Are you done with that? If you are, I’d be happy to take it off your hands. Yes, I realize you were about to toss it and that this exchange may be awkward for you, but not for me.
My name is CeCe Prentice and I’m a Freegan. Don’t worry. Freeganism is not contagious and it’s not a religion. It’s more of an art — the art of repurposing what others have thrown out. Freegans believe there’s just too much darn stuff in the world and that most of us could get by, quite nicely, on what’s left over.
A day in my life? Interesting to say the least. I maintain a self-sustaining farm with my eco-minded friends on the north shore of Long Island. The north shore, also known as the Gold Coast, is a Gatsby-ish stretch of land overlooking Long Island sound. And yes, it’s as beautiful as Leondaro DiCaprio was in the role of Jay Gatsby.
Now imagine a group of Freegan anti-consumerists living off that same land within spitting distance of million dollar estates. Let’s just say the neighbors are not entirely thrilled with our alternative lifestyle. They do, however, throw out the most amazing stuff.
Speaking of neighbors, my parents live in the same part of town, in one of the grander north shore homes, a real showpiece if you like that kind of living. My father, a prominent doctor and founder of Soundview Laboratories, finds my Freegan, second-hand lifestyle an enormous embarrassment to the family name. You see, Soundview is an internationally renowned DNA facility, and my DNA, sadly, has let my father down. But as luck would have it, my twin brother’s success has more than made up for my shortcomings. Dr. Theodore Prentice, or Teddy as I call him, is the family diplomat. He’s my father’s favorite and the best brother any girl could have. No matter how wacky my lifestyle, Teddy has always supported me.
All in all, it’s an idyllic life that I share with my socially conscious pals. There’s Katrina, queen of the kitchen, Jonathan, the quiet farmer, and my on and off again former flame, Charlie Knudsen. I’d love to tell you all about Charlie right now, but we’ll have to wait for a girls’ night, complete with giant bowls of store-bought ice cream. Turns out, you can’t repurpose ice cream, so I’m hoping you’ll bring the good stuff.
Back to a day in the life of a Freegan. Well, with growing our own food and foraging for supplies, none of my fellow Freegans has a full time job, nor do we need one. Freegans live mighty cheap. That leaves me plenty of time for creative pursuits like sketching portraits for clients in my attic studio. I guess I should tell you that I have a thing for faces. Not to brag, but I have an almost uncanny ability to remember every last facial detail. Should we meet, I’ll never forget you.
Of course, too much free time can get an artsy girl like myself in trouble. At least that’s what Detective Frank DeRosa thinks, and he might be right since I’m fairly certain someone is trying to kill my family, including yours truly.
A bit about Detective DeRosa. He’s a tough nut to crack, although Charlie insists the detective has taken a fancy to me. Since I wouldn’t mind staying alive long enough to see that theory through, I’ve decided to put my talents to good use by lending my sketching skills to the cops, free of charge. Here’s the thing about DNA. It takes time to collect and analyze those bits of genetic material that careless criminals always seem to leave at the scene. I know because my father has invested a lifetime decoding that pesky double helix model. Faces, like the kind I can sketch within minutes, also hold clues, and sometimes those clues lead you right to the killer.
The question is whether I can sketch fast enough to save my own life and I hope you’ll stick around to find out.
You can read more about CeCe in Drawing Conclusions, the first book in the NEW “Sketch in Crime” mystery series, published by Midnight Ink.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on February 13 for the chance to win a copy of DRAWING CONCLUSIONS. Two lucky commenters will win a copy. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Winners will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes.
About the author
Deirdre Verne is a college professor and an active college blogger. Deirdre’s interest in green living inspired her 
to create an off-the-grid character who Dumpster dives her way though the “Sketch in Crime” mystery series. The first book, Drawing Conclusions, is available in February 2015. A member of Sisters in Crime, Deirdre’s short stories appear in all three New York chapter anthologies – Murder New York Style, Murder New York Style: Fresh Slices and Family Matters.
Visit Deirdre at her website.
Sounds like SUCH a great book. I can’t wait to read it!
What a fun cover and the story looks great, I’d love to read it!
Thanks Heather! I’m hard at work on the third book in the series now.
Clever concept. I have stuff to pass along to a Freegan. Clutter!
Thanks Barbara! I hope you enjoy it and pass it along to a Freegan.
Drawing Conclusions sounds like a awesome book. I look forward to reading it. Thank you for the giveaway.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi Jen – thanks for the kind words.
Looks like a fun new series. Thanks for the giveaway.
This looks very interesting!
Thanks!!
This author is new to me and her premise is very interesting. I would love to read this book. Thanks for the opportunity!
I hope you enjoy it!
Count me in … Thanks.
Looks interesting, thanks for the chance
Curious about this new series and the culture of freeganism. how did you come up with using it?
I read a great article in the newspaper that featured a group of Freegans. I was intrigued and thought it would make for a good book. Thanks for asking!
Sounds like a fun new series. Thank you for the chance to win
I hope others think it’s fun too. I’m working on the third book in the series now.
This book sounds fantastic! I cannot wait to read it. It has such an interesting topic, dumpster diving sounds like fun.
Think this cozy will be a lot of fun! Thank you for the chance.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)cpm
This sounds like an interesting series. I would love a copy as that would support free-ganism.
