Ann Thallemer will have a book signing for her latest novel “Unequal Justice” from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, at Courthouse Coffee, 2858 Frontage Road in Warsaw. The book is a fast-paced suspense novel centered around a topic one might think ill-suited for a sweet, grandmotherly 82-year-old: vicious murder.

Sit down for tea with Ann Thallemer, and it’s like chatting with a favorite, sweet grandmother.

She plays bridge religiously and gardens. Every Sunday, she hosts brunch for as many of her five children, 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren as possible. This includes her son, Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer, although Ann is quick to point out she is equally proud of all her descendants.

Eventually though, conversation turns to Ann’s second love: writing. More specifically, her latest novel, “Unequal Justice,” a fast-paced suspense novel centered around a topic one might think ill-suited for a sweet, grandmotherly 82-year-old: vicious murder.

“My grandson finished the book, and all he said was ‘Grandma!’ He was very surprised,” laughed Ann, who was the personnel director at Kosciusko Community Hospital when it first opened in 1976 through 1988. “It is about a vicious murder, but it is also about how two mothers – the victim’s mother and the accused’s mother – handle a traumatic circumstance. These are real, flawed characters that are relatable. Many people experience trauma.”

The plot of “Unequal Justice” centers around the murder of a woman in one of the town’s influential families. When a struggling young builder is arrested, old resentments resurface and fester. Families are torn apart as those they love are drawn into a web of anger and greed. Vindication is what one mother wants as she fights to clear her son’s name. As the investigation spins out of control, the chief of police struggles against all odds to go by the book.

The plot of the novel unfolded after Ann heard a snippet about an true-life event from a friend. “I love to tell stories, so I enhanced the event I had a heard about,” she explained. “I kept notes in a journal for years, but put it all on the back burner while I raised my family and nannied my grandkids.”

Ann self-published the book in 2011, but was contacted by Tate Publishing to release a second edition of “Unequal Justice” in 2013. She is also a genealogist and has authored several books on the genealogy of her and her husband’s families.

“I’ve been interested in writing since high school, but it was my father who piqued my interest in criminology,” she said. “He was an attorney in Owensboro, Ky. and while waiting for him to finish after school, I would read all of the detective magazines he had in the office. I was amazed that the criminal was always caught.”

Ann promises a grabbing read for those who like suspenseful, intriguing plots with a shocking plot twist at the end. Although she is enthusiastic that a publishing company is now promoting her novel, she’s also realistic that it may not become the next best seller. But, that doesn’t mean she hasn’t thought about a sequel. She’s currently working on a second novel that will include a few of the first book’s characters.

“I’m finally finding my stride at 82,” she said. “What have I got to lose? It may seem surprising, but it’s not as difficult to write about murder as you might think. It happens all the time and it happens to real people. I just hope to do justice by it.”

“Unequal Justice” is available at bookstores nationwide, from the publisher at www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore, or by visiting barnesandnoble.com or amazon.com.

Ann will also have a book signing from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, at Courthouse Coffee, 2858 Frontage Rd., in Warsaw.