She is the author of several acclaimed mysteries, including her series featuring revered first grade teacher, Miss Dimple Kilpatrick, set during the years of World War II.Ballard applied the Page 69 Test to Miss Dimple Picks a Peck of Trouble, the latest novel in the series, and reported the following:
Page 69 in Miss Dimple Picks a Peck of Trouble, the 4th in my series set during WWII, finds Hattie McGee accepting a ride home from a funeral with fastidious Hardin Haynesworth. The summer day is blazing hot, and Hattie, in her usual multi-layers of antebellum style clothing, hasn’t has recent access to a bath. Believing that she is Scarlett O’Hara, that Nazi spies are pursuing her, and she knows where the Confederate gold is buried, Hattie is unaware of this unpleasantness. She does, however take advantage of the ride to bait Hardin with the following exchange that concerns a key element in the mystery.Learn more about the author and her work at Mignon Ballard's website.
The small woman behind the wheel glanced at her. “I suppose you’ve had a lot of commotion around your place. You must be glad it’s over.”
“Who says it’s over?”
Hardin frowned. “I beg your pardon?”
“They’ll come back when they know,” Hattie said.
“When they know what?” Hardin fluttered her hand kind of queenlike at somebody in a passing car…
“When they know what I found.” Hattie closed her eyes. She sure was tired and the seat was as comfortable as any rocking chair. She could stand to ride a little longer if asked.
But the driver wasn’t asking.
My Book, The Movie: Miss Dimple Rallies to the Cause.
The Page 69 Test: Miss Dimple Rallies to the Cause.
The Page 69 Test: Miss Dimple Suspects.
--Marshal Zeringue
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