 | 2 Feb 09 |
Today my good friend, Kate Carlisle, is our guest blogger. Kate’s first published book comes out tomorrow! Romantic Times gave HOMICIDE IN HARDCOVER a 4 1/2 starred review, and said, “This first in a new series is going to launch Carlisle to a bestselling position and have readers looking forward to the next installment of delightfully eccentric characters, droll dialogue and a meticulously planned crime. Bibliophile heroine Brooklyn Wainwright is brilliant, feisty and funny.” Join me in welcoming, Kate Carlisle!
I want to thank both Jennifer Lyon and Jennifer Apodaca for inviting me to guest blog today at Murder She Writes, one of my favorite places to visit online.
(Pssst, I’ve noticed if you don’t thank both Jennifers, one of them gets a little peevish. Just sayin’. But if she likes you, there’s apple martinis for everyone!)
Anyway, I’m thrilled to be here to talk about my debut novel, Homicide in Hardcover: A Bibliophile Mystery, which officially arrives in book stores everywhere tomorrow! I’m not sure I should say this, but … I really love this book! It features Brooklyn Wainwright, a San Francisco bookbinder who specializes in rare book restoration. The book she’s working on in Homicide is a supposedly cursed copy of Goethe’s Faust that she is asked to restore when her mentor is found dying—still clutching the Faust to his chest.
You all remember the story of Faust, right? The guy who sold his soul to the devil to gain immortality? It wasn’t quite the bargain he was hoping for because he ended up destroying everything that was important to him, including the woman he loved.
Sounds dark, doesn’t it? Old Goethe was a pretty serious guy.
But Homicide is nothing like Faust, I promise. It’s fast-paced and funny. Oh, sure, people die. It’s a murder mystery! But I think you’ll have fun with Brooklyn and her friends. There’s hunky British security agent Derek Stone (I admit it, I was channeling James Bond) who manages to both titillate and annoy Brooklyn when he accuses her of murder. However, he soon changes his tune, determined to stay up close and personal when it becomes clear that Brooklyn is the killer’s next target.
Brooklyn’s neighbors, Suzie and Vinnie, are two chain-saw wielding lesbians who make art from huge hunks of redwood burl. Their kitty cat, Splinters, is featured on the cover of the book.
And you’ll meet Brooklyn’s Deadhead parents, who raised the family on a spiritual commune up in Sonoma County wine country. Years ago, the commune leaders saw the writing on the wall and started planting vineyards. Now they’re all making money, making wine, aligning their chakras and astral traveling in style. Life is good indeed for the members of Guru Bob’s Fellowship for Spiritual Enlightenment and Higher Artistic Consciousness.
So let’s talk mysteries. Do you like them dark and scary? Light and cozy? How about feisty and fun? Every comment will be entered into a drawing to win a free autographed copy of Homicide in Hardcover!
Please visit my website at http://katecarlisle.com
© 2009 Jennifer Lyon. All rights reserved.
Award winning author, Jennifer Lyon, always wanted to be a witch. Since her witch-powers never materialized, she went onto Plan B and now she creates magic in her books. In her new series, the author of the acclaimed Samantha Shaw Mystery Series (written as Jennifer Apodaca) introduces the Witch Hunters, legendary men who must overcome a curse to team up with witches and fight evil.
Subscribe to Posts 
Welcome Kate and your book is already on my to-buy list.
I like my mysteries light, cozy, fun, fiesty with a little romance thrown in there. I don’t mind reading mysteries that are a little dark but then I consider those thrillers.
Good luck!
by Dru February 2nd, 2009 at 4:13 amyour book sounds awesome, Kate. Congratulations! I can’t wait to read it. I love all kinds of mysteries, but I also like a few laughs to go along with it:)
by Maria Geraci February 2nd, 2009 at 4:19 amI LOVE mysteries. It’s what I cut my reading teeth on. When I started writing, I thought I was writing a mystery, but my daughters said it was a romance.
What I prefer:
A puzzle. Limited POV characters. I want the Sherlock Holmes approach, where the reader can’t know anything until h/h do. I read them all, from Dame Agatha on down the line. My favorites are series, where I spend as much time reading about the relationship as I do solving the mystery.
I’m not really much into the ‘thriller’ type — love Connelly, Grafton, the Kellermans, JA Jance, Crais, have just found Sandford.
