Killer Questions - Casting Call

Killer Questions - Casting Call!

Authors dream that their books will be made into movies or television shows. Sometimes, the hope is that the writer becomes so successful that a biographical documentary is filmed. WWK authors believe in being prepared; so, today, we’re telling you who we would choose to play our protagonists and us. Enjoy our casting call.

James M. Jackson - Matt Damon would play Seamus McCree. I'd have John Malkovich portray me.

Connie Berry - Everyone tells Kate Hamilton that she looks like a young Charlize Theron with dark hair—so I guess I’d choose a young Charlize Theron to play her. If my books were about me, I’d flatter myself wildly and choose Ashley Jensen (with dark hair).

Lori Roberts Herbst - I'd choose Evangeline Lilly to play Callie. Lilly comes across in her roles as self-sufficient, with an underlying longing for vulnerability. She portrays just the right amount of snarky humor, too. For me, it would be Valerie Bertinelli. When I was a teenager and she was on One Day at a Time, people always told me we looked alike. No other reason than that.

Molly MacRae - Emrys Lloyd, the ghost, is so Welsh that actor Gareth Rees would be perfect.

Sarah Burr - I think for any of my books, I would cast an unknown actress as the protagonist so that she could define the role for herself. But I would ask that Ben Barnes be cast as Lord Percival Pettraud in the Court of Mystery series.

Grace Topping - Jennifer Garner is so natural and likable. She would be perfect to play Laura. As for someone to play me in a bio, that’s a hard one. I would have to pick three actors to portray me at different ages. Perhaps Sally Fields at my current age. 

Annette Dashofy - Matthias Honeywell would have to be played by Christian Kane. No doubt about it.

Heather Weidner - My two cozy protagonists are both redheads, so I think Bryce Dallas Howard or Alicia Witt would be good choices for either of them. If I were to choose someone to play me, it would probably be Molly Ringwald. She’s still my favorite 80s gal. (Nicole Kidman is way too tall to play me.)  

Margaret S. Hamilton - My protagonist would be a younger version of Julianne Moore. As a bio of me, a younger Maggie Smith.

Marilyn Levinson - I think Natalie Portman would make a wonderful Carrie Singleton. As for me, I'd love to have Helen Mirren play me.

Debra H. Goldstein – Believe it or not, a young Carol Burnett would be a perfect Sarah Blair. From watching her on TV and in movies, I know Carol would have the chops to play the comedy and serious sides of Sarah. For me, not going to happen.

Mary Dutta - Given that every short story I write involves new characters, a movie would have to include the proverbial cast of thousands. As far as who I would choose to play me--one of the many talented Hollywood redheads. 

Martha Reed - I can easily see actor Katee Sackoff playing ex-detective Jane Byrne. She has presence and physicality. For me, I’d like to think we’d need to cast someone funny and optimistic who doesn’t take herself too seriously like Sandra Bullock, Anne Hathaway, or Emma Stone.  

Lisa Malice - I’m a big classic movie buff, so Grace Kelly would be my ideal lead in the movie version of Lest She Forget, while William Holden and Robert Mitchum would be perfect for Nick and Felix, respectively. No explanation here; read the book and let me know if you agree. As for my bio pic, I’ve always liked Meg Ryan.

Kait Carson - Lili Reinhart would make a great Hayden Kent. 

Nancy Eady - I would love a 30-something Natalie Portman to play my female protagonist, because I think she could nail the dual vibe of "girl next door" and "super intelligent."  I'd like Sandra Bullock to play me, just because I like her as an actress.  

Shari Randall/Meri Allen - In my first series, the Lobster Shack mysteries, I've always thought that Dawn Atkins, a principal dancer with the Miami Ballet, would be absolutely perfect to play Allegra Larkin.  To play Riley Rhodes in my ice cream shop mysteries I've always pictured Courtenay Cox, the wonderful actress from the show Friends. 

K.M. Rockwood - Ah, no one comes to mind. I guess I just lack imagination. The Jesse character should be an ethnically ambiguous lean male in his thirties with long hair in wiry curls in a ponytail at the nape of his neck, and dark eyes. Flannel shirt, blue jeans, steel-toed work boots, buffalo plaid jacket. 

Elaine Douts - I cast Shirley MacLaine as one of my characters, but I’m not familiar with many actors because I watch few TV shows or movies. For me—maybe Kathleen Turner or Cybil Shepard or Jamie Lee Curtis. Meg Ryan? I don’t know. It could be any old and seasoned actress.

Korina Moss - Ginnifer Goodwin, at the age she was when she played Snow White in the TV series Once Upon a Time. She’s about ten years older than Willa now, though. For my bio: I can’t compare myself to her, but I’d choose Sandra Bullock, because I admire her humor, strength, and vulnerability.   

