By Allen B. Boyer
We see people every
day. We pass by men and women who embody a wealth of experiences, beliefs
and ideas that any writer could wrap into a character. However, the
challenge comes in taking the time to get to know people. Most writers know
that it only takes one interesting person to lead to good story. For me,
Charlotte Bouton was that interesting person.
I am the author of The
Dupree Sisters Mystery Series, which features two elderly sisters who live in
Washington D.C. They move easily through the social circles of the city,
and occasionally use their social connections to solve mysteries. THE BLAIR HOUSE CAT MURDER is the second book in the series.
The book has just been released. It features a stray cat with a spot of
blood on its back, love letters from an anonymous source, and a dead
body. Quite the challenge for Ruth and Charlotte Dupree to solve.
The character of
Charlotte is based on a very nice woman I met named Charlotte
Bouton. While she lived well into her nineties, Charlotte and I would
talk at social events. She was always sharply dressed, with perfect hair
and a gentle smile. However, in talking to her I always noticed her sweet
demeanor would change whenever the conversation turned to politics.
Then Charlotte transformed into a tough talking, hard-nosed political
insider.
I learned it was an edge
born from her years working in Washington D.C. back in the 1950s. She
worked in the House of Representatives as a secretary for a gentleman from New
Jersey. While there, she enjoyed her work and met many historic
figures. She spoke of being in her office when Al Gore Sr. came in to
announce the birth of his son, Al Gore Jr. She also recalled her one
brush with John F. Kennedy when he entered her office complaining about a
headache. She remedied that with one aspirin, which Kennedy was grateful
for.
From my conversations
with Charlotte, she never hesitated to speak her mind on past and current
political figures, describing some as lightweights and some as
contenders. In my mind, she was the perfect person to build a character
around.
DEATH AT THE PRESIDENTS CHURCH was the first book in
the Dupree Sisters Series. I wrote this book last year for Cozy Cat
Press. The book sold very well, which led me to write a second
installment, THE BLAIR HOUSE CAT MYSTERY.
Thus, my encounters with
Charlotte Bouton led to the birth of the fictional character, Charlotte
Dupree. Paired with her sister Ruth, they find themselves drawn to
mystery in our nation’s capital. Whether it be the death of a homeless
man on the steps of their church, or the curious connection of cat to a dead
body, the Dupree sisters can never turn down a good mystery to solve. Now
you, dear reader, know the mystery behind how this series took shape. A
mystery that centers around a good woman named Charlotte Bouton.
Allen B.Boyer lives near Hershey, Pa with his wife and three children. He also lives
near a retirement home that he visits with his children and his dog, Buster. If
you enjoyed Gumshoe Granny Investigates, please check out Bess in her second
book, Clues Over Croissants, as well as Married To Mysteries, Whispers In
Winter and Suspicions at Sunset. A second mystery series was begun
with Death at The Presidents Church, the first installment that features two
elderly sisters who use their social connections in Washington D.C. to solve
mysteries. The first book dealt with the death of a homeless man. The second
book in the series, The Blair House Cat Mystery, is just released. Check
out Mr. Boyer's blog at: allenboyer.weebly.com/blog/allen-boyer-an-authors-blog
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