I could go on and on about cursing whoever decided to lump all romance mystery sub-genres under the heading “Romantic Suspense” because it put an entirely different spin on reader expectation.
Of course, I read a lot of ‘romantic suspense’ and really like it, but most of those tend to be less ‘mystery’ than ‘suspense’, and that’s not my favorite sub-genre. But I definitely read it. Lots of it.
Your book sounds great — I’ve got family in wine country and I love reading about familiar settings.
by Terry Odell February 2nd, 2009 at 4:30 amI love all types of mysteries. There isn’t a wrong type for me.
Congrats on the book, I’m adding it to my list.
by HollyD February 2nd, 2009 at 6:04 amHi Dru, thank you so much for putting me on your list! And I think you just described my book. I hope you’ll enjoy it!
by Kate Carlisle February 2nd, 2009 at 6:27 amMaria, hi!! Great to *see* you here! Thanks so much for the congrats! I like to laugh with my mysteries, too. Actually, I like ‘em all.
by Kate Carlisle February 2nd, 2009 at 6:31 amI HAVE to read this book now. What a set up, Kate! I love a droll sense of humor. As for mysteries – I’m all over the spectrum. Tony Hillerman, Robert Ludlum, and Clive Cussler are all on my shelves, as well as Dame Agatha. The main thing I look for is a good story and solid characters. I don’t want to solve the crime/mystery before the end of the book. Considering my background in law enforcement, that’s hard so I’m willing to cut an author some slack – so long as they make me work for the solution. So my answer is yes – dark and scary, light and cozy, fun and feisty, and any combination of the above!
Terry, I agree with you on the lumping. I tend to write a mystery where the romance grows because of it and most romance houses scratch their heads while “mainstream” mystery publishers suggest I’ve written “just” a romance. It’s frustrating. I’m thrilled to see all of you manage to pull all the elements together so well. There’s hope for me yet! Not to mention MANY books to read!
by Silver James February 2nd, 2009 at 6:52 amI love mysteries! I not big into blood and gore but for a good book, I can get over it! But I probably read more cozy mysteries than hard-boiled mysteries.
good to see you here
by ArkansasCyndi February 2nd, 2009 at 6:56 amThat should say…I’M NOT, instead of I NOT.
jeeze – my English teachers would faint.
by ArkansasCyndi February 2nd, 2009 at 6:57 amJust ordered the book. My mom will love it.
I like everything. I’ll admit, I slant toward the dark side, but sometimes you just need something light and fun to make your day (or night!) It’s why I love Toni’s books because I’ve never had so much fun reading. And this book looks perfect for fun, too!
by Allison Brennan February 2nd, 2009 at 7:34 amKate, welcome to here! And this book sounds perfect for me. I love the description of Guru Bob’s group–cracked me up.
I have such eclectic tastes, I enjoy a wide range of styles–from the DO NOT TURN OFF THE LIGHTS EVER AGAIN scary to laughing so hard in public, people think I need medical attention. I can’t wait to get your book.
by Toni McGee Causey February 2nd, 2009 at 7:42 amKate, thank you so much for blogging with us today! I hardly had to twist your arm at all
I love feisty and fun mysteries! I also like dark and scary…hmm…I’m kind of easy when it comes to mysteries!
Kate, it’s killing me that I can’t get your book until the 14th! But I want to buy it at the OCC meeting and have you sign it! Although since I have revisions right now, maybe that’s better!
by Jen Lyon February 2nd, 2009 at 8:07 amHey Terry, I agree with your list of mystery writers! Those are some of my favorites, too. And I think you’re right about the subgenre mix-ups. My book is probably considered a classic mystery, maybe even “cozy,” although I’m not really sure what that means.
It’s got laughs and not too much blood, a pretty good mystery to it and my character’s feisty but not snarky. Cozy? Hmm…I don’t know! And what does snarky mean, anyway?? LOL
by Kate Carlisle February 2nd, 2009 at 8:38 amHi Holly! Thanks for the congrats–and thanks for adding me to your list!
by Kate Carlisle February 2nd, 2009 at 8:39 amHi Silver! Wow, you really do read across the spectrum–from Cussler to Christie! I guess the need to lump us somewhere comes from those marketing types who need to, ya know, slot us in somewhere on some shelf! Most of the books I read are a combination of everything mentioned before. I love a little romance with my mystery–and a little mystery with my romance is always fun, too. I’ll read just about anything, now that I think about it.
by Kate Carlisle February 2nd, 2009 at 8:46 amCongratulations Kate. Your novel sounds like a wonderful winner and best wishes. I enjoy mysteries of all types. British, Canadian and American with great plots and realistic characters. They grip me and are something of an escape.
by anne February 2nd, 2009 at 8:51 amHey Kate!!
