Fighting For Anna

What Doesn't Kill You #8

by Pamela Fagan Hutchins

USA Best Book Award-Winning Series, Cross Genre Fiction
Tightly plotted and fast-paced, this romantic head-scratcher dives into 80s pop culture, a reclusive religious community, and high stakes politics.
Michele retreats to the country while her teens are away for the summer, to write the memoirs of her elderly neighbor Gidget—a reclusive former Houston art gallery owner—and learn how to be alone in the wake of her husband’s death. But when Gidget dies unexpectedly, she leaves everything to Michele except a bequest to a daughter no one knew existed. Suddenly, Michele's country quiet is shattered, and half of Texas shows some to help, some to contest the will, and others to make sure the mystery daughter is never found alive.

>>> See why Pamela has won contest after contest.
2015 WINNER USA Best Book Award, Cross Genre Fiction
2014 USA Best Book Award Finalist, Cross Genre Fiction
2014 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Quarter-finalist, Romance
2013 USA Best Book Award Finalist, Publishing
2012 Winner of the Houston Writers Guild Ghost Story Contest
2012 WINNER USA Best Book Award, Divorce
2011 Winner of the Houston Writers Guild Novel Contest, Mainstream
2010 Winner of the Writers League of Texas Manuscript Contest, Romance

˃˃˃ Once Upon A Romance Calls Hutchins an "up and coming powerhouse writer."
If you like Sandra Brown or Janet Evanovich, you're going to love Pamela Fagan Hutchins. A former attorney/investigator and a native Texan from Amarillo who spent ten years in the Caribbean and childhood vacations in New Mexico, Pamela splits her time between Nowheresville, TX and the frozen north of Snowheresville, WY.

˃˃˃ The reviews are in, and they're good. Very, very good.
“Immediately hooked." — Terry Sykes-Bradshaw, Author of Sibling Revelry

"Spellbinding." — Jo Bryan, Dry Creek Book Club

"Fast-paced mystery." –—Deb Krenzer, Book Reviewer

"Can't put it down." — Cathy Bader, Reader

"LOVED IT!" — Marcy McKay, Author of Pennies From Burger Heaven

˃˃˃ Check out the entire What Doesn't Kill You romantic mystery series.

Genres: Contemporary, Mystery

433 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 4, 2016

About the author

I'm a USA Today bestselling mystery/suspense/thriller author and a big horse and sled dog enthusiast.

My hunky husband and I ride our beloved draft cross horses way up in the frozen north of Snowheresville, WY, where we run a rustic, off-the-grid lodge on the face of the Bighorn Mountains. When I'm not writing or riding, I'm passionate about wilderness sports, always with a couple of rescue dogs, bear spray, a mountain lion knife, and my Judge. NO ANIMALS HAVE BEEN HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS LIFE ADVENTURE (but don't sneak up on me).

I've made some lists and won some awards, yada yada. Amazon Charts Top 25 bestseller. USA Today Bestseller. The Silver Falchion for Best Adult Mystery WINNER (Fighting for Anna), the WINNERS for USA Best Books Fiction: Cross Genre (Hell to Pay, Heaven to Betsy), and others. With books "in print" of over 3,000,000, readers seem to enjoy the books—I think they have exceptionally good taste. {insert goofy grin here} Lots of them follow my show Wine Women & Writing, too, where I fangirl my favorite authors and interview them for your listening and viewing pleasure. Subscribe free at http://bit.ly/PamelaWWWR <--case sensitive.

You can read my series in any order or as standalones, but they're a lot of fun if you do them like this:

* Detective Delaney Pace (coming soon!): Her Silent Bones, Her HIdden Grave, Her Last Cry, Her Forgotten Shadow, Her Burning Lies, and Her Cold Heart.

* Patrick Flint Wyoming-based series (PG):
Switchback, Snake Oil, Sawbones, Scapegoat, Snaggle Tooth, Stag Party, Sitting Duck, and Skin & Bones. #9 coming in 2026.

