Gnome Way Out

By Alisa Guttadauro

When Shelly Witherspoon is gifted an adorable looking gnome from the seemingly eccentric Mrs Ivers, owner of, "Iver's Antiques," she is thrilled. As the Editor in Chief of, "Gnome And Garden," magazine, Shelby is an avid collector of gnomes and is excited to use her newly acquired piece for the front cover of the next issue...Until, strange things befall the small borough Streusaltown, New Jersey--Like, murder: Which has Shelby's friends wondering; Is there Gnome Way Out?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alisa Guttadauro
• Release date: Oct 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005044800

Alisa Guttadauro

I have always had a passion for writing, and enjoy writing fun, silly, adventurous children’s stories that include some kind of lesson and a bit of magic. I also love cooking, reading, playing tennis, and spending time with my husband, and family.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Shelby Witherspoon didn’t have too many friends. She’d never thought much about it. After all, she considered her little projects her, friends. As Editor in Chief of, Gnome and Garden magazine, in the small city of Streusaltown, New Jersey, she was always scouring flea markets and antique shops, hunting for gnome statues to refurbish. She loved giving the little guys or gals new shiny coats of paint, and finding new homes for them. Some she kept for herself because she enjoyed collecting them. Others, she liked adding pictures of them to the crafting page in the magazine; And some she donated to various places. It was Saturday morning and she’d just arrived at a new antique shop she’d never been to before. It was called, Iver’s Antiques. Her one best friend, Max, whom she’d grown up with was supposed to meet her there, but he’d just texted her he was running late. Shelby sighed and was trying to decide if she should wait for Max, or go inside and start browsing. Suddenly, another car pulled up next to her. Two older women got out of a bright yellow Volkswagen Beetle and one woman said to the other, This is the place I was telling you about, Gladys, they have the best stuff! Hearing that, Shelby decided she couldn’t wait and had to go inside right away. She texted Max to meet her inside the shop.

Good morning, trilled a kindly looking woman with old fashioned wire rimmed glasses. She was dressed in old fashioned garb, which reminded Shelby of her favorite TV show as a child, Little House On The Prairie. She was sitting behind a large antique cherry wood desk. The woman reminded Shelby of the pictures of Mrs. Santa Claus she’d seen in whimsical, children’s story books. Her silver hair was swept up into a neat chignon and seemed to be sparkling. Good morning, Shelby answered back as she took a quick glance around. Is there anything in particular you are looking for? Asked the shop keeper. Well… began Shelby shyly, Would you happen to have any gnomes? I’m a collector and… The older woman put up her hand, Say no more, She chuckled, "I know who you are, you’re the editor of that Gnome and Garden magazine! I thought you looked familiar. Shelby was taken aback but smiled and put out her hand, Yes.. I’m Shelby Witherspoon. Shelby didn’t expect to be recognized by anyone. She considered her magazine to be small potatoes compared to the mainstream media ones. The store owner shook Shelby’s hand and said, Pleased to meet you, my name is Mrs. Ivers, Martha Ivers that is. Very nice to meet you too, Mrs. Ivers, Smiled Shelby, You have quite a place here. Shelby admired an old fashioned ceramic Santa sitting in a sleigh. It was mostly white and outlined in red and gold. She fell in love with it and said, May I leave this on the desk, I’d rather not carry it around with me while I’m browsing. That’s perfectly fine dear, Replied Mrs. Ivers, her eyes twinkling, Now about those gnomes… Sorry I’m late! Interrupted a man’s voice. Shelby chuckled, You’re just in time, Max. Mrs. Ivers, this is my friend Max Green. Max, meet Mrs. Martha Ivers, the owner of this lovely shop, she was just about to show me some gnomes. Max rolled his eyes jokingly, as he shook Mrs. Ivers hand. Ah, she’s already started with the gnomes huh? You don’t waste any time, Shelby, He winked.