Woo Hoo!!! Book set down day is here!!
I love all kinds of mysteries too, but my favorites are the cozies with a sense of humor and hey, a british commander doesn’t hurt, either!
Can’t wait to get you to sign a copy for me!
Psst…on the two Jennifer things.. I’ve heard that, you know?? But don’t tell Jen
by Maureen Child February 2nd, 2009 at 9:23 amHey Kate! I, too, love all kinds of mysteries. Congratulations!
by Debra Webb February 2nd, 2009 at 9:58 amI like lighter mysteries.
by Albert Taylor February 2nd, 2009 at 10:20 amGood to see you, too, Cyndi! LOL, my English teachers have scheduled regular rollings in their graves at some of my stuff!!
by Kate Carlisle February 2nd, 2009 at 10:46 amAllison, that’s so cool, thanks! I hope your mom loves the book!
And yeah, I figured you leaned toward the dark side. Hee hee.
I totally agree with you on Toni’s books. They brighten up the whole day!
by Kate Carlisle February 2nd, 2009 at 11:04 am(fan girl moment – squeeeeee!!)
Ahem. Hi, Toni! Thanks for the welcome! I’m a regular lurker/sometime commenter here at MSW as well as Murderati. Love your books!
My tastes used to be pretty eclectic, but I’ve moved toward funny, lighter books recently. I remember reading one scary thriller a few years ago. I was reading on the couch and I heard this rustling noise, then realized — it was my hair moving to stand on end! I’m not kidding! That was one scary book!
by Kate Carlisle February 2nd, 2009 at 11:32 amAw, Kate, you cracked me up.
Thank you for the squeeee. And for being here!
by Toni McGee Causey February 2nd, 2009 at 8:09 pmJen, you know you could go buy my book tomorrow, then buy another one on the 14th, right? Because then you’d have one for Jennifer Lyon and one for that Apodaca girl. It’s really the perfect solution, don’t you think??
I’m here to help!
by Kate Carlisle February 2nd, 2009 at 11:35 amHi, Kate and welcome to MSW! I like my mysteries on the lighter side, your book sounds like a lot of fun! And being a Nor Cali girl, I love your settings!
by Karin Tabke February 2nd, 2009 at 11:36 amHi Anne, thanks for your very kind wishes! Mysteries are definitely an escape for me, too, in the best way. I love getting lost in a good story.
by Kate Carlisle February 2nd, 2009 at 11:38 amMaureen, hi!! Tomorrow’s the big day but there have been a few sightings out there already!
That’s so funny of you to mention that you like mysteries with a British commander running around … that’s my book! Huh! Coincidence or what??
Aw, jeez, Jen’s probably gonna read what you said. But maybe not. Shhhh…maybe she won’t notice…
by Kate Carlisle February 2nd, 2009 at 11:52 amKate, your book sounds awesome. I don’t usually read mysteries because I’m so dense I don’t know whodunnit until the writer tells me. LOL But your characters sound so enchanting that I can’t wait to read it.
by Amanda February 2nd, 2009 at 11:57 amHey! I heard that! No apple martinis for Maureen
by Jen Lyon February 2nd, 2009 at 12:08 pmKate, you are brilliant! Of course! I’ll put aside my revisions and run out tomorrow to buy your book! Then I’ll be another book on the 14th and send it to my editor to apologize for being later with my revisions…LOL!
by Jen Lyon February 2nd, 2009 at 12:09 pmHey, Kate! Stopping in from the Bandit Lair to say, great interview!! You know I’m looking forward to getting my copy of Homicide In Hardcover. Any heroine who loves books enough to restore them is my kind of heroine!! Good luck on a smashing debut!
by Suzanne Welsh February 2nd, 2009 at 12:15 pmHey Kate! I cannot wait to get this book. I love a good mystery and really enjoy humor in books. Yours sounds like the perfect combination of both
by Tawny Weber February 2nd, 2009 at 12:15 pmHi Debra! Thanks for the congrats! I’ve got FIND ME on my shopping list. The cover description gave me chills! Can’t wait to read it.
by Kate Carlisle February 2nd, 2009 at 12:23 pmHi Albert — Light mysteries are us!
