Product Description

Christy Castleman, a pretty, young novelist, has made a name for herself writing books about mystery and intrigue. The Sassy Snowbirds, a group of lively ladies, spread fun, friendship, and good deeds around the seaside town of Summer Breeze. Everyone is content in their cozy world–until a message is found in a small Victorian glass bottle half buried in the sand.

“Call the police. Someone is trying to kill me.”

Believing the note to have been written by a missing realtor, the Sassy Snowbirds jump into the mystery with Christy. Using her research and know-how as a novelist, the young woman and her unflappable friends succeed where a team of forensic experts stall. But solving real life crimes is much more dangerous than writing them, and Christy must fight for her life when she uncovers a shocking truth and a real murderer.

A contemporary Southern cozy mystery with a touch of romance, When the Sandpiper Calls is a fast-paced and inspirational look at life choices, consequences, second chances, and deepening faith.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #706264 in Books
• Published on: 2005-10-18
• Released on: 2005-10-18
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781578569045
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Publishers Weekly
Christy Castleman, a mystery writer, is diligently finishing up her second novel when a real mystery strikes her small Florida town. First, a bottle with a mysterious and ominous note ("Call the police. Someone is trying to kill me.") washes ashore. Then townspeople notice that Marty McAllister, a local realtor, has been missing appointments, and Dr. Peter Stewart has been murdered in a neighboring town. Are all three circumstances somehow related? As the novel unfolds, readers learn the secrets in characters' backgrounds, including stolen jewels and an adulterous affair. Christy can't resist the chance to put her fictional crime-solving skills to work, but as she digs deeper, she puts herself in real danger. Sub-plots keep the novel moving briskly along: A local war hero, recently back from Iraq, pursues Christy with devotion, but she is still grieving a late beau. A single mother moves to town, and Christy tries to welcome her to the local church where her dad is the pastor. Perhaps most surprising, satisfying and subtle is the emotional complexity between Christy and her mom-their interactions, though loving, are always marked by a bit of tension. This isn't exactly Agatha Christie, but it's still an entertaining, appealing read with a surprising ending.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author
Peggy Darty has published 26 novels, numerous articles and short stories. An award-winning author, her novels, A Mountain to Stand Strong and Angel Valley, were CBA best-sellers, along with numerous novellas. She has worked in film, researched for CBS and has been a popular speaker and workshop leader around the country. She and her husband spend their summers in Colorado and winters in Alabama.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Monday, February 16, 2004
Hellooo, Mystery Lady!”
Christy had just stepped out of her car onto the concrete parking lot of Frank’s Steak and Seafood Restaurant. Hoisting tote bag and purse, she turned with a smile, knowing who owned that voice.

“Hey, Bonnie. It’s good to see you.”

Bonnie Taylor sat behind the wheel of her l990 baby blue Cadillac, her dark face framed by the open window. Beneath the window, How Sweet It Is swirled in red cursive across the door.

“Wait a minute, honey.” The long blue car floated past and turned into the parking spot in front of the No Parking sign.

The door flew open, and Bonnie unfolded from the car, a huge red purse swinging from her arm. It always amazed Christy that a woman almost six feet tall and well over two hundred pounds could move with such grace A feathered red hat and purple pantsuit announced her attendance at the Red Hat luncheon with her chapter, Sassy Snowbirds of Summer Breeze.

The chapter had originated with a group of ladies from Canada and the northeast who wintered in the Florida Panhandle, bringing news of the Red Hat Society from their hometowns. Their red hats had captured the attention of locals, and as a result, the ladies of Summer Breeze had joined Sassy Snowbirds in spreading fun, friendship, and good deeds.

Christy reached up to give Bonnie a hug, inhaling cinnamon and cloves. It was fun to hug Bonnie because she always smelled of spices from her famous pie kitchen. “Bonnie, I assume you saw the No Parking sign.”

