I’m delighted to be part of the blog tour for Dawn Pisturino’s latest book. It’s something different from her and I can’t wait to read it. I’ll hand over to Dawn:
Good morning, Esther! I’m delighted to be here with you today as part of the blog tour for my debut middle-grade children’s mystery novel, The Mystery of the Pink Poodle. Although written for ages 9 to 12, I believe older children and adults would also enjoy reading it.
Amazon Blurb
Alina has a big problem. Her father is a popular mystery writer. Her mother is a glamorous movie star. Left in the care of the housekeeper, Alina feels neglected and unloved. But a summer trip to a living ghost town in Arizona turns a hot, boring summer into an exciting, intriguing mystery.
Who’s the crazy old lady upstairs? Why is she always crying about a missing pink poodle? Why is she a prisoner in her own home? And why won’t anybody help her?
When Hollywood meets the Wild, Wild West, a mystery unfolds that will change Alina’s life forever. With the aid of two wannabe cowgirls, Alina follows the trail of an ancient puzzle to discover the answer to the mystery of the pink poodle.
Author’s Note
Although this was written as a mystery novel, the story involves so much more. The larger themes center around friendship, the meaning of family, and intergenerational relationships. The book, above all else, is about people and our care and concern for them, no matter who they might be.
Chapter One – The Old Stone Mansion
Conrad, Arizona, June 2008
The dusty brown road curved around a bed of tangled cactus, and there it stood, among a clump of eucalyptus trees—the Ocotillo Bed and Breakfast Inn.
Alina’s heart sagged with disappointment. “Dad, we’re in the middle of nowhere. What kind of fun can we have here?”
The dust-stained black Mercedes turned onto a circular gravel drive and parked in front of an old square mansion built solidly of wood and stone. “I didn’t come here to have fun,” her father growled. “I’m going to be busy writing. You know that. I’ve got a deadline to meet.”
“Why did you even bring me if you weren’t going to spend time with me?” Alina complained.
“I had no choice,” he said, climbing out of the car. “What was I supposed to do, leave you at home alone?”
“It would’ve been better than this!” Alina slumped down in the back seat and pouted.
“I’m sure you’ll find some way to amuse yourself. Take care of Muffy while I go inside and register.” He slammed the door shut and disappeared through a screened door.
Muffy licked the tears from Alina’s cheeks and whimpered. “Oh, all right,” Alina grumbled. She snapped the dog leash to Muffy’s collar and climbed out of the car.
The little dog strained at the leash, anxious to find the right spot in the sparse yellow grass. Sweat formed on Alina’s forehead, and she wiped it away with her bare arm. She studied the front of the rustic old mansion with critical eyes from behind her designer sunglasses.
Suddenly, a small white face appeared in a third-floor window. Two skeletal hands rose slowly in the air and grabbed the sides of the shrunken head. Then, a cry, like a baby’s wail, pierced the hot summer air.
Alina drew back in terror. She picked up Muffy and hurried into the house, slamming the door behind her. She had to find her father. They couldn’t stay here. This house was too creepy! They had to leave—now!
She found herself in a large sitting room with dark, old-fashioned furniture and heavy green drapes at the windows. But where was her father? She didn’t know what to do.
“Dad?” she called out cautiously.
Alina heard voices in the next room. Suddenly, two shapes appeared in the doorway.
A set of identical twin girls with blond hair pulled back into ponytails surveyed her up and down, giggling. Then one of the girls slowly lifted an arm, pointed a finger, and cried:
“You can’t be Renata Taylor’s daughter. You’re too… pink!”
Author BIO
Dawn Pisturino is a retired registered nurse in Arizona whose international publishing credits include poems, short stories, and articles. She has published five poetry collections, including her most recent release, Ancient Voices: Poems About Ancient Egypt, which achieved #1 Amazon New Release status in African Poetry, History of Egypt, History of Africa, and History of North Africa. She is a member of the Mystery Writers of America and the Arizona Authors Association.
http://www.dawnpisturino.wordpress.com
Amazon Link to Pre-Order
To pre-order on Amazon: https://a.co/d/cCZeDA0
The Kindle and Paperback will be available on September 1, 2025.
Thank you so much, Esther, for hosting me today!
Esther Chilton 
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