Choosing which of my jobs is my favorite is difficult. Helping customers find the perfect paper or pen that inspires them to handwrite something special is more rewarding than I could have ever guessed when I was a kid and first started working with my grandfather, Chester, at his shop, The Rescued Word. I’m almost thirty now and I haven’t left yet. In fact, it hasn’t even occurred to me to leave. I can’t imagine doing anything else.
Chester built a replica of a Gutenburg press that we use to help restore books back to their original glory, and even the tedious moments spent setting up the type are satisfying. And when I recreate a page from a book – well, I can’t quite describe the feeling. It’s like I’m one step deeper inside than reading – not only am I there in the story, I’m there with the author when they wrote the story.
And there’s the original reason Chester opened the shop: repairing typewriters. It’s a pretty awesome feeling to bring an old typewriter back to life. And there are so many different kinds of old typewriters; different shapes, sizes, and colors keep us on our toes. We do get our fair share of Underwood No. 5s, the workhorse of the early-to-mid-twentieth century. They aren’t flashy in the least, with their clunky, square housing made to protect their long keybars underneath. These old beasts worked well back in the day, but even something so hardy and strong is bound to lose a little footing over time. This is good news for those of us in the business of rescuing words.
So, it’s pretty difficult to choose. I guess I’m just lucky to have the chance to do a bunch of different things that I love.
If you’re ever near Star City, Utah – maybe for a ski trip, or a vacation through our magnificent state, stop by The Rescued Word on Bygone Alley. We look forward to meeting you.
To Helvetica and Back is the first book in the NEW “Dangerous Type” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime, January 2016.
About To Helvetica and Back
The New York Times bestselling author of the Farmers’ Market Mysteries and the Country Cooking School Mysteries introduces readers to Star City, Utah, and a little shop called the Rescued Word.
Star City is known for its slopes and its powder. But nestled in the valley of this ski resort town is a side street full of shops that specialize in the simple charms of earlier eras. One of those shops is the Rescued Word, where Chester Henry and his adult granddaughter Clare lovingly repair old typewriters and restore old books. Who ever thought their quaint store would hold the key to some modern-day trouble?
When a stranger to town demands they turn over an antique Underwood typewriter they’re repairing for a customer, Clare fears she may need to be rescued. A call to the police scares the man off, but later Clare finds his dead body in the back alley. What about a dusty old typewriter could possibly be worth killing for?
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GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a print copy of TO HELVETICA AND BACK. US entries only, please. The giveaway will end January 12 at 12 AM EST. Good luck everyone!
About the author
PAIGE SHELTON had a nomadic childhood as her father’s job as a football coach took the family to seven different towns before she was even twelve years old. After college at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, she moved to Salt Lake City where she thought she’d only stay a couple years, but she fell in love with the mountains and a great guy who became her husband. After many decades in Utah, she and her family recently moved to Arizona. You can connect with Paige at www.paigeshelton.com.
Great review. Thanks for the chance to win. I have been this author’s other series and have really enjoyed them.
Would really like to win this first in a series book of Paige Shelton as I enjoy her other books. I have a cousin who will only write CUZ on his notes to me but everything else is typewritten and if his breaks I don’t hear from him until he finds another one.
Sounds interesting, would like to read and check out the new series. Thanks for the giveaway.
Love to read the first book in a series and particularly when it sounds this good. Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Sounds interesting. Thank you for the chance to win this book.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
I remember typing on one of those old Underwoods. Can’t wait to get into this series.
I learned to type using an old Underwood. Hated it when a key got stuck!
Want to read this one big time. Thanks for the chance.
This book sounds great, can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
This sounds like a fun book thank you for the chance to win
Yay – new series from a favorite author!
Count me in!
Sounds intriguing. Thanks for the chance to win.
Love the cover, the old typewriter! I used to type on one like that, before I could actually type, lol, when I was little.
wfnren at aol dot com
This sounds like a great start to a new series. Thanks for the giveaway!
What an unusual shop and story! I am intrigued by both and will have to read this book. Thanks you Dru for featuring it and bringing it to my attention. 🙂 Thanks to Paige for the chance to win a copy! 😮
This sounds great!
This cozy sounds captivating ans special. Thanks.
I have enjoyed many of Paige’s books and would love a copy to start a new series. Thanks for the opportunity to win one.
I don’t have a favorite job, but this sounds like a wonderful one to have. More like a calling really. This book and the new series sound great and I really would love to win.
So glad Paige has a new series!!! 🙂
I enjoy Ms. Shelton’s other series so I know I will love this one, too. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
What a delightful concept for a story.
I find it difficult to accept that typewriters are becoming obsolete. What will we do if there is an outage and we can not use our computers? Thanks for developing a mystery around this concept. I’d love to win a copy to read. robeader53@yahoo.com
Would love to read this book!!
Sounds like a different and interestiong book, would love to read, ty for the chance
I just love cozy mysteries and this one sounds so good and i would love to read and review it !
Sounds like an absolutely fabulous beginning to what I’m sure will be a great new series. So can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the chance to win.
I think I’d really enjoy that shop. A room full of old typewriters would be really interesting in a geeky kind of way. Thanks
Always fun to read a new series, like this title. Thanks for the opportunity to win.📖📚
I’ve been waiting for this one! (Great title!) Thanks for the chance to win!
Sounds like a great read.
I remember we used to have an old Underwood, I don’t know what happened to it, I feel bad that I never held on to it.
This sounds like it’s going to be a fun read, thanks for the chance to win it.
Sounds like a great book to read for the Cozy Challenge. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
Happy New Year Dru Ann! Thank you for a chance to win this much anticipated book. Paige is one of my fave authors and I am so happy she has this new series out for us!
Sounds like an interesting read. I haven’t thought about using a typewriter in ages.
This is a book I really want to read.
The new series sounds perfect for me.
Looks great. Thank you
Sounds like a great start to a new series. Would love to read.
I absolutely love everything Paige Shelton writes! I cannot wait to get this book!!!!! Eeekk!!! Cheers to release day Paige!
Sounds like a good series.
Thank you for the chance 🙂
Sounds like a fun story! I’d love to read it. Thanks for the chance.
drinckel at yahoo dot com
Interesting mystery. Love the premise. Thanks for the opportunity.
I would love love to read this. Thanks so much for a chance to win !!
Sounds interesting. Thank you for the chance to win this book.
Love the mystery in this book. Thanks for the chance.
What a challenge manual typewriters were. I was so impressed with the IBM Selectric & its changeable type units (balls). What a great job to restore typewriters to their former glory. Thanks for the chance to win.
Love Paige’s books – looking forward to reading her latest.
I want to work there! My sister and I learned to type on a portable my mother bought us – with a record and typing book.
Looks like a fun new series. Can’t wait to read it
This sounds wonderful. I want it.
Would love to read this book 💟 Have wanted to read this fun book series 💟 Thank so much to have a chance to read 💕
So excited for this new series by Shelton! Thanks for the chance to win!
I love her other series, I’m sure I’d love this new one.
Great blurb. Love the cover. New to this series, this writer. so I am hoping this will be a quick start to what looks like a fun read. My Grandma taught me to type on her Underwood. Why would someone kill for one?. Love to find out. Thanks for this chance to do so, sooner rather than later
LOVE first books in a new series…..
Thank you for the giveaway…..
Count me in!
Contest is closed.