Teresa Inge - Julianne Moore since she portrays strong, female, characters which is what I write. She is the same age as my protagonist Lainey Gentry who owns a wine shop in “Maid of Murder,” my story in First Comes Love, Then Comes Murder.

Paula Benson - My answer is based on my short story "Crossfire in the Crosshairs" from A Death in the Night. The protagonist, a single mom raising a preschool aged daughter supplements her support income by being a paid assassin. I see Amy Adams in that role with Ryan Gosling as her mysterious handler/facilitator/boss and Tom Cavanaugh as her ex-husband, who happens to be competing with her to slay the same target.

 

Lunching with the Cheese Biscuit Queen

 by Paula Gail Benson

A portrait of Mary Martha Greene from her website

For the second time, our Palmetto Chapter of Sisters in Crime (based in Columbia, S.C.) welcomed acclaimed cookbook author Mary Martha Greene a.k.a. the Cheese Biscuit Queen to talk about her new book. On her first visit, she told us about writing her debut work, The Cheese Biscuit Queen Tells All: Southern Recipes, Sweet Remembrances, and a Little Rambunctious Behavior. This time, we heard about The Cheese Biscuit Queen, Kiss My Aspic!: Southern Recipes, Saucy Stories, and More Rambunctious Behavior, which technically releases today. We were especially delighted to be the first South Carolina group she spoke with about the book (she had done a presentation on Amelia Island, Georgia), and we were thrilled to get to sample her famous cheese biscuits.

Perhaps you’re asking why a group interested in crime fiction would have a program featuring a cookbook author (or, perhaps it seems obvious, considering all the cozy mysteries that contain recipes). But Mary’s work is significant not only for the food, but also for the stories she tells about her family and her work as a lobbyist before the state legislature. Published by the University of South Carolina Press, Mary’s books describe both the art of entertaining along with cultural and historical incidents that shaped her life.

Mary had long been familiar with the recipes prepared by her mother and aunt, but it wasn’t until her goddaughter said, “I want you to teach me how to cook,” that Mary thought of writing them down and compiling them. Writing down the memories that accompanied the food preparation was a natural.

From an early age, Mary understood the value of being able to tell a good story. As a child, she and her brother would go grocery shopping with her mother. They would remain in the car with their grandmother, who had them “people watch” and “fill in the blanks” of what they thought the people were doing. Why did this man go to the store? (The answer was usually to get items to make a cake.) What kind of a cake and for whom?

Mary and her brother were trained to use their imaginations. Mary mentioned she someday hoped to publish fiction. With her knowledge of how to spin a tale, I have no doubt her stories will be well received.

When asked about a particularly memorable experience that developed from her writing, Mary described having the opportunity to meet and interview Jacques Pepin, the famous chef, author, artist, and television partner of Julia Child. To prepare for the task, Mary read his biography. When she mentioned it at the interview, he corrected her. It was a cooking memoir, not a biography, because it did not chronicle his sex life.

Jacques Pepin--Wikipedia

She reminded him of his experience as a young boy in liberated France. His first chewing gum and chocolate came from the soldiers. (He shared the chewed stick of gum back and forth with his brother.) At the end of the interview, Mary gave him a stick of gum and a chocolate bar. In response, he kissed her hand.

I’m truly looking forward to reading the new book and trying the recipes. If you ever have the chance to hear Mary Martha Greene, go! You’ll love the stories she tells as much as her delicious food.

Has your reading (fiction or nonfiction) lead you to try different cuisines?

Crossing the Genre Barrier by Bethany Maines

Crossing the Genre Barrier by Bethany Maines

Each of my books features key elements – tough heroines (sometimes tough is physical, sometimes it’s mental), romance, and adventure.  Sometimes I add in a little magic, sometimes it’s a more standard mystery. Being an author in more than one genre is like trying to juggle flaming torches and bowling pins—exciting but tricky! Each genre comes with its own rules, tropes, and audience expectations, so switching between them can feel like constantly learning a new language. The mental gymnastics are real!

Marketing adds to the challenge. Readers often want consistency, so convincing my paranormal romance fans to check out my mysteries (or vice versa) can be tough. In retrospect I probably should have used a pen name to keep the audiences separate, but I didn’t want to juggle multiple identities. 

But here’s the fun part: writing in different genres keeps my creativity fresh. It’s a chance to stretch my skills and explore new storytelling horizons. Sure, it’s tricky, but it’s also incredibly rewarding!  

Onto the Next Genre

For my upcoming release, Elevator Ride—Book 1 of the Valkyrie Brothers Trilogy—I’m sticking to

what I think of as my “bread and butter” – romance with some mystery and action riding shotgun. 

