In for a Penny [Paperback]

Kathryn R. Wall (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2001

A Bay Tanner Mystery

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Coastal Villages Press (2001)
• ASIN: B00185ERIM
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Like many of you, I found turning 50 more than a little traumatic. It suddenly dawned on me that, if I ever hoped to realize my goal of becoming a published writer, I needed to get cracking. Fortunately, that "ugly" birthday coincided with my husband's and my early retirement to South Carolina. With the pressure of my accounting business behind me (although I still get a little twitchy around April 15), I set out to chase my dream.

It took nine months (hmmm...?)to complete "In For a Penny," the first Bay Tanner mystery, and much longer than that to get it published. You can read about that whole odyssey on my Web site. Now, with several books in print, I have come to appreciate how very fortunate I've been because there aren't many people who get to realize their childhood fantasies. So if you've ever had a dream, and earning a living or raising a family has kept you from pursuing it, go for it now. It's never too late.

When I'm not hunched over my keyboard, I try to resurrect my tennis game and read voraciously, even in the kitchen. My philosophy? Why waste all that time while you're waiting for things to boil? I love working in the local schools to encourage kids to write, and I've been a mentor for more than eight years. I used to list travel as one of my favorite pastimes; but, now that we live on our island paradise, we don't seem to have much incentive to leave. I have come to a deep appreciation of the beauty and grace of the South Carolina Lowcountry, and I hope that love shines through in all the Bay Tanner mysteries.

The business of being an author takes up a lot of time, too. When I was yearning after a writing career, I never fully understood how much time and money would have to be expended on marketing and promotion. I do dozens of signings, speaking engagements, conferences, and appearances every time a new book comes out. In addition, I've been a Kids Love a Mystery representative and been in charge of the Eastern Region of the Southeast Chapter of Mystery Writers of America. I'm currently the treasurer of that chapter. I've spent two terms as National Publicity Chair of Sisters in Crime, including being heavily involved in the planning for their 20th Anniversary celebration in 2006.

Did that sound like complaining? A little, I guess, but it all comes with the terriotry of being a published writer, and I wouldn't change that for anything. I'm doing something I love, and you can't ask for much more than that. Life is good.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read for For Lovers of Mystery and The Lowcountry, February 12, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: In for a Penny (Paperback)

Take this one to the beach but put on a lot of sun screen before you go. The plot will grab you and the afternoon and pages will fly by. Wall does a great job of keeping the narrative moving while evoking the beauty and unique culture of the coastal South Carolina lowcountry.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I could have put it down but I didn't want to..., October 4, 2001

By 

Kay Layton Sisk (North Texas, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In for a Penny (Paperback)

In for a Penny was a good solid read with well-drawn characters that had believable relationships between them. I look forward to the next book in the series.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Discovered on Hilton Head, April 7, 2006

By 

Kathy S. (Providence, RI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In for a Penny (Bay Tanner Mysteries) (Paperback)

Arriving on the island (Hilton Head) for one of my quarterly visits, I stopped at the book store and was attracted to the "Local Authors" table. I picked up In for a Penny and took it to my villa.

I got so involved in the plot, and taken by recognizing the settings, that I read well into the night and straight through the next day. I enjoyed everything about this book, including the wonderful quotes from Bartlett's.

On day 3 I went back to the book store and bought the second in the series. I did force myself to do things in addition to reading for the remainder of my stay, but I am now hooked and will savor reading all of the Bay Tanner mysteries.