MYSTERY REVIEW

THE CHRISTIE CURSE
by Victoria Abbott
Berkley Prime Crime

What kind of work do you look for when you need a job that isn't minimum wage - slave drudgery like telemarketing, your student loans are staring you in the face, and you urgently need a new place to live?

The Christie Curse, the first in Victoria Abbott's new series, introduces Jordan Bingham, a recent English literature graduate with a master's degree, who is facing all of the above. To add to her problems, she comes from a family with a chequered history, and can't put her real surname on her resume.

She finds a Want Ad for the almost-perfect researcher's job. The imperfect part appears to be her new employer, a sour old lady rare-book collector who happens to be the most hated citizen in Harrison Falls, New York.

Jordan is nothing if not resourceful. Once into the job and the great little apartment in her employer's mansion that comes with it, however, she learns some disquieting facts that weren't mentioned during the interview. Her predecessor died while looking for the same rumoured Agatha Christie unpublished play that Jordan has been hired to find.

Her chequered family background and shady relatives turn out to be assets as she leads the reader through a wild chase in search of a play that may or may not exist. The chase includes a possible murder, the usual and unusual suspects, a psychotic cat, and a pug dog.

The mother and daughter team of authors Mary Jane Maffini and Victoria Maffini combine to create a seamless story under the pseudonym Victoria Abbott in this first Book Collector Mystery.


Don't miss this one! Agatha Christie herself would have loved it.


Reviewed by Carole Dalgleish

WICKED WEDNESDAYS

The Next Big Thing continues....

It's my turn today! On Monday, Mary Jane Maffini took The Next Big Thing challenge. Today, it's Erika Chase on board! I was invited to take part in this blog circle by my good friend and fellow mystery writer Barbara Fradkin. It’s sort of a ‘tell five friends’ thing. These questions funneled down from our friend Vicki Delany. You can find Barbara over at www.typem4murder.blogspot.com and Vicki at www.klondikeandtrafalgar.blogspot.com.


The Next Big Thing:


What is your working title of your book?
The third book in the Ashton Corners Book Club mysteries is titled COVER STORY and it’s due out early next fall.

Where did the idea come from for the book?
My often-overactive imagination. I’ve been wanting to introduce a ‘colourful’ Southern gal to the mix and I think I’ve found her in Teensy Coldicutt, an old school friend of Molly Mathews who returns to town after many years away, having written her first novel, which she describes as a modern Gone With the Wind. When asked what she’s done about the civil war component, Teensy states she’s compensated with a lot of steamy sex. (Don’t worry….she never reads from these scenes!)

What genre does your book fall under?
Cosy mystery.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
I’d love a slightly younger (sorry, Sandra) Sandra Bullock to play Lizzie Turner, the teaching specialist who starts the book club and is the main character. Still casting for Lizzie’s love interest, Police Chief Mark Dreyfus. I see Candace Bergen as Molly Mathews and Nicholas Campbell would make the perfect Bob Miller.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
The upcoming book launch of Teensy Coldicutt’s first novel unleashes a plot to steal the books, leading to assault, murder, counterfeit money and general mayhem for the Ashton Corners Book Club sleuths.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
The publisher of the series is Berkley Prime Crime, part of the Penguin Group. I’m represented by Bookends Literary Agency.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
I’m on a nine-month deadline with each book so I’d probably say it took about 5 months for the first draft. Or so.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Books by fellow Berkley authors Mary Jane Maffini, Janet Bolin, Victoria Hamilton – all Canadians, too!

Who or what inspired you to write this book?
My contract. And, as I mentioned earlier, the desire to create a colourful new character.

What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?
Each character presents his or her own reading list, offering possible new suggestions for the reader. If you enjoy mystery books, this is the book club for you!

We’ve been asked to link to five other writers but, writers being writers, most are busy writing. I’d love you to visit Victoria Hamilton’s site, though. It’s at http://www.victoriahamiltonmysteries.com. Enjoy this new cosy series!

