Cindy McDermott publishes second humor novel set in Missouri

Southeast Missouri native Cindy McDermott has just released her second book, “Working with Really Stupid People: The Relatives.”

The humorous book is set in the Show Me State, in a fictional town called Dimlit.

“I wrote it with the idea of bringing a smile to people’s faces,” McDermott said.

She certainly succeeds in that, and in some places, the book brings an outright belly laugh.

The main character, Jill Fountaine, was based on a real-life friend of McDermott’s.

Cindy McDermottSubmitted photo

Her friend had experienced a troubled upbringing, and McDermott took parts of her friend’s life experience and used them to bring Jill’s character to life in her first book, “Working with Really Stupid People: The Neighbors,” which was released in 2012.

When McDermott revealed to her friend she’d gotten the idea for Jill’s character from her life, the information was well received by her old pal.

“She loved the book,” McDermott said. “She bought two dozen copies, which I signed and she gave away to her friends.”

Jill’s sarcastic attitude and tongue-in-cheek tumor make it obvious she perceives most people around her as, well, inherently stupid.

The plot of the novel centers around the sale of Jill’s family’s Missouri farm. Jill is summoned home by her mother, who is reluctant to contact her because they didn’t have an ideal relationship while she was growing up.

Once back in her hometown, Jill suspects something is amiss with the real-estate deal on her parents’ property.

With the help of an old flame who never quite got over her, and her third ex-husband, who is in the real estate business, Jill discovers the scheme behind the real-estate deal.

Along the way, Jill, who McDermott said is “not a people person,” makes many observations about people in the town, her family and the town itself.

“As she continues being there, she uncovers another layer of backwoods silliness,” McDermott said.

In the end, Jill comes to make a couple of realizations.

One is it might be her perspective, not the attitude and actions of others, that needs to change. She also comes to terms with the simple fact there are no perfect children, nor are there any perfect parents.

McDermott recently held a book signing in Jackson and said the turnout was great.

Her parents still live in the area, and although the Murray State University graduate lives in Kansas City, Missouri, now, she’s looking forward to a trip back to Cape Girardeau, where she worked in broadcast journalism after graduation, this weekend.

McDermott will hold a book signing from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at The Book Rack, 50 S. Plaza Way in Cape Girardeau.

Interaction with readers is important to McDermott, and to that end, she offers something not many authors do.

For book clubs and other groups curious about how she came up with her ideas and what her thinking was at certain spots in the book, McDermott offers a 20-minute conference call or Skype session. The proviso is that they must purchase at least 10 copies of the book.

“Working with Really Stupid People: The Relatives” is available on www.Amazon.com and at Barnes & Noble and other booksellers for $7.99. E-book versions are $3.99.

For more information about McDermott and her books, visit www.cindymcdermott.com.

McDermott already is writing her third book, “Working with Really Stupid People: The Executives,” which should be released sometime in 2017.

Pertinent address:

50 S. Plaza Way, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

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Meet Cindy McDermott

When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday

Where: The Book Rack, 50 S. Plaza Way in Cape Girardeau

Learn more: www.cindymcdermott.com