* The Jenn Herrington Wyoming Mysteries (PG-13):
BIG HORN, WALKER PRAIRIE, and RED GRADE coming in 2026.

* What Doesn't Kill You Super Series:
1.Caribben-based Katie Connell (PG-13): Saving Grace, Leaving Annalise, Finding Harmony, and Seeking Felicity
2. Texas-based Emily Bernal (PG-13): Heaven to Betsy Earth to Emily, Hell to Pay
3. Texas-based Michele Lopez Hanson (PG-13): Going for Kona, Fighting for Anna, Searching for Dime Box
4. Wyoming-based Maggie Killian (R, language): Live Wire, Sick Puppy, Dead Pile (plus shorts Buckle Bunny and Shock Jock)
5. Caribbean-based Ava Butler (R, sexual situations): Bombshell, Stunner, Knockout

I also have a children's book series featuring Poppy, the world's best grandfather, and Petey, his blind Boston terrier.
Free starter library https://pamelafaganhutchins.com/maili...

If after all that you still want to learn more about my books, my podcast, or me, then God Bless Ya.

There are many ways: My website and its blog. The aforementioned newsletter. Email me: Pamela at PamelaFaganHutchins dot come. And you can follow me around the web:

Website: https://pamelafaganhutchins.com
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/pamel...
Pamela's Posse for Readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pamel...
Facebook http://facebook.com/pamela.fagan.hutc...
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/pamelafa...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pamela_faga...
Twitter http://twitter.com/PamelotH
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/pamelafaganh...
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/pamelafaganhu...
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@pamela_fagan...
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pamelafaganhu...

And, finally, to learn more about my fellow SkipJack Publishing authors, visit: http://skipjackpublishing.com/.

Reviews

[Ridgely · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life must go on after a spouse dies, even if he is murdered. Michele Lopez Hanson knows this.

“Fighting for Anna,” by Pamela Fagan Hutchins opens with Michele and her two teenagers arriving at the site only to come face to face with a crazed, white floppy haired little dog running frantically around them… in an obvious attempt to get them to follow him- Suddenly, Michele recognizes the pup- Gertrude, the small dog belonging to her*neighbor.* as the crow flies. Michele insists on pursuing the white furry dog/guide.Her visiting children, Annabelle and Sam, join her.

On the way there Michele shares Gidget’s request to Michele ... to write Gidget's memoir. After clawing through an near impassable terrain bordering the two areas, they arrive at Gidget’s modest dwelling. A quick look inside reveals Gidget on the floor- seemingly unconscious- possibly dead.

Things happen quickly then- 911 is called, paramedics arrive, and police begin questioning… the “all too familiar” goings on of death- natural and otherwise. Michele had lost her mother just weeks before.
Upon receiving the clearance to leave the scene, Michele has no idea that the promise she made to Gidget just a few months ago to help her write her memoir would suddenly turn into an inherited estate ... with Michele in charge of unraveling Gidget’s (who we now know is Anna) past! Thus Fighting for Anna takes hold.

What follows next is why readers flock to Hutchins’ books. Hutchins writing is sharp, the plotline is well thought out, the characters well developed, romantic chemistry churns… and frankly, Hutchins is funny. Yes, integrated with the seriousness of discovering exactly what happened to Anna years ago after she left town and returned a broken woman, Hutchins entertains readers with the characters’ deep emotions and the real-life challenges each face. She digs past the surface fluff many of us carry around and in doing so endears us to Anna.

We trust Hutchins and her faith in Michele’s gut instinct about Anna. Hutchins opens a vulnerable side many of us have after a profound loss- the reader walks the path with Michele. Then the reader cannot help but cheer on a budding romance felt belt between Michele and Rashidi, a Virgin Islander Michele met at best friend Katie’s wedding. This reminiscent moment brings delight to Michele #1 readers yet is not critical to the plotline in Fighting for Anna. On the contrary, not only do the new readers anxiously await the third and final book in the Michele series, they use this time to read Going for Kona, the first in the Michele series!

