Agnes Agatha Odboddy is visiting Ascroft, eh? to tell us about Mrs. Odboddy’s Desperate Doings, the latest novel in the Mrs Odboddy mystery series.

Welcome, Agnes. Let’s get started, shall we?

Tell us about the novel that you live inside. Is it part of a series? If so, please tell us about the series too.

My name is Agnes Agatha Odboddy. I’m delighted to meet you and share my series with you and your fans. Mrs. Odboddy’s Desperate Doings in the fourth in my WWII humorous historical fiction series. I’m 70+ years young. The age on my driver’s license is just a number. I think our true age has to do with our attitude and life experiences. During WW ONE, I was a US secret agent in Europe. Now, in 1944, I have to fight WWII from the home front. In my previous Mrs. Odboddy adventures, I attempted to expose a Nazi spy and a ration book black market scam, (Mrs. Odboddy Hometown Patriot), traveled across the country by train to deliver a package to President Roosevelt in book two (Mrs. Odboddy Undercover Courier), and in (And Then There was a Tiger), book three, I accidently discovered a counterfeit money operation and saved the life of a displaced carnival tiger. My granddaughter, Katherine, says she is hard pressed to keep me out of trouble. I can’t imagine why she thinks that.

Does the writer control what happens in the story or do you get a say too?

My writer thinks she controls what happens in my stories, but when she begins a specific scene, I often step in and change the entire direction of the scene. Usually I get into trouble doing this and my writer has to figure out how to get me out. Like when I hid in the theater one night attempting to catch Dr. Schatzsman stealing the Edward Reep lithograph from the art show. Just as my writer had me about to catch him in the act, coming through the door, guess what? Overwhelmed from the stress and excitement, I fainted! Writer had to figure out what to do next. LOL!!

How did you evolve as the main character?

My character is a very headstrong, patriotic, loyal, and caring person and an almost regular church goer. I try my Christian darndest to live by the teachings of the Good Book. Sadly, , trying to expose conspiracies and injustices gets me into so much trouble and that leads to telling fibs…let’s face it… downright lies, to get me out of trouble. I really do try not to get into jams, but it’s hard. Quick to act when I see an injustice, it most generally leads me into another hair-brained adventure and… there you are. But, lately, when I do something stupid, I admit it right up front and I don’t fib anymore. (You don’t see my fingers crossed behind my back, do you?)

Do you have any other characters you like sharing the story with? If so, why are you partial to them?

Much of the plot in Desperate Doings revolves around Shere Khan, the displaced carnival tiger. Not many options for a rehoming a tiger during WWII, and when the county decided he must be euthanized, you can imagine my dismay. I had to save him. Our ward, Maddie, has almost a spiritual attraction to this gentle beast. Quite an interesting dilemma, but trust me, I was up to the challenge.

What’s the place like where you find yourself in this story?

Newbury is a small town about 10 miles off the coast, about 60 miles north of San Francisco. Boyles Springs Military Base is about 9 miles further north. I attend the Church of the Evening Star and Everlasting Light. I frequently mix it up with the town sheriff, Chief Waddlemucker, but deep down, we’re good friends. I love my neighbors and community.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers about you and the book?

If you like novels that contain light mystery, a lot of laughs, set in a different time, learning about other cultures or lifestyles, adventure, and fun characters, you’ll love Mrs. Odboddy’s four books. The fifth adventure is TBP in 2024.

Thank you for answering my questions, Agnes, and good luck to you and your author, Elaine Faber, with Mrs Odboddy’s Desperate Doings, the latest book in the Mrs Odboddy mystery series.

Readers can learn more about Agnes and her author, Elaine Faber by visiting the author’s website.

The novel is available online at  Amazon

About Elaine Faber: Elaine lives in Elk Grove, CA, with her husband and two feline companions. She is a member of Sisters in Crime (SIC), Elk Grove Writer’s Guild (EGWG), and Northern California Publishers and Authors (NCPA). Elaine volunteers with the American Cancer Society. She has published nine cozy mystery novels, and an anthology of cat stories. Her short stories are also published in 22 independent anthologies.