The Peak of Summer

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: If August is the top of the ferris wheel of summer, this week is the very tip, the moment before the wheel begins to fall back to earth. It's the arc of a baseball just before it descends into the waiting glove, the three-scoops cone about to start dripping onto your hand - but not yet, not yet.

For those of us in the civilized regions of the country, it's still two weeks before the school buses call us all to duty - three before Labor Day puts the final coda on the summer of '18. Its the perfect time to assess what you've done and, more importantly, what you want to do before the first cool breezes of September start to blow.

For me, I've done more traveling than I planned this summer, some celebratory (being there for the Jungle Reds appearance at Brookline Booksmith) some fun (time with extended family in the mountains of Vermont) and some sad (My mother's death and funeral.) I've cooked less than in previous years, giving away a lot of my wonderful CSA produce. I've read more, however, and had many lovely lunches and dinners with friends.

What's left on my summer bucket list? More open-faced tomato sandwiches. Fresh-picked corn from the local farmstand. The last concert of the Portland Chamber Music Festival, this coming Saturday. I went to this past Saturday's performance and it was amazing! So I'm very much looking forward to the evening.

We usually see several Shakespearean plays each summer, but with the sad demise of Maine Shakespeare, its been more difficult this year. Instead, Youngest and the Smithie and I are going to see a family favorite, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, at the Lakewood Theater on the shores of Wessenrunsett Lake in north-central Maine. 

The big event for me isn't very summery - it will be moving Youngest into her dorm at the University of Maine (Orono) at the end of the month. So I guess I'm looking forward to lots of runs to Target and Bed Bath & Beyond to buy dorm stuff.

Afterwards, however, one of my bffs and I will celebrate with our annual visit to Old Orchard Beach, Maine's largest white-sand sea shore. When our kids were little, we would park our butts in our chairs and watch them run in and out of the surf. This time around, instead of packing  a picnic for seven, we'll have grown-up snacks and Mojitos - made from Lucy's recipe, of course! - in the cooler.

How about you, Reds? What are you trying to get done on these last days of summer? 

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Ah, ah, ah. I have to write five million blogs and articles about Trust Me. Do seventy five billion interviews about Trust Me. FINISH A WHOLE NEW BOOK. Plan a launch party, confirm a book tour, have the launch party (you're invited! August 28 at Brookline Booksmith!)  Keep up on social media. Sleep, see my husband, remember to go outside, remember to do laundry, think every single solitary minute about whether people will love TRUST ME. 

It got a starred review from Booklist, YAY! Which called it "A knockout." So, that's good. And Library Journal says: It's sure to be a late-summer hit! So, yay.
So no lazy-hazy says for me. Just crazy! But TRUST ME, wonderful. Now, back to writing A WHOLE NEW BOOK!

JULIA: Okay, so we're crossing you off the "Lazy haze of summer" list and putting you on the "New York Times Bestseller" list.

INGRID THOFT: Where did the summer go?  I feel so old saying that, but it’s true.  I feel like I’m just getting in the summer groove, only to have it end in a few weeks.  So what are my plans for the remaining days?  I have a lot of writing to do, particularly because September is full of travel, which always translates into less productivity.  I have some niggling errands to run: the cobblers for a pair of shoes, the tailor for the lining of a purse that has become a black hole, and Goodwill to donate various items that need a new home.  We also have some events on the social calendar including a cookout we’re hosting on the 39th floor roof deck of our building, and a Tuscan-themed dinner our friends are cooking.  There aren’t many weeks left, but there’s a lot to look forward to!

JULIA: I have to mention that August has been very good to Ingrid so far - her novel DUPLICITY is a finalist in the fiction category of the Washington State Book Awards!

LUCY BURDETTE: I knew the summer would be hectic and it certainly has been! Book launched, family hosted, friends seen, family reunion, golf played, and of course you know about losing my precious Tonka. All that said, there is more good stuff I need to cram in. We have a dear niece coming to CT with her little kids--will want to see plenty of her. I have a number of events still planned--are you near CT? Hope to see you at one of them. Our garden is bursting so I'm *hoping* to get some pickles made etc. And I want to play more golf because I'm playing well for the first time in several years and it's so much fun when that happens. And reading--I want to read and read and read! Rhys's new book and Hank's and Jenn's, just to name a few. Oh, and write a little too???

HALLIE EPHRON: Summer has been super hectic for me, too. I've been at Yale teaching at their annual summer writing conference, in Oregon teaching at Willamette Writer, in Sacramento giving a writing workshop for their Sisters in Crime chapter, and just back from NYC presenting at the Writer's Digest NYC Conference. I love my life!  In NY I got to see my kids and 2 grandbabies who live in Brooklyn. 