Hutchins use of vivid details and Michele’s running self-narrative keep the reader glued to the storyline. Many different endings run through the reader’s mind with each page read. Not until the very last page does it all fall into place.

Ah, the feeling of fulfillment one gets after finishing a good, no, a great book. Cannot wait for the next one, Pamela!

[Karen Forcum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, what a great book start to finish. Pamela Hutchins makes the characters come alive.

[Tiffany Eckhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured Fighting For Anna in a couple days, just couldn't put it down. A big caveat, my love for this book isn't ONLY because Pamela used Flown The Coop (my store in Burton) in her newest release in the What Doesn't Kill You Romantic Mystery Series. She also used my son Hayden as the Barista and uses the area I call home as the backdrop for this mystery. The characters frequent some of my favorite places, like Royers Round Top Cafe and Home Sweet Farms in Brenham.

I love how Pamela weaves the personalities of her first seven mysteries into each new one. I fell in love with each Protagonist and their friends & family. Michele's story begins in Going For Kona (#4). You don't need to read it first to jump into Fighting For Anna.

Fighting For Anna grabs you from the beginning and takes unexpected turns. I didn't see the ending coming at all. I can imagine several directions Pamela can take with Michele and Maggie. Can't wait to see where Pamela takes their story next.

[Marcy McKay · Rating 5 out of 5]

With each new Pamela Fagan Hutchins' book, I love this author more and more. Fighting for Anna has it all: suspenseful plot, interesting characters and strong writing. This story delighted me!

[Doreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: In exchange for my honest, non-biased opinion I received a free copy of this book

Absolutely my favorite book in this series to date and I believe readers will find this story entertaining, entrancing and page-turning. I can't wait to read the next of Michele Lopez Hanson's adventures. Having read Ms. Fagan Hutchins Maggie Killian stories, Fighting for Anna, tied everything together in a well written novel that explained all the connections in an amazing, interesting and exciting novel. The vivid, descriptive words enhanced my enjoyment because they had me visualizing events, people, places as if they were happening before my eyes.

Following the death of her mother, Michele's father tells her she has a brother that was relinquished for adoption prior to their marriage. She becomes determined to find him, if possible. At the same time Michele's neighbor, an unusual, eccentric woman (who calls herself Gidget but was born Anna), convinces her to write the woman's autobiography. Unfortunately, the woman dies; apparently murdered. To add to the mystery, days later Gidget/Anna's attorney calls to say Michele will inherit her farm, it's contents and so on. She's tasked with continuing penning the autobiography, finding the daughter given up for adoption and locating a rare, antique automobile that had belonged to the woman's father, decades earlier, which she's to give the long-lost daughter. But, was there really a baby born? If so, who was the father? What about the woman's jaded history? Did she merely think she'd had a child? There's people who don't want any of those things to be discovered, which leads to danger and mayhem for Michele and anyone close to her. Gertrude, the deceased lady's weird but strangely cute dog become Michele's new sidekick.

Michele still grieves for and deeply loves her husband, Adrian, who was killed less than a year before, yet finds herself at a crossroads when Rashidi, an intriquing, attractive man, Michele met at a mutual friend's wedding, invites her for dinner. He speaks with a sexy Islander accent that drives Michele to distraction. Add to that she meets Maggie, the owner of an “antique” shop and the odd pair become friends. They along with Sam, Annabelle and a cast of unique, sometimes frightening characters (including a guy called Lumpy, art gallery owner and a smarmy, sleazy politician named Boyd Herrington) take us on a twisting, turning adventure to learn Anna/Gidget's backstory to reach the exciting conclusion about Anna/Gidget. To be continued..who is, where is Michele's brother?

