Friday, April 28, 2023

From Mystery to Memoir @LeslieKarst


LUCY BURDETTE: I love our guest Leslie Karst's culinary mysteries starring Sally Solari. But she's branched out into something almost entirely different with her newest book--I'll let her tell the story!


LESLIE KARST: As soon as the big event was over, I wrote down all I could remember of how I finagled my way into hosting an intimate dinner party for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and her celebrated tax professor/attorney husband, Martin, as well as all the planning and preparation—and angsting and obsessing—that went along with the experience. But then there it sat on my computer for many years as I was sidetracked, first by my work as a research and appellate attorney, later by writing and promoting my Sally Solari mystery series.



Leslie and Ruth, the night of the dinner


Finally, after much egging on by my wife, Robin, and other people who knew of the document’s existence, I decided that the extraordinary story needed to be out there, for others to read. But once I opened the file and began to read what I’d written all those years earlier, I saw that I had a problem: the manuscript wasn’t ready for publication. Not by a long shot. For although I’d set down the facts—all that had happened to me along the way to finally sitting down with Ruth, Marty, Robin, and my mom and dad on that memorable evening—I’d failed to include much anything about how the experience had affected me personally. 


The issue, I realized, was that this story was a memoir, something I’d never attempted before. 


But I do have five mystery novels under my belt, I said to myself. And memoirs are similar to novels, right? Both tell a story, have a narrative arc, and tend to contain the same elements of dialogue, discrete scenes, dramatic highs and lows, and a payoff at the end. 


So what would be the big deal, switching from one to the other?


As I set out to revise Justice is Served, however, the process felt far different from writing my Sally Solari series. For this story was about me; I had to be honest about myself in a way not required of fiction. No easy feat. Although my mysteries are written in the first person (and many are convinced that Sally is, in fact, simply my far braver and riskier alter-ego), I’d never before had to delve deep within myself and then share those innermost thoughts on paper—for the world to read. 


But, of course, it is this very personal nature of memoirs that sets them apart from other writing—and what makes them so very compelling. Stories of love, loss, and lessons learned. Stories that allow the reader to peek into the one’s soul, to experience the author’s journey towards awakening, or redemption, or simply the discovery that she’s exactly where she wants to be, after all. 



the table is set for the big event


In order for my memoir to truly resonate with others, I had to be completely honest and open about my personal journey and about how the experience of cooking for RBG had affected me—as a lawyer, as a romantic partner, as a daughter, as a person. 


So I set to work. And it was only after this emotionally arduous re-write that the book came truly alive, transformed from merely the story of a fancy dinner into one of simultaneously searching for delicious recipes as well as purpose in life—and a reminder that it’s never too late to discover and follow your deepest passion. 


Readers—For a chance to win a signed advance reader copy of Justice is Served, answer this question in the comments: Are you a fan of memoirs? If so, what is it you enjoy about them?


About Justice is Served:

In this true-life Julie and Julia meets Notorious RBG mash-up, former attorney Leslie Karst recounts how finagling her way into hosting an intimate dinner party for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg sends her on a journey of culinary discovery—and, ultimately, completely changes her life. 

Justice is Served is Karst’s light-hearted, earnest account of the journey this unexpected challenge launched her on—starting with a trip to Paris for culinary inspiration, and ending with the dinner itself. Along the way, she imparts details of Ginsburg’s transformation from a young Jewish girl from Flatbush, Brooklyn, to one of the most celebrated Supreme Court justices in our nation’s history, and shares recipes for the mouthwatering dishes she came up with as she prepared for the big night. 


The daughter of a law professor and a potter, Leslie Karst waited tables and sang in a new wave rock band before deciding she was ready for “real” job and ending up at Stanford Law School. It was during her career as a research and appellate attorney that she rediscovered her youthful passion for food and cooking, and she once more returned to school—this time to earn a degree in culinary arts. Now retired from the law, Leslie spends her time cooking, cycling, gardening, observing cocktail hour promptly at five o’clock, and of course writing. 


In addition to Justice is Served, she is also the author of the Lefty Award-nominated Sally Solari Mysteries, a “snarky cozy” series set in Santa Cruz, California. Leslie and her wife and their Jack Russell mix split their time between Santa Cruz, California and Hilo, Hawai‘i. 


Visit Leslie’s website to learn more about and purchase the book



47 comments:

  1. Congratulations, Leslie, on your book [and, I’m presuming, a delightful dinner] . . . .
    Am I a fan of memoirs? Yes, because the author’s experiences and discoveries always make for interesting reading . . . and understanding each other better might just help to make the world a bit kinder and gentler.

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    1. Thank you, Joan. And I like your observation that by helping us understand each other, memoirs might just make the world a better place--lovely!

