Fictional amateur sleuth and LPGA player, Cassie Burdette, pays a visit to the Pinehurst, North Carolina area in March, with the publication of a new mystery novel, FAIRWAY TO HEAVEN (Berkley Prime Crime, March, 2005.) While in town, Burdette, the protagonist, will play in a fictional three-tour golf tournament on the fabled fairways of Pinehurst No. 2.

In FAIRWAY TO HEAVEN, the fourth in the series, protagonist Cassie Burdette, finally sees her golf game come alive. Her teammates include her estranged father (playing for the Champions Tour) and her soon-to-be-ex boyfriend, a fictional PGA Tour player. Unfortunately, Burdette is also playing the reluctant maid of honor in a Pinehurst society wedding. Add in the disappearance of the bride’s father, and Burdette’s subsequent amateur sleuthing, and the ingredients are all there for a fast-moving murder mystery.

"It’s ironic," laughs author Roberta Isleib, "but the picture-postcard village of Pinehurst is so wonderfully charming, it makes the perfect foil for a cozy murder mystery." In addition to Pinehurst No. 2, Isleib’s characters make appearances at the village chapel, the Holly Inn, the Pinehurst police station, and more. When the professional golf world arrives in Pinehurst this May for the US Men’s Open, Cassie Burdette will have played there first.

Isleib, a clinical psychologist, took up writing about golf in order to justify her time spent on the links. In addition to writing about the sport she loves, Isleib seeks to depict realistic aspects of her mental health profession to counter the wacky images often portrayed in the popular media. Isleib’s debut novel, SIX STROKES UNDER (Berkley Prime Crime, 2002) was nominated for an Agatha award for Best First Mystery and an Anthony for Best Paperback Original. A BURIED LIE (2003) and PUTT TO DEATH (2004) have followed. Her articles have also appeared in golf and mystery magazines.

"Isleib definitely shoots under par with FAIRWAY TO HEAVEN." Donna Andrews, 6-time LPGA Tour winner

"Isleib demonstrates her knowledge of golf, while still attracting readers who have never done more than putt balls over a moat and through a spinning windmill."—January Magazine