Minette Coleman forwarded this to me because she felt writers need to see what other writers are doing, or how they take the job they have been given and turn it into a story.
Here’s a mystery for you. Why aren’t there more books where people with developmental disabilities are not villains? Not special. Just regular people; and main characters.
Here you go! The new book, Seven Days at Oak Valley is a murder mystery. But get this—the person with the disability is not the bad guy. He’s the detective.
1. The Plot
2. The Author
3. Resource
4. Support
1. The Plot. Seven Days at Oak Valley involves a young man, Tony, who lives in an institution in East Tennessee in 1978. He becomes an unlikely sleuth when the murder and mayhem at the institution increases above the normal rates. (ABQ Press, 2009)
2. The Author. The author of Seven Days at Oak Valley , Ruthie-Marie Beckwith www.ruthiemariebeckwith.com is a long time ally to self-advocacy groups in Tennessee and across the county.
3. Resource. Seven Days at Oak Valley . This murder mystery novel can be ordered now at the publisher’s web site www.abqpress.com/store//index.html, scroll to the bottom of the page to find it. The book will be available latter on amazon.com and barnes and noble.com.
4. Support. Help support Ruthie Beckwith by joining the Seven Days at Oak Valley Facebook group online, located at www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=151961965208
The first chapter can be read at the author’s website at: www.ruthiemariebeckwith.com
The first book signing of Seven Days in May will be:
Date: November 12th, 2009
Time: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: Landmark Books
114 East Main Street
Franklin, TN 37064
615-791-6400
Other book signings are being scheduled in Chicago, Atlanta, Baltimore, Knoxville, New Yok, and Philadelphia
Book Synopsis
Imagine growing up in a place where people around you die on a regular basis, some from known and others from more mysterious causes. Such is the case for Anthony “Tony” Ervin, a young man with mental retardation who lives at the Oak Valley State Training School and Hospital in East Tennessee . In 1978, when murders begin happening back to back and innocent victims experience no reprieve from the brutality that pervades their lives, Tony finds himself thrust into the role of amateur sleuth. Uncertain of whom to trust, with violence and deception escalating, and viewed by those who run the institution as incompetent, Tony nonetheless discovers clues that lead to multiple suspects and motives. 20As Tony plunges into a week that will change his life, his movements as the mail boy for Oak Valley begin to have a profound impact on all whose path he crosses.
“Ruthie-Marie Beckwith makes excellent use of her experience as an expert in the field of disability rights in Seven Days at Oak Valley . Her protagonist Tony Ervin, a resident at Oak Valley , is a highly unconventional, yet deeply moving and believable sleuth, who manages to remain aware and kind in the worst of circumstances. You can’t help but root for him as he defies the expectations of those in power while struggling to solve the crimes taking place at Oak Valley and attempting to restore order to the only world he’s known. Beckwith knows her setting well. Her voice is authentic and convincing throughout this compelling first novel”. — Judith Van Gieson, author of the Claire Reynier and Neil Hamel mysteries.
”This fast-moving tale takes place in a state institution for persons with developmental disabilities in rural Tennessee . This fact makes it all the more fascinating as we are threaded through all the intrigue and politics of this labyrinthine place in our search for a killer. As Beckwith leads us through the many rooms, halls and grounds and allows us to listen to both the caretakers and residents — each with their own brand of human frailties – one can become strangely enlightened and satisfied at the same time.”– Robert Perske, Author of Circles of Friends, Unequal Justice and Deadly Innocence
Visit the author’s website at www.ruthiemariebeckwith.com
