Monday, July 13, 2009

The Hand That Rocks The Ladle: A Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery With Recipes by Tamar Myers (2000)

My stupendous colleague (and fellow reader and lover of mysteries) Judi Keller has discovered yet another Scranton reference (her third) in a mystery by popular novelist Tamar Myers.

Myers's previous reference to Scranton (in 1998's Between A Wok And A Hard Place and Eat, Drink, and Be Wary) were in context to a popular bit of gossip that Police Chief (and all-around buffoon) Melvin Stoltzfus once sent a gallon of ice cream via UPS to a relative in Scranton (some say his cousin, others say his aunt). However, the Scranton reference in this particular book, 2000's The Hand That Rocks The Ladle.

The Hand That Rocks The Ladle continues the adventures of Magdalena Yoder, owner of the popular PennDutch Inn in Amish Country. This time, Magdalena gets involved in a mystery involving a friend's pregnancy with triplets and the curiosity that the hospital claims that only 2 babies were actually born.

Page 41 details a visit Magdalena makes to a local hospital to ask some questions regarding a friend diagnosed with appendicitis:

"'That could work.' After all, as a privately employed person, my health benefits are not all that great. 'How much of a discount, and on what?'
'Well, I've been negotiating with a plastic surgeon in Scranton--'
'A plastic surgeon?'
'Well, I just assumed you wanted to do something about that nose.'"

The Hand That Rocks The Ladle is available to borrow from the Lackawanna County Library System. To place a hold, click here.

Much thanks again to the delicious and nutritious Judi Keller for this reference.

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