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read or listened to any works from this author before, however I didn’t feel like I was lost or missing anything throughout the book. The past was never over explained either, so that a plus if you’ve listened to the previous books!

I really enjoyed this book a lot! Its a little out of my supernatural wheelhouse, but a good book is a good book!!!

The writer offers so much depth and detail that every scene really just comes alive in your head. At times the detail bogged me down a little. It is mystery novel, so I wanted to be sure I wasn’t missing any important details.

With that said, from the very beginning the story takes you in and you don’t want to stop listening! Despite the fact that there are quite a few players I was never confused or lost. The narrator didn’t give an overly emotional read, but I felt like that was ok and it matched the characters personality. She was clear and I enjoyed her voice.

I do agree with other reviews that this is not a romance novel. However, I really enjoyed the new friendships made in this book the most and the personal and vulnerable moments that the characters shared.

I look forward to checking out more from this author!

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. You never know where Pamela is going to take you with one of her stories and this one a pleasant surprise. The book is meant to be a romantic mystery but as Michele's husband died in the first part of the trilogy there is not much romance, although a hint of who it might be is given in this book. I can't wait for book three to see who she ends up falling for. Don't worry is you haven't read the first one because it nicely goes over the previous book but not in to much detail that if you have read it you get bored. I managed to get through this book without any tissues and I loved learning more about Michele and her family.
After the death of her husband Michele moves into a caravan on the property her husband brought for her and soon meets her elderly neighbor. After learning the fact that Michele is a write she asks her to write her life story but Michele and her children stumble over her body before she can do more than unpack a box photos. When Michele discovers that she was written into the will in Lou of payment she feels obligated to continue with her wishes and write the book. This has far reaching conquerences as her story contains a secret that someone wants kept berried at any cost.
The narrator was good and easy to listen to.

[Susan Hamann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michele is still reeling from her husband's murder, 11 months ago. She decides to move to a rural town in Texas, where her husband had bought land and a camper for them to enjoy. She has met an older neighbor, Gidget, who asks Michele to write her life story. But when Gidget's dog appears and Michele's place and clearly wants Michele to follow her, Michele's world changes forever. Gidget is dying and it appears that maybe someone has murdered her.

Michele doesn't know who in the small town to trust. Everyone seems to have an agenda. Meanwhile Michele finds out that she has inherited a fortune. And her kids have issues in their own lives. To further complicate things, Michele is still trying to maintain her job from a distance, her mother has died and her father reveals a long hidden secret. And there are two men who seem to be romantically interested in Michele while she still grieves her husband.

As in other books written by the author, there is a lot going on and there is danger hidden everywhere. I did have to put it down a few times before I could finish it, but I wanted to read it through in one sitting.

For readers who have read the Maggie series, she makes an appearance in this book too. I highly recommend this book.

[Claudia]

The plot of this story is fantastic, and, as always, the writing is very, very good.

One of the things I really liked was to see how Michele is slowly healing. She is still clinging to his dead husband, but she also is accepting that she needs to let him go. Rashidi will maybe be the person who can help her when she decides to take this path.

Michele is asked by her neighbour Gidget to write her story. But Gidget dies before Michele has a chance to do it, and leaves everything to Michele, except for an old Jaguar, a bequest to her daughter. A daughter about whom nobody seems to know a thing. Michele knows that she needs to find Gidget's daughter if she wants to write the book and truly fulfil her last will.

But when is discovered that Gidget's death wasn't natural, things get complicated. Which, of course, won't stop Michele in her search for the truth about her neighbour. Learning Gidget's story alongside with Michele is a very interesting journey. One that also proves to be dangerous and held more than one surprise.

An enthralling, page-turner mystery with characters that are not only interesting but also lovely and very realistic. A very recommended read.

Natalie Gray does an outstanding job with the narration

[Trudy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michele is still learning how to live without her husband and now her children are getting ready to leave the nest, at least for the Summer in Sam’s case. Nothing is easy for her, not even retreating to the country home site her husband bought for their anniversary before his death. When a dog comes running at Michele and the kids their life will change forever once again!

