Paducah, Kentucky and Metropolis, Illinois – Present Day

Kitty and Jack Bloodworth are happily married baby boomers whose children are grown and have flown the nest. These two do not suffer from the empty nest syndrome; they are loving life. A big part of their life is the Metropolis Super Cruisers Car Club. But even more important is their 1957 restored Chevy, affectionately called Sadie. Jack has even built a beautiful barn just for her. Sorry, the car is a she, not an it. Both have grown up in Metropolis, and they are surrounded by family members, some normal, some not. This brings to mind Kitty’s relative, Cousin Will Ann. For as long as Kitty can remember, everyone has had to endure the cruelty of Cousin Will Ann. As a teenager, Kitty had always admired her; she was outspoken and said what was on her mind, but as years went by, Cousin Will Ann’s outspokenness has became just plain mean. It has even been predicted that Cousin Will Ann is going to insult the wrong person and end up dead. This woman seems to love to hate everyone. Doesn’t matter who or what you are, if she sets her sights on you, look out. Thankfully, over the years, Kitty and Jack have learned how to cope with Cousin Will Ann.

Turns out the last time Kitty and Jack see Cousin Will Ann is when she stomps into Farley’s Cafe and embarrasses both of them in front of their car club friends. Kitty feels like strangling her. How dare Cousin Will Ann charge in and shriek at Kitty, tell her that Sunny, her daughter, is a “tramp,” then turn around and stomp out -- the nerve! Next day, at the car show, imagine their surprise when Jack pops opens the trunk and finds Cousin Will Ann’s body stuffed into Sadie. Who would want to kill Cousin Will Ann? The detective says everyone is a suspect, especially the owners of the 1957 Chevy. Kitty and Jack are determined to find the killer, but is it to solve Cousin Will Ann's murder, or find out who would dare do this to their Sadie?

FIFTY-SEVEN HEAVEN is a delightful mystery. The story is set in the small town of Metropolis, Illinois -- yes, this is the town made famous by Superman. The author’s main characters, Kitty and Jack, are terrific; they are an ordinary couple who are still madly in love after forty-plus years of marriage. They are smart, funny, and can show the detective a thing or two. Kitty is a firecracker; Jack still has those football shoulders and is as devoted to Kitty as he was back in high school. Hold on...Jack belongs to a group of men called ROMEO. What is that about? The author’s secondary characters are just as riveting as Kitty and Jack. Kitty’s girlfriends are members of the local red hatter club, and besides traveling and dining out, they play their kazoos at funerals. It is just their way of a special send-off for the dearly departed.

FIFTY-SEVEN HEAVEN will debut as the first of the new 57 Chevy series featuring Kitty and Jack Bloodworth. I recommend you grab a bowl of popcorn and get comfortable, because once you start reading FIFTY-SEVEN HEAVEN, you won’t want to put it down. Enjoy.

Deborah C Jackson