Stressin’ with Maureen O’Brien by Susan Furlong Bolliger

Hello, everyone! Maureen O’Brien here. The last time one of the O’Briens made an appearance on Dru’s blog was a year ago when my daughter stopped by to explain her new career choice to readers. I have to admit, as much as I love our daughter, that blog appearance was a little embarrassing. I mean, she went on and on about upcycling, recycling, and heaven forbid, she even mentioned her nasty little habit of dumpster diving. Why, ever since that blog posted, I’ve hardly been able to show my face in Chicago’s social circles.

Of course, this is all my husband’s fault. Things started going awry the day he named our baby daughter. You see, Phillip always wanted a namesake, but after four girls he gave up and dubbed our fifth daughter with a weird feminism of his own name—Phillipena. Right then and there I should have realized all hope for raising a normal child was lost.

Nonetheless, we trudged through her grade school years, tolerated her rebellious teen years, saw her through higher education and into adulthood. I know what you’re thinking. We’re good parents, we did our part, and we can stop worrying now, right? Well, pssh! All you mothers out there certainly understand how impossible that is–a mother never stops worrying. This is especially true when it comes to our daughter, Phillipena.

I’ll explain. First of all, she quit a perfectly good job managing stock portfolios to work as … oh, how shall I put it? A used merchandiser. That’s right. She takes other people’s castoffs–their junk actually–and upcycles it to sell on-line. Oh, I suppose she’s doing alright. She does seem happier now and rarely asks Phillip and me for loans anymore. Of course, we practically allow her to live rent free in the apartment above our garage. Still, our other four daughters are so … normal. They’ve married nice men, settled in respectable jobs and have even given us grandbabies. Why can’t Phillipena be more like them?

You think I’m being too harsh? Well, let me tell you something. It’s not just Phillipena’s unique choice of careers that has me worked into a tizzy. It’s this new issue she’s developed—solving crimes. I swear, I don’t know where I went wrong, but somewhere down the line, she’s come up with the idea that it’s okay to get involved in police business. Maybe it’s because she used to date a police detective. Or perhaps it’s from watching too much crime television. Who knows? Of course, she would argue that there’s good reason to get involved in these matters, but I know better. I always know better; I’m her mother.

Anyway, this time around she’s taken it upon herself to figure out who murdered a local consignment shop owner. To make matters worse, she’s using the most unconventional detecting methods. Just the other day, I was peeking over the privet hedge and saw her leave her apartment dressed in a hideous disguise. Egad! Her sleuthing antics almost make me wish she’d just stick to rummaging around in peoples’ garbage cans.

Sigh. I could go on and on, but if you want to see for yourself why I’ve been tearing out my hair with worry, just read about her latest misadventure in Murder on Consignment. Or, if you happened to miss her first folly as a wanna-be detective, check out Murder for Bid. Then you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about.

By the way, please don’t mention last year’s post to anyone. (I think it was called something like Chillin’ with Phillipena O’Brien). I’m trying to keep it under wraps.

---

You can read more about Maureen in Murder on Consignment, the second book in the “Pippi O’Brien” mystery series, published by Martin Sisters Publishing. The first book in the series is Murder for Bid. Books are available at retail and online booksellers.

GIVEAWAY
Comment on this post by 6 p.m. EST on May 2, and you will be entered for a chance to win a signed copy of both Murder for Bid and Murder on Consignment. One winner will be chosen at random. Open to everyone.

Meet the author
Susan lives in the Midwest with her husband and four children. All her kids are still in school, but she’s hoping one day, unlike her main character, they choose sensible careers and pick normal hobbies. For more information about Susan’s writing, visit her website at www.sfurlongbolliger.com.

---

Follow dru’s book musing on Facebook for book giveaways, contests, posting about discounted books and some of my reading musings.