Anna Flowers

15
Resident Spotlight
Anna Flowers
Despite the heavy crime books she writes, I found Anna Flowers to be a very happy person who is content with her life of writing and making music with her friends here at IRCC. She and her husband, David
Brotemarkle, both originally from the Eastern Shore of Maryland, moved to Ironsides Avenue six years ago.
During that time Anna has written her fourth book and is promoting it, even while being involved in bridge,
limited golf, Cart Barn Players, the Foggie Follies and the active social life offered here. Some of her happiest
hours are spent playing guitar and banjo with the Salty Dogs and Dixie Dogs bands, which perform at special
social events in the At Ease Club, at Colony Hall, the Chapel, and in private homes. “Give us food or drink
and we’ll play for free,” she laughs.
Anna has had a successful literary career. At twelve she was first published in a National Anthology of Literature for her age group. Her
early career was spent as a newspaper reporter, columnist, radio talk show host and boating magazine art director.
As a criminal investigative reporter she developed a strong interest in crime and crime solving, which became the foundation for her
writing books in the true crime genre.
In 1993, Kensington, NY published “Blind Fury,” the high profile case of serial killer Gerald Stano,
who murdered 41 women in central Florida. After an initial printing of 100,000 copies, the book
was distributed worldwide, sold well, and later received an additional seven mass media printings.
It was selected as a “lead title” for Doubleday’s True Crime Book Club and was offered in hardback through color ads in newspaper Sunday supplements and in major magazines nationwide.
Anna Flowers remains very busy
and involved in the the world of
writing, being a member of Mystery
Writers of America, Sisters in Crime,
National League of Pen Women and
Florida Writers Association.
In 1995, Kensington published Anna’s second book, “Bound to Die,” the case of Tampa Bay serial
killer Bobby Joe Long. It was a Mystery Guild Book Club selection, which also received multiple
mass media printings. From her home in Satellite Beach, she participated in a film documentary
for a segment of Medical Detective called Thread of Evidence, which was shown on Discovery and the Learning
Channel for five years. A classic case in police detection
before DNA, it is still aired periodically on Forensic
Files.
In 1999, Raven Press published Anna’s third book, Murder at Wayside Antiques,” about a double
homicide case in an antique shop north of Ocala. She found new readers from the world of
antiques and was invited to speak at their National Convention of Antiques and Collectibles in
Las Vegas, where she sold an impressive number of books.
Anna’s current book, “Wanton Woman,” is a true crime historical narrative set in Edgefield
County, SC prior to WW II., and tells of social activist Sue Logue, her young lover Strom
Thurmond, and her involvement in vendetta murders. Sue Logue was a dynamic, accomplished
Ben, Anna’s son, joins her for an
woman who died unfairly in 1943, and her story has been stifled for years. Political icon, former
evening book signing of “Wanton
US Senator Strom Thurmond,
Woman,” at the Barnes & Noblendbook
store on Merritt Island, Feb. 22
a Judge at the time and exempt
from military service, considered Sue’s trial so detrimental to his career ambitions that he volunteered
for active duty, leaving her to fend for herself. The murder trials received
less national publicity because of the war news. Although they were later
recognized as a legal precedent setter and widely publicized, this is the
first time this incredible story has been told from Sue Logue’s point of
view.
Anna believes success is when preparation meets opportunity. She is
thankful for good timing, a supportive husband, luck and ample energy
to respond when opportunity came. Their family includes a son, Dr. Ben
Brotemarkle, who is Executive Director of the Florida Historical Society,
and daughter Judge Belle Schumann, who has recently been nominated
for the Florida 5th District Court of Appeals. Grandsons are Alex, a
college engineering student and Ben, a high school student who plays
baseball.
The Salty Dogs
The Salty Dogs folk group includes (L-R) Burl Zorn, bass; Mary Klock, tambourine; Kathryn Rickard, fiddle; Anna Flowers-Brotemarkle, guitar; and Paul Eitel, banjo. They have been playing locally for three years at club functions in the At Ease Club and Colony
Hall, Chapel, the Piano Bar, and at IRCC home parties. Summers when some members are away, Paul and Anna play in the Dixie
Dogs group with Hal Gibson, bass; Jim Miller, clarinet; Tris Johnson, piano; Dave Brotemarkle and Marie Gibson who sing.