“Yeah, but my knees are hurting today, so I take special privileges.” Her lips spread in a wide, wicked grin. “I’m big. I’m black. And I’m a woman. Frank’s afraid I’ll yell discrimination. Or he’s just afraid of me, period.”

Christy laughed. “I don’t think Frank’s afraid of anything.”

“Heard you were our guest speaker, so I made a special effort to be here. But hold on a minute.” Bonnie’s hand shot into the huge purse and whipped out a compact, popped it open, and held it in front of Christy.

Christy faced her reflection and winced. Her mascara was
smudged, leaving a glob beneath her left eye.
“Here.” Bonnie handed her a Kleenex.

“Thanks.” Christy scrubbed the smear, leaving a red mark instead. She blinked, peered into the mirror, and surveyed her reflection with a critical eye. Her blue eyes seemed too big for her oval face, and her lips looked too thin. Well, not thin exactly. Just not full enough. And the pink gloss felt sticky on her lips. Nerves– she just had a case of nerves.

Which was why she had lost a page from her carefully typed speech.

She smoothed her brown hair, a layered cut that twirled around her face and waved to her neckline. Sun streaks were natural, but those who hadn’t known her long thought she paid a hairstylist for the look she took for granted.

Otherwise she appeared normal. But she didn’t feel normal. She hated making speeches.

She sighed, thinking it wouldn’t be the first time she’d had to wing it. She looked up at Bonnie. “Better?”

Bonnie grinned. “Now you look terrific.”

“You should see me when I crawl out of bed. I worked hard for this.” She waved a hand from her face down the straight, pink linen dress.

“You’d look good in a straw hat and overalls, but listen…”

Bonnie paused, glancing around. “This may not be the best day for your speech.”

Christy stuffed the Kleenex in her purse and surveyed the crowded parking lot. “Why is that?”

“Some of us are upset with Marty. You know Marty McAllister, the Realtor?” “Sure. I bought my house from her. What’s up?” “Marty volunteered to find us a small office where we could plan our get-togethers and such. She invited us to her house for dinner last night. Couple of the girls canceled other plans, and I made pies. The house was dark, the doors locked. She didn’t even leave us a note. Instead of Marty, we were greeted by her big dog, overfed and overfriendly. He knocked me down and gobbled up the lemon pies before we could stop him.”

“Oh no!” Christy tried to look horrified, despite a humorous flash at the picture of Bonnie overcome by Marty’s Saint Bernard, lapping up lemon pie. Then she thought of the perky, five-foot redhead whose driving ambition had won her Realtor of the Year.

“Does Marty belong to your organization?”

“No. She’s just hoping to make some money on us.” “Woo-hoo!” The voice of Aunt Dianna reached Christy as she and Bonnie climbed the steps of the rambling, white stucco restaurant. They waited for her to catch up.

Aunt Dianna was in charge of this month’s program and had invited Christy to talk about writing. The publication of Christy’s first mystery novel had been a success; she was now completing the last two chapters of her second novel.

“Hey, Bonnie.” Dianna smiled, then turned to Christy. “And how’s my wonderful niece?”

“Fine. And you look great.”

Dianna struck a pose for them in her wide-brimmed red hat, red feather boa, and purple dress. With auburn hair and a friendly smile, she had captured the attention of a guy parking his Harley.

As he climbed the steps, he turned to stare.

“Aren’t you a bit overdressed?” he teased, looking at Dianna.

Christy caught her breath, wondering how her aunt would respond. She had always been the spark in her father’s family.

“No, I always dress well. But I need your jacket.”

Determined to be a good sport, the guy whipped off his leather jacket and handed it to Dianna.

Bonnie nudged Christy. “This’ll be good. If anybody’s still poutin’ with Marty, Dianna will make them forget it.”

“She’ll do her best.”

Fascinated, Christy followed the two women and the Harley guy into the driftwood lobby, past the decorative palms and hanging ferns, through the arched doorway of the party room. A lively group of ladies gathered around the tables, decked out in their
charming red hats of all sizes, all shapes, all designs.

