Missing in Fairhope

About the Book

Missing in Fairhope is all about Audrey Baxter, who doesn’t look for trouble. But it targets her and finds her when she least expects it. Her profession as a surgical nurse dedicated to helping others is most rewarding. However, in her new location, she would welcome some free time in which she might live her life unhampered by the troubles of others, which lead her into danger. Fleeing her past, she is a new identity—a new personality in a strange, new town in which she can start her young life anew. She is surprised by how much she likes her new location where authorities placed her. Fairhope, Alabama, is a quaint, Southern town with homes and shops showing character and individualism. Audrey loved it at first sight and welcomes the seemingly peaceful atmosphere. But alas! Before she hardly has time to unpack, she learns that the first friend she’s made since being there has big trouble! Mandy, as Audrey knows her, has collapsed into a coma at Thomas Hospital where Audrey is employed. This happened after Mandy or Amanda Forester received terrifying news. Missing is Amanda Forester’s great-granddaughter, Suzy. Mandy is Fairhope’s wealthy matriarch, who lives in a mansion on the bluff overlooking Mobile Bay. Audrey’s supersleuth instincts kick in as she plans steps to take in solving this mystery. Henrietta Johnson, a young, light-colored, black woman working as a computer operator at the Grand Hotel joins her in the search. Henrietta is the daughter of Walter Johnson, employed for years by Mrs. Forester as a gardener/handyman. Walter, sent to pick up Suzy at Mobile’s airport, is told by authorities there that the child has been claimed by a look-alike Mrs. Forester with correct identification. On the causeway driving back to Fairhope, Walter insists a bat attacked his windshield, causing his car to run into a ditch. He is hospitalized with bumps, bruises, and an extremely low blood count. Later, others in Fairhope fall prey to this strange malady, including Audrey. In the meantime, while settling in Fairhope, Audrey wonders if there is some magical ingredient in the water, for she is surrounded by extraordinarily handsome men. First is demanding neurosurgeon, Dr. Alex Poynter, the primary one she assists in OR, and two detectives, Miller and Dennis. These two detectives question her actions in Suzy’s kidnapping and in the vampire bat incidents. Most magnificent looking of all is her next-door neighbor, Baffling Batt Mann, who performs a magic/mindreading act at the Pub. He befriends her and seems highly protective, but she begins to wonder if he is friend or fiend. For those with a romantic bent and love of intrigue without the gore of current vampire fiction, this could be your answer to receiving a chill from the possibility of the supernatural. Look for the next Audrey Baxter mystery.

About the Author

After a hiatus of seven years, author M. V. Branch is publishing through AuthorHouse again. The manuscript of her latest publication, Missing in Fairhope, has been languishing on a shelf, gathering dust. Branch blew off the dust, presented her work to her publisher, and said, “Let’s have a go at it!” AuthorHouse agreed. This is Branch’s fourth book. She uses her maiden name for her pen name. Branch was born and raised in Kokomo, Indiana. After high school graduation, she married a returning war veteran of WW II. After renewing his studies, her husband received a Degree in Business Administration with distinction from Indiana University. The couple had been blessed with two sons by this time. With her husband pursuing his career, the family of four moved to Huntsville, Alabama. A third son was born there. Now, after relocating to several Alabama cities, totaling 60 years spent in the south, branch feels she is truly a southerner. After a move to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, branch returned to the class room at age 48 while still living a full family life. She earned an associate Degree in Business Administration, magna cum laude, at Wallace Community College in Haleyville, Alabama. Changing her major to literature at Southern Benedictine College in Cullman, Alabama, she took a variety of Liberal Arts courses. After moving to point clear, Alabama, she enrolled at the University of South Alabama, concentrating on creative writing courses. Now a widow, branch divides her time when residing in an apartment in Roswell, Georgia and at her home of over 20 years in point clear, Alabama. She is currently working on a children’s book.