“You might say the Army’s responsible for my obsession, “ chuckles Suzi Weinert.
Why? Moving regularly as an Air Force brat, after college Suzi married an Army officer and moved 11 more times in 21 years to residences ranging from California to Washington DC, plus tours in Germany and the Philippines. Seeking to transform each military house into a home, she discovered military thrift shops where frequently moving Army families consign what they can't take along and later supplement belongings reasonably at their new station’s thrift shop.
Based on these military “finds” and bargains, she explored civilian thrift ships (many benefiting local hospitals, symphonies or social services) and annual bazaars (often markets such as San Diego’s huge swap meets and Ft. Lauderdale’s famous flea market) before discovering garage and estate sales.
All such sales yield potential treasures and “surprises” for her grandchildren, with the added benefit of recycling. Family and friends often ask her to “scout” for specific items and she’s ever alert for stories to enliven her writing.
Her mystery thriller is set in Mclean, Virginia, where she and her husband lived for 25 years after he retired from the Army, so her stories reflect first-hand knowledge of the area. Researching for accuracy, she attended the 10 week in depth Farifax County Citizen Police Academy course, the highlight of which is a 12 hour shift citizen ride along in a police cruiser where she observed all the patrolman’s challenges and responses during that period.
Her book further reflects concerns honed by her auxiliary membership in “Childhelp”, a national organization devoted to meeting the physical, educational, emotional and spiritual needs of traumatized children.
A member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters-in-Crime, she lives with her husband in the Virginia countryside.
Garage Sale Stalker is the first in a series of Garage Sale mysteries.