“Dianna, what in the world are you doing?” Maryann called.

Maryann was the pretty blond Queen of Sassy Snowbirds.

“Do you like my outfit?” Dianna twirled, showing off the jacket. Every face broke into a smile, and then laughter cascaded over the room as she gave a bow, removed the jacket, and returned it to the Harley guy, who chuckled as he shook his head at the group, then disappeared.
Dianna motioned to Christy. “Just take a seat beside me at the head table. Maybe we can get this crew settled down.”

Christy left her tote bag next to the podium, then joined her aunt. Her eyes scanned the crowded room, then she gazed at a painting on the wall.

An artist had expertly captured their beachside community with its sugar white sand, emerald waters, and pastel beach houses set behind white picket fences. Studying the painting, Christy thought about their cozy little seaside village.

Summer Breeze stretched from the Gulf of Mexico back to Highway 98 in the Florida Panhandle. Sandwiched between some of the more affluent communities along the Emerald Coast, Summer Breeze belonged to its inhabitants in a special way with neighborly front porches, community barbecues, and church socials. It was a place where everyone knew everyone else and helped when there was a need.

Maryann welcomed everyone, acknowledged their special guest, then announced there was only one item of business to discuss. While Christy stared at Maryann, pretending interest, her mind shot back to her early morning trip to Shipwreck Island and the antique bottle she had found half-buried in sand at the shoreline.

She glanced at the tan tote bag that contained books to pass out. Beneath the books, wrapped in tissue, lay the bottle–with a frightening note tucked inside. She still hadn’t figured out if someone was playing a joke on the mystery writer…or if she should
have stopped to show Big Bob, the local deputy.

“Does anyone have suggestions for our float this year?” Maryann asked, pulling Christy back to the moment.

Maryann began to describe a float that she and Dianna had seen at the National Peanut Festival. She thought it would be fun to have a Sassy Snowbird float in the Fourth of July parade.

Various opinions were discussed, and Christy tilted her head, pretending fascination, while she made a mental dash back to the island. She had been headed to her car when she spotted a lone sandpiper pecking at something green in the sand. At the sound of her footsteps, the little bird lifted its head and softly peeped.

She approached, and the sandpiper flew across the sand like a motorized toy. It stopped a comfortable distance away to observe.

She leaned down and gently wedged the green bottle from the damp sand, brushing away the grit. Back at home she had pried the cork loose and read the startling note…

“Hey, lady!” Valerie Moore, the town’s favorite hairstylist, took a seat beside Christy. She was wearing purple jeans and a matching sweater, with a red cowboy hat tilted at an angle on her strawberry blond head.

“Hello, ladies!” Frank La Rosa’s voice boomed over the party room. All red hats turned in the direction of the burly, rough-cut owner. Tall and broad, he had black hair, a big, square face, and a spare tire around the middle. Along with good food, Frank offered
perks to his regular customers. Today’s perk was one of his ice sculptures, skillfully ...

Customer Reviews

A nice, down-South whodunit spiced up with a little romance and murder
From prolific novelist Peggy Darty comes WHEN THE SANDPIPER CALLS, a nice, down-South whodunit spiced up with a little romance and murder.

Christy Castleman is the local "mystery lady" of Summer Breeze, a town on the Florida Panhandle. Her first mystery novel is a success, and now Christy faces a looming deadline for her second, which keeps her at her computer at all hours. Then she discovers an antique green bottle on the beach with a note: "Call the police. Someone is trying to kill me." Is this a joke? Or is something more sinister going on in Summer Breeze? And what's happened to aggressive realtor Marty McAllister, who has suddenly disappeared from the town? A real murder mystery is brewing right in Summer Breeze, and Christy is in the thick of it.