THREE more weeks of summer and I plan to enjoy doing nothing. I have some writing to do, but mostly I shall eat lobster (they're so cheap this year), eat local peaches, take walks, slow down and sit out in my backyard. And I have Rhys's FOUR FUNERALS AND MAYBE A WEDDING and Lucy's DEATH ON THE MENU to read, so life is good.

JULIA: Yes! They're on my nightstand right now!


JENN MCKINLAY: The Hooligans go back to school during the first week of August (no idea why they do that in AZ - we all hate it) so summer is pretty much over for us. Wah! Now it's school, homework, activities, go, go, go. *Sob*

JULIA: That is just wrong, Jenn. So very wrong.
 
DEBORAH CROMBIE: Only three more weeks??? I would say, YAY, only three more weeks, if I didn't have so much writing to do. We are so over summer here. We always are here in Texas by August, but after our record-breaking heat in July we are just dreaming about cooler weather. The bucket garden is pretty shriveled, although we may get some fall tomatoes. We certainly didn't get any summer ones--it was too hot. We did have a good peach season but that's finished as of this last weekend. I'm just back from my one August trip/event, so nothing on the calendar for me except writing until Bouchercon! 

JULIA: How about you, dear readers? What are your plans for the last days of summer?

The Truth about Book Tours from Ingrid and Hank

HANK: Boarding passes! Wake up calls! And wonderful memories. Ingrid's on the road for DUPLICITY--so let's talk book tour--with all its secrets, pitfalls and crossed fingers. And, if you're lucky, occasionally room service. Secrets below! 

  

INGRID: A book tour is an amazing, albeit exhausting experience.  But book tours—especially for series—can also be weird, like you’re in a time warp.  Depending upon your publication schedule, the book you’re promoting may well be a distant memory.  My publishers like to get my books from me a year before my pub date, so by the time I hit the road, I’m well into writing the next installment.  I have to remind myself what’s been revealed in previous books, what’s in the new one, and what secrets are in my computer waiting to be sprung on the readers a year later. 

HANK: Exactly. By the time the book comes out, I’m well into the next—even, because of the schedule, still working on it! You really have to yank your brain from the story you’re writing—to the one that you’re so delighted finally exists, with a gorgeous cover, and wonderful reviews, and whew! It’s finally time to talk about it.  If only you could remember it.

INGRID:  There has been at least one occasion during which I’ve had to ask the readers to remind me of a name or a timeline issue, which is kind of embarrassing, but it’s hard to keep track of dozens of characters.  So be kind if the author suffers from a momentary brain freeze; most likely she’s trying to avoid any spoilers!

HANK:  SO funny—people say—why did such-and-such a person do whatever? And I think—ah, I have NO idea! But one or two stops into the tour, I’m back in the flow. And it’s wonderful.

But book tour has its techniques. Pitfalls. And secrets. Right? For instance:

Aisle or window?  Why?

INGRID: Aisle, because I know I’ll need the restroom, and being stuck in the window will make me need it even more.

HANK: Oh, yeah. Climbing over two sleeping people is so impossible. Even though I love to look out the window and see the geography change, aisle has its compelling plusses.

Airport secret?

INGRID:  That the candy you buy in airports has no calories.

HANK: Oooh, true! I love having oatmeal with raisins. Such a treat. And on a big layover, you can buy a day pass to an airport lounge. (Amazing. Free cheese.)  Also  I love to get there so early! I Fitbit around the concourse and get steps. Instant exercise, and no stress.

Worst or best airport experience. 

INGRID: I love seeing my book in the airport bookstore.  That never gets old.

HANK: SO great! But I have to say the worst: The time I was sitting at the wrong gate. Why?  So tired. Because so may flights are so early in the morning, lots of the time I am sleep deprived. Luckily at one point groggy me thought, wow, aren’t they boarding? And yeah, they were. But not where I was. I made it. Barely. 

Room service?

INGRID: Yes!  Eating on the road is challenging because you’re generally traveling or at an event.  Sometimes I’ll order room service after an event when I can put my feet up and relax.  I’ve also learned that even though it’s over-priced, a solid room service breakfast sets me up for a good day.  Nobody wants a hangry author!

HANK: Oh, my gosh yes.  Those tiny moments, by yourself, with a hamburger and salad and wine and the chocolate chip cookies I hoarded from Jet Blue, and watching Project Runway or Chopped. I’m not kidding—it is heaven.

Hotel secret?

INGRID: I don’t have any hotel secrets!  Hank?  You guys?

HANK:  Got it from Rhys—take a photo of the room number so you don’t forget where you are. I usually use mnemonic devices like  if I’m in room 117—well, that’s easy Jonathan’s birthday. Or 203? That would be February 3. Why is that easier? AH. It just is. PLUS: take the skim milk from the free breakfast and use it in your tea.

Worst or best hotel experience?

