Saturday, May 29, 2021

Books as Wish Fulfillment by Kate Carlisle, author of The Little Black Book

Jenn McKinlay: She's here! She's here! My amazing plot group buddy and partner in all manner of shenanigans is here to share the latest on her upcoming release The Little Black Book (which is FANTASTIC)!!! Yay! Everyone, please welcome the amazing Kate Carlisle!

Kate Carlisle is the New York Times bestselling author of two ongoing series: the Bibliophile Mysteries featuring San Francisco bookbinder Brooklyn Wainwright, whose rare book restoration skills uncover old secrets, treachery and murder; and the Fixer-Upper Mysteries (as seen on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries), featuring Shannon Hammer, a home contractor who discovers not only skeletons in her neighbors' closets, but murder victims, too.


Kate: My husband and I love to travel. I’ll confess that the freedom to travel was a big part of why I wanted to be a writer. (And the tax write-off for research trips didn’t hurt!)

Right about the time the pandemic hit in March 2020, I was starting to work on the book that would become Little Black Book. Like so many other people, we’d had to cancel a trip, and planning future trips felt impossible with so many unknowns. I think that’s why I wanted this story to be an adventure, even more so than usual. I wanted to get away from COVID, to get out of my mind, out of my house, out of my life.

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Writing Little Black Bookwas my escape, and I hope reading it will be an escape for you. As bookbinder Brooklyn Wainwright and her British security expert Derek Stone follow the clues discovered in a first edition of Daphne du Maurier’s classic Rebecca,the action takes them from San Francisco to the wine country commune where Brooklyn grew up and all the way to a castle on the shores of Loch Ness.



 

In essence, there are four settings in Little Black Book to take you out of your mind, house, and life: San Francisco, Dharma, a luxurious private jet, and Scotland. As a bonus, I’ve included one recipe from each of the four locales at the back of the book, plus a fifth recipe to tie them all together. I’ve included one of the recipes below to whet your appetite, but first. . . 

 

ABOUT LITTLE BLACK BOOK 


San Francisco book-restoration expert Brooklyn Wainwright is on the case when a rare edition of Rebecca leads to murder in this latest installment of the New York Times bestselling Bibliophile Mystery series.

Brooklyn and her hunky husband, security expert Derek Stone, have just returned from a delightful trip to Dharma, where the construction of their new home away from home is well underway, when a little black book arrives in the mail from Scotland. The book is a rare British first edition of Rebecca, and there’s no return address on the package. The day after the book arrives, Claire Quinn shows up at Brooklyn and Derek’s home. Brooklyn met Claire when the two women worked as expert appraisers on the television show This Old Attic. Brooklyn appraised books on the show and Claire’s expertise was in antique British weaponry, but they bonded over their shared love of gothic novels.

Claire reveals that during a recent trip to Scotland she discovered her beloved aunt was missing and that her home had been ransacked. Among her aunt’s belongings, Claire found the receipt for the package that wound up with Brooklyn and Derek. Claire believes both her own life and her aunt’s are in danger and worries that some complications from her past are coming back to haunt her.

But just as Brooklyn and Derek begin to investigate, a man who Claire thinks was following her is found murdered, stabbed with a priceless jeweled dagger. With a death on their doorstep, Brooklyn and Derek page through the little black book where they discover clues that will take them to the shadows of a medieval Scottish castle on the shores of Loch Ness. Under the watchful gaze of a mysterious laird and the irascible villagers who are suspicious of the strangers in their midst, Brooklyn and Derek must decode the secrets in Rebecca to keep their friend’s past from destroying their future....




Savory Cheese Scones

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 Tbsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp garlic salt

2 Tbsp sugar

8 Tbsp cold butter, cut into small pieces

1/2 cup Greek yogurt

1 egg

1-3 Tbsp cold milk, divided

2 oz sharp cheddar cheese, cut into 1/8-inch pieces

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided

2 Tbsp fresh chives

Whisk or sift together the flour through sugar. In a separate bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt and egg, then put in the fridge until you're ready for it.