Thanks for coming by today.
by Kate Carlisle February 2nd, 2009 at 12:24 pmHey Karin, hi! I love Northern California and three of my brothers live in the Bay Area, so I absolutely had to set my series up there. Now I’ve gotta take all those research trips up to SF and the wine country, tasting wine, eating at great restaurants … it’s a rough job but somebody’s gotta do it.
by Kate Carlisle February 2nd, 2009 at 12:28 pmAmanda, thanks so much! I know what you mean about being dense! LOL. I rarely can figure out whodunit until the very end, but I just enjoy getting lost in the story.
by Kate Carlisle February 2nd, 2009 at 12:30 pmTawny!! Hi, my Bandita sistah! Thanks for coming by to see me!
I hope you love the book!!
by Kate Carlisle February 2nd, 2009 at 12:32 pmWaving from the Romance Bandits lair to one of my favorite Banditas!
Hooray on your release! I’m planning a major trip to Borders and HIH will be right on top of the pile.
Congratulations!
by Joanie T February 2nd, 2009 at 12:34 pmCongrats on the book, Kate! I can’t wait to get my hands on your book. It sounds fantastic.
by Christie Kelley February 2nd, 2009 at 12:36 pmHi Kate!! Swingin’ over from the Bandit Lair to say Hi!
I’m going to be lying in wait tomorrow at the bookstore tomorrow for this.
As to how I like my mysteries, I agree with Toni. She said: scary to laughing so hard in public, people think I need medical attention.
*waving madly* at Rocki St. C and Allison Brennan. Good to “see” you, ladies!
This is going to hit big, Kate-m’dear, ’cause so many people are gonna buy it right on up and love it. Write fast on #2! :>
by Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) February 2nd, 2009 at 12:41 pmJen Lyon won’t give me an apple martini! But I bet Jen Apodaca will!!
by Maureen Child February 2nd, 2009 at 12:46 pmKate babe, my Bandita buddy! As you know, I’m more excited than a rabbit in spring about your book coming out! I’ve been waiting for this forever, ever since I heard cool but sexy British agent… Yeah, I’m shallow. So shoot me. Not fatally. And then get Derek to investigate the crime and do LOTS of interviews with the victim! Anyway, I’m sure RT is right about you heading for bestsellerdom! Good luck!
by Anna Campbell February 2nd, 2009 at 12:47 pmMaureen, I’ll give you apple martinis! We’ll distract that Lyon chick so she doesn’t know. *bwahaha*
I’ll just happen to be near both a B&N and a Borders tomorrow, Kate. I must remember to tuck my TBA list into my pocket, along with the gift card….
by Silver James February 2nd, 2009 at 1:01 pmMaureen, Jen Apodaca can’t give you the apple martini as long as I have her locked in that closet…just saying…
by Jen Lyon February 2nd, 2009 at 1:04 pmSilver, I can see what you’re up to in my cystral ball! Put down that martini shaker!
by Jen Lyon February 2nd, 2009 at 1:04 pmI knew this would happen …
Jen, let Ms. Apodaca out of the closet. That’s a good girl.
Maureen, stop teasing her. You know she’s got a screw loose. Oops …
Silver, gimme one of those apple martinis, will ya??
by Kate Carlisle February 2nd, 2009 at 1:15 pmSilver, I’m excited that you’re going book shopping! Let me know what you find. I’m going to venture out to Borders tomorrow myself. And I’ll have my camera with me, just in case there’s a HOMICIDE sighting.
by Kate Carlisle February 2nd, 2009 at 1:19 pmThis may end up appearing twice, Kate and Murder girls (hmm, that sounds a bit scary). I suspect when I spelt s*xy out in full, it decided I was an evil spammer. Anyway, here goes nuttin:
Kate babe, my Bandita buddy! As you know, I’m more excited than a rabbit in spring about your book coming out! I’ve been waiting for this forever, ever since I heard cool but s*xy British agent… Yeah, I’m shallow. So shoot me. Not fatally. And then get Derek to investigate the crime and do LOTS of interviews with the victim! Anyway, I’m sure RT is right about you heading for bestsellerdom! Good luck!
by Anna Campbell February 2nd, 2009 at 1:26 pmI’ll let Apodaca out of Silver gives me a apple martini
Kate are you going to post pictures of HOMICIDE sightings on your blog? (Uhh, the book, not actual homicides.)
by Jen Lyon February 2nd, 2009 at 1:29 pmHello, Kate! Another Bandita checking in to go on about how fabulous you are and how much I’m looking forward to this book!