Thanks for the opportunity to win the first in a great sounding new series.
I think I recognize that hair! Love this series concept. I’ve never seen anything like it & look forward to reading it. Thanks for the opportunity.
Got to have this one! Love a good mystery with interesting characters in a locale that’s new to me. And I adore upcycling, repurposing and reusing
Sounds like a good read—thanks for yet another great giveaway!
Sounds like a great book. I love trying to find new things to do with old things or someones cast offs .Can’t wait to read this
Sounds like a fun read. I love trying new series and authors from the beginning. Thanks for the giveaway.
This one sounds good, I’m putting this one on my wish list!
Freegan it my way please! <3 Love the idea, the character and the writer!
Thanks, Dru and CeCe/Deirdre…this sounds SO good (and the first I’ve read about it)!
Dru, your interview/reviews are so appreciated. What a great way to find out about new authors and/or new series. Thank you. Of course I enjoy the opportunity to win a book too.
thank you Robin.
Haven’t heard of this series yet. I enjoyed meeting CeCe. Thanks for the chance to win!
I want to read this book because I think it would be fascinating to learn more about Freeganism and solve a mystery all at the same time. Thanks for the giveaway.
What a unique concept for a storyline! I definitely want to read this book! The cover is great! Thank you for the wonderful review and the chance to win a copy!
This sounds so interesting, and a first in the series so I can start at the beginning, love it! Thanks for the chance to win.
Can’t wait to read this book, it sounds like a lot of fun and very unique. Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
This sounds fascinating! I love re-purposing and HATE to throw things out. I am anxious to read the book! Thanks Dru and Deirdre for this opportunity.
You know, I can kind of relate to the Freegan lifestyle. I have a hard time throwing things away myself, always thinking of how someone else could get more use of of them. This sounds like a fun series, thanks for the chance to win a copy.
This book sounds very good. Thanks for the chance to win.
Sounds good! Always need a good, new series to get into!
I am do art work so this is one I book I can’t wait to read.
I do art work so this is one I book I can’t wait to read. (LOL there was no place to edit what I wrote!)
Sounds good. Thanks for the chance to win.
This sounds like a great read. I look forward to it.
We had friends who lived this sort of lifestyle on Long Island. They did not have land on which to grow food, however. But they got very good at garbage diving.
This sounds like a great book! I love to repurpose anything I can find! Thanks for the chance!
Sounds great!!
I like the idea of being a freegan—goodness knows I’m thrifty so maybe it’s just one more step. Thanks for the chance to win the book.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
can’t wait to read this book
Love starting a new series and this one does sound intriguing! Might even get some good repurposing ideas for myself. Thanks for the giveaway chance!
This sounds like a good book. Thanks for the giveaway
Book sounds very interesting, can’t wait to read it.
My husband loves to go to Goodwill to find stuff that he could use to do stuff. His main thing of interest if he sees a strap on the road used by trucker drivers. Of course, he is a truck driver. My sons and I are always laughing at him when he finds stuff.. This sounds like an interesting read.
I would love to meet Cece. She lives a very simple, self sufficient life with her friends and she’s happy with that, despite her father’s feelings. I’m happy that her brother is supportive of her lifestyle. I admire that in an individual. The fact that she’s a talented artist and never forgets a face is a rare talent. The story takes a turn when she volunteers to do some sketching for the police, in a race against time. Your review of Drawing Conclusions and your introduction to Deirdre Verne is outstanding, Dru. Thank you, both, for the chance to win this giveaway.
Sounds like an excellent book
A unique approach to a different kind of cozy mystery. I love the idea of dumpster diving. People throw away a.lot. of usable items. We lived in a small town and there was a dump and people were always throwing brand new stuff away. There are so many people who have nothing
Thank y for giveaway.
Another new series that I am excited about! Cece sounds like my kind of gal; spunky, thrifty, and and artist. Can’t wait to see all of her adventures!
Sounds like a book I would like to try. Thank you for a chance to win a copy of Drawing Conclusions.
As a repurposed hippie, I can definitely identify with the Freegans. Great idea!
This book sounds interesting, along with the “freegan” lifestyle.
oooh! can’t wait! to read it!
Interesting concept for a series. I’m thankful, Dru, that you work up features that bring new authors to my attention! I have found several new books to investigate via your “day in the life” articles. (I’m also thankful for a chance to win free books!)
so tempting to finish the face on this cover………LOL!!!
I must be a freegan at heart or somewhere on my DNA. This sketch of the book very much appealed to me.
It sounds like my kind of book, really good. Thanks for the chance to win it.
I heard of Freegans before in a Lorna Barrett book I read. Sounds good and different.
Lol. Iust be part freegan. And I have s great twin. Gotta win this one !
Thx for the opportunity!
I make greeting cards so I guess I could be called a freegan. I take things and make them into something else. Most times I have to pay for them but sometimes I’m lucky and they’re free. Sounds like a good read.
thanks
Sounds fun..
Marilyn Watson ewatvess@yahoo.com
The title is compelling. I would love to try this Nov.
Sounds very intriguing. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Thanks Deirdre for interacting with my readers.
Contest is closed.
I just finished Drawing Conclusions. LOVED it. i see above that you are working on the “3rd book”, so that begs the question, when does the second one come out? I look forward to reading it. I hope there is something about the possible “other child” in it!!!