“Abby led a rather full life in Somewhere, but she felt she didn’t really belong in New Mexico. Among other things, she missed green grass, trees, and shrubs; she missed the fall colors; she even missed the changing seasons. After all, she was a product of the Midwest. Her Hoosier background kept drawing her back for visits.”
– an excerpt from the book
Author Reputation Press is honored to publish “Murder In Stoney Lonesome” by Martha Dietz. This book is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the ARPress website.
The story of “Murder In Stoney Lonesome” by Martha Dietz revolves around a gripping narrative filled with intrigue and humor. The plot centers on Abby Abbott, whose life takes a dramatic turn following the reported death of her husband, Hollywood producer Andy Abbott. Following his supposed crash in Sapporo, Japan, Abby is misled into believing he has perished, only to discover that he has been kidnapped by a psychotic scientist with dubious ambitions. The scientist’s plan involves infecting the world with a deadly serum, which adds a layer of urgency to the mystery.
Martha Dietz grew up in Bloomington, Indiana, and graduated from Indiana University. She was Advertising and Publicity Director for The Conrad Hilton Hotel in Chicago until she married into Show Business and became a performer herself. Together, she and her husband performed in the United States, Canada, Asia, and Europe for 35 years. Widowed in LA and retired back to Indiana, she began writing novels. Her first novel, “Rue de Navaran,” dealing with thought transference, was published when she was 70. On her 90th birthday, “Luceta,” a fictional biography based on the life of her much-married sister-in-law, was published. Now at 94, her third book, “Murder In Stoney Lonesome,” deals with germ warfare. She has also written two teleplays: “Love on the Mezzanine” and “Riverboat Romance.” She writes because it is FUN.
As the narrative unfolds, Abby returns to her roots in Bloomington, Indiana, seeking solace in a quiet life. However, her peace is shattered when she encounters a body in the woods on her property. This shocking discovery ignites a complex investigation, engaging various federal agencies and leading the inquiry across international borders—from Japan to Europe and back to her hometown. The interplay of murder investigation and personal intrigue creates a compelling storyline that keeps readers captivated throughout.
A Hollywood producer, Andy Abbott, was kidnapped in Sapporo, Japan, by a psychotic scientist who plans to infect the world with a deadly serum, and then become a Savior with an anecdote he has yet to perfect. Told by Japanese officials that his plane crashed and there were no survivors, the widow was given an urn full of ashes and dismissed. No longer needing to live in Bal Air, Abby Abbott moves back to her roots in Bloomington, Indiana. Having built a new home in a nearby artsy community, Nashville, IN, she stumbles across the body of an Asian in a forest on her property. That murder leads to an investigation by a number of federal agencies. It stretches from the United States to Japan, Russia, Finland, England, and back to Bloomington and Nashville.
The novel is notable for combining elements of suspense with humor, particularly in its depiction of a senior citizen facility, where the dynamics among the characters add both tension and levity to the story. The author’s background and experiences in entertainment are reflected in the lively narrative style, making the book an engaging read from cover to cover. Overall, “Murder In Stoney Lonesome” provides a thoughtful exploration of crime, identity, and resilience in the face of adversity.
Intrigue combines with humor in a senior citizen facility. It is a compelling read from cover to cover.
“Murder In Stoney Lonesome” by Martha Dietz is now available for purchase via ARPress Bookstore: https://authorreputationpress.com/bookstore/murder-in-stoney-lonesome/.