Claire Gulliver #02 - Washington Weirdos

April 11, 2010
by D. Lockwood (Kerrville, TX)

This is the second book in a series, and I enjoyed it even more than the first one. I love that the main character makes use of her brains and intuition. If you want to settle down to a nice cozy mystery, give this a try! I’m going to start the next book in the series now...

July 6, 2009
by Truth Hungry “Alabaxter” (Houston, TX)

Washington Wierdos is not political - it’s waaaaaay better intrigue. It will catch your imagination immediately.

July 14, 2006
by Steven Rigolosi (New York / New Jersey)

I admit it - it was the title that drew me in, as it seems to embody so much of what I’m thinking about our nation’s capital at this point in time.

This book was a delightful surprise. It contains many elements that book readers will appeal to (who could *not* love the owner of a bookshop called “Gulliver’s Travels”?), as well as a nicely plotted little mystery that delivers a solid surprise ending. I found the author’s evocation of Washington, DC, to be right on the money - and a very nice contrast to the depressing portrait of the city in James Patterson’s books (which I think I’ve now read too many of). Recommended, though Claire - a city girl herself - should know better than to be wandering around unknown cities alone at night!

April 23, 2010
by Su Co (Boston, MA, USA)

This is the second book in the Claire Gulliver series by Gayle Wigglesworth who writes wonderful light mysteries with no graphic sex and violence to get in the way of the plot. Her books cannot really be called Who-done-its because fairly early it is apparent, however that doesn’t spoil the story in the least.

Her characters (the good guys, that is) fill my requirement that they be the kind of people I would like to hang out with. Her main character, Claire Gulliver, is easy to identify with as she is a working self-sufficient woman facing new experiences.

Her descriptions of places, ships and food bring a satisfying depth to the story. The touch of romance is just right and doesn’t overshadow the mystery.

I am looking forward to the next Claire Gulliver Mystery.

Copyright © 2005 by Gayle Wigglesworth

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without prior written permission from Gayle Wigglesworth, except for the inclusion of quotations in a review.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2005906448
ISBN: 978-0-9825519-2-9

Once again my thanks to my best friend and husband, David, who not only helped me research locations and settings for this book but ruthlessly edited it. And to my daughters, Janet and Danielle, who again proofed it, and my son-in-law Dave, who volunteered to read it without having read the first book so that I could be sure this book could stand on its own.

I’d like to dedicate this book to my sister-in-law, Linda Coates, who is more than a relative and more than a friend, she is both. Linda loves a mystery, perhaps even more than I do, and she loves Washington, D.C. So Linda this book is dedicated to you. Thank you for your encouragement and support over the past four plus decades.

Going through the mail was never Claire’s favorite task, so the plate of ginger snaps and the mug of tea were meant as a bribe. She dutifully sorted the accumulation in the basket until she reached the embossed envelope from Vantage Airlines. She felt a clutch of fear grip her stomach as she turned it over, examining it carefully.

It was strange how quickly things had returned to normal after she came back from London. The story for the other tour members, her mother and friends was readily accepted. And why not? No one would have guessed what really happened.

Of course, Lucy, Mrs. B and Claire all knew the truth and were haunted by what had
almost
happened. But then as the weeks passed, and they became involved once more in the details of everyday life those fears gradually receded.

Claire studied the creamy stationery. This was no normal promotional offer she could tell. She used her letter opener to cut through the top and unfolded the letter to scan the contents.

Vantage Airlines, Incorporated

Office of the Chairman of the Board and President

David Burlington Lickman

July 27, 2001

Ms. Claire Gulliver
Gulliver’s Travels Book Shop
714 Elm Street
Bayside, California 94403

Dear Ms. Gulliver,

On behalf of everyone at Vantage Airlines, I would like to invite you to be our guest, here in Washington, D.C., for ten days from August 27, 2001 through September 5, 2001. The Board of Directors hopes you will attend our board meeting on Tuesday, August 28, 2001 so they can personally express their thanks for your efforts on behalf of our company.

Additionally, Mrs. Lickman (MiMi) and I would like you to be a guest at our home in Maryland over the Labor Day weekend so you can attend our annual Gala and the other festivities we host to celebrate the end of summer.