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New York Times bestselling
author Lorna Barrett is back in town—Booktown, that is—with another
page-turning mystery. This time bookstore owner Tricia Miles and her
sister, Angelica, put their own problems on the shelf to catch a killer
who turns a bookcase into a murder weapon…
Cranky
Chamber of Commerce receptionist Betsy Dittmeyer is done reading people
the riot act. After she’s crushed by a fallen bookcase, the next item to
be read is her last will and testament—which is packed with surprises.
It soon comes to light that Betsy was hiding volumes of dark secrets
behind that perpetual frown of hers—and one of them just might have been
a motive for murder.
While Tricia tries to help Angelica—the
newly elected Chamber of Commerce president and Betsy’s boss—solve the
mystery, she discovers a hidden chapter in her own family history that
rocks her to her very core. And with her ex-husband and the chief of
police vying for her affections, it’s doubly hard to focus on who might
have buried Betsy in a tomb of tomes.
But as Tricia and Angelica
try to read between the lines, they need to watch their step…and make
sure the killer doesn’t catch them between the stacks.
Q: You have two books out today, the new hardcover, BOOK CLUBBED in hardcover, and NOT THE KILLING TYPE in paperback, so your are doing double duty promoting both. Tricia is wonderful character, where do you get your inspiration for her adventures?
A: I have no idea. They just come to me.
Not the Killing Type was a lot of fun to write, but I think I enjoyed writing Book Clubbed even more. I've just finished Booktown #9, which I'm calling A Fatal Chapter. Not sure if that will be the final title, though. They get changed a lot.
I like to play with various ideas. The idea of a Chamber of Commerce election seemed like a great jumping off point for Not The Killing Type. For Book Clubbed, I decided the Chamber president needed a new receptionist - that meant bumping off the old one. I had a wonderful time coming up with her life history.
Q: Is the fictional Booktown based on a real place?
A: The town was inspired by the real Hay on Wey, but since I've never been there... I have no idea if it resembles it in any way. (And probably not a bit.) But the idea of a village with a lot of used bookstores was a germ of the idea for the series.
Q: What authors do you enjoy?
A: I reread Barbara Michaels and Dick Francis a lot. For fun, I like Mary Kay Andrews, and I enjoy cozies by my friends: Leann Sweeney, Ellery Adams, Mary Jane Maffini (Victoria Abbott) and Mary Kenney, just to name a few.
Q: What are you reading for fun right now?
A: An advance review copy for a new cozy mystery series. It's a lot of fun.
Q: If money was no object and you could escape to anywhere in the world to write where would you go and what do you think the book would be about?
A: I've been on three cruises in the last two years and spent most of my time writing. Getting away from the Internet is great for productivity. (Sadly, I don't have that kind of discipline at home.) I can (and have and will again) write anywhere at any time. But if I had a choice, I'd go back to England and stay a few months. I have no idea what I'd write, but I'd write something.
The immensely popular Booktown Mystery series is what put Lorna Barrett's name on the New York Times Bestseller list, but it's her talent - whether writing as Lorna, or L.L. Bartlett, or Lorraine Bartlett - that keeps her there. This multi-published, Agatha-nominated author pens the exciting Jeff Resnick Mysteries as well as the acclaimed Victoria Square Mystery series and the Tales of Telenia saga, and has many short stories and novellas to her name(s).
Thanks to the awesome ladies at Penguin, I have 1 copy of Book Clubbed
by Lorna Barrett to give away to one of my lucky readers! Just enter
the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win, and be sure to keep
checking back for more awesome giveaways!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
It’s November in
Stoneham, New Hampshire, and that means it’s time for the Chamber of
Commerce elections. The race is already a bit heated, as the
long-standing Chamber president is being challenged by a former
lover—Tricia’s own sister, Angelica. Then local small business owner
Stan Berry throws his hat in the ring.
Unfortunately, it’s not
there for long when he’s found murdered in the Brookview Inn. The murder
weapon is a brass letter opener belonging to the inn’s receptionist.
Tricia knows there’s no way the receptionist is a killer. And when
Angelica asks Tricia to help clear her name and win the election, she
sees little choice except to start snooping.
She soon uncovers a
ballot box full of lies and betrayals, and a chamber full of people who
had grudges against the victim. But were they serious enough to lead to
murder? And who truly had something to gain? Tricia will have to do some
serious sleuthing before she pulls the lever on a killer.
Mr. Everett Dishing Dirt?
Those of you who've read the Booktown Mysteries know that Mr. Everett is the epitome of discretion. Therefore, it was surprising that he consented to this interview.
Mr. Everett, you're quite beloved by many in Stoneham, NH. To what do you attribute your reputation for fairness and gentility?
I have always strived to treat my fellow man (and woman) with respect. It was something my parents instilled in me at a very young age.
What was your career before you came to work for Tricia Miles at the Haven't Got a Clue mystery bookstore?
I was a grocer. I had my own store in Stoneham. Sadly, I lost that business during a recession. It was one of the saddest periods of my life, as I lost my beloved wife soon after.
How did you get into the grocery trade?
I trained as a butcher and always worked at some aspect of the grocery business. Despite that fact my background was in meat preparation, I was very fond of my produce department. Even before it was fashionable, I made an effort to stock organic fruits and vegetables.
Were you always a mystery fan?
I've always loved to read. When I was down on my luck, and very lonely, I would visit the library and the various bookstores that had come to Stoneham. I'm afraid not all storekeepers were happy to see me in their stores. Ms. Miles was not only kind enough to let me sit in her store for hours on end, but she also invited me to partake of her free coffee and cookies. I've been working for her now for about five years, and have enjoyed it immensely. She, her former assistant Ginny, and her current assistant Pixie - and of course Ms. Miles's cat, Miss Marple - are like family to me.
Do you have a family?
My wife and I were never blessed with children. Some four years ago, I married again, and my dear wife Grace is the light of my life.
It's said your boss Tricial is the village jinx because she's always stumbling over dead bodies. Do you think that's a fair assessment?
Ms. Miles is a person of excellent character, and she feels strongly that justice must be done. She has assisted the Sheriff's Department and the local Police Department in solving serious crimes. She is an asset to the community.
Do you have a special part to play in Tricia's latest adventure?
I don't know about playing a special part - she ad her sister, Ms. Angelica Miles, are the ones who risk their lives, but I was treated to an extra special event.
Can you say more?
Not without giving away the plot.
The immensely popular Booktown Mystery series is what put Lorna Barrett's name on the New York Times Bestseller list, but it's her talent - whether writing as Lorna, or L.L. Bartlett, or Lorraine Bartlett - that keeps her there. This multi-published, Agatha-nominated author pens the exciting Jeff Resnick Mysteries as well as the acclaimed Victoria Square Mystery series and the Tales of Telenia saga, and has many short stories and novellas to her name(s). Check out the links to all her works here: http://www.lorrainebartlett.com/index.html
Book Clubbed, Booktown Mystery #8, is now available in hardcover.
Not the Killing Type, Booktown Mystery #7, is now available in paperback.
Thanks to the awesome ladies at Penguin, I have 1 paperback copy of Not the Killing Type
by Lorna Barrett to give away to one of my lucky readers! Just enter
the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win, and be sure to keep
checking back for more awesome giveaways!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
