Dear Readers,

I’m passing along some information received from author J.A. Jance, who will sign copies of her latest suspense novel “Long Time Gone,” during a ticketed luncheon event at the Des Moines Public Library on Friday, Aug. 19, from noon to 1 p.m.

Tickets are $15.00 and may be ordered by calling 515-288-5066. All proceeds will benefit the Des Moines Public Library Foundation, and books will be sold by The Bookstore.

The story behind Long Time Gone is as remarkable as any suspense writer ever could dream up: At a signing in Sierra Vista (Arizona) years ago, a fan asked for Jance’s address, saying she wanted to send her something. Weeks later, Jance received a brown Manila envelope. Inside, police reports detailed a case in which forgotten memories provided the impetus to clear a 50-year-old murder case. Who better to solve the crime than J.P. Beaumont!

Make plans to meet and visit with J.P.’s creator and contribute to a worthy cause.

For more information contact Jan Kaiser at 515-283-4103 or by e-mail at jdkaiser@pldminfo.org.

Read Jody’s July ’03 interview with J.A. Jance here.