Darty gives Christy a loving extended family, ranging from her benevolent pastor father to a kid brother who is off in Australia trying to "find himself." One of the most enjoyable characters is Jack, a fisherman and at one time her future father-in-law, with whom Christy maintains a delightful relationship. Christy's almost-too-good-to-be-believed Granny provides respite in the form of country cooking, deep faith, sage advice, and her own wisdom about the murder. Her Granny is hoping Christy will find romance, and it isn't long before Christy meets the handsome war hero Major Dan Brockman, who seems intent on sweeping her off her feet. However, Christy's heart is still aching from a tragic love affair in the past, and she's unsure if she's ready for another man in her life.

This is an enjoyable story that won't demand much from the reader. Darty gives Christy some appealing quirks, such as a penchant for shredding rejection letters and anything else she wants to forget. She loses things, enjoys wearing too-high heels, and sometimes prefers her fictional world to her real world. Christy is also patriotic to the point that "she got goose bumps just hearing the national anthem, and she was, indeed, proud to be an American." A little over the top, but there it is.

When a homeless man and then another resident who had protested the realtor's aggressive development on his island are arrested, Christy worries that the real murderer is still on the loose. A further development in the case comes when a jewelry heist in New York back in the 1980s is tied into the murder.

Can Christy discover who is responsible before it's too late? Darty does a good job concealing the true perpetrator until the closing pages. However, there are a few trouble spots. Occasionally, the dialogue can become a little stilted, and often Darty offers too much information, which can slow down the pacing. (One example: "In her office, she turned everything off, then disconnected the surge protector from the wall. She was taking no chances. While she had the latest and best devices to protect her computer, a sudden storm could wreak havoc.") Occasionally, she tells instead of shows ("He was very open and easy in conversation").

The Sassy Snowbirds, a fun group of "red hat" women over 50, are never really fully developed, but add color and a bit of help with clues in some of the scenes. For those who like their mysteries with a little faith and some light romance, this one should prove entertaining.


--- Reviewed by Cindy Crosby. (...)

Grab your coziest chair for this cozy mystery
Christy Castleman is a novelist who's first book was a hit and is now trying to finish up her second novel. One day she finds a bottle buried in the sand with a message asking for help because they are going to be killed. The Sassy Snowbirds, a group of women in the Red Hat society, think it's the missing realtor who wrote the note and are eager to assist Christy in what feels like her mystery novel come to life. While investigating, she also peaks the interest of the new guy in town, military veteran Dan Brockman. In between juggling this new relationship, Christy uses her detective skills to find that the murder may be connected to a jewelry heist in New York from back in the 1980s. Suddenly the little town is involved in a series of events that will shake up the community, with Christy at the center of it all.

I love a good mystery and this book definitely makes my top ten list of mystery novels. I've enjoyed Peggy Darty's novels from the Palisades series and her writing in this book is even better. The story is very descriptive and keeps you wanting more. Christy was a good lead, she's strong yet sensitive, and even when annoyed she doesn't let it show. I really liked her relationship with her former fiance's dad. She's still close to him even though his son is dead, and he treats her like the daughter in law he would have had, allowing her to bring him food, visit him often and asking him for advice on stuff. Other people might have turned away from this awkward situation, but it showed Christy's compassion for what would have been her future family. I love the Sassy Snowbirds because I enjoy reading stories that involve Red Hats. I only hope when I get to be that age I'm as spunky and adventurous as they are! They always seem to be looking for excitement to happen. I won't spoil the ending, so let's just say I totally wasn't expecting it and I don't think I could have been as calm as Christy was when she found out who the killer was. I highly recommend this book for fans of cozy mysteries or anyone that enjoys a really good page turning read. I'm really looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Hats Off!
...not just red hats either! What a delightfully fun read. A host of quirky characters, a devilish villain and a perfectly breezy setting. This is perfect for Fall evenings - find a cozy chair, a nice lit fireplace and a warm cup of cider and treat yourself to the charm of Peggy Darty's SANDPIPER. You won't be disappointed.