Linda Wiken/Erika Chase

A KILLER READ
Berkley Prime Crime, now available
READ and BURIED, coming Dec., 2012, available for pre-order
www.erikachase.com

MAYHEM ON MONDAYS

Reading and writing....

For the past week-and-a-half I've been volunteering at one of our many summer music festivals, this one for chamber music entitled Music & Beyond. I've loved the experience of meeting new people, supporting this organization, and getting to hear some amazing music.

It hasn't been without it's downside though. Like the oppressive heat and humidity we're experiencing in Ottawa. Although two of the venues had AC, there was still the time spent walking through the long lines of patrons waiting outside on the sidewalk for the doors to open, after the musicians had finished rehearsing. We'd sell tickets, programme books and raffle tickets, and also offer water, which was always gratefully appreciated.

Another part of the 'adventure' was taking the bus. Not knowing if I'd easily find downtown parking and also dreading the rush-hour traffic, even with AC in the car (I hate using it though, preferring to keep my windows open and a breeze fanning through the car), I decided to opt for OC Transpo. Which meant the second day of transit, after getting a close look at the route and seeing stores and buildings I'd never noticed when driving, I took to reading for the often half-hour drive.

It's a great way to visit some mass market authors I'd never tried before. And, since my publisher, Berkley Prime Crime is American, I chose to spend my time reading other cosy writers from their line. I know, this is a blog about Canadian writing, so I'll focus on how these books have influenced my writing.

I've written the three books in my series with the idea of entertaining my readers...and myself. I've used traditional themes for murder -- revenge and greed being the main ones -- but haven't given over many inches to exploring those themes in depth. There are several examples of crime novels written by Canadians where moral issues are a driving force -- locally, Barbara Fradkin and R.J. Harlick's series come to mind. But I'd never thought to delve deeper with my cosies.

Since I'm spending the summer starting book #4, in case the series is continued, and also fleshing out a brand new series, this has given me something else to ponder. I always enjoy the beginning months of a new book. Anything's possible and new ideas can be tried then used or discarded. And, I'm delighted to have something else to add to that mix. I think it's a time to grow as a writer.

What about you? What has influenced your writing most recently?

Linda Wiken/Erika Chase

A KILLER READ
Berkley Prime Crime, now available
READ & BURIED, coming Dec., 2012
www.erikachase.com

TUESDAY BRINGS TROUBLE

Not another cover!

Isn't it funny how things connect sometimes? Like my blog yesterday about the cover conference process. And later in the afternoon what do I receive but an email about the cover conference for book #2 happening next week.

Now, I have to tell you, it's still a thrill to be involved in all this. But what was the plot of book #2? I'm trying to totally immerse myself in the third one. Trying, being the operative word. Oops, should I have admitted that?

So, number two had to do with Christmas, which is timely because it will be published in November, 2012. It's still the Ashton Corners Book Club (or it wouldn't be a series, would it?) and my main characters are still: alive, participating in the book club, or policing the town.

But I have to admit, I haven't given this cover any thought. Why not, I wonder? I knew this would happen at some point. But not at this point.

I'm still in awe of the speed with which the publishing cycle works at Berkley Prime Crime. It's a nine month deadline for each new book. That's because cosy readers really can't wait any longer for the next installment. I know, as a bookseller, I was always hearing customers 'complain' that writers should write faster. After all, there was this massive appetite to feed. But it wasn't only cosy writers they aimed those comments at. It was anyone who dared to write a mystery series.

This is all good, right?

You bet it is! Writers write to be read. Readers read to keep on reading. It's a win-win all around. So, I just have to get my head in gear and multi-task for a few more days (I'm also working on Erika's website). This IS all good.

What about you? Are you in multi-tasking mode? How much of it is self-imposed? Does this make us better writers?

Linda Wiken/Erika Chase
A Killer Read coming April, 2012
from Berkley Prime Crime

MAYHEM ON MONDAYS

It's covered!

