Running on Empty

Book Description: The debut title in a new series by the author of the Maggy Thorsen Mysteries… Though a magnet to tourists looking for some Southern comfort, the small lake town of Sutherton - tucked so picturesquely into the mountains of North Carolina – has had its fair share inexplicable hazards. But when Daisy Griggs siphoned three pints of blood from poor Mrs. Bradenham at the resortвЂTMs annual blood drive – well, that seemed to take the cake. And so, police reporter AnnaLise Griggs comes home to Sutherton to look after her volunteer phlebotomist mother, Daisy (of the accidental bloodletting). But the "accidents" only seem to escalate upon the reporter's arrival in the High Country, leading AnnaLise to question whether Daisy is truly the cause of the trouble, as everyone else seems to believe, or its target… About the Author: Sandra Balzo turned to mystery writing after twenty years in corporate public relations, event management and publicity. (http://www.sandrabalzo.com/tripleshot.html) Triple Shot , her seventh (http://www.sandrabalzo.com/maggy.html) Maggy Thorsen coffeehouse mystery, was just released, and Sandy's second series, Main Street Mysteries, debuted in April with (http://www.sandrabalzo.com/nc.html) Running on Empty . The books, set in the popular vacation destination of North Carolina's High Country, will alternate with the Maggy Thorsen mysteries. (http://www.amazon.com/Heavens-Fire-ebook/dp/B004VF675W/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1311709624&sr=1-2) Heaven's Fire , about a fireworks show gone badly wrong, was released directly to Kindle with excellent reviews. Balzo's novels have been nominated for both the Anthony and Macavity awards and received starred reviews from Kirkus and Booklist. In addition to her books about coffee-maven Maggy Thorsen and displaced journalist AnnaLise Griggs, Balzo writes short stories, two of which have been published in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, winning the Macavity, Derringer and Robert L. Fish awards. Those psychological thrillers, along with a third original story, are available on Kindle in (http://www.amazon.com/Always-Greener-Stories-Sandra-ebook/dp/B004USP5QW/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1311710175&sr=1-3) The Grass is Always Greener and Other Stories . Balzo has handled publicity for three Bouchercons (World Mystery Conventions), as well as the International Association of Crime Writers, and has served a national board member of Mystery Writers of America. A native of southeastern Wisconsin, she currently splits her time between Florida and the High Country of North Carolina. And roots for the Green Bay Packers. (http://www.sandybalzo.com) www.sandybalzo.com Reviews: "Balzo has created a lively southern town full of quirky characters and matched them with a lively plot. Readers who enjoy Margaret Maron's Deborah Knott mysteries will have fun with this one." –Booklist "The author of the Maggie Thorsen mysteries (From the Grounds Up) introduces an appealing new amateur sleuth who is calm, good-natured, and nosey for someone else's own good. For readers of G.A. McKevett and Joan Hess." –Library Journal “A full-throttle joyride." –Kirkus Reviews “A beguiling heroine in this wryly amusing first in a new series. . . . readers will cheer the resolute and feisty AnnaLise every step of the way." –Publishers Weekly The first in a new series by the author of the 'Maggy Thorsen' mysteries - Life on Sutherton's Main Street has always been inexplicably hazardous. Like the student who bet he could paddle a beer-filled ice chest across the lake. And lost. Not to mention the occasional tourist who wandered into the mountains, never to wander back out. But the day Daisy Griggs siphoned three pints of blood from poor Mrs Bradenham seemed to set a new standard. Now more and more people are dying and unless Daisy's daughter can figure out why, her mother may be next.