In Elevator Ride, Vivian Kaye has been tasked with serving a cease-and-desist letter to Rowan Valkyrie—the most hated tenant in Seattle’s Hoskins building—but when she ambushes the seasoned security professional in the elevator, she ignites a powder keg of tempers and attraction. But what might have been a light-hearted office affair turns deadly when a mysterious assailant attacks Vivian and her boss. Desperate to protect the independent Vivian, Rowan knows that unless he can push all the right buttons, this elevator ride will be going straight down.

Elevator Ride was inspired by my day job as a graphic designer. My firm worked with an estate planning seminar and as a result I listened to an amazing number of tales of estate planning gone wrong. The number of times that someone literally tried to kill a grandparent to get the farm was shocking.  (Yes, the farm! Apparently the majority of family owned farms in the U.S. are held in trusts and that leads to litigation when things get complicated.) And while Elevator Ride doesn’t involve a farm, it does involve a missing will.  

Poly Genre

I love using these touch points from different worlds to make new ideas and while I can understand that it might be easier if I let myself be pigeonholed to one genre—I can’t help loving more than one genre.  (Does that make me a polygenreist? Am I the reverse harem of novelists?) And I hope that readers will also enjoy reading a laugh out loud romance where they solve the mystery and stop the bad guy.

Want more? 

RELEASE DATE: 3/24/25

PREORDER Elevator Ride: https://amzn.to/3AnaMLQ

About the Author:

Bethany Maines is the award-winning indie and traditionally published author of romantic action-adventure and fantasy novels that focus on women who know when to apply lipstick and when to apply a foot to someone’s hind-end. She can usually be found chasing after her daughter or glued to the computer working on her next novel or screenplay. You can catch up with her on Facebook or on her website – www.bethanymaines.com

“Off the Page” with Juniper Blume by The Wren (Sarah E. Burr)

 

A Note from Sarah Burr: I’m handing the blogging reins to Winnie Lark, the main character in my Book Blogger Mysteries. Winnie runs a popular bookish website called What Spine is Yours (think Metacritic for the literary world). However, she manages it anonymously, and the online community only knows her as “The Wren.” She often interviews guest authors through their characters, and that’s the focus of today’s feature. Enjoy!

Greetings, bookish friends! The Wren, here. Juniper Blume from Daphne Silver’s Agatha Award-winning Rare Books Cozy Mysteries joins me this month. Juniper, thanks so much for coming “Off the Page” with me. As a fellow book lover, we have a lot of ground to cover. I’ve never gotten to chat with a rare books librarian before; I have so many questions! Let’s dive in.

Where did your interest in books—specifically rare books—come from? How did you pursue this career path?

Thank you so much for having me today, Wren! While I have always loved books, it took me some time to find my path in life. I actually left college for a bit to travel the world, staying in cheap hostels, and working odd jobs to make ends meet so I could explore. When I came home, I realized I could keep those travels going through stories. Every book has its own journey, so becoming a rare books librarian allowed me to explore not only the world but throughout history, just through these special books.

Wow, I love that notion of every book being its own journey. I totally feel the same way. I get to live through all these fantastic adventures without ever leaving the comfort of my rocking chair. So, how did you go from working at the Library of Congress to living and working in Rose Mallow, Maryland? What brought you back, and more importantly, what made you stay?

That was unexpected! I had held off returning to Rose Mallow after my beloved Nana Z passed away, but when I heard there was some sort of ancient Celtic manuscript there, I couldn’t resist exploring. I’m a librarian, so curiosity is my superpower! What I never expected to find was rediscovering how special that place is to me and reconnecting with my family, especially my sister Azalea. Once I returned, I realized there were some things even more important than being at the Library of Congress.

Family is so important, whether it be related by blood or found family. And I bet your sister is very glad to have you around! In The Tell-Tale Homicide, you find yourself involved in another mystery. What made you want to investigate this case yourself?

I didn’t! But the mystery happened in my library with the people and books I was in charge of, so I felt a strong obligation to uncover the truth.

Ah, I’ve read a book or two about the reluctant sleuth. It’s always that dogged determination that wins out in the end. How has your background in rare manuscripts helped you solve crimes?

As I mentioned, curiosity is my superpower - although it also gets me into trouble! I have learned a lot from reading these books, so I have found that strange bits of knowledge can be helpful. I’m also trained in research, whether that’s using digital databases or old manual resources, so that’s proved helpful.

When you’re on a case, are you a solo investigator, or do you have a team to help you?

