Missing My Friends!

 RHYS BOWEN: Recently I've realizing how much I miss my friends. When I first started writing mystery novels I had no idea that I'd be part of such a warm, welcoming community or that I'd make true, lasting and deep friendships--almost like the sisters I never had.

It's been two years since I hung out with my fellow Jungle Reds at Bouchercon in Dallas. And what a great time we had. Lots of good meals and laughter. I'm just praying that all is well by next year's Malice and Julia and I can have our moment in the sun as Guests of Honor.

But lately I have had a couple of treats. I had coffee with Jacqueline Winspear last month and last week I spent a delightful morning at the farmer's market with Cara Black and her husband, who then came back to lunch at our house.

We talked about how we missed our tours together. For many years Cara and I had a book released at the same time in March and set off on a book tour together. We had our share of adventures: the motel I booked because it was on the beach and looked delightful only to find they turned off the hot water during the day and we needed to shower before a bookstore appearance.

Or the time we spoke at a bookstore and were dining with the owner when the whole cafe shook and rattled. Earthquake (it turned out to be quite a major one with people killed). The next morning I was giving a speech at a writer's conference in the Marriott hotel when the chandeliers on the ceiling danced like crazy making a loud tinkling noise. My audience rushed for the doors, leaving me wondering whether I was supposed to go down with the ship or I too could flee.

Cara's experience on that tour was to speak to a ladies Hadassah luncheon. at which they all ate from brown bags but never offered her even a glass of water!

However our most unusual experience was speaking to a nudist resort. That's right. Nudist. We were invited with David Corbett, who was more nervous than we were as we drove up into the mountains. Luckily it was a freezing cold evening and most people were clothed. They made me speak first (Cara always does that!). I'm at the podium when a man walks across, right in front of me. He is wearing a beard and a VERY SMALL BACKPACK. That's it. Strolls slowly in front of me.  I keep talking. He strolls slowly back. I'm dying to say "I've seen bigger and better" but I'm a professional. I don't bat an eyelid.

I reminiscing today because Cara's publisher is highlighting her latest book, THREE HOURS IN PARIS. If you haven't read it, DO.  It is a tense, brilliant thriller set in the early days of WWII and it's at a special price this week.

Here are the details:

The US ebook of THREE HOURS IN PARIS is $1.99 for a limited time.

it’s a Nook Daily find on 8/23

Kindle Deal of the Day 8/25

Bookbub 8/26 

amazon link here

https://www.amazon.com/Three-Hours-Paris-Cara-Black-ebook/dp/B07V8CQTMY/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

And here's to hoping we can all meet up again very soon!

A Chat with Elly Griffiths.

RHYS BOWEN: This is a fan-girl moment for me because Elly Griffith is a writer I admire. I blurbed her last year's The Stranger Diaries that won the Edgar best novel (deservedly so for once). And I was given this year's stand alone novel, The Postscript Murders, to read. Quite different in tone but still enchanting.

The book comes out this month so I had to have Elly as my guest.  We have only met once, at a loud boozy dinner at a Bouchercon, so I'm glad to reconnect by interviewing her today.  Welcome Elly:

 RHYS:  This book follows the incredibly successful The Stranger Diaries which won the Edgar award last year. It features some of the same characters, yet the tone is quite different. The Stranger Diaries had a brooding, gothic feel to it but this is more traditional cozy. Had you had enough of darkness for a while? 

ELLY: It's funny the way each book is different, isn’t it? I didn’t set out to write a lighter book but I suppose the subject matter – books, literary clues, writing festivals – did lend itself to a cozier, more traditional tone. As soon as I’d finished the book, the UK was locked down and everything became much grimmer. Certainly my next book, The Night Hawks, has a darker, more claustrophobic tone. I now look back to The Postscript Murders as a halcyon time of travel and adventure – even though it does include several murders!

 RHYS:  Your detective is again the young Sikh woman, Harbinder Kaur, whom we met in the Stranger Diaries. Are you intending this to be a long term relationship so that this may become another series for you? 

ELLY: I hadn’t originally intended Harbinder to be a series character but, after The Stranger Diaries, I kept thinking about her. So, when the characters in The Postscript Murders consulted a detective, I knew who it would be. I think there might be one more Harbinder book but not a long series.

RHYS:  What made you choose an Indian Sikh woman as your detective? Do you have connections and insight into the Sikh community? 

ELLY: Harbinder just suddenly appeared, the way characters do. I think it’s always a consideration, though, when you create a character whose cultural background is very different from your own. On one hand, I felt Harbinder deserved to be centre stage but I wanted to be sure that I was presenting her in an authentic way. I do have a good friend who is from a Punjabi Sikh background and she – and her mother – were invaluable advisors on the book.

RHYS:  This book features an ensemble casts with four points of view, each using their personal approach and experience to put together pieces of the puzzle. Was that something you wanted to try or did you find that you needed more than one person to tell the story? (And as an aside, it worked beautifully and I found it very refreshing) 

ELLY: Thank you! I have toyed with this structure before but this is the first time I have written each chapter from a different point of view. It was challenging, especially when I needed to drop in a clue that the narrator might not notice, but it was also a lot of fun. I liked describing the way the characters saw each other too – Edwin being irritated with Benedict’s slow eating, Natalka starting to see Benedict in a different light, Harbinder becoming increasingly irritated by the amateur sleuths. 

RHYS : Also you choose to use the present tense. Was that easy to do? Did you find limitations? 

ELLY: The Ruth books are also written in the present tense so I’ve had a bit of practice. I like the immediacy but it can sometimes feel a bit relentless – action following action without much respite. I did feel that it suited this book though, so that the reader could accompany the characters on their road trip.

RHYS: This is a story of the murder of an old woman who has made a career of helping writers to come up with brilliant, new ways to kill people. I loved it! Have you met such a person yourself? Have you used such a person? (Aside note: it may become my next career when I retire from writing!)

ELLY:  Hahaha. Peggy is based on my Auntie Marge (happily still with us) who often comes up with gruesome murder ideas for me. Like Peggy, Marge lives in a seaside apartment and seems to know everything that is going on around her. She even has a good friend who runs the nearby Coffee Shack…

RHYS: Brilliant!  You also write a successful series, featuring forensic archeologist Ruth Galloway. What did you find different about writing a stand-alone? Which do you now prefer? Are there more stand-alones in the works?

ELLY:  I find that the stand-alones help with the series and vice versa. I enjoy the freedom of creating a new world in each stand-alone book but I do miss the familiar world of Ruth or the Brighton Mysteries and go back to them with added vigour. I will certainly continue to mix the series with stand-alones.

RHYS : And lastly something more personal. How has the pandemic affected your writing? Have you found yourself more productive/less productive? 

ELLY: I consider myself very lucky. I have friends and family who are doctors, nurses and teachers and I have seen how tirelessly they have worked during the pandemic. Also, I’ve seen friends with young children struggling with home-schooling. I can work from home and my children are grown-up. All I have to do is walk a few yards to my garden shed and make stuff up! I’ve written three books in lockdown so I certainly haven’t been less productive. Having said that, I have struggled at times. I miss seeing friends and family. I miss Norfolk and Italy. I feel very lucky to be able to travel in my books. Th

RHYS: Oh travel to Italy! How I miss that too. And there have been times, cooped up with John, when I would love a garden shed, or as it is called these days A She Shack!  It was lovely having you come to visit, Elly. I'm sure the new book will be a great success

 and I have good news for our readers:

Elly's publisher will give a copy of the POSTSCRIPT MURDERS to a commenter Elly picks! 

Publishing Surprises

INGRID THOFT

Every Q&A I do with a writer always includes this question:  "What has surprised you most about becoming a published author?"

A common response is how welcoming and supportive the mystery/thriller community is to newcomers.  For a group that murders on a regular basis, where actually quite kind.  On Wednesday, Mike Lawson mentioned the need for self-promotion as being a somewhat unwelcome surprise.  I would second the vote for the inclusive nature of fellow writers, but I also have another surprise to add.  I was surprised how much being published didn't change the work itself:  It didn't get easier!  Each book presents its own challenges and having a contract and an editor don't change that.

What about the rest of the Reds?  What has surprised you most about (or since) becoming a published author?

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN:  Huh. Interesting. Of course, as you say, the enthusiasm and congeniality of my colleagues. Astonishing. AND the wonderful people at events. I am constantly delighted with the level of welcome I receive.  But I wasn't surprised about the personal pressure to consistently be better, or the intense need to hurry hurry hurry. The level of how much stuff there is to do, though, is really incredible. I have massive to-do lists, and they grow and grow. This is not in the nature of a complaint, by any means--but the work that accompanies the writing is endless. Ah--I hope it's endless, right?

HALLIE EPHRON: I kept thinking it would get easier, but it hasn't. Not for me, at least.  At Sleuthfest this week Andrew Gross talked about how, as a writer you're harvesting your own experiences, and soon you run out of the low-hanging fruit. So true. That's one reason it gets harder -- you don't want to repeat yourself. But also, as Hank says, you keep raising the bar on yourself.

JENN McKINLAY: Honestly, I agree with all of the above. The writing community is amazing. I feel fortunate to have made some of the best friends of my life within it. Also, the amount of promotion (ugh) and that the writing does, actually, get harder was unforeseen, but it makes sense if you're striving to make each book better. What surprised me beyond all that was what little control I have. After the first contract, I thought I had wiggle room. Nope. After I hit the NYT, I thought, now I'll have more say. Nuh-uh. I am still mostly the content creator with very little input on the cover, the marketing, the schedule, etc. Mostly, I'm fine with it as writing is what I want to be doing but there are days...ahem.

RHYS BOWEN: Oh, how I agree with the warmth and generosity of the mystery community. I think all of us have developed real and close friendships among writers who should have been considered our rivals. And I agree too that it doesn't get easier. I am not an outliner and the first fifty pages of every book I write find me in pure panic mode. And the stakes seem to get higher with each book, especially after one wins a few awards. Each book has to be better or at least as good as the one before. It's a challenge after 40 books to make the next one fresh and exciting.

The Reds, prepping to write each day

Another surprise, and it's a humbling one, is how few people will know who you are. You say you write mystery novels and they say what's your name, and then they shake their heads and say "Never heard of you!"

DEBORAH CROMBIE: I was not surprised by the amount of self promotion--I'd been well-prepared by published friends and mentors. BUT, I could never, in the early nineties, have anticipated social media and the presence required there! Nor did I anticipate the sheer amount of non-writing work involved with being a writer. Or the fact that books just keep getting harder, or at least they do for me. As Hallie mentioned, trying not to repeat yourself becomes a big issue.

But on the very plus side, although I'd learned pretty early that writers were generally a friendly bunch, I continue to be amazed by the strength and generosity of the mystery community. I wouldn't trade it for anything!

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Since I agree and would repeat everything already said, may I mention money? Don't worry, I'm not going to mention figures, but after hearing time after time after time that it's impossible to make a living as an author, it was a happy surprise to discover I could, in fact, support myself (and the family) as a novelist. 

The stories about financially successful writers always seem to focus around the blazing "It" debut of the year whose author got a $600,000 advance, or it's someone who's an international bestseller with a TV show/movie spin-off. You seldom see stories about authors like, well, many of us - people who write popular books year after year (well, not me, obvs., but the rest of you do!) growing their readership until sales and advances reach the point where they don't need a day job. 

When I talk to young people, that's one of the key messages I try to get across - you CAN make a living as an artist. 

Your turn!  Do you have tales of publishing surprises or a publishing question?  Ask away!

Christmas Roll Call!

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN:  We hope you are cozy with loved ones today...happy and merry and surrounded by crumpled-up wrapping paper and guzzling champagne. Or whatever makes you happy!

I am here in Boston, where it feels more like March than December. Jonathan and I are unwrapping gifts (though it’s tough to unwrap two yet-to-be-reupholstered armchairs, but we will imagine), and we'll have a lovely brunch. BACON! Then I'll work on revisions for a while. And then--we are going to Star Wars!

How about you? Hallie, in Milton, Massachusetts? 

HALLIE EPHRON: Merry Christmas! We’re home with a houseful. Two daughters, a son-in-law, and an energetic two-year-old who comes tiptoeing into our bedroom to wake us up so her parents get a morning or two to sleep in. We’re going make jelly donuts for Christmas breakfast. Filled with seedless raspberry jam. I’ll let you know how they turn out.

Debs? In Texas.

DEBORAH CROMBIE: Home, happily. Daughter and son-in-law over for prezzies and breakfast (Trader Joe's cinnamon rolls,  yum.) Later, our friend Gigi will come over, too, and we are cooking prime rib and Jamie Oliver's Yorkshire puddings. And it's balmy here--it's feels like Florida! We may have our Christmas cocoa on the patio. And then I'll see who I can talk into watching Love Actually:-)

Rhys, in California.

RHYS BOWEN: It's rainy so no going on our usual Christmas hike! We have everyone descending on us later today, so we'll have 9 for dinner tonight and then the other 5 arrive tomorrow. So we're putting off our big Christmas dinner until they all get here on Boxing Day, as we still call it. Tonight a more sophisticated meal with a variation on coq au vin followed by a light dessert of berries in liqueur.  So only three of us for breakfast and one is gluten free and lactose intolerant, so eggs and smoked salmon will have to do.

Wishing everyone a joyous and peaceful day!

Lucy, in Florida.

