As fulfilling as her twenty-six year career as a teacher was, Ann Turner Cook always harbored one life-long dream, to be a writer. At age 62 she decided the time had come to follow that dream, and she embarked on a series of classes and research projects to make it become a reality. Her first book, "Trace Their Shadows" was a sell out success!
This year she published the second book in her mystery series, "Shadow Over Cedar Key". Each novel is set in a small town in central Florida, and features the main character Brandy O'Bannon, a young journalist. Fast paced and action packed, they offer the reader a chance to exercise their wits in trying to solve the mystery. Ms. Cook says "I'm not trying to write the Great American Novel, just a good old fashioned mystery". The books are reminiscent of old style British mysteries, featuring puzzle style problems. "Shadow Over Cedar Key" was researched in 1992, and is set in that time frame. Local readers will recognize many of the buildings, names and settings used in the story, which only serves to make it even more realistic. Ms. Cook has been a visitor to Cedar Key since the late 1980's and usually stays at the Island Hotel, which plays a prominent role in the story. Current owners of the hotel, Dawn and Tony Cousins, were delighted to have it featured in the book. The story may have an old fashioned flair; bit the writing is crisp, current and rich in detail.
The story centers around the disappearance of a mother and child during the hurricane in 1972. Journalist Brandy O`Bannon and her husband come to Cedar Key twenty years later, when an odd personal add is placed in the newspaper. Someone is looking for information on the woman and her child. They soon realize that someone else wants the secret to remain just that, and will go to any length to keep it. 
Ann Turner Cook holding a copy of her famous portrait.
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Ms. Cook is most often remembered for her earlier claim to fame, that of the original Gerber Baby. It is her picture that graces the label on the company's line of baby food products. However, if the success of this second book is anything like the first one in the series, then she will soon be remembered for more than just her cherubic face.
Whether you read the book for it's finely crafted mystery, or because it is set in Cedar Key, either way you won't be disappointed.
(Note: "Shadow Over Cedar Key" will be available at the Cedar Key Library very soon. It can be purchased from any major bookseller or on-line at www.iuniverse.com or www.amazon.com) |
