A novel "Strung Out" by Gigi Arnold

Gigi Arnold, a local tennis player who lives in Bucks County, has written her first novel and it’s a winner.

Strung Out is a tennis mystery that introduces Charlie McGhie and follows her through league tennis matches, a murder, and numerous other goings-on. Despite the theme, it’s a lighthearted and fun read that is hard to put down. It’s also quite funny, reminding me of Janet Evanovich’s writings on the adventures of Stephanie Plum.

Arnold is not new to writing. She has over 20 years experience as a writer for film, television and theater. She studied film at NYU, has written several screenplays, and wrote 24 mysteries for a children’s mail mystery series, The Sneaker Seekers. Strung Out, however, is her favorite project.

Arnold played tennis for American University, where she was a Communications major. She currently plays on several competitive women’s league teams, including captaining a BuxMont team out of Hopewell Tennis Club, and her tennis “continues to provide a never-ending source of material.”

“Thirteen years ago I went back to tennis. I couldn’t believe the drama and pettiness on the court and was inspired to write this book by the ongoing absurdity that takes place in ladies competitive tennis,” she said. “There’s a lot of truth in fiction.”

Strung Out, which Arnold says is selling quite well and getting good reviews, is only available as a download on amazon.com for $7.99. Her goals are to find an agent, get her book in stores and eventually adapted for film. She has already started writing the next tennis adventure for Charlie.