Hissy Fit

It's difficult to imagine a better depiction of Keeley Murdock, the Georgia interior designer who faces challenges greater than color schemes. While renovating a plantation home, she loses a philandering fiancé and learns the truth about her missing mother. Mixed in with the mystery and romance is a liberal helping of comedy, thanks to Isabel Keating's delightful, down-to-earth, and completely Southern vocal characterizations. Listeners will love her portrayal of good old boys A.J. and Drew and will howl over florist Austin. And, yes, they will learn just exactly what a hissy fit is. J.J.B. 2005 Audie Award Finalist (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine

July 5, 2004
Interior decorator Keeley Rae Murdock has designed her whole life, right down to the antique Oriental rug planned for the foot of her bed. What she never counted on was discovering her fiancé, A.J. Jernigan, cavorting with her maid of honor in the middle of her rehearsal dinner. She pitches a hissy fit that reverberates through her tiny hometown of Madison, Ga., and captures the attention of Will Mahoney, a newcomer who recently purchased an antebellum plantation house. Headstrong, freckled Will pressures Keeley to restore the rundown mansion within six months. His plan: to woo a woman whom he has seen only on television by designing the house of her dreams by Christmas. Keeley knows it's an insane plan, but the Jernigans are now trying to put her out of business, so she begrudgingly accepts. As the house comes together, Keeley discovers links between the Jernigan legacy of infidelity and her mother's disappearance many years ago. Darker than the book's fluffy title suggests, this black comedy is riven with shocking secrets. And Keeley's vast knowledge of all things antique offers a fascinating peek into the luscious world of designer home furnishing, sure to make readers drool with envy over sideboards and sofas. Agent, Stuart Krichevsky. (Aug. 22)

Forecast:
Andrews's
Little Bitty Lies built on the success of
Savannah Blues, and this sharp Southern treat should bump Andrews up another notch. 12-city author tour.