So, one more time for those not paying attention -- I have a cover for my new book!
Or rather, Erika Chase has a cover. I was delighted to receive it last week, along with the gentle nudge from my editor's assistant to make sure Erika's website is up and running fairly soon. Like yesterday.

I'd been putting off doing it, mainly because it seemed so daunting a task. But with a lot of help from my friend David Cole, the website will be launching later this week. That's a blog for another day.

What I thought you might find interesting is the cover process. I know all publishers are not alike in this. For our Ladies' Killing Circle anthologies with RendezVous Crime, we were very lucky to have a lot of input into the cover. We sent suggestions, they were worked on by terrific artists, and then we got a final chance to comment on the covers before they went to press.

I remember attempts at suggesting a cover to a previous publisher -- we even went as far as submitting a dynamite painting done by LKC member Joan Boswell (she's also a terrific artist)-- were for naught and instead, we were stuck with a cover that still makes me cringe.

I've discovered that Berkley Prime Crime has some wonderful cover artists and that they're open to suggestions. The 'cover conference' process started with my editor asking for suggestions, then visuals of some aspects of the book -- the antibellum mansion where the book club meets, the antique weapon used by the murderer, etc. She also wanted my input into the cover blurb. And then, I had to write a bio. The result of this collaborative effort is what you see before you. And I'm delighted. The two Siamese cats even look suspiciously like the two that run this household.

It's been a wonderful process and I'm very grateful to my editor and the staff at Berkley. As I said, I know that the process is different with each publisher. I hear complaints from some authors that they have no input whatsoever into the cover design, which leads to an unhappy writer.

I'm counting down now to the April release and have enjoyed every minute of it. Well, maybe not so much what Barbara Fradkin calls 'the horrible' (see Dec. 1st blog). That happens to us all.

So, what do you think? Is my cover a winner?


Linda Wiken/Erika Chase
A Killer Read coming April 3, 2012
from Berkley Prime Crime

CRIME ON MY MIND

Bookmas

Hopefully you've noticed under 'Events' that the Twelve Days of Bookmas is here once again. Now, you may be wondering why Mystery Maven is taking part in this pre-Christmas romp through bookland. It's mainly because my agent's literary agency is doing it and they've invited their authors to participate. It's a second return engagement for Bookmas because it was so successful last year. And I think that readers on both sides of the border should have the opportunity to win free books!

Besides, it's great fun.

All the details are found at the BookEnds Literary Agency website. To play, start at http://www.bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/ each day. That's the set-up. Next step is to gather the clues by going to the websites, blogsites, Twitter and/or Facebooks of the participating authors. They're all listed at the bottom of each day's question and it's easy to just click on them. Mystery Maven is listed as Erika Chase. That's me, right?

Hopefully, the clues will combine to give you the answer, whether it's a book title, author ... whatever's on the BookEnd's mysterious minds for that day. They're all widely-read so these aren't strictly mysteries she's touting. Clues will be posted at noon every weekday for 12 days.

One of the website's you'll want to visit is that of Ontario mystery writer Janet Bolin at http://www.threadvillemysteries.com. Her second book in the Threadville mysteries is due in Feb., 2012 from Berkley Prime Crime. If you're a cosy-lover, you'll want to add this series to your list of favourites and there's just enough time to read the first book, Dire Threads before Threaded for Trouble hits the shelves.

That's the great thing about Bookmas -- you'll find quite an array of new authors to try and you'll also get some great reading suggestions from BookEnds. You can start from this page each day after reading the Mystery Maven blog. Just click on the Bookmas link under events (be sure to read my clue also) and follow the trail to the right answer. And, a free book.

Happy Bookmassing!


Linda Wiken/Erika Chase
A Killer Read coming April 3, 2012
from Berkley Prime Crime

CRIME ON MY MIND

Excited about a title!

