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Novel mixes in some reality
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REAL-LIFE MYSTERY: Karen Biery of Salem holds a copy of her first book, “believe.” Behind her is the grave of Goldie Bell Taylor, who died in 1886. Biery was inspired to write her book because an unidentified person has been leaving flowers at Taylor’s grave in Hope Cemetery.
Real-life Salem historian Dale Shaffer appears as himself in the book.
SALEM — A writer has blended fiction with one of Salem’s enduring mysteries.
Karen Biery of Salem, who also paints and sells greeting cards, is already working on her second novel.
The first book is titled “believe.” She said in a recent interview that the lower-case type on the title is that way for a reason.
Biery said that copies of her first books are due in soon. She’s already scheduled book signings in various venues.
The novel also incorporates real Salem historian Dale Shaffer as himself in the book.
In Salem’s Hope Cemetery, there is a monument for Goldie Bell Taylor.
The young girl died from iron poisoning in 1886, and her father, Jacob, was inconsolable.
He ordered a monument topped with a likeness of her based on a photograph. He had the monument made in Italy and shipped to Salem at a cost of $4,000. Goldie’s mother left her husband, and little is known about her. Goldie’s father is buried beside Goldie’s statue.
Flowers were left at the monument and are still left there regularly, though no one knows who brings them.
“What got me started was the flowers. Why do they bring them and what happens with them?” Biery said.
Shaffer, who recently published a book on Hope cemetery, recalled that he was at the cemetery when a woman approached him and began questioning him about the monument.
That person, of course, was Biery.
In the book, Biery’s main character, Susie, goes home with Shaffer after meeting him at the cemetery. In the book, Shaffer makes her a bowl of soup and offers information for her search.
When told of his fictional lunch, Shaffer laughed and said he didn’t know that.
Biery also has created several fictional homes along South Lincoln Avenue, which is lined with old, large homes.
While in the area for her search, Susie stays at the Spread Eagle Tavern in Hanoverton, which will be the site of Biery’s first book signing.
She shrewdly did not release information on what her character is seeking.
Among her businesses, Biery previously ran the Olde English Garden Company, a gardening shop, in Salem. She attended Kent State University for creative writing and studied watercolors under the instruction of Tom McNickle, a member of the American Watercolor Society and the National Watercolor Society. She paints and also sells cards.
And, in a twist, she won’t actually sign books but will paint a flower on the beginning page of one of the chapters in the book.
The author plans to have her second book in stores next fall. The tale surrounds two 11-year-old boys who discover a burial mound in Minerva. They find remains of a child adorned with small carved images that have specific powers that are unleashed on those unfortunate enough to find them.
wilkinson@vindy.com
Here is a list of book-signing dates and events tied to the publication of the new novel, “believe.”
Spread Eagle Tavern, 10150 Plymouth St., Hanoverton, 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 25, and 1 to 4 p.m. Oct 4.
Hope Cemetery, North Lincoln Ave., Salem, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 3.
Hope Cemetery, Dusk until 10 p.m. with lanterns Oct. 24
Weingartner’s, 2701 Wilmington Road, New Castle, Pa., noon to 3 p.m. Nov. 7.
Mastropietro Winery, 14458 Ellsworth Road, Berlin Center, 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 25.
For more information, visit www.karenbiery.com.
Source: Author Karen Biery.