Her lifelong love of writing includes both history and mystery. Her historical novel JESS was published in 2003. MURDER IN EDEN, the first Fonnie Beachum Mystery, was published in 2005. TOXIC WASTE, the second Fonnie Beachum Mystery was published in 2006.

Fonnie Beachum is recovering from a stroke. She has graduated from a wheelchair to a quad cane and is now ready to go home. Her grandson, a rookie cop, will be living with her so everything should be fine.

However, the town of Groverton, North Carolina is embroiled in controversy over a proposed landfill. Bebe Englehook, a social activist, has formed CATWAG (Citzens Against Toxic Waste At Groverton) to fight the landfill. Fonnie’s loyalties are torn between the owner of the landfill company, an old friend, and Bebe, who is a new friend.

A demonstration against the landfill is brought to an abrupt halt when a female body is found at the site. Fonnie teams up with Bebe to find out more about the murdered woman and why she was killed. Their investigation leads them on a hazardous trip, a wild car chase, and a search for hidden evidence. In the final showdown, Fonnie learns that a cane can be a formidable weapon.

Allison Aldridge is a teacher, forthish, divorced. She accepts an invitation to spend a week at the Blue Goose Lodge on Lake Lucia.

The lake is lovely and serene, but things are not serene at the lodge. Allison is hoping for some rest and recreation. Instead she becomes involved in a murder investigation.

She shares information with the lead detective, a bachelor in his fifties, and a spark of romance develops. She enjoys her new detective role until she gets too close to the truth and nearly becomes the next victim.

Fonnie Beachum, a retired nurse and an amateur sleuth, continues her recovery from a stroke. She can now walk without a cane, but still tires easily. She makes plans to attend a wedding at the beach and asks Keisha Riggs, her former home-health aide, to accompany her. The ceremony is lovely and the newlyweds leave for their honeymoon.

It’s then that events take a dark turn: a sudden death becomes suspicious, and people go missing. Is the culprit among the wedding party or guests? Fonnie and Keisha both learn that investigating the mystery is a very hazardous thing to do.