You may already know since I plastered the news on Facebook and Twitter yesterday, that my publisher likes my suggested title for book #2. Read And Buried was my first choice out of a list of five I sent in. The reason this pleases me so much is that my #1 title for book #1 was rejected. Instead, the sales department choose A Killer Read, which was buried in my list of suggestions.

Sales definitely steers the publishing ship. When it came to the cover conference, I was asked for my suggestions which were opposite from what sales wanted to see. Since one of the locations in the book is a Southern antibellum style mansion, I was then asked for a photo of what I'd envisioned. I haven't seen the cover yet, so I'm very curious as to what it will be.

Then came the cover blurb. I wrote one. They wrote one. I revised their's. They revised my revision.

When my manuscript came back with the editor's comments, I was thrilled. And happy to incorporate her suggestions. When my manuscript then came back with the copy editor's revisions and suggestions, I agreed with the majority. What pleased me in particular was that with each comment she'd made, she ended with an 'ok?'. It was still my book, after all.

I was actually very delighted with the thoroughness of the copy editor. This manuscript that had gone through readings by at least five people still, at this late stage, contained a 'ghost' of a previous draft. Good on you, whoever you are!

When the book appeared on Amazon.com and Amazon.ca, coverless mind you, but available for pre-order -- that a thrill!

My cheque, payable on acceptance of the manuscript, also arrived this week. Okay, that's crass but it's also another validation of the journey on the road to publication.

This is not news to the published writers out there, it may be of interest to those just entering the process, and hopefully to those still dabbling with the idea. It has truly been a collaborative process and I've been so lucky to have a wonderful editorial team guiding me along.

It's also been a journey of new experiences, all of them good. The journey continues as I finally get working on my Erika Chase website. She's had a Facebook page and Twitter account for a while now but I find this task the most daunting of all. But it's also an important one. The pre-promotion has been happening for awhile but will ramp up as April 3 approaches. And then I'll jump into the flurry of signings and conferences, all in the name of reaching out to readers. That will also be fun.

Book #2 is already in their hands. Book #3 is at the first draft stage. In fact, I've got to get at it. But I'm wondering, has your journey differed in any way or stage? Hopefully, it's been fun, too.


Linda Wiken/Erika Chase
A Killer Read coming April 3, 2012
from Berkley Prime Crime

WICKED WEDNESDAYS

The plot thickens...

I wrote my first novel over 20 years ago. For some reason, it was never published. Okay, I do know the reason. It was pretty awful. But it's taken me this long to realize how to fix it. Not that I'll try. It would be too painful to read it and face the fact I had actually sent it to a publisher.

I'm indebted to Berkley Prime Crime, the publisher who is taking a chance on me, for their policy of requiring a synopsis as I begin each new book. Novel idea. I

used to sit myself at the typewriter, and then the computer, and just write. Almost a stream of consciousness. And what could have been a snappy mystery became a long-winded, meandering plot that eventually ended with the bad guy getting caught. I started knowing the beginning and the end but got hopelessly lost in between those points.

This system works for a lot of great writers. Just not for me. Now, I know the start, middle and end of my novel before I get down to seriously writing it. If I get a bit lost along the way, or worse yet, face a blank page and not know what to write on it, I re-read my synopsis. That gets me back on track.

The other positive thing about a synopsis is, it's not written in stone. It's on the computer. Paragraphs can be deleted, new ones added. The novel can still evolve from itself as the writing goes on. In fact, I've added new characters, changed a plot twist, and thrown a dog into the mix. And the plot has stayed on track.

It also gives me confidence each time I open the files and prepare to add my thousand words a day.

What works best for you?


Linda Wiken/Erika Chase
A Killer Read coming April 3, 2012
from Berkley Prime Crime

CRIME ON MY MIND

Almost there...

I'll bet there's not one reader of this blog who doesn't know my first mystery will be published next April. It's not the BSP or blatant self-promotion, that we're so often advised is a necessary part of this writing life. Rather, it's sharing the pleasures and pain of each step of this process. Maybe some of it will be helpful to other writers just starting out. Maybe it will be amusing to the more seasoned writers, who may have forgotten that first glow. Maybe others will find it just plain boring.