Right this way, Smiled Mrs. Ivers. She led them to the back of the shop where there were an arrangement of dolls, doll houses, and assorted gnomes of all shapes and sizes. There were garden gnomes, gnomes playing sports, gnomes carrying baked goods, bride and groom gnomes, etc. Shelby’s eyes popped, Holy macaroni! Suddenly, the voice of Gladys, one of the women who went into the shop ahead of Shelby earlier, broke into the young editor’s thoughts, Oh Jean, look at this one, I just have to have it! She held up a rustic looking gnome that was holding a gardening shovel and was wearing the most adorable hat with sunflowers on it. Oh darn! Shelby whispered, That gnome would be perfect for next month’s cover, and it’s so cute! Ah, better luck next time, whispered Max. Suddenly, Mrs. Ivers cleared her throat loudly, as she rushed over to the two women, Excuse me ladies, there must have been some mistake, that statue is not for sale. Oh but it is, Gladys insisted, Look, there’s a price tag on it! She pointed to a sticker on the back of the gnome’s hat. Good gracious, it’s getting more difficult to find good sales help these days. This item is from my personal collection, and should not have been put out in the shop. I’m terribly sorry, Mrs. Ivers continued, as she took the gnome from the shocked woman. But, I do have another that I’m sure you would love, Winked Mrs. Ivers. Jilly! She shouted. A teenage girl came racing out from behind a dark blue curtain, Yes Nana? Replied the younger girl. This is my granddaughter Jilly, Martha introduced. Jilly smiled shly, and said good morning to everyone. Then Mrs. Ivers whispered into Jilly’s ear as she handed her the gnome with the sunflower hat. Right away Nana, Smiled the teenager, nervously. Not even a minute later Jilly came out and handed Gladys a pretty looking gnome wearing a pink sundress and carrying a sand pail and shovel. Why it’s adorable! Squealed Gladys. Her friend Jean nodded in approval and the two women took the rest of their items up front along with the sundressed gnome, to be purchased. Mrs. Ivers winked at Shelby, Young lady, follow me. Max decided to look around and nodded to Shelby to go ahead.

Shelby followed Mrs. Ivers behind the dark blue curtain to the back room, well, she thought it would be a back room, but it looked more like an old victorian living room. There were beautiful oil lamps, situated on end tables and pretty French statuettes on the mantle of a white stoned fireplace. Paintings of victorian ladies and gentlemen held space on the pale blue, flowered wallpapered walls, and brass candle sticks were scattered amongst the tasteful decor. Mrs. Ivers cleared her throat and Shelby said, Oh I’m sorry, I was just admiring your beautiful adornments. What a lovely room! The older woman blushed, Thank you my dear, this is actually part of my home, it goes way back…Anyway, the older woman continued as Jilly came in and handed her a package, Here you go! She handed the package to Shelby. When Shelby looked at her bewildered, Mrs. Ivers winked, It’s your garden gnome. Oh no…You mean the one…No, I couldn’t. Stammered the editor. Oh yes you can! Insisted the older woman, I didn’t want that old busy body to have it anyway. Nana! Said Jilly disapprovingly. Mrs. Ivers chuckled, Well it’s true, Gladys Perkins doesn’t know how to take care of precious items such as this, and she winds up keeping them for a week and then selling them in her yard sales. I can tell this nice young lady will take good care of Irving. Shelby’s right eyebrow shot up, Irving? Jilly looked down at her feet but then chuckled, Oh yes, Nana names all of the gnomes as they come into the shop. Shelby giggled, I think that’s sweet, Irving it is! I’ll bring him up front with the rest of my items."

Shelby found Max browsing through some African artifacts and said, Find anything? I might get this mask, He picked up an unusual mask carved out of wood. Hey, that’s pretty cool, admired Shelby. "Yeah, I think so, replied Max, My dad used to have a collection from when we lived in Africa, but when we moved to the states, a lot of the artifacts from our heritage that he’d collected over the years some how were lost. I think they were stolen… His voice trailed off. Well, I think you should start a new collection, Smiled Shelby, as she took the interesting piece from him, My treat! Before he could refuse, she scampered up to the front of the store and placed the items to be purchased on the counter. Max caught up to her and gave her a withering glance. No worries, She grinned,You can buy breakfast! Max grinned back, Ah ha, I knew there’d be a catch! Shelby giggled. After the sale was rung up Shelby frowned, Hey, I think you made a mistake, She said to the cashier, I think you under charged me. Suddenly Mrs. Ivers appeared, No mistake my dear, Irving is on the house. Oh no, I couldn’t, Said Shelby. Now don’t insult me, Smiled the shopkeeper, He’s my gift to you, and I know you’ll take good care of him. After all, he’s a special little fellow. Instantly a chill went through Shelby, and she shivered, but she brushed it off as quickly as it came. I know, she snapped her fingers, I’ll put an ad in the magazine advertising your shop! Now that would be very nice dear, thank you, Replied Mrs. Ivers with a sparkle in her eyes. Max didn’t know why, but, for some reason he got a bad vibe from the older woman. The couple was turning to leave when Mrs. Ivers said, Now make sure you’re nice to Irving, It wouldn’t do, to upset him."

Both of them ravenous, Shelby and Max decided to stop at their favorite diner, The Golden Honeybee. The owner, Sunny, greeted them when they walked in and sat them at their preferred booth. Coffee? Asked Sunny, I have Blueberry Scone flavored today, She looked at Shelby who laughed, You know me so well! Regular for you Max? He nodded then said to his best friend, "I don’t know why you insisted on bringing him in here? He shook his head. I couldn’t wait to get a better look at him." Shelby