SUSAN SHEA AT A CROSSROADS.

 RHYS BOWEN:  I've just released book Twenty in my Molly Murphy series and I've found myself wondering when it might be time to walk away. Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm still enjoying her, and Lady Georgie, but there must come a time when a series comes to a logical end, mustn't there?

Anyway, this is what my guest today is pondering at the moment. Susan Shea is a dear friend and neighbor, allowing me to share plenty of cups of coffee or fish and chips while we mull over books and the publishing world. So I'll let you tell her about it...

SUSAN SHEA: Hi Reds, It’s such a treat to be back visiting some of my absolute favorite authors! My newest book, MURDER AND THE MISSING DOG, has just launched. It’s the fourth one set in the rural towns of the Yonne region of Burgundy, largely off the tourist path, but brimming with small pleasures, great food – and mysteries, of course!

 

I’m right now deciding if I’ll continue to write about my cast of ex-pats and their neighbors or veer in a new direction. I already had to say goodbye to Dani O’Rourke, the smart professional woman at the heart of that three-book series, and it made me sad. Now, it could be au revoir to Ariel Shepard and her friends as well as their quirky French hosts. It’s a big decision.

 Some of the Reds write stand-alones. Others write series. Have you ever contemplated giving your series characters a grand send-off, or letting them drift into the fog? And if you’re a wizard with stand-alones, do you ever think that staying with your characters as they move past one crisis might be intriguing? What do readers want?

 Info about the book:

 MURDER AND THE MISSING DOG is the second book in a series set in and around a modest, dilapidated château in Burgundy. American Ariel Shepard inherited it from her romantic husband, who secretly bought it after they visited the grounds on their honeymoon. He died suddenly before he could have it restored. She has moved to the rural town and taken on the challenge, making friends and finding a collection of off-beat local workers. She’s also found trouble, in this case the body of an eccentric old woman from the town crumpled on the doorstep of her friend Katherine’s little shop. The gendarmes are on the scene almost immediately and she and her two friends, who became entangled in a former homicide investigation, are warned not to get involved. But the police aren’t interested in the missing dog, which was Madame Toussaint’s constant companion. Ariel, Katherine, and their young English friend Pippa see no harm in looking for the dog, but of course that leads them right into the heart of the bigger mystery.

 Bio:

 Susan says she’s been writing since she was old enough to read. She left a career in non-profits to write crime fiction because it looked like more fun. She’s written three highly praised murder mystery series all of which are available in one or more formats: The Dani O’Rourke Mysteries; two Burgundy novels; and the French Château series that takes place in the same neighborhood as the first Burgundy novels. The newest château novel was published March 5. They’re all traditional-cozy style, laced with humor. Susan is past president of the Norcal Sisters in Crime chapter, and served five years on the SinC national board. She lives with two cats, blogs with some dynamite authors at 7CriminalMinds, and has an author page on Facebook. www.susancshea.com .

RHYS: Who could resist a book with a dog on the cover AND lovely French houses AND sunshine!

Susan will be giving away a signed copy to one of today's commenters!

Parley Vous Murder? A guest post from Susan Shea

RHYS: Have you ever had any horrible language mix-ups when you are abroad? I've had my share. I think the funniest was when John had a bout of tourist tummy in France once. We were staying with his cousin and the doctor was called to the house. John prepared for this visit by checking with the dictionary and announced to the doctor that something was wrong with his stool. ONLY... the word he used meant the wooden, three-legged kind of stool, not the other one. The doctor was quite amused.

 My guest today is my good friend Susan Shea who is launching a new series set it Burgandy, France. Think wine, food, old chateaux and a body or two. Perfect combination, right? So welcome, Susan. 

SUSAN SHEA : Hi Jungle Reds…although that conjures up some of my favorite writers decked out in leopard skins and red wigs, so maybe it’s not the best way for a guest to greet you all.

Rhys and I were having lunch and laughing about the trouble you can get in when you know just a little bit of another language. She told me about going into an Italian butcher shop and proudly ordering “pollo.” When she unwrapped it at her vacation house, it was, indeed, a dead chicken, complete with head and feet! She found out later, if you want it dressed, you must say something different. My first foray to France a few decades ago was delightful as long as we wanted to eat “cent grams” of pâté every day. I had no idea how to order less. One hundred grams worth is nice for one full meal, but it doesn’t leave much room for any of the hundred cheeses at the shop next door, never mind the confections at the patisserie.

You might infer that since I’ve just written two novels about an American couple who have moved to a tiny French town and are learning to cope, my French is much better now. Don’t. After more years than I care to remember of school French, after six trips, after language tapes and short immersions, I am still struggling to communicate beyond ordering food, begging people’s pardon, and explaining in halting French that I am not at the Gendarmerie to report a murder, I am there to ask a question for my fictional story about murder. “J’ecris meutres et mysteres.” Of course I say this so s-l-o-w-l-y that the bright eyed woman at the desk shoots me looks that suggest I have already overstayed my welcome.

Language is such a tricky thing. That theme runs through Love & Death in Burgundy and the follow-up book that will come out next year. In real life, two things trip me up all the time. The French speak quickly, well, actually at warp speed. Even if I figure out the first part of the sentence, I’m playing catch-up for the rest and frequently miss the point. The French also, like everyone in every language, use idioms, so even if by some lucky chance I’m doing really well, I go off the rails when someone says she makes “les doights dans le nez.” I understand these simple words: fingers in the nose. Why would someone brag about that? Ah, because it’s one of several idioms that means whatever she was talking about was easy to do.

I was thinking about American English idioms that probably make as much sense as the nose reference does…

Easy as pie

Knock on wood

Twisting my arm

Fat chance

RHYS: You'll notice Susan used the expression "Off the rails!"

What language mix-ups and triumphs have you had? What languages have you mastered? There’s comfort in not being alone, so share, please!

And Susan has let me know that she has a signed copy of Love and Death in Burgundy to give away to one lucky commenter!