Whatever. I'll continue of this journey, sharing my latest thrill. That of finding my not-yet-published book listed on Amazon. Yes, it's real, although there's no cover showing as yet. And yes, you can even pre-order the book, even though there's

no cover and it's not available until April 3, 2012. If you do order it now, think of the total surprise to find this book in your mailbox. This book you will have totally forgotten you'd ordered. Unless you're still following this blog. Or my Facebook. Or Twitter. In which case, or cases, you may regret your impulsive buy because you will be so tired of all the BSP.

I've found that every step in this process has resulted in another 'pinch-me' moment. The first, of course, being my terrific agent actually deciding to take me on. And then, there was the 3-book contract with Berkley Prime Crime. Really????? Are you sure it's me they want????

Then, of course, came the hard part. Writing the book. I've found there's an ebb and flow in my writing process. I jump right in and rip along, only to reach a point not quite half-way in where the ideas just stop. The plot won't advance. The characters feel stale. My career is over before it's begun. Days, even weeks of being obsessed about who to kill, why and how take over my life. Until finally, it all makes sense, comes together, and the book progresses. The end is reached. And it actually works. I've written two books in the series so far and they've both followed the same pattern. What's that all about?

Then comes the cover conference where the writer's ideas are actually sought out; the need to write a cover blurb; a bio; and then, ask for cover quotes. This is where the teamwork comes to play and it's very much a back-and-forth with the editor. How lucky am I to have one on the same wave length, with an eagle-eye and encouraging words.

Then we're back to the work stage, when the edits come back and revisions need to be made. What makes this process so stimulating is watching your story get stronger and hopefully, a better read for those who choose it from the shelves.

All the while, the next book has started along the 9-month trek to being published. So, when the actual title and your name appear on Amazon...it's indeed monumental. That cover will soon be added, the book will be published, and then a writer's second career begins -- that of promotion. Although, according to my agent, it's already started. Which reminds me, I'd better get Erika's website up and running.

So, we're up-to-date now. Rest assured, no more pre-BSP from me...well, maybe a short note when the cover appears. And you can guess what will happen on April 3.

Are there any other neurotic writers out there who dwell in self-doubt until the book hits the shelves? Uh-oh...I guess it doesn't stop there. Then there are reviews and reader comments, sales figures and the like to add some stress to a writer's life. You gotta love it!


Linda Wiken/Erika Chase
A Killer Read coming April, 2012
from Berkley Prime Crime

CRIME ON MY MIND

Time for a brainstorm...

I'm at that point in writing book #2 where the deadline is looming and I'm re-writing like crazy. Filling in the blanks (or the xxx's as it were). And looking for a title.

I've been using a working title up until now, knowing it won't be the final title. The reason -- it can be read in two ways. There's that word, 'read'. For my working title you have to read it as 'red'. The other way & it falls flat.

It's Read & Buried. I like it but as I said, if you 'read' it wrong, it's a goner.

So, time to brainstorm...and I'm looking for help. The plot involves a visiting author who is murdered; the amateur sleuth & her book club members jump into the investigation...and it's almost Christmas. Being book two of a series, the main characters remain the same as does the small southern Alabama town.


Book one, which is out next April, is titled A Killer Read. Berkley Prime Crime likes them snappy and short. Oh, yes...and relevant.

So, taking all of that into consideration...do you have any suggestions?

Dying to Kill, came to mind this morning. As did Plotting to Die. They're already in the discard pile. Creating titles is a fun game to play when on a long car drive, on a long early morning walk, on hold for a long time with whatever major company you're calling. But it's time to get serious.

Titles, anyone?????


