A mystery writer setting her stories in places like a golf course, at a funeral, in Egypt, and more.

Please introduce yourself.

I’m a Canadian author, golfer, and world traveler. I live in a beautiful little town in the prairies.

If you are a writer, are you an avid reader?

I’m an avid reader of mysteries and history books. And I’m a traditionally published author of six mysteries. I was awarded bestselling author in 2021 and 2022 by my publisher, BWL Inc.

What inspired you to write your first book?

My first mystery, a whodunit, Wayward Shot, came about while watching an old Agatha Christie movie. And I thought, what if my protagonist wasn’t as genteel or clever as Miss Marple. And the idea of having a murder on a golf course also appealed to me.

Choosing Titles

How do you decide on the title of a book?

Wayward Shot came from my first chapter. Death and Denial was suggested by a beta reader. Two titles came before I even had a word on a page. The Trouble with Funerals, one of my daughters commenting on a funeral. Murder Exit Stage Right came from a Bugs Bunny cartoon opening song. Hard to explain. Maybe the chaos from a cartoon translated to the stage in my mystery.

Have you developed a specific writing style and why?

My first five mysteries were cozy/whodunits. My latest mystery, Moving is Murder is a thriller. The thought was, what would happen if my protagonist trusted the wrong person. Once I decided that, my cozy mystery took a ninety-degree turn and became a thriller. My next mystery. The Séance Murders is a historical mystery that takes place in 1908. This one is hard but fun. A lot of research goes into a historical novel. But it’s not a history book. It is fictional. But if the city doesn’t have a streetcar. And you find that out after you write a fantastic scene (in my mind, a fantastic scene), you have to delete it and start again.

How much of your books is realistic and experiences based on someone you know, or events in your life?

My first mystery, Wayward Shot, is a golf course murder. I am a golfer. The thought of finding a golf ball in the middle of a dead man’s forehead leaped into my brain as I hit a long drive.

The Trouble with Funerals. I have lived in small towns where everyone knows everyone. In a senior’s apartment, my protagonist, Mabel’s mother, suspects the deaths are not from natural causes. But who has anything to gain?

This brings me to Murder Exit Stage Right. I directed little theatre for many years, and this inspired my mystery. Not all the drama takes place on stage. There is a series of mysterious mishaps and a murder.

My travel to Egypt was the inspiration for Death and Denial. Cruising down the Nile, a passenger disappears. There is a murder in a locked cabin. My protagonists, Mabel and Violet, are trapped aboard the boat with a murderer.

The Suspects came about from a bus tour. A busload of suspects have reasons to murder the tour director. In a hostile foreign country, Mabel, my protagonist, is accused of murder.

Writing travel mysteries is a challenge. You don’t want a travel log. But you do want to show the reader the country where the mystery takes place. And so far, the feedback from my readers is that I have struck the right balance.

A Favorite Writer

Who is your favorite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?

I have so many that the list would be very long. But to name a few. Richard Osman, Linwood Barclay. And Yvonne Rediger a new author. All have great twists in their mysteries sprinkled with humour.

Is there an author, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?

Terry Pratchett. His imagination was amazing. He took classic fairy tales and turned them inside out.

When you see new authors struggling, what single piece of advice could you give them on a moment’s notice?

This quote from Terry Pratchett helped me. “The first draft is just you telling yourself the story.” Then, you must edit, edit, and edit some more. But never give up. Your story is yours to tell.

Do you have a blog or website viewers can visit for updates, events and special offers? Include links to any and all of your sites.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mabelmysteries

My Publisher (BooksWeLove.Net): Havelange, Joan – BWL Publishing Inc.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanhave/