Back to the box of books I won from Patricia last month. Included in the box were paperback copies of The Prairie Grass Murders, a mystery novel Patricia wrote. Of course, hers was the first book in the box that I read. And I wasn't disappointed. Here are a few reasons I like "Prairie Grass Murders":* The main characters. They are interesting and vividly portrayed, and like me, they came alive during "Pepsi Generation" of the nineteen-fifties and sixties. Willie is a Vietnam veteran who returns to the home of his youth, and while hiking through the Illinois countryside discovers a body. Like a good citizen he reports his discovery to the authorities. For his actions he gets locked up in a psych ward. Willie's sister Sylvia is a smart cookie who lives in Florida. Sylvia is also a judge with an attitude who comes to Illinois to rescue her brother and help solve the crime.
* The setting. The primary setting is in rural Illinois, but it also moves to sunny Florida.
* The writing. Patricia's writing is crisp and the story moves briskly.
So, as part of my goal to downsize the stacks of books around the house, I'm happy to announce I will be giving away copies of the paperback novel THE PRAIRIE GRASS MURDERS. The copies are signed by Patricia. Two lucky people who post between now and March 15 (the ides of March) will win.
Quick: Which famous literary character was murdered on the ides of March?
Quick: Which famous literary character was murdered on the ides of March?
Two winners will be picked at random at the end of the day on March 15 and their names will be announced on March 16.
NOTE: To comply with FCC guidelines, please note that Patricia gave me copies of her books to share with my friends in any way I choose. She did not pay me or ask me to post about her book on my blog or ask me to give her book a favorable review. It's just a darned good mystery book I would like to share with my writing friends--plus it will make my wonderful hubby Walt happy that I'm eliminating some books from my shelves so he doesn't have to build new ones.
Good luck!
Lots of good stuff over at Patricia's blog-thanks! Oh, and old Et tu, Brute? Ceasar is the guy...and finally, I loved your Note at the bottom of post. Walt and the Beneficent Mr. Hall must be related-except that Mr. Hall BUYS shelves instead of making them :-)
ReplyDeletePeople that work with yarn and people who write are alwasy leaving something for other people to enjoy. Setting are as important in a story as the story itself. After I read a good story I want to see if that setting is as good as the author made it out to be in the story. The stories give the reader many wonderful but the story is the best when it gives you an interest in visiting there.
ReplyDeleteHi Cathy,
ReplyDeleteYou are so funny, and you get the gold star for knowing Ceasar got murdered on the Ides of March. Walt has made bookshelves and bought the kind he put together (without reading the directions--he's so mechanical) but both ways count in my book.
Donna
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ReplyDeleteHi Nancy,
ReplyDeleteWhat an apt analogy of people working with yarn and writing leaving something for others to enjoy. I think the same applies for creative activities such as gardening and cooking. And what you wrote about setting being important is so true. Nothing like an inviting setting to pull me into a book. Thanks for you great comments and observations!
Donna
Julius was the famous one, but we must not forget Xena she was the best looking one.
ReplyDeleteStan
Hi Donna -- Thanks a bunch for the kind words about Sylvia and Willie and for sending your readers to my blog. I love that you're giving away the additional copies of the book, and hope the winners are well entertained.
ReplyDeleteThe title of Patricia's book caught my eye right away! I love Prairie anything...and often forget that Illinois falls in reach of prairie.I just think Flint Hills, Nebraska, Montana.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good read, Donna!
ReplyDeleteHi Stan,
ReplyDeleteYou are right about JC being murdered on the ides of March.
Donna
Hi Patricia,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. The winners no doubt will be as entertained as I was.
Donna
Hi Claudia,
ReplyDeleteThe prairie on the book cover is very nicely done.
Good luck!
Donna
Hi Pat,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. It is a good read.
Good luck.
Donna
I love mysteries, and so here I am leaving a comment and hoping to win. :)
ReplyDeleteMargo
http://margodill.com/blog/
Donna, that's my era too, and I love reading nostalgic tales, plus I yearn for Florida!
ReplyDeleteHi Margo,
ReplyDeleteMysteries are fun to read. Good luck.
Hi Linda,
Yes and Yes again!
Donna
I just popped over from Patricia's blog. You've got a great blog here Donna :) I look forward to more of your posts!
ReplyDeleteMe too! I came on over to find out about the book and get a chance to win a copy! Woo hoo!
ReplyDeleteKarenG
And even if I don't win, I need to buy one since the setting is rural Illinois and that's where I grew up! And where the setting of my own novel as well.
ReplyDeleteHi Donna! Thanks for having another cool contest. Looking forward to more! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Jemi,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much. Hope you'll return soon.
Donna
Hi Karen,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, and good luck with your novel. I enjoy settings for novels and am partial to ones set in the Midewst.
Donna
Hi Becky,
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you're up and around, so you must be feeling better. I do plan another contest later in the month, so stay tuned.
Donna
Hard to beat a free book. Great site. Thanks for taking the time to do it!
ReplyDeleteBeki
Hi Beki,
ReplyDeleteThanks. Good luck!
Donna