As to how I like my mystery, I have to say I like a little mystery in many different types of stories. I like light and funny ones (like Stephanie Plum), but I like darky dark like Lisa Gardner and Karen Rose, as well. I used to read lots of Agatha Christie, then moved on to Lillian Jackson Braun. I love those!
Yours, of course, has a much younger and hotter heroine than most of the cozy-type mysteries, which is why I can’t wait to read it! I love a fun, light-hearted mystery with enough twists to keep me guessing. I’m so looking forward to reading Brooklyn’s book!
Of course, y’all can find Kate hanging out at ALL THE TIME!
by Caren Crane February 2nd, 2009 at 1:33 pm*whistles sinnocently* Martini shaker? Why, Jen! Whatever are you talking about? *passes glasses to Kate and Maureen and pours*
by Silver James February 2nd, 2009 at 1:36 pmLOL Jen, yes I’ll be posting pics of HOMICIDE!! Mwahahahahaa!!
Apple martinis? No comprende. {hic}
by Kate Carlisle February 2nd, 2009 at 2:28 pmKate, Your novel sounds intriguing and unique. Congratulations.
by ruth February 2nd, 2009 at 2:46 pmI enjoy all types of mysteries since they entertain and are riveting reading.
*passes the pitcher to Jen* Ooh. I’ll take my camera, Kate and snap the “crime scene” if I stumble across it!
by Silver James February 2nd, 2009 at 2:58 pmHi Karin,
by Jane February 2nd, 2009 at 3:38 pmCongrats on your debut release. I usually like my mysteries to be dark and scary with lots of gory detail. It would be even better if there were light moments sprinkled in. Can’t wait to read your book.
Cool, Silver! I want to see pics of the crime scene! Thanks!
by Kate Carlisle February 2nd, 2009 at 3:39 pmWow, it’s a full-fledge Bandita invasion!! And they’re all fighting for apple martinis! Oh heck, I’ll just grab this shaker and start making another round for you girls.
Anna, my darling! Thank you for visiting! and no, you must never spell out s*xy outside of the Lair! And step away from the British agent…
Joanie!! Woohoo!! Waving back! Thank you for putting HIH on your shopping list! Let me know what you find out there!
by Kate Carlisle February 2nd, 2009 at 5:59 pmHey, Christie! Another Bandita! Thanks for the congrats!
Jeanne, my dear, from your lips, as they say!! I really hope you love the book!
Darling Posh, so great to see you! You named a bunch of my fave mystery authors, too. Evanovich, and Karen Rose and Lisa Gardner…scary, but great!!
Yes, my protagonist is younger and hotter … much like myself! {Sorry, should’ve warned of a spew alert}
by Kate Carlisle February 2nd, 2009 at 6:05 pmHi Ruth, thanks for coming by. I’m with you, I like all types of mysteries. I just like to get wrapped up in a wonderful story.
Hi Jane, thanks for the congrats! Not too much gore in this book but there are some bodies. Dead ones.
by Kate Carlisle February 2nd, 2009 at 6:08 pmSilver, blessings on you and all you love!
Pour me another, darling!
(Jen who?)
by Maureen Child February 2nd, 2009 at 6:43 pmHi, Kate!
I already have this book and am eager to read it as soon as I can shove schoolwork and revisions to one side. I tend to like my mysteries somewhere in the middle. I can go with light and funny or with dark and threatening, but I tend to shift a little more toward the light end.
Congratulations on your fabulous debut!
by Nancy Northcott February 2nd, 2009 at 7:03 pmCongrats on the new book Kate!
Depending on my mood I usually like my mysteries dark and scary (I love to be scared out of my wits) but once in a while I like to read a light and cozy mystery.
by Terri W. February 2nd, 2009 at 7:39 pmThanks so much, Terri! I probably won’t scare you out of your wits with my book but if you need some laughs, I think I can help.
Thanks a million to Jennifer … and Jennifer … and all the MSW ladies for allowing me to invade their lovely space. I had a blast!!
by Kate Carlisle February 3rd, 2009 at 6:54 am