Wilmington author sees publication of debut mystery
Patricia Thomas is enjoying the recent publication by Friend United Press of her debut mystery, “I Was a Stranger.”
Thomas, a lifelong Quaker and retired pastor who lives in Wilmington, has written extensively about the Quaker faith. Her novel is the first in a threepart series focusing on a fictitious small liberal arts Quaker college. Though none of the events or characters are drawn directly from her experience, she says the essence of the mystery series is inspired “by my time serving as Campus Minister at Wilmington College,” augmented by her imagination.
I recently corresponded with Thomas about her series.
Q: What inspired you to write mysteries?
A: I love reading them, especially those with a female protagonist who has the proverbial day job. It’s fun to get to know a character caught up in events beyond her control and watch as she unravels the puzzle before her. Enter my protagonist Ruthalice Michels, the campus minister at Emerick College, a little Quaker school in Oakes Quarry, Ohio.
Q: What are the challenges and benefits of bringing in your Quaker faith to a mystery? A: Friends (Quakers) have developed guidelines for ethical, faith-centered lives which we call Testimonies. Testimonies express community-held concerns, which form a basis for individual action. We live in a society with little tolerance for uncertainty, preferring to choose between a set of clear and comfortably classified categories of “right or wrong.” It is my experience, however, that much of what life throws our way does not fit into either/or boxes with tightly fitting lids. In the Pastor and Professor Quaker Mystery series, I explore what
living in that space, represented by the dash between either – or might look like. Rather than presenting a tidy answer, I invite the reader to join me in seeking a way forward through the grayness of in-between. Ruthalice is an interesting companion because she pays attention and listens for Truth and eventually finds her way. Q: How does living in Wilmington impact you as a writer?
A: I have two requirements for picking a place to live: a college and an unprogrammed Quaker meeting. Wilmington has both! Without Wilmington College there would be no Ruthalice Michels, no biology professor husband Clifford Mowry, hence no Pastor and Professor Quaker Mystery series, because though I have added a wide-ranging and vivid imagination, the challenges and conundrums Ali struggles with arise from my experience as a campus minister and professor at a Quaker college.
Q: Where does the title come from?
A: When my stepson joined 4-H with Willy, my old dapple gray rodeo horse, my husband and I took our turn in the burgers and pulled-pork restaurant at the fairgrounds. We didn’t know anybody, so we engaged in the usual getting-to-know you banter behind the serving line. As we headed back to the car Doug said, “I don’t think they know what to make of us, the pastor and the professor.” Right there and then I knew I had the characters I needed for a mystery series.
Learn more about
Thomas and her writing at pastorandprofessor.com.
Other literary news
■ Tuesday, Jan. 19, 7 p.m. — Wright Memorial Library will host its Virtual Wright Library Poets, a librarysponsored writing group for adults. Beginners are welcome. For more information and to get the link to the meeting, contact Elizabeth Schmidt at schmidt@ wrightlibrary.org or call 937294-7171.
■ Wednesday, Jan. 20, 7 p.m. — Dayton Literary Peace Prize Virtual Book Club, hosted by Ron Rollins, former editor of Ideas and Voices for the Dayton Daily News, will discuss “Lila” by Marilynne Robinson, the 2016 recipient of the DLPP Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke Distinguished Achievement Colson Whitehead. “Lila” is the third book in Robinson’s Gilead series. To learn more or register, visit www.daytonliterarypeaceprize.org/get-involved
■ Tuesdays, Jan. 19, 26 and Feb. 2, 6:30-8 p.m. — Word’s Worth Writing Connections offers up an online (via Zoom) class series, “Revision Inspiration,” led by Katrina Kittle who will help participants with practical guidelines and tips for editing one’s work, getting reader feedback, and more. Learn more and register at www. wordsworthdayton.com
■ Mondays, Jan. 25 and Feb. 1, 8. 15, 22, 6:30-8 p.m. — An online (via Zoom) virtual “Writer’s Workshop” will be hosted by Word’s Worth Writing Connections and led by author, editor and instructor Christina Consolino. The small group workshop will be limited to six participants to enhance interaction and sharing as well as receiving feedback on writers’ work. See website at www.wordsworthdayton.com for workshop specifics and to register.
Sharon Short writes historical mysteries under the pen name Jess Montgomery (www. jessmontgomeryauthor. com). Send her column ideas, book club news, or literary events at sharonshort1983@ gmail.com.