FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Karen Bonvillain is scheduled to read from her new murder mystery, “Who Was Benny Looter? The Body In The Sand?” next week.

She is a Baldwin County writer, a member of the Fairhope Writers’ Group and the Baldwin Writers’ Group.

The reading and book signing is to occur on Oct. 29, from 5-7 p.m., at Page and Palette, 32 S. Section St. in Fairhope.

The public is invited, and light refreshments will be available.

This is one of a series of books in a trilogy. This first book is about the murder of Dodi Edgard Looter, a well-liked lady and philanthropist. Her body is discovered buried in the sands along a Gulf Shores beach.

Bonvillain’s story describes the victim’s deceased husband as a bank president and trustee at Autumn University. We find that his constant interference in the school’s War Raptor football team made his reputation into one that was disliked by students, alumni, faculty and employees.

What we don’t understand is why was this lady killed? How did Benny Looter acquire so much wealth and power? Is her death connected with organized crime in New Orleans? And, Is her death connected to his notorious life?

Prior to her death, Dodi hired a former N.O.P.D. homicide detective turned genealogist to determine the family background of her husband and to investigate how he gained his fortune.

Through many twists and turns, the story unravels into an intrigue that has woven unlikely lives together.

Bonvillain was born and raised in the New Orleans area. Her background includes experience in accounting, banking and administrative assistant fields.

At one time, she ran a word processing and transcription business for three major court reporting services in New Orleans.

She is married to a former sergeant of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Roger Bull.

She has two sons, Mathew and Paul Bull. The family now lives in Mobile.

The author will exclusively sign all books purchased from Page & Palette.

For more information, call (251) 928-5295, or visit www.pageandpalette.com.