Ellen Fremedon, Journalist

An aspiring yet practical author, Ellen Fremedon decides to start a newspaper. After all, everyone buys newspapers, so she's bound to turn a profit. But after promising her subscribers a paper full of truth and free of errors, Ellen finds that journalism isn't so easy after all. Obituary notices for pets — not a hit. An incorrect muffin recipe? Disaster. Spelling and grammar mistakes? Many, as the village librarian is quick to point out. Then there's the little matter of managing the cash flow. But Ellen is intrepid, especially when it comes to investigative reporting. Is the new neighbor sinister, as village gossips suspect, or merely secretive? Is the Fremedon's new housekeeper really the upstanding community member she appears to be? Even members of Ellen's own family fall under suspicion. This smart, witty sequel features the charmingly eccentric characters of the original — Ellen's philosopher dad, the impossible twins, Larry the librarian, and the Bible-quoting Mrs. T. — as well as a delightful dose of intrigue.