Friday, August 5, 2016

Mignon Ballard

Mignon Franklin Ballard, an accomplished mystery writer, lives in Calhoun, Georgia.

She is the author of several acclaimed mysteries, including her series featuring revered first grade teacher, Miss Dimple Kilpatrick, set during the years of World War II. The newest novel in the series is Miss Dimple and the Slightly Bewildered Angel.

Recently I asked Ballard about what she was reading. Her reply:
I have just finished reading The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. It was a selection of my book club and I have delayed reading it because I knew it was about depression and suicide and I really didn’t want to go there. I was surprised, however, at the humor in it – especially in the beginning. The writing is absolutely beautiful and it’s a quick read. It pulls the reader into the life of the main character, a young woman who is both brilliant and talented with everything to live for, yet she spirals helplessly into depression and madness as the tragic author did. Sylvia Plath was only a few years older than I am and I could identify with the description she gave of a young woman’s life, dress, and expectations during the fifties. Also, her struggles to become published were all too familiar to me. The book left me feeling sad, but grateful that I could see the light at the end of my tunnel.
Learn more about the author and her work at Mignon Ballard's website.

My Book, The Movie: Miss Dimple Rallies to the Cause.

The Page 69 Test: Miss Dimple Rallies to the Cause.

The Page 69 Test: Miss Dimple Suspects.

The Page 69 Test: Miss Dimple Picks a Peck of Trouble.

--Marshal Zeringue