A Case of Mistaken Identity: The Sunflower Gang

By Karla Locke

You are never too old for murder and romance. 

When crime thriller novelist, Diana Crumm, moves her mother into the Sunflower Retirement Community little did Diana know what havoc her mother and the Sunflower Gang would cause. With a deadline looming Diana just wants to focus on her latest novel, instead her mom convinces her to bust Marge out of jail. Marge was charged with the murder of her dead husband—a modern day Senior Casanova. 

The question is—Did Marge do it? Or was it a jealous husband? When you play the field, no matter the age, beware of the consequences, it can be deadly. 

Enjoy a little romance, a little murder, a little mayhem in this witty story of Diana and her mom.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Karla Locke
• Release date: Jan 3, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524262433

Karla Locke

As a long time reader, I have now explored the world of writing and have self-published my first short story, MY UNDOING. I live in the beautiful and inspirational Pacific Northwest, surrounded by water, wildlife and writers. My business, Armchair ePublishing, provides a service to authors in helping them prepare their stories for self-publishing. Being surrounded by so much talent made my creative juices explode and the craving to write burst out.

Book preview

The Sunflower Club – A Case of Mistaken Identity

The Sunflower Gang ©2015 Karla Locke

All Rights Reserved. No reproduction, storage in a retrieval system, distribution or transmission in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, unless permission is obtained in writing from the author.

Page layout, eBook formatting and book design by Armchair ePublishing, Anacortes, WA

Cover Design ©Tony D. Locke, Armchair ePublishing

Dedication —To my neighbor’s Sunflower Garden… And a vintage fan.

Diana, you have to bust her out?

Not again. Not bothering to look up from her keyboard, Diana mumbled, "Bust who out?

Marge.

And where exactly is Marge? Diana asked, only half listening as she continued to type. She assumed her mother was referring to one of her friends in a local nursing home. Diana had a deadline fast approaching, so she didn’t have time for one of her mother’s escapades—again.

The slammer, Mom answered.

Now that got Diana’s attention. Jail?

Yes, Mom replied.

You want me to bust Marge out of jail? Diana asked, deciding her mom had finally lost it.

Yes, dear. Have you not been listening? Mom harrumphed.

Why? Diana asked.

Why what?

Why is she in jail? Diana asked as irritation crept in.

Oh. Well, because they say she killed her husband, Mom said matter-of-factly.

What? Diana yelped. Why?

Because he was having an affair with that hoochie coochie woman, Charlotte. You would think he would have known better. Everyone knows to stay away from that charlatan.

He was having an affair? Diana remarked. So what?

So…so, he was screwin’ around, Mom explained with a tint of anger in her voice.

Again, so. That’s no reason to kill the man, Diana said.

Mom just rolled her eyes. Oh for heavens sake. Let’s just forget about him shall we, our only concern now is getting Marge out of jail.

Ever since Diana moved her mom to the Sunflower Retirement Community, mom had been embroiled in some sort of shenanigans, most of which have been annoying but harmless. It all began when she started playing Bridge with what her mom referred to as The Sunflower Club.

So, are you going to help or not? Mom asked, a little impatient now.

Mom, Diana sighed. We can’t just bust Marge out of jail.

Why not?

Diana sighed, again. Because she’s in jail. It’s not like I can just waltz in there and walk her out the front door. Diana hoped that would explain it. She should have known better.

Of course you can’t silly, she broke her hip a year ago and she uses a walker. It will probably be faster if you use a wheelchair.

Diana put her hand on her forehead and rubbed around her eyes. It seemed like all of the conversations she’d had lately with her mother resulted in a headache. If this kept up, she was going to need to buy stock in Aleve; after all she was