A new mystery and intrigued are quickly throwing a monkey wrench on Michele’s plans for the Summer. She gets no time alone and some hair raising moments in this latest installation of series!

I always love the various characters, personalities, beliefs, etc. of Pamela’s characters and this book has a ton of my favorites! I actually started reading Pamela’s books with Live Wire and Maggie so it was great seeing her from before her stories begin.

I really loved this story and can’t wait for the next one!

[Margery Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing read by Ms. Fagan Hutchins
Although I hadn’t read the previous book in this series, everything was laid out by the author so that it made no difference. Michele still hasn’t felt it necessary to move on after the murder of her husband and has decided to spend the summer alone of the property he bought as a surprise for her. She is still doing her running as they had done, but she misses his encouragement. When her neighbor asks her to write her memoirs about her life in the world of art, she accepts only to have Giget found murdered. She then finds out that Giget has left her most of her estate in exchange. Little does she know what she is getting into as danger and threats on her, her friends, and children’s lives come to the fore. However, she prods along to a truly surprising conclusion. Definitely a must read.

[Cherye Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. A little disappointed


I am conflicted with this book. It was a great read. The storyline, the characters.....I am amazed with all of Ms. Hutchins's books is that they are fresh, fun, emotional, and have a feel good vibe.

What I didn't like.
The author was getting a tad bit political. If this was crucial to the plot it is one thing. When it comes out from nowhere it is political BS. What offends me is the new definition of journalistic integrity". "I will force my OPINION on you" and not what it used to mean by reporting FACTS not opinions.

Write a good read please and leave political s out of things. Especially when making silly statements about the Right.

[Jay Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great and imaginative story with many interesting wrinkles. The characters are very true to life and include some famous names. The writing is clear and very communicative. This is another bok that I just couldn't stop reading. Anna in the story dies at the beginning, and the balance of the book is a struggle to uncover her murderer and write her story. In side plots, the heroine manages family issues, grief and a possible reluctant romance. The characters tie together with other of the author's books, bringing a touch of understanding and familiarity for those who have read them. Despite living in Nowheresville and Snowheresville, Hutchins has become my new favorite author. Everything she writes is great. I received a copy of this book for joining her fan club.

[Kenneth Lingenfelter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michele goes to their summer home in the mountains. She is working on a biography of Gidget, whose real name is Anna. She was a co owner of an art gallery at one time. Gidget's dog, Gertrude, leads Michele to her home to find her unconscious on the floor. Gidget later dies at the hospital. A will that leaves Gidget's house to Michele is contested.A daughter no one knows about. Someone is trying to keep Michele from writing the biography and getting the house. Suspicious activities and break ins are happening. Enough going on to keep your interest until the end.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is there anything more complicated than murder? Yes, a long lost child…
We continue with Michele’s journey as she is making a home out of the house that her belated husband bought her as a surprise. She befriends her next door neighbor who tasks her with finding a long lost daughter. Tragically, this lady is murdered before Michele can get to the bottom of the story. Now, there are two mysteries to solve. While there is some foreshadowing, it was satisfying to turn the final “page” and eat my last piece of chocolate as a salute!

[Lindsay Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fighting for Anna is the eighth book in Pamela Fagan Hutchins’ “What Doesn’t Kill You” series. I found Fighting for Anna, as well as all of the books in the series, to be very enjoyable. These books are quick reads with lots of twists and turns as well as lovable and complex characters. In Fighting For Anna, we follow Michele Lopez Hanson through the challenges of moving forward in life after the loss of her husband Adrian, the recent loss of her mother, and news of a brother given up for adoption before her parents were married. Looking for a new start, Michele has relocated from Houston to the country property in Lee County, her last gift from Adrian, for the summer.