LUCY BURDETTE: We are at home in Key West, with the kids and their spouses and one brother visiting. I'm making dinner--stuffed shells in homemade (low-sodium) sauce, nice bread, a salad, Christmas cookies, and homemade ice cream I hope! I believe we are having 12 people--yikes!

It's been quite hot here so it doesn't really feel like Christmas. But it will! Merry Christmas Reds and red readers!

Susan, in Brooklyn— who gave us the scoop last night and will check in later today!)

SUSAN ELIA MACNEAL: Right now it's a Christmas battle with Kiddo. "How about four?" he asks, meaning waking us up at four a.m. tomorrow morning.

"How about eight?" we counter. 

"Five?" 

"Six." 

"OK, six. My not waking you up until six will be my Christmas present to you guys."

"And we need coffee first."

"If I let you have coffee first tomorrow, can I open one of the presents tonight?"

END SCENE

HANK: Okay, dear Susan. I remember it well. Let us know how that goes… Now to  Julia, in Maine:

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: We've seen what Santa's brought and opened out presents from each other, and now we're bustling around before our guests arrive. Youngest is clearing away presents and writing out placecards, The Boy is setting up folding tables and chairs, the Smithie is laying out the good china and sterling and Ross and I are cooking, cooking, cooking! We're having a small-for-us gathering this year - only 18 guests. After a dinner of roast beef and turkey, our more musical friends will break out their instruments and we'll play and sing.

Yes, Ross and I are, in actuality, Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig. Merry Christmas to you all!

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN:  So how about you, dear Reds? Have you checked the past few days blogs for our winners? And just tell us what you’re up to today—and even simply where you are—and you’ll be entered to win the Hank book of your choice.

We love you all madly!

Yes! It's the Jungle Red Holiday Poem

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: With apologies and appreciation to Clement Moore...and maybe Dr. Seuss. 

Here's this year’s Jungle Red Holiday Greeting! 

Twas the night before Christmas

And all through this site

Not a blogger was working

Not even to write.

Our books are all saved on our thumb drives with care

In hopes that bestseller lists soon would be there.

Our new novels were nestled all snug in their beds

While visions of royalties danced in our heads.

The Jungle Red sisters, five east and two west

Had just settled our brains for a well-deserved rest.

When in magazine pages--There arose such a clatter

We opened the things to see what was the matter!

To the mag’s review pages we turned in a flash

To see Julia’s new book oft praised with panache!

The readers were loving the Wrong Girl by Hank

(And Hallie's “Old Woman” put cash in her bank!)

Debs’ Gemma and James are in book now—sixteen?

And Rhys is awaiting a nod from the Queen.

Our Lucy—she’s sunning herself with some zest

There’ll soon be some more of her tales from Key West!

And what to our wondering eyes should appear

The twelfth printing of “Her Majesty’s” –whoa! Susan's career!

But what makes us the happiest—keeps every day new?

We knew in a moment—it’s our blogging crew!

You listen, you chatter, you join in the game

We cheer you, we love you, we call you by name!

Thanks, Thelma! Thanks Edith! Thanks darling Joan E!

Both Karens, Susannah and our Michele D.

Hail Ramona, and Marianne, Tiger and Clare

We hope Brenda and DebRo will always be there

Here’s to Reine, and to Kathy, to Mary and Jack

To Lisa and Lori—we know you’ll come back!

Same for Linda, and Leslie, we love you as well,

And dear Mary Garrett--the stories she’ll tell!

Kaye Barley, we love you, and love to Don, too.

(We know that Wimsey’s a breakthrough for you!)

Our guest bloggers were stellar:

Rozan and Fay

We brought SJ and Lipman to brighten your day!

To Delia, and Kristopher (king of the LIST!)

To Rodrigo our genius--consider you're kissed.

Hail to Rosemary Harris, and all that you do--

Hail “Anonymous” also--love hearing from you!

We had memories, recipes, tales of our youth

We’ve had jokes, and disasters, and telling the truth.

To the top of the lists! To the top of them all!

We’re revising, and writing, and sharing our call!

As dry words before our reviser’s pen fly

When they meet with cliché, and we fix them (we try):

We’re almost at New Years, and our thoughts go to you

May you write perfect books, may your wishes come true!

May you waste not a word, may you write fresh and new

And fill all your stories with myst'ries and clues

And remember: on days that things don’t turn out right

And you wonder if this was a fraud and a fright

You have sisters on line—there are sev’n of us here!

And each one is wishing you all-the-year cheer.

And we all say—we love you! ‘Fore you click from our site--

Happy Holidays to All

—and long may you Write!