AUTHOR BITTY MARTIN FEATURED SPEAKER AT GARLAND COUNTY LITERACY COUNCIL’S READ BETWEEN THE WINES

Bitty Martin, Author of Snake Eyes: Murder in a Southern Town, to be featured speaker at the Garland County Literacy Council's “Read Between the Wines” fundraiser on February 23, 2023.

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SNAKE EYES: MURDER IN A SOUTHERN TOWN 

IS HONORED WITH NEW ENTRY IN THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ARKANSAS

On December 5, 2022, the Central Arkansas Library System announced Snake Eyes’ as a “new entry” in THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ARKANSAS.

BITTY MARTIN BOOK TALK - JUNE 7, 2022

A post-release virtual interview with Snake Eyes: Murder in a Southern Town author Bitty Martin with Paul Kagebein, Garland County Library. See Video @ YouTube/garlandcolibrary

BITTY’S BOOK SIGNING - MAY 22, 2022

Bitty Martin's book signing to be held at Hot Springs’ (Arkansas) historic Central Theatre for Snake Eyes: Murder in a Southern Town on Sunday, May 22 at 2:30 p.m. “I chose the Central Theatre because it’s right around the corner from Central Junior High School where most of us last saw Cathie Ward, the first victim in the book, when we picked up our report cards on June 2, 1966. We didn’t know what would happen to her three weeks later.” 

SENTINEL-RECORD FRONT PAGE ANNOUNCEMENT OF MAY 2022 BOOK RELEASE! 

Hot Springs author to release book about 1966 murder: Hot Springs author Bitty Martin’s book, “Snake Eyes: Murder in a Southern Town,” will be released on May 16 by Prometheus Books. The true story takes place in Hot Springs and recounts the suspicious death of 13-year-old Cathie Ward at Blacksnake Ranch in 1966 . . .

HOT SPRINGS BOOK FESTIVAL - APRIL 7 - 9, 2022

“As part of the second night of the first-ever Hot Springs Book Festival, Bitty Martin, author of the upcoming and highly anticipated Snake Eyes: Murder in a Southern Town gives her debut book talk ahead of release."

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Martin was one of five Arkansas authors invited to the three day book festival. Other authors included: David Hill, The Vapors: A Southern Family, the New York Mob, and the Rise and Fall of Hot Springs, America’s Forgotten Capital of Vice; Corabel Shofner, Almost Paradise; Ayana Gray, Beasts of Prey; and Elizabeth Eckford, from the 1957 desegregation crisis at Little Rock Central High School. See Video @

YouTube/garlandcolibrary

SNAKE EYES AUTHOR TO ADDRESS DAR

Bitty Martin, the author of “Snake Eyes: Murder in a Southern Town,” being released May 15 by Prometheus Books, will address the NSDAR John Perciful Chapter when it meets at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 3, 2022.

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

DECEMBER 13, 2021 BOOK REVIEW

“In an arresting debut, Martin delves into how one violent man rocked her hometown, Hot Springs, Ark., in the 1960s. When 13-year-old Cathie Ward was killed while horseback riding at Blacksnake Ranch outside Hot Springs in the summer of 1969, the ranch’s owner, Frank Davis claimed she fell off her horse and was dragged to death. Rumors suggesting Davis was somehow responsible swirled, but it would take another death before the truth about the riding accident came out . . . This sad and frustrating tale of when the justice system fails and a killer pays only a small price for his crimes deserves a wide audience."

BILL CLINTON

“Snake Eyes is a gripping ture crime tale well-told. The story of a nice young girl lost too soon and those determined to find the truth and get it out. It happened in the author’s hometown, and mine, and played out against its culture of denial and decency, crassness and caring. There’s a lot of real life her. Read it!"

BONNIE HEARN HILL, AUTHOR

THE RIVER BELOW

“Quirky, well-drawn characters and an iconic Southern setting . . . Martin’s compelling true story reads like a mystery novel."

MARA LEVERITT, AUTHOR

ALL QUIET AT MENA

“Cathie Ward’s killer convinced police the teenager died being dragged by a horse. But her friends harbored doubts. Decades later, one of them, author Bitty Martin, scrutinizes the saga that traumatized her town--finally giving Cathie’s murder the attention it deserved."

MICHAEL BISHOP, AUTHOR

A MURDER IN MUSIC CITY

“Haunted by the death of one of her classmates in 1966, Bitty Martin takes us on an incredible journey as decades later she discovers the shocking secrets behind an ‘accident’ turned murder. Prepare to read in one sitting--a riveting story of an amateur sleuth seeking truth and justice."

JAN MEINS, AUTHOR

MURDER IN LITTLE ROCK

“The title is a nod to Hot Springs’ past with gambling and gangsters. The writing is smooth, bold, and well researched by an author who’s emotionally invested in the place, time, and characters, making Snake Eyes a great read."

LIZ ROBBINS, EXEC. DIR.

GARLAND COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

“In Snake Eyes: Murder in a Southern Town, Bitty Martin performs brilliantly as a detective and as an author. She grippingly reveals a murderer and compassionately remembers his victims. I found this fascinating re-creation of a town, a time, and tragic murders completely compelling."

LADAWN FUHR, CREATOR/HOST/PRODUCER 

6 DEGREES OF THE DELTA

“Bitty Martin has delivered an outstanding debut tome. Snake Eyes is a history mystery that will take the reader on a rollicking roller coaster from start to finish. Chock full of real-life characters, this book is a binge read, and a must read for anyone who enjoys good storytelling."