), is available in hardcover and will soon be available in ebook and trade paperback. Read More…

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