GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

JUNE 21, 1996

Evenings Out

Will Nancy Clue get her girl?

"Why, it's positively indecent to stay up this late," she thought as she

blinked back tears. Although she couldn't make out what they were saying, the way that Cherry was sitting, practically in Jackie's lap with her face turned up in rapt adoration told Nancy that she better do something fast!

Nancy raced to the study, picked up the telephone and spoke urgently into the receiver. "Operator, please connect me with the Hardly estate in nearby Feyport and fast!"

"Hello?" a sleepy lad's voice queried at the other end of the line.

"Oh, Frank,” Nancy sobbed. "I need your help. I've got trouble-girl trouble of the most terrible kind!"

-from A Ghost in the Closet

Mabel M

NANCY CLUE and THE HARDLY BOYS

A Ghost in the Closet

Move over, Carolyn Keene and Franklin W. Dixon. A Columbus author has added a new angle to the fondly-remembered children's mystery books that bear your

names.

Mabel Maney, the author behind the hairraising adventures of Nancy Clue and the Hardly Boys, will read and perform scenes from her books at An Open Book on Saturday, June 29.

The author will also be on hand to sign copies of her work, including A Ghost in the Closet, The Case of the Not So Nice Nurse, and The Case

makes readers chuckle in the midst of such danger by allowing the main character to momentarily pause for the purpose of changing into fresh clothing.

"My mother always taught me to be cheery and perky," said Maney. "Even when I'm writing about murder, I have to make sure the characters wear the right shoes."

"Even when I'm writing about murder,

I have to make sure the characters wear the right shoes.

of the Good For Nothing Girlfriend. Maney, who grew up in Wisconsin, writes with a touch of ironic humor as her characters embark on their various gay adventures.

Her characters often find themselves facing deadly dramas such as exploding rocket ships and evil sea monsters. Yet, Maney

Maney's latest book, A Ghost in the Closet, is the third in her girl sleuth series, which includes both Clue and her detective pal, Cherry Aimless. The book is filled with secret agents, communism gone amok, malfunctioning space ships, a stolen pooch, and hidden explosives.

As usual, the Hardly boys, Frank and Joe, appear in the story to help solve the newest mystery as well as offer the girls a bit of important fashion advice.

Ghost, like

MABET

MANEY

Maney's other mysteries, includes a touch of romance as Clue attempts to win the heart of her partner, Aimless.

The book-signing, which is the last in a summer series for An Open Book, is expected to draw a good crowd, according to sales associate Kaline Carter.

"When Carol Guess was here recently to sign Seeing Dell, it was an excellent crowd. People bought a lot of books, which is nice because she is a first-time author," said Carter.

The store has plans for more book signings in early fall, according to Carter. "Because of the way books are usually published, in the spring and fall, we plan author visits accordingly," he said.

An Open Book is located at 749 N. High St. in Columbus; phone 614-291-0080. Maney will be reading and signing her books from 7 to 9 p.m. on June 29.