We are thrown right into the mystery as Michele finds Gidget, the elderly neighbor that had sought out her help in writing her memoirs, alone and injured in her home. Michele quickly takes over the care of Gidget’s dog Gertrude and plans to fulfill Gidget's last wish of sharing her story. When the police determine that foul play was involved in the death of her neighbor, Michele and her new furry sidekick go on a mission to learn more about the eccentric old woman in order to tell her life story, solve her murder, and find a daughter that no one knew she had.

[Ellen White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michele is alone for the summer, a place, Adrian brought as a surprise.
Her neighbor Giget was known in the art field and wanting a book written. She was murdered before it was completed, and changed her will leaving most to Michele. Which brings friends and foes out, as she is determined
to finish, a captivating story with good narration by Natalie Gray.
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion

[Suzette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another epic Pamela Fagan Hutchins story as Michelle finds herself in the middle of another murder mystery. She is in her new home town trying to get her bearings a year after losing her husband. She has a potential new boyfriend along with new human and animal friends. I love the crossover with the Maggie series and how seamlessly they mix. It is another wild ride as she tries to stay ahead of the criminals and solve the mystery without getting hurt.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little did Michele Lopez Hanson know that when her husband died and she decided to spend some time ‘in the county’, that her neighbor Gidget was going to be in her life for a while. Maybe not literally, but definitely a part of it.
Who killed Gidget? It takes a while to find out, but you will eventually find out.
Good action-packed mystery by Pamela Fagin Hutchins. It’s what you get with her books. Well done!

[Kathy Schouten · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have come to really like Michele and her family- and her new friends, especially Rashidi John from the Katie series. It’s been a year since her husband was murdered and she’s moved to the country land he bought her and is trying to move forward with her life. She is so believably written- her highs and lows- are so real. In trying to write a memoir of a new neighbor she opens a hornets nest and the ensuing murder and mayhem is typical Hutchins.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book from the very first page! This book follows Michele after her race in the previous book Going for Kona, which I also loved. Fast paced, filled with wonderful interesting and complex characters. The story has lots of twists and turns, murder and mayhem! I love MIchele! She is a very strong and brave character. I cannot wait to read more about her in the future!

[Myra · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love a good story/ mystery, you need to read this book?

I couldn't put down even one of these amazing books! I've read all of them and I'm on to the next one.
The characters are so real, they jump off the page. The story just flows. The descriptions of the area make me want to visit Texas.
A truly great read! 👍

[kc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hutchins writes the best mysteries. Michele must fill a murdered artist's request; write her memoirs and find the daughter given up at birth for her inheritance. But, someone does not want that book written.

[BeverlyB · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved every book in this series! Fighting for Anna was totally awesome! The next chapter in Michele's story. While still grieving Adrian, she finds herself drawn into another mystery. Loved it!

[T Olsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story, very well written and with fantastic characters. It can be read as a stand-alone, but the whole WDKY series is interconnected with several branches, and you'll probably want to read each of them in sequence.

[Debbiebooknerdyoung · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has all the feels, with a murder, some mayhem, and a lot of laugh out loud moments mixed in. This makes the book a wonderful rollercoaster ride of mystery and suspense that you won't be able to put down.

[Paula Sindberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michele is a really relatable character. She’s pretty normal (though with some early menopause symptoms) and her kids are very believable teenagers, yet Michele gets in incredible scrapes. Very enjoyable

I received an ARC copy of the book in return for an honest review.

[Denise Cosper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprises abound

Michele Lopez Hanson is a bad ass. I love this story. Characters such as Maggie, Gidget, Annabelle and Sam make this story what it is.
This is full of secrets, betrayal, and new found family and friendship. I could not put it down.

[Sally Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spellbinding

Keeps you on the edge of your seat and turning the pages (or swiping to the left) Michele is such a down to earth hero. One of my favorites!

[miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Great read,can't wait to read the next book in this series.
Gave rating of five as it's a can't put down read