Summary of THE TRUTH ABOUT MALARKEY,

a novel by Dee Ann Miller


It's been three years since Princeton graduate, Dr. Mark Peterson, found himself booted out of a promising career after blowing the whistle on a predecessor over sexual misconduct. He's struggling, unsure if he even wants to go on with his profession, when an unexpected phone call comes from a New York City screenwriter. She wants to tell his story.

Sandy Ammons seems to know all about the Waco, Texas minister. He's baffled, angry, and not the least bit appreciative of her intrusion! Especially when she refuses to reveal her source of information.

As his next-door neighbor, ninety-two-year-old Grandma Cora has a ringside seat to Peterson's personal conflicts. Both the one that brought him to this point in his life and the latest one that started with Ammon's phone call. Grandma's been beside him, in his frustrations, for three years. And she's still listening as he confides in her his fears, doubts, and ethical dilemmas, in regard to going public.

In Grandma's thinking, she's writing this solely for her seven-year-old great-grandson Davey, who will be reading it whenever his mama decides he's old enough. Of course, she knows that she won't be around at that time because, as she puts it, "this story is definitely NOT for children!" yet she's convinced he needs to hear it, when the time is right, even if Ammons never gets her wishes to see it as a made-for-television movie.

So she tells all, with a good deal of satire, Texas colloquialism, personal pride, and a no-nonsense approach. Ultimately, Peterson gets assistance in discovering the mystery source, is forced to re-examine his initial decision about the Ammon's proposal, and finds himself feeling a lot more confident about things than he has in years. So does Grandma Cora.


Sorry, but this book is no longer available except through the author.