Patricia Gligor – Mistaken Identity

I’m please to welcome back one of my favorite authors, Patricia Gligor

Patricia Gligor is a Cincinnati native. She enjoys reading mystery/suspense novels, touring and photographing old houses and traveling. She has worked as an administrative assistant, the sole proprietor of a resume writing service and the manager of a sporting goods department but her passion has always been writing fiction. Ms. Gligor writes the Malone Mystery series. The first three books, Mixed Messages, Unfinished Business, and Desperate Deeds take place in Cincinnati but in Mistaken Identity, the fourth book, her characters are vacationing on Fripp Island in South Carolina.

Introducing New Characters

One of my favorite things about writing my Malone mystery series is creating new characters and introducing them to readers. In Mistaken Identity, the fourth book in the series, readers will get to meet and know Clara Brunner, an eccentric and interesting woman. Here’s a glimpse into her personality when she meets my main character, Ann, and her children for the first time.

Ann watched as a woman, dressed in hot pink from her floppy, wide brimmed straw hat to her sandals, made her way through the sand, hurrying toward them. She carried a matching oversized beach bag with a small, furry dog peeking out over the rim of the bag.

Clara stuck out her hand and reached down to shake Danielle’s hand. “Why that’s just a darlin’ name. How old are you, Sweetheart?”

“I’m eight but I’ll be nine next month.”

“Well, you’re just as pretty as a picture. What I wouldn’t give to have your thick, long brown hair. Believe it or not, mine used to be the same color. Even had the same golden highlights in it. But that was a long time ago.” Clara glanced at Ann, then turned back to Danielle. “And you’ve got your Mama’s beautiful brown eyes.”

Danielle jumped up and pointed to the little dog. “Oh, Mom, look! A Yorkie! Mrs. Brunner, may I pet him?”

“Why, of course you can, Darlin’. His name’s Sugar.” She gently pulled the dog from her bag and nuzzled his neck. “That’s cause he’s the sweetest little thing God ever made. Aren’t you, Sugar? Aren’t you?”

Danielle stuck out her hand tentatively.

“Don’t worry, he won’t bite. He’s real gentle. He’s what they call a teacup Yorkie. Why he barely weights four pounds soakin’ wet. They’re known for being energetic, brave, loyal and clever.”

Danielle gently petted Sugar’s head. “He’s so cute! And so soft!”

“Here, Darlin’.” Clara handed the little dog to Danielle. She took off her cover up, revealing a skirted one-piece hot pink bathing suit, and tossed it on top of her beach bag,. “Just hold onto him, Darlin’. He might try to get away. He loves to chase those dang seagulls.” She plopped down in a lounge chair. “Sure is a hot one today, isn’t it? Why, if it wasn’t for this light breeze, we’d all be toast.” She removed the wide brimmed straw hat she was wearing, revealing her short, curly, silvery gray hair, and using the hat to fan herself, she turned toward Ann. “Marnie’s told me all about you. From what she says, you’re a regular Nancy Drew.”

Mistaken Identity

Ann feels like she’s in Paradise as she digs her toes into the soft, white sand and gazes out at the ocean. She’s looked forward to this trip to South Carolina for a long time and all she wants to do is bask in the sun, resting and relaxing.

She and her two young children are enjoying their time on Fripp Island with Ann’s sister, Marnie, and Marnie’s elderly friend and former neighbor, Clara Brunner, a long time resident with a vast knowledge of the island and the people who live there. At the fourth of July fireworks, Clara introduces them to newlyweds Jenny and Mark Hall and their families.

But Ann’s plans for a peaceful vacation are shattered the next morning. When she goes for a solitary walk on the beach, she discovers the body of a young woman with the chain of a gold locket twisted around her neck and she immediately recognizes the locket as the one Jenny Hall was wearing the night before.

Shocked and saddened, Ann is determined to try to find the killer and to see them brought to justice. She convinces Marnie and Clara to join her in conducting an investigation but, in the process, she places her own life in jeopardy.

Patricia’s books are available at:

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B007VDDUPQ

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/patricia-gligor?keyword=patricia+gligor&store=book

http://postmortem-press.com

Visit her website at: http://pat-writersforum.blogspot.com/

Patricia and I would love to hear from you, so please feel free to leave a comment.