Linda Wiken/Erika Chase
A Killer Read coming April, 2012
from Berkley Prime Crime

MYSTERY REVIEW

DIRE THREADS
by Janet Bolin
Berkley Prime Crime

The really neat thing about writing fiction is that you get to make it all up! You can create the ideal village, the perfect job, a great bunch of pals, cute pets,
and a main character who gets to do the things you might want to do and has some of the physical attributes you might long for and of course, has that sexy bit of romance going on in her life.

I'll just bet Janet Bolin had a blast writing Dire Threads!

Willow Vanderling is the owner of a new embroidery store in the village of Elderberry Bay, also known as Threadville. That says a lot right there. Imagine this woman in her late twenties (maybe, we don't know for sure), who escaped the pressures of a high-powered city job, and also the wrath of her ex-boss who she helped put in jail. This is a woman to be reckoned with! She joins her former co-worker and friend in the crafty little village, where most of the stores share a common theme -- well Threadville says it all.

That's the first hook. If you're into any of these dandy crafts, you'll love the notion of this village, along with all the stitching details. Plus, there's an original machine embroidery project tucked in at the back of the book.

The setting is idyllic -- on a Pennsylvania shoreline with the requisite beach within walking distance. A newly-renovated store with an attached basement apartment, also newly renovated and a cute little cottage out back, ideal for renting out. Or finding clues to the murderer's identity. Oh, didn't I mention -- a murder does take place in this sublime locale. And it's Willow's new nemesis -- the zoning commissioner who had dire plans for her Blueberry Cottage. That would give Willow the ideal motive for killing him.

She's not one to go down without a fight, though and she's aided in her sleuthing by her best friend, Haylee and an odd assortment of women, aptly named The Three Weird Mothers. I can picture Bolin laughing out loud as she clothed these women and tangled them up in the plot to prove Willow's innocence. You will have to read the book to enjoy the full effect of her descriptions!

What's a cosy mystery without a touch of romance? And who better to supply it than the delicious renovator. But there's just the hint of the unknown about him, which means Willow has to include him on her list of suspects. But her dogs love him! Tally-Ho and Sally-Forth. Her recently-rescued one-year old pups. The perfect addition to any embroidery shop.

Dire Threads has everything a cosy lover wants in a read! A craftily clever
mystery, an engaging amateur sleuth who leaves you wanting more, a cast of memorable secondary characters, the dogs, the tips and of course...a really fun read.

This is the first book in the Threadville mystery series by Ontario writer Janet
Bolin. Hopefully, we're in for a lot more embroidery projects and adventures!

WICKED WEDNESDAYS

Diary daze of a mystery writer!

And so, the next stage in my mystery odyssey begins. I have been asked to prepare some information for my editor to use at the "cover conference" which will take place shortly.

This is particularly exciting as they also want any ideas I might have (not all publishers allow this input). And also, this brings me one step closer to the publication date, even though it's still far away -- April, 2012. The dream is closer to becoming a reality.

To continue the birthing analogy that others often use -- if the release date is the birthdate of the writer's 'baby', then this is the ultrasound stage. Some form is being given to what has previously been a bulky manuscript. Yes, I have it printed out here even though it was sent electronically. Thank God for the computer age. Could you imagine the cost of mailing this mass of paper down south?

This prenatal bulk will also be formally named. The working title will be exchanged for something that more befits what the novel has become. My baby will have a name!

I'm still awaiting the editing stage -- and I know there will be a lot for me to do when we get there -- but just think, a cover! That blank website will have something to capture a reader's interest. I can start with promo material -- bookmarks at the very least. Uh, something else to add to that long To Do list.

This is all very exciting. Can you tell? You authors with a long string of titles to your credit may have forgotten the ultra-sound stage. But for me, being my first born, it's a delight.

So, on to the joyful task at hand...and then back to draft #2 of book #2 and the deadline that's looming. Maybe it's a good thing I'm now a dual personality, what with so many tasks.

Any tips on multi-tasking?


Linda Wiken/Erika Chase
Mystery Book Club series coming
from Berkley Prime Crime, April, 2012