Maggie Pill Mysteries

Retta told you about the case on the Leelanau Peninsula. We're looking into the possibility of turning a drug lord's wife into an FBI informant. It seemed odd to me at first, since the woman has been married to the guy for decades, but the agent in charge says she seems to have changed over the last year or so. She's starting a fashion design business, and for the first time ever, appearing in public on her own. He thinks it means she's sick of the thug life. I guess that could be true, but my theory is that in this world of opportunism, the publicity would be a huge help in launching her business. Either way, we're going to attend the retreat where she will do a "mini-reveal" (I know, who cares?) of her new line of clothing for "mature" women. My comment on that? If your husband doesn't love you with lumps, he never really loved you in the first place.

I'm here to give you a taste of the fifth Sleuth Sisters mystery, and it's so much fun! We take on a case for the FBI, and it involves a weekend at a winery/inn on the Leelanau Peninsula north of Traverse City, Michigan. I've always wanted to stay over there, and St. Millicent's is the newest, chicest (if that's a word) property in northern Michigan. The retreat celebrates the joys of being a mature woman, so there will be inspirational speakers, products and practices geared to women, PLUS food, fashion and wine! Hosted by Love-able Ladies, the retreat is all about why women should be happy to be women, whatever their age and body type. Of course Barbara Ann is going to hate every minute of it. I wonder if there's some way I could leave her home...

Yesterday I was discussing (with my sister, of course) the differences between the way men and women think. Science tells of linear brains versus circular brains. Men (and of course not ALL men) tend to think in a straight line, which gets them to a decision fairly quickly, even if it's not the best one. Women (and of course not ALL women) tend to think in circles, which makes the decision process more difficult. My example in the conversation with my sister was eating out. My husband always asks where I'd like to eat when we're out for the day. I always offer two or three choices that I think are good ones. He finds that annoying: "Just tell me where you want to eat," he'll say. However, I know that secretly he's already decided where HE wants to eat. He's being polite by asking me to decide. I'm being polite by trying to share the decision. Finding a place to eat shouldn't be so hard. Anyone else have this going on in their lives?

That's how many days to the Kindle release of MURDER IN THE BOONIES! It's pre-orderable for Kindle right now, and if you're sneaky, you'll find out it's available in print on Amazon already. (They're the big dog and they do as they like.) Ingram is dragging its feet (if a book company can have feet), but it will happen, and then you'll be able to order the book in stores as well as online. Here's Retta's take on the release: Our third adventure, MURDER IN THE BOONIES, is pretty exciting. Not only do we foil the bad guys, I also make headway on my plan to truly become part of my sisters' detective agency. It's no walk in the woods--although there is plenty of walking in the woods involved. You see, the renters who'd been living on our family farm left unexpectedly. It really upset me, but Faye came up with an idea she thought would help out. Barbara got suspicious about the disappearance and started looking for the renters, a guy n...