Cut the butter pieces into the flour mixture until it resembled wet sand. Stir in the cold yogurt/egg mixture. The dough is meant to be crumbly, but if it won't come together at all, sprinkle with one tablespoon of cold milk and stir again. If it still won't come together, sprinkle with one more tablespoon of cold milk. Fold in half the grated Parmesan, all of the cheddar and all of the chives. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and form into a ball of dough, and then into a round disk, about 3/4-inch thick by 9 inches in diameter. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Cut the disk into 12 wedges. Put 1 Tbsp cold milk in a small dish and brush top of each scone with milk. The sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese. Bake about two inches apart until golden brown, about 20 minutes.


Do you love to travel? What dream trip would you like to take, if money were no object? 

56 comments:

  1. Oh, the story sounds amazing and the scones look delicious, Kate . . . thanks for sharing the recipe. I’m looking forward to reading “Little Black Book” . . . .

    I’ve not done a lot of traveling, so almost any trip sounds delightful. If money were no object, I’d get myself a spot on one of the SpaceX rockets and spacecraft taking private citizens to the space station . . . .

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    1. Oh, now that would be SUCH a fascinating trip! I hadn't even thought about off-world dreaming. Bet you'd have to pack light. ;) (But then, you probably don't need sunscreen.)

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  2. Kate, I'm thrilled to know there's a new Brooklyn Wainwright! Sounds like great fun.

    Where is Dharma? I could not find it with a cursory Google search, so I'm not sure which country it's in.

    I do love to travel, but haven't done much lately, of course. But we just bought plane tickets to visit our daughter in Kenya this summer. And we are taking my 16-year old grandson, who is beside himself with anticipation.

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    1. Oh hurray Karen, so glad you will be able to visit your daughter!

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    2. How fabulous that you're traveling all the way to Kenya! That's a real dream trip. Although since your daughter lives there, perhaps this isn't your first visit? So fun that your grandson will be experiencing that adventure with you. I'm with him. I'd be beside myself with excitement, too.

      Dharma is a fictional town in California wine country. It's the commune where Brooklyn grew up. You won't find it on a map; it's only real in our hearts. :)

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    3. Oh, man, it's been so long since I've read these that I'd forgotten! And I am clearly missing at least one book since I didn't realize Brooklyn had gotten married. I need to catch up.

      It will be our fist visit to Kenya, but we took a two-week safari in Tanzania eight years ago, so not our first trip to Africa. Our daughter is going to be there for a couple more years (a three-year assignment with the State Department), so we hope to get to go at least once more, too.

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    4. What a delight! I'd love to go on a safari. A bucket list trip.

      Brooklyn and Derek got married in BURIED IN BOOKS. :) Hope you'll enjoy catching up!

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  3. Those scones sound delightful. I might have to do some baking later!

    I would take a small guided history-and-birding tour to New Zealand and Australia, with stops in Japan both ways, with additional focus on food and luxury accommodations! Thanks for letting me dream. ;^)

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    1. Let me know if you make them, Edith. The aroma in your house will be delightful, I guarantee.

      That does sound like a dream trip. What I especially like about your idea is that birding would get you away from the usual tourist hot spots, so you can see a different side of the countries you visit.

      And YES for food and luxury accommodations!

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  4. Welcome Kate! So funny that we were both "in" Scotland last year. The books sounds like so much fun! Had you visited before you wrote it?

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    1. Hi, Lucy. That is fun. :) Yes, I have visited Scotland. Edinburgh is one of my favorite cities in the world. In this book, we bypass Edinburgh and fly by private helicopter to a village on the shores of Loch Ness. I loved every second of it!

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  5. Congratulations on your new release! What a pleasure to "travel" in your writing during 2020.

    Next up: Paris, Dordogne, and Provence. And then Greece: Delphi and Crete at the top of my list. I'll have to reread Helen MacInnes before the Greece trip.

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    1. Both sound like a dream. I envision sun-drenched ruins and white sand beaches in Greece. And flowing white linen clothes. Which means I'll need to go shopping before I get on the plane. ;)

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    2. Margaret, will your luggage be big enough for a stowaway? I promise to bring my ereader with Helen MacInnes' books.

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  7. Kate, your new book sounds fabulous. Scotland is magical... I remember looking out and expecting Brigadoon to rise out of the mist. (Karen, that trip to Kenya sounds so exciting! And it's always so much more fun to visit someone living there... a totally different experience from being "just" a tourist.)

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    1. Thank you! She is so happy we have plans now, and can't wait to share what they've learned and seen so far. Plus, it helps a LOT to have somewhere to stay.