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  2. I do enjoy memoirs, they are my second favorite sort of reading, after mysteries. I appreciate the extra sharing by the authors besides the facts. I just read Justice Is Served this weekend. I liked learning more about all the people, and was such fun to read the details about implementing the dinner.
    Cathy Smitha

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    1. Thank you, Cathy! So glad you enjoyed the book!

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  3. Congratulations on your book, Leslie. (What an honor to cook for RBG!) I haven't read much memoir, but I loved your description of the process. It still sounds daunting, though, and much harder than novel writing. Hats off to you that you can do both.

    Lucy, I went back to yesterday's post to answer your question as to why my husband and I moved to Portugal.

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    1. Thanks, Elizabeth--it was indeed a challenge! (And now I'm quite happy to return to my mysteries again...)

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  4. Congratulations, Leslie. This memoir sounds like one that is both honest and fun to read. I like memoirs more that autobiographies. Autobiographies sometimes read as the author wanting to get revenge on old deeds done to them. Memoirs are more reflective, in my opinion. What I don't care for is the pastiche book that is a 'tell all - as told too.. your friendly ghost writer. Welcome back to JRW's. I anticipate reading about your life and times.

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    1. Yes, those ghost-written celebrity memoirs can be pretty darn tiresome, I agree! (But they make for good work for the workhorse ghostwriters, though!)

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  5. Leslie, congratulations on your new book. From your description and the characters involved, it sounds like something I would love to read. It is the type of story one tells to a group of friends as you sit around visiting and talking about extraordinary experiences. I cannot wait to read about how you came to prepare a special meal for a icon like RBG.

    I haven't read many memoirs although I have several in my TBR pile. I came late to mysteries and am trying to make up for lost time. Even reading every day, it's hard to make a dent!! Best of luck with this story. It is on my TBR list, for sure.

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    1. Agreed about those darn TBR piles, Judy--it's daunting how many I have in mine! But far worse than the alternative, though, right? And thanks so much; I hope you enjoy the book!

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  6. I consumed this book earlier this month and didn’t want it to end. What an extraordinary honor to even meet RBJ, never mind wine and dine her. Thank you so much for sharing this experience and most of all for the skinny on scallops! I’ll defrost my own forever more.

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    1. Ha! You are so welcome, Ann! And thank you so much!

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  7. You know how much I love this book, Leslie, and I'm so delighted it's out in the world in its new, improved form. I do love memoirs. I just finished Ari Shapiro's, read Nina Totenberg's last summer, and have a hold on Mary Louise Kelly's new one. (Yes, I am an NPR junkie.)

    I wrote one myself - A Year in Ouagadougou - that is in the drawer, but talk about needing work! Maybe one of these days....

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    1. Thanks so much, dear Edith--and for your beautiful blurb, as well! And I want to see that memoir, girl!

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  8. Congratulations on the book, Leslie! It is definitely being added to my TBR list.

    I really do very much enjoy memoirs when they are as you mentioned -- honest, heartfelt, and truly revealing the personal journey of the memoirist. What I enjoy about them is the same as what draws me to fiction: humans are fascinating, and each one's journey is unique. It is a privilege to immerse myself in someone else's journey (fictional or, even more, real) for a while and be entertained and inspired. On the other hand, I am very selective -- I reject FAR more memoirs after a quick glance than I ever pick up to read. I think a memoir must be one of the most difficult genres to write. As I said, yours sounds wonderful and I am eager to pick it up!

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    1. Yes, I'm very picky about memoirs, too, Susan. But they're a little like the little girl with the little curl: when they're good, they're very, very good, but when they're bad, they are horrid. :)

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  9. I enjoy memoirs, and in fact, spent a period of a couple of years reading them almost exclusively. What I like most about memoirs is reading about how the writer was affected by the times in which she lived. (Most of the memoirs I’ve read have been written by women).They sometimes inspire me to seek out memoirs by other writers who are from the same era.

    I look forward to reading yours.

    DebRo

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    1. Yes, it's fascinating to read first-hand accounts of how people were affected by their time and culture! If you haven't already done so, I recommend you check out the journals of Isabella Bird, a marvelous Victorian lady who traveled alone throughout Hawai'i, Japan, and other places--they're terrific!

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    2. Thanks for the recommendation!
      DebRo

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  10. LESLIE: As your foodie twin, it's no surprise that I enjoyed reading JUSTICE IS SERVED. Thanks for sharing that memorable and pivotal experience with us. I also learned a valuable lesson about how not to reheat soup, lol.

    I do enjoy reading memoirs. They provide fascinating and frank insight into a person's life journey.

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    1. Ha! Thank you so much, my dear foodie twin, Grace! So glad you enjoyed the book!

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  11. I love a memoir when it tells a personal story well so that I can find bits of myself and my own journey in its telling and my reading of it. Even if my life story is radically different, the emotions and motivations of the writer can often connect with this reader across the pages. That's what I love about a memoir, and I am surely going to read yours, Leslie! Congratulations for tackling this genre.