INGRID: I was getting ready to leave a very nice hotel in Texas, looking around and gathering my belongings, when I spotted a ginormous cockroach on the floor.  I think it was dead, but I packed with the speed of Usain Bolt.  I did not care if things were left behind!

HANK: Bug for me, too! I arrived at a hotel in some Midwest place, and there was a printed notice on the desk with a photo of a HUGE—I mean HUGE—bug. And it said—Dear Guests, I’s corn bug season. If you see one of these in your room, no problem, they are not dangerous. I thought—If I see one of those babies in my room, you will hear my shriek all the way to the lobby.

You won't believe what happened at one bookstore....

INGRID: …they hadn’t set up for the event.  There was a mad dash when I arrived, which is always a great way to start a public appearance!

HANK:  Very reassuring. Yeesh. Oh, mine was a two person event. They did not have my books., only hers. I had CALLED, to make sure. And was assured they’d have them. When I reminded them of the call, they said oh, we  thought you were talking about HER books.

(Um, why would I be doing that?)

But! Later they asked me back for a huge event. So, all worth it.

Reading from your book--or not?

INGRID: I’m torn on this one, and obviously, I defer to the bookstore.  I lean towards not reading and having more time to interact with readers.

HANK: Ah. I rarely do, unless specifically asked. I have seen it fail with others, I mean—miserably. But when it’s good, it’s terrific.

Best part of touring?

INGRID: Definitely meeting readers and bookstore people.

HANK: Oh, gosh, I agree. And I can confess to you, I count my blessings every second. How lucky we are to get to do this!

Where we'll see you next? Together in Framingham!

HANK: Ingrid’s coming to Boston! And I’ll be interviewing her at Barnes and Noble in Framingham at 7pm—oh, please come see us!  I read DUPLICITY last week, and it is quite special, and truly riveting. And lots to talk about!

INGRID: So Reds—do you go to bookstore and library events? What do you think about authors reading? Any advice for touring authors? And authors, tell us your secrets!

Happy pub day to DUPLICITY!

RHYS BOWEN: By now you all know that we have two wonderful new Reds. Last week we celebrated the release of Jenn's latest book and today I'm delighted to announce the release of Ingrid's fouth book in the Fina Ludlow private investigator series. I should add, because I'm sure Ingrid won't, that this series has won the Shamus Award for best private eye novel and is being turned into a TV series by ABC. And Booklist has said, "“Thoft’s fourth Fina Ludlow outing (after Brutality, 2015) finds the tenacious Fina in fighting form, juggling personal and professional demands to attain justice despite the cost. A winning addition to an entertaining series.”—Booklist  

So we're hoping for good things for this new book, Ingrid. The stage is yours for your first Jungle Red post!

INGRID THOFT:

I'm thrilled that DUPLICITY, the fourth book in my Fina Ludlow series, hits the shelves today! 

Fina is a private investigator in Boston who gets most of her jobs from the Ludlow family firm of personal injury attorneys.  DUPLICITY features a slightly different kind of case for Fina:  Her father has asked her to investigate an evangelical church as a favor to an old friend, Ceci Renard.  Lead by a charismatic pastor and his wife, the church seems to have tremendous influence over its congregants, one of whom is Ceci’s daughter. 

Fina tries to dig into the church’s practices and finances, only to be thwarted at every turn, and the situation grows more serious when a congregant turns up dead.  The investigation raises questions about faith and power, and Fina is forced to contemplate these concepts within the context of her own life and complicated family.

A top-notch investigator, Fina relies on her intuition to steer her in right direction throughout the case.  When her gut clenches or the hairs stand up on the back of her neck, she pays attention.  Everybody has intuition (not just investigators,) but some are better than others at heeding it.

Listening to one’s intuition is a critical skill for investigators, both fictional and real.  Talk to cops who have been on the job for a few years, and they’ll tell you that sometimes something will pique their interest, even when they can’t explain exactly what it is. 

Not convinced?  You need to read “The Gift of Fear” by Gavin De Becker.  One of this security expert's most important points is that we value logic over intuition, and we shouldn’t.  Our erroneous assumption is that intuition isn’t based on data when, in fact, it is.  The problem is that our bodies and unconscious have evolved to signal danger in the blink of an eye, but our rational brains don’t want to accept the conclusion without the proof.  De Becker writes “Intuition is the journey from A to Z without stopping at any other letter along the way.  It is knowing without knowing why.”

So, how’s my intuition?  I think it’s pretty good, but you tell me.

Many years ago, my mom and I were in Colorado Springs to attend a memorial service.  The last night of our stay we were moving from a friend’s house to a Holiday Inn.  I like Holiday Inns and have stayed in them all over the world—from Kansas to Sydney, Australia.  But when we drove up to this particular Holiday Inn, my gut kicked in.  There was nothing overtly wrong, but I didn’t like the feel of it.  My mom didn’t object when I balked at spending the night there, although there was a little teasing that perhaps I was being persnickety. 

