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Summary: A wonderful read
Review: Bettie Orlemann comes from a journalistic family, being the daughter of an editor for a major publisher. She writes a biweekly column for the Delaware Valley News in Frenchtown, New Jersey, and contributes to other weeklies. She is an eclectic person with a background in dancing, medicine, politics, and retail. She is a mother, a grandmother, and presently lives with her animals in the woods in Tinicum Township, Bucks County.In this debut Hattie Farwell mystery, a family is turned upside down when someone starts murdering its members. Sweet Annie Turner dies when a mad hit and run driver in a dark burgundy Chrysler with smoked windows tries to run down her granddaughter, Anna. A strange voice pretending to be Hattie later entices Anna to drive over when another attempt is made on her life, almost resulting in a second death: "'Let's make sure you're dead, little girl,' the driver snarled moving as rapidly as possible down the rocky swale, crouching over the still form in the car, hammer poised. Suddenly a ferocious growl startled the attacker, and a huge gray dog rushed through the woods toward the crippled car." Hattie springs into action when her best friend, Annie, is murdered. She is determined to get to the bottom of the murder and protect her friend's granddaughters from a crazed killer. The family's dysfunction provides the backdrop for a plot that is well conceived and ties up neater than a pin for a great denouement and satisfying conclusion. Hattie Farwell is the quintessential grandmother everyone wishes for, and her dog Wolf provides the heavy guns when called upon the do so. Orlemann is obviously a student of human nature, as the character of narcissistic and witless Alexandra is striking and fleshed out to a nice degree. Who Killed Annie is a great little mystery to read for exquisite entertainment. It is a logical and interesting tale. The characters spring off of the page, and the read is a fast one. Hattie is a great character who is a down-to-earth strong female figure. She is the guiding force in the story, and the male characters all learn to look to her for support. A wonderful read. Shelley Glodowski
Reviewer
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Summary: I JUST LOVE THIS BOOK.
Review: I can't begin to tell you how much I loved your book. I just love a good mystery, and this certainly was one! WOLF was such a great character in your novel. I was waiting till the last paragraph to see how it was going to end, and it was sublime Betty!!!!! You wrote many interesting scenes in your book that really "hit me"! In chapter #21, for example; when the conversation ensues about Gram you say, "It's as if Gram was just in another room"! God I just love that feel Betty, love it. It moved me. Then in chapter #29, when you say- "The body is like a winter coat, you wear it when the weather is cold. But in the summer you simply don't need it any more. Your Gram doesn't need her body now"!!!! wow!!! The images that that placed into my mind brought a comfortable and reassuring feeling to me and it still stays with me as I type these words. Thanks a million Betty. Also, in chapter #36- When you describe Hattie cleaning her silverware with a flannel rag, WHEW, that really bombarded me with an emotion that I haven't thought about in years. When my mom was in a state mental hospital my grandmother took care of me and I remembered her making the noodles and cleaning her utensils with her husbands old discarded flannel shirt from his construction job. I smiled both inwardly and outwardly at this beautiful memory you made me remember.
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Summary: IT'S ABOUT TIME
Review: It's about time somebody wrote a mystery for seniors. I loved this book. Great characters and the authors love of them comes through in every word.
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Summary: Keeps you guessing...
Review: Who Killed Annie is the kind of mystery that keeps you guessing from beginning to end. The characters are so real I feel like I know them personally!
I'm looking forward to the next Hattie Farwell mystery!
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