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    1. That's a lovely way of putting it, Amanda, for one of the best things about memoirs is how they bring forth the common human experience we all share. And thanks so much!

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  12. Leslie, wow! It's very cool that you got to host RBG and her husband. I definitely want to read this. I do enjoy memoirs. One that comes to mind was the brilliant Song in a Weary Throat by Pauli Murray, It gave me such a glimpse into the history she lived through and helped shape.

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    1. Thank you, Gillian--it was indeed a truly amazing experience!

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  13. I like reading memoirs so I'm interested in yours, for sure. After trying to write one about a period in my life, I have a new appreciation for how challenging they are to write. They're not just "what I did on my summer vacation." Documenting the emotional impact on everyone involved and being truthful about it is challenging to the point of "gulpy." Congratulations! Especially on your evening with a trailblazer soon to become a legend.

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    1. Ha! I am definitely now going to incorporate "gulpy" into my vocabulary--what a marvelous and perfect word! Thanks you, Rhonda!

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  14. Leslie, this book sounds so compelling - I can't wait to read it.

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  15. Oh, Leslie, what an amazing story! I am so fascinated by RBG. I'm going to have to read this. I've written a few memoir-ish pieces and writing it after writing crime novels felt like I needed to put on a different head, never mind a different "hat." And then of course one has to keep asking oneself the question: will anyone care. In THIS case, the answer is a clear OF COURSE THEY WILL!

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    1. Ha! Yes, nothing like tidbits about RBG to catch people's interest! And I love that--I definitely had to put on a new head to write this memoir! Thanks so much, Hallie!

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  16. Leslie, how cool is that, making dinner for RGB! I'm definitely looking forward to reading all about it. For the most part, I enjoy memoirs as they seem to be about a rather specific time period or event, a snippet of life, you might say.

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    1. I do love "slice of life" stories, because you get so involved in the details of the moment. Thanks so much, and I hope you enjoy the book!

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  17. Perfect timing. I just ordered your book for my niece's birthday. Her book wish lists always includes titles involving actual women, not fictional. As for me, I'm trying to remember the last time I read an autobiography, maybe in school. I do know I avoid those "tell all" books. Just not my cup of tea. (That wasn't intentional, I promise.) Memoirs might be a better fit. I've assisted with various wedding and funeral receptions but to cook an intimate meal for a dignitary? I'd probably burn the napkins and try to serve an undercooked dessert.

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    1. Yes, "tell all" books are not my cup of tea, either. Ugh. And burning the napkins--love it! Thanks so much for buying the book, Deana, and I hope your niece enjoys it!

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  18. A well-written memoir invites the reader into the author's life. When done with honesty and openness, this reader comes away with a feeling of intimacy--of having shared something extremely personal--whether humorous, painful, soul-searching, or quotidian--with the author. Looking forward to this book, Leslie!

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  19. Congratulations, Leslie. I'm really looking forward to reading your memoir.

    My oldest daughter just attended a lecture by Nina Totenberg about her long, close relationship with Justice Ginsburg, and she bought Totenberg's book as a gift for me. RBG was a pivotal figure in our lifetime, and I eagerly await learning more about her.

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    1. Nina's book is marvelous--you'll enjoy it for sure!

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  20. Congratulations, Leslie, on your new book and for having the courage to step away, if only momentarily, from your successful mystery series to writing a whole different form. You should also be congratulated on successfully preparing a meal for the amazing RBG in an intimate setting where you as the chef are front and center as a participant in the evening. You must have nerves of steel. I'm looking forward to reading just how you did feel when deciding on a menu and fixing it and watching RBG eat it. This memoir is an opportunity for readers to see how an author has lived before becoming an author, what shaped you and how you handle challenges. I love learning backstory for authors. They don't exist inside a vacuum; they have life experience just like we do. Well, maybe not just like we do. I don't know anyone else who has prepared a meal for RBG. And, we get a chance to see RBG in a personal setting and with her husband. Who doesn't want to read about that? I'm so glad that you are sharing this unique experience with your readers.

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    1. Thank you, Kathy, for your so very sweet comment! It was indeed nerve-racking, but also incredibly exhilarating!

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  21. Just wanted to say I commented earlier and Blogger apparently ate it. Grrr. Leslie, I've been excited about this book since I first heard about it (you had me at scallops) and my copy is winging its way to me! But I'm even more eager to read it after hearing about your process. Thanks so much for sharing this!

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    1. Thank you so much, Deborah! (And yes, Blogger can act in mysterious ways....)

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  22. As you know, Leslie, I loved this book so much!!! Delighted to see it out in the wild for others. Congratulations!!!

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    1. Thank you, Jenn, and thank you for your beautiful blurb of the book!!

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