Some weeks later, I looked at the news online and a particular item jumped out at me.  I called my mom immediately. 

“Still think I’m persnickety?” I asked.

It seemed that two members of a group of dangerous prison escapees—known as the Texas Seven—had holed up in the very same Holiday Inn.  Apparently, the criminals’ guts had told them that it was the perfect place to evade capture from federal law enforcement! 

What got my Spidey senses tingling that day at the Holiday Inn?  Why had I sensed that it was a great place for murderous felons, but not for me and my mom?  I can’t explain it, but I know I didn’t imagine it.  And charges of being too particular about my accommodations?  Those have been laid to rest. 

So tell me readers: Do you follow your intuition?  Is there a time when listening to your gut kept you safe or influenced a decision?

I have a signed copy of DUPLICITY for one lucky commentator!

 

Galeophobia and Banana Cake

HANK:  Galeophobia? A bête noir cake? A Scattergories challenge?

More about our new Reds! So much to find out…

I confess--I am singing impaired. Honestly, if I sign a song, you might have no idea what it is. Ingrid and Jenn—give us the scoop. 

Can you sing? Play an instrument?

Ingrid

INGRID: I have a decent singing voice and performed in musicals in my younger years.  My sister Lisa and I used to perform our own version of “The Donny and Marie Show.”  She, very graciously, was Donny.  I never studied an instrument, but another sister, Erika, was a wonderful piano player (and singer), so I grew up listening to lots of classical piano music.

JENN: I'm a singer. The rest of my people are musicians. With Hub being a professional guitar player and our sons following his lead, the frat house is a very loud house! I’m actually the backup singer for Adele. She just doesn’t know that.

HANK: Yeah, I’m backup for EmmyLou. Who is equally oblivious. How about food? Are you a good cook?  What’s your specialty?  Or if not—what’s your downfall?

INGRID:I can cook certain things well, but I am not an enthusiastic cook.  I cook because I need to eat, and I try to eat healthy foods, which often requires that I cook them.  I do love to eat, and I like flipping through cookbooks.  If only I had a personal chef!   I prefer baking to cooking and make a delicious Swedish apple pie.  My baking downfall is the amazing banana cake from the Silver Palate cookbook; that recipe never turns out right, but I can’t figure out where I’ve gone wrong! 

JENN: I'm a baker. Since I write a cupcake bakery mystery series - cupcakes are a specialty. Regular food cooking is meh. Clearly, I'm sugar motivated.

HANK: I won’t even ask about your TBR piles..tottering TBRs are a hallmark of us all. But what book are you reading right now? (I’m reading Duplicity…J)

JENN: I'm rereading Postcards from the Edge with The Princess Diarist up next. Yep, I'm taking Carrie Fisher's passing pretty hard. She was a brilliant writer

INGRID: I’m reading the ARC of “Burning Bright” by Nick Petrie.  I really enjoyed Nick’s first book, “The Drifter,” and it’s been great diving into the next installment in the series.  Nick and I are doing a couple of events together on my upcoming book tour (in Scottsdale and Houston,) and I look forward to picking his brain about his engaging but enigmatic character, Peter Ash.

HANK:  What’s the one thing no one besides your family knows?

INGRID: I polled them, and they seem to think that only they know I’m a mean Scattergories competitor.  This is true. 

JENN: I suffer from galeophobia (fear of sharks). I blame Shark Week.

HANK: Well, now we know the difference—Ingrid’s a scuba diver! But still, as we know, wary of sharks.  Final question for today. Mine is: “You never know.”

What’s your motto?

INGRID: In college, my best friend, Davenie, and I had a motto that has served me well: “You look good, you feel good, you do good.”  This is why I don’t work in my pajamas.  Nor do I wear an evening gown, but I also try to look like I made an effort.  I think it signals to my brain—and the world—that I mean business!

Jenn

JENN: "Never give up and never, under any circumstances, face the facts." Ruth Gordon said it, but it's been my motto for decades.

HANK:   Oh, um, okay. Off to change clothes.  But I am great at ignoring the facts—in fiction, at least.  And we are so happy to have you all here…new Reds, and the new friends we are making. Hurray!

My turn to have a giveaway today—introduce yourself! Tell us where you are! And one commenter will win the first in both my series: Agatha winner PRIME TIME and Mary Higgins Clark Winner THE OTHER WOMAN!

So introduce yourself, not only to us, but to each other—Jungle Red stalwarts—you, too!  And tomorrow, I’ll announce the winner.

Tomorrow—a very special kind of food.  Will you like it?

Friday: YOUR questions to new Reds Jenn and Ingrid.

Saturday: a big giveaway.

And Sunday: our dear Kaye Barley. Aw.  Wait ‘til you meet her!

Okay—eager to hear from you!