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    2. Karen, Dharma is the commune where Brooklyn grew up. The characters there, including her parents, show up all the time in the series.

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    3. Yes, I had those Brigadoon moments, too, Hallie. The countryside is so lush and green. "Magical" is the perfect word for it.

      Thank you, Judy! <3

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  8. Kate, welcome to Jungle Reds and thanks for the recipe. I'll try it as soon as fresh chives show up at the store.

    I am excited about your new bibliophile mystery but think I still have some catching up to do before I get to this one. I'll need to see which one I read last, but Brooklyn and Derek's trip sounds so good to me right now, that I may just read this one out of order;-)
    (I know, you're all shocked!)

    We are looking at a rafting trip this fall, tent camping, cooking over an open fire, sleeping under the stars! (Or alternately, soggy and miserable, bailing a raft out for 100 miles.)

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    1. LOL!! I won't judge you if you read them out of order, Judy. The mystery is self-contained, so honestly, a new reader could jump right in with LITTLE BLACK BOOK and not feel lost.

      I'm going to send out good vibes for the first alternative for your rafting trip! The second sounds like it would be memorable for all the wrong reasons.

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  9. This is so fabulous – – the book and the scones! where would I go? I just— need to think about that! It got me to wondering how the world is out there now, you know? but it is always wonderfully safe inside a book—so yours is perfect!
    You have been writing for such a long time… I remember your first book coming out. Wow, congratulations! Xxx

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    1. Thank you, Hank! Yes, HOMICIDE IN HARDCOVER was published in 2009, so I've been published for 12 years (and writing for many more years than that). LITTLE BLACK BOOK is my 30th published book, if you include the ebook novella, PAGES OF SIN.

      30 books, and I'm still pinching myself. ;)

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    2. Kate, I'm writing my 30th - and pinching myself, too!

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  10. I wouldn't say I love to travel. I am definitely more of a homebody. But if I was going to take the dream of a lifetime with an unlimited budget, I'd be visiting Ireland, Scotland and England. Of course, I'd do it during the summer months so I could pop over to Germany for a week or so during the heavy metal festival season so I could go to the Wacken Open Air and Keep It True events. And after all that, on my way home, I'd stop off in Hawaii.

    And then I'd never really have to go traveling again because I'd have worked in every place I wanted to go in one admittedly lengthy trip and I could just stay home forever after that.

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    1. It would be lovely to spend an entire summer in Europe!

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  11. KATE: I am always happy to virtually travel to San Francisco and Dharma with Brooklyn and Derek. The added locales of Loch Ness are a bonus.

    Personally, I love to travel. If I had my choice, I would go to Peru and do the Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu, then go to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.

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    1. Oh, Grace, that would be a wonderful trip! Such incredible scenery, and you'd learn so much about the natural world.

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  12. It's cold and gray and windy here. Savory scones and a trip to Scotland sound like a perfect way to spend this afternoon, Kate!

    Unlimited budget? I might not be home for years--first stop, Ireland, then I'd work my way around the world. So many archaeological sites I'd love to see!

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    1. That does sound fascinating! I read an article a few months ago about mosaics that were uncovered in Italy, and they're just spectacular. I'd love to see them in person.

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  13. Oooh, that looks like Urquhart Castle. Loch Ness is such a moody body of water, isn't it? If money was no object I'd hit the road and probably not look back! I'd start with the UK, cover Europe, then cross the Mediterranean and check out a number of places in Africa. Then back to India, if they're recovered, to see more of it. And from there, who knows?

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    1. "Moody" is the perfect word for Loch Ness. Every day is different and beautiful in its own way.

      Sounds like you love to travel as much as I do, Pat!

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  14. Kate - Aren't we supposed to rent out a Scottish castle -- preferably, haunted! -- for our next plot group weekend with Paige Shelton? We can eat your cheesy scones, drink tea, and chase the ghost. Yes? Please say yes!!!

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    1. Yes, and again yes, yes, yes! :) That would be the most fun ever. Think of the bad breakfast choices we could make on the road.

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    2. Jenn, yes! That would be so fun!

