Cowdin to hold book signing at Gravette Library
GRAVETTE — Bella Vista author Gail Lee Cowdin will be at the Gravette Public Library at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, for a book signing and a visit with area readers about her latest mystery novel, “Dark Deceptions: A Quay Thompson Novel.” The book is the third in her “Deceptions” series of novels. A second book signing is scheduled from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at Grumpy’s Peace, Love and Coffee.
Cowdin grew up in the rural community of Janesville, Minn., then moved to the Minneapolis area after college. She has previously published two popular, suspense-filled detective/ crime mysteries, “Deception and Redemption” and “The Final Deception,” set in Minnesota with Bureau of Criminal Apprehension characters Quay Thompson and his partner Samantha Atwood. Readers had encouraged her to set her next novel in Arkansas. She took up that challenge and the latest book will feature not only a local setting but well-known local characters as well.
Last fall Karen Benson, manager of the Gravette library, asked Cowdin about auctioning off the right to name a character in her next book as one of the auction items at the library’s gala. Cowdin agreed and Gravette businessman Larry Jones submitted the highest bid and chose to name a character after his wife, Dr. Nancy Jones. Pam Page, wife of Gravette Schools superintendent Richard Page, submitted the highest bid to name the cat in the story. Her choice Spelunker, or Spunky, became the name of the one-eyed kitten. Dr. Jones at the Ozarks Community
Hospital, Larry Jones’ Peace, Love, Coffee, as well as the Old Spanish Treasure Cave are all featured in the novel.
Cowdin currently lives in Bella Vista with her husband and golden retriever. She finished her novel in September and has recently begun the promotion of the book. It will be available as a paperback and eBook on Amazon.com.
“I had so much fun developing this plot about copper mining with a trail of crime, deceit and terroristic threats that travels from Southwestern Arizona north to the Boundary Waters of Lake Superior in Minnesota, down to Joplin, Missouri, and finally into Bella Vista and Gravette, Arkansas. It really is a high-speed thrill ride!” Cowdin said.