Tuesdays with Story

Writer’s Mail for July 25, 2011
by Jen Wilcher

“Fiction gives us a second chance that life denies us.” – Paul Theroux

Jennifer Hanson: For my story, I remember the question of: what was the trigger? (regarding the dream & memories) And Jerry felt it needed to be stronger than the scene at the beach. Someone also suggested the chapter needed a stronger cliffhanger, to keep the reader turning the pages

Aaron Boehm: Most seemed to think it was an exciting and briskly moving chapter. A couple people thought Paul’s reactions seemed a little off, but I said that was one purpose and you would find out more later. Greg wanted them to press him a bit more for information, and I said that is the next scene. I asked everyone if they thought it was odd that there were no women in this script, but no one else noticed it until I mentioned it. It seems to work fine, since the world of professional wrestling is a more masculine one, and no one thought I should force myself to add in characters if they weren’t necessary.

Who’s up next . . .
July 26: Liam’s 30th Birthday party.
August 2: Jim Cue (???), Greg Spry (chapter 8, Beyond Cloud Nine), Clayton Gill (chapter 17, Fishing Derby), Millie Mader (chapter 27, Life on Hold), Liam Wilbur (chapter, Scott & Rory), and Kim Simmons (chapter, City of Summer).

August 9: Andrea Kirchman, Rebecca Rettenmund, Kim Simmons, Cole Ruby, Carol Hornung, Jennifer Hanson.

August 23: Holly Bonnicksen-Jones (room for 5 more)

A DILLY OF A DEATH BY SUSAN WITTIG ALBERT
BOOK REVIEW SUBMITTEED BY: MILLIE MADER
I was blown away when I opened the first page of this charming murder ”cozy”. It is set in the mythical town of Pecan Springs, Texas. I immediately thrilled at my recognition of the city as San Marcos, just twenty miles from our retirement home in New Braunfels. Located midst the glorious limestone cliffs and sparkling rivers of the Texas Hill Country, San Marcos is halfway between San Antonio and Austin. I called my novice writer friend in New Braunfels to tell her of my discovery. She is also a voracious reader, and informed me that she has read all of Wittig/Albert’s books. We reminisced about a Garden Club trip to a very similar herb farm and restaurant on an April day that exploded with fields of Blue bonnets, Indian paint brush and aromatic herbs. Our luncheon consisted entirely of dishes made with herbs grown on the farm.
I lived more than half my life in Texas, and the book is not only an amusing murder mystery, but a personal treasure.
*************
The protagonist is China Bayles, a former defense attorney from Houston, and her husband, McQuaid, a retired homicide detective. Both flee the metropolis..China now owns Thyme and Seasons, an herb farm, and is co-owner of the restaurant, Thyme for Tea, with her best friend, Ruby. In an early sub-plot, Ruby’s daughter, Amy, entrusts China with the knowledge that she is pregnant, and she is keeping it from her mother.
Pecan Springs is alive with recognizable characters and ‘Texas Speak’. The town is getting ready for the annual Pickle Fest. The Pickle Queen, Phoebe Morgan, is the daughter of deceased Pickle Factory owners. Phoebe has now inherited the plant and all the property. She is beautiful, rich—but ageing—and considers herself to be in charge of all that matters in the town. She believes her wealth places her above the rest of the townsfolk, and has always been in control of every facet of the Pickle Fest. China, Ruby and several friends serve on her committee without enthusiasm, but with a sense of civic duty.
On the day that preparations for the fest are to begin Phoebe, never late, does not appear. Thus we are driven headlong into a mystery that travels like a Texas pick-up truck. We bump through flooded low water crossings, along river banks and private lanes
. Phoebe is discovered at the bottom of a pickle vat. Thence commences the search for the killer. The suspects are many, and their motives plentiful. There is an ex-lover, his aggrieved wife, a much younger lover, a housekeeper—even a son. China sets the wheels in motion, literally, and her sleuthing, plus an internal GPS, leads to the killer.
Throughout the novel, the pages are sprinkled with the fragrance of China’s herbs. There are useful tips—even recipes—for her many varieties. It is a charming tea cozy of a read.