      Diana

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  15. I've always said I would love to travel to England, Scotland and Ireland. Side trip would be to Norway, and maybe find the town my great grandparents left for the new world. Or maybe I could take day trip on Hwy 12 toward Sonoma. I know Dharma is fictional but I envision it tucked away, someway between Glen Ellen and Boyes Hot Springs under Sonoma Mountain. I'm looking forward to traveling to Scotland again with Brooklyn and Derek. I think I only need to pick up some yogurt to make the scones. They would be nice to have around for this three day weekend.

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    1. If you make the scones, let me know how they turn out, Deana! You can imagine you're in Scotland as you enjoy them.

      That would be so fascinating, to see where your great grandparents came from. Think of the courage that would take, to leave your home and everyone you know and love, to step into the unknown. Incredible.

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  16. Kate, sorry to be late to the party today, but just wanted to say that I'm ordering this book right now! Such fun, and Scotland is exactly where I want to be!!

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    1. Thank you, Deborah! I hope you'll enjoy it!

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    2. Deborah, I loved Scotland. My great grandfather was born in Scotland.

      Diana

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  17. Kate, welcome to Jungle Reds! I preordered your book because this looked intriguing and I wanted to support the wonderful bookstore that always captions their virtual book events!

    IF money was no object, there are many places that I would love to travel to. I would love to travel to Wales, Ireland, Scotland, England and Scandinavia. I would love to visit the Jacques Cocteau Oceanography museum in Monaco. I would love to visit Quebec in Canada. Prince Edward Island in Canada because of the novel Anne of Green Gables.

    Diana

    p.s. Sorry I am late to the party today. I am working on my Summer Guide to Books post for my blog this weekend.

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    1. That sounds like a wonderful topic for a blog post! We bibliophiles are ALWAYS looking for our next read.

      I hadn't heard about the Oceanography museum. I'd love to see that, too. Talk about a mystery!

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  18. Don't worry Debs and Diana, when I'm late, no one is later than me! An unexpected weekend guest has taken up my morning (sounds like the start of a cozy mystery, doesn't it?)

    Anyway, I've really enjoyed traveling via book, and if the travel includes tummy-rumbling descriptions of food, so much the better. Not having read the prior books, I'm wondering where Dharma is? I only know it as a philosophical construct, but I'm guessing Brooklyn and derek aren't building a house in the eternal reality of nature.

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    1. Julia, thanks! I am only guessing here. Kate, please correct me if my geography is off. I think Dharma is a town north of San Francisco. Perhaps in the California wine country similar to St. Helena or Calistoga or Glen Ellen or Rutherford or Kenwood ?

      Diana

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    2. You're very close, Diana. Dharma is a few hills over from Glen Ellen.

      LOL, Julia! You have a way with words. Brooklyn and Derek's house is on the outskirts of Dharma, but it overlooks the eternal reality of nature. ;)

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  19. Kate, Little Black Book sounds irresistible, with the connection to a rare edition of Rebeccas and four different great settings. What's not to love? My problem is that it is #15 in a series I have been wanting to start, but haven't yet had the time to do so. The good news is that after years and years of being a stickler about reading a series in order, I have allowed myself to jump into a series at a late starting point and found it is quite doable. So, I might have to start with this one of your Bibliophile Mysteries series.

    Travel. I always enjoyed it, but with the pandemic keeping us all homebound, I find I am having to teach myself to get out again and go places. I'm taking my baby steps, and I believe I can make it back to planning a trip. My destination for my big trip is England, and if I were to make it a complete dream trip, I'd see Scotland and Ireland, too.

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  20. That's very interesting, Kathy, that you're relaxing your rule to read series in order. I think that's a great idea, honestly. Each Bibliophile Mystery is self-contained, so there's no reason you have to start at the beginning. I can see where that would feel like too much pressure. Just jump in. You can always go back if you decide you love the series.

    I want to get back to England, too. There's just something about fish & chips in an English pub... ;)

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  21. Just came by to see what everyone contributed. We have quite a nice community of book lovers!
    I love reading the books in order because the development of relationships in series is as important to me as the mystery. I'll always remember the first time Brooklyn met Derek!

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  22. I have loved all the bibliophile mysteries. My dad was a bookbinder and I’m a librarian. I can’t wait to read this one as my favorite book of all time is Rebecca!

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    1. Thank you, Mary! It's one of my favorites, too, and I adored revisiting the story of Rebecca while writing LITTLE BLACK BOOK.

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