I’m fortunate to be growing a network of friends to assist me. If I can’t find the answer, I know people who can help. First, my sister Azalea is always my go-to resource. Right after her is my boss, Leo Calverton, even if everyone thinks he’s my boyfriend! But it doesn’t hurt that he’s part of the very rich and well-connected Calverton family. There are also friends like Hal from the historical society, who worked for some government agency back in the day doing things he’s not allowed to detail. And there’s reconnecting with my old friend Nuri, who I went to library school with. She’s now working locally at a used bookstore. These are just some of my friends that I’m fortunate to have helped me. Detective Lakshmi Gupta probably doesn’t want to be included on this list, but I think she’s coming to realize how we can help each other.

Ooo, I am a big fan of amateur sleuths who have a good working relationship with their local law enforcement rather than a contentious one. I’m glad Detective Gupta is coming around to appreciate your skills! Without giving away too many spoilers in The Tell-Tale Homicide, could you share one heart-stopping moment that eventually ended in a fit of laughter?

Oh my goodness. My first day working my new job, I ended up in the middle of a protest. Since we’re along the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland, the protestors tossed everyone with Rose Bay, a local version of Old Bay seasoning! I was scraping that off for a long time. It’s worse than glitter!

Holy bookmarks. The visual alone has me shuddering but also in stitches. I need to look up Rose Bay and see if I can get my hands on some—for flavoring, not protesting. What advice would you give someone who wants to follow in your footsteps as a rare books librarian and/or amateur detective?

For being a librarian, I’d recommend volunteering with your local library to learn more and make sure it’s a passion for you. You can even get some jobs at a library without a special degree, but for rare books, you will need special degrees, such as a MLS (master in library science) in the United States of America.

As for being an amateur detective, honestly, I’d prefer reading about it than living it! I know that Detective Laskhmi Gupta would agree, too.

Are there more mysteries in store for you and your author, Daphne Silver?

I can’t seem to escape them! The next adventure comes out in November 2025, so stay tuned. The best way to ensure you know about it and hear from my author is by joining her newsletter at www.daphnesilver.com. Plus, you’ll get a free story about yours most truly.

As a big fan of you both, I’m thrilled we have more to look forward to. Thanks again for coming off the page with me! Check out Juniper Blume, The Tell-Tale Homicide, and the Rare Books Cozy Mystery series at your favorite bookish retailer today.

Purchase link: https://buy.bookfunnel.com/va28q2e847

To stay connected with Juniper’s author, Daphne, head to her website: www.daphnesilver.com.

Learn more about The Wren, Winnie, and the Book Blogger Mysteries at www.saraheburr.com.

What’s So Funny About Murder and Mayhem by Judy L Murray

Comedy intwined in mysteries and thrillers fascinates me. Let’s face it. We mystery writers spend much of our time mulling over murder. “What do you do,” a stranger asks. Our reply, “We kill people.” It’s macabre.

Recently the Grand Canyon Chapter of Sisters in Crime offered an excellent webinar entitled “What’s So Funny About Murder and Mayhem” with best-selling author Tim Maleeny. Publishers Weekly describes his style: “Tim Maleeny smoothly mixes wry humor and a serious plot without sacrificing either.” Since my Chesapeake Bay Mystery series infuses moments of wise-cracking dialogue, I was excited to hear his advice. (I can always use it.)

Tim reminded me that comedic dialogue interwoven can elevate my mysteries. • Don’t try to be funny. Overreaching, unless you’re a comedic master, often falls flat.
• Humor affects pacing. It can provide a welcome break in between fast-moving scenes. Or it stops and starts your storyline like an old car engine that keeps stalling out. Be careful.
• Humor can provide a tool to bring your readers closer to your characters.
• Humor can be used to emphasize conflicts. Think of characters’ conflicting goals, misunderstandings, mismatches in personalities, or collisions in different cultures or backgrounds.
• Humor humanizes characters. It can reflect their setbacks and mistakes.
• Criminals are not always smart.
• Dial back humor when needed. Sometimes less can be more.

His points made me consider the breakout blockbuster movie Die Hard with lead Bruce Willis as John McClane, a New York cop who joins his estranged wife in Los Angelos at her company’s holiday party. Moments later, brutal terrorists take over. John quickly realizes there’s no one to save the hostages – except him. The tension is high and viewers’ hearts pound as he crawls on his belly, bloodied and breathless, through the skyscraper’s heat vents. Does he curse these monsters as we would expect? No. Our world-weary hero mutters under his breath a sarcastic “Come out to the coast, we’ll get together, have a few laughs.” It’s a pure gold scene among many because it relieves our tension, helps us catch our breath. It tells us in very few words a great deal about the protagonist. McCane is a likeable, imperfect man with grit. We fall in love.

I’ll be open with you. Thrillers and hard crime novels or movies are not typically my first choice - as much as I admire those writers. I’m a wuss and hide my face during scary scenes. But Die Hard brought us a clever script, an actor with a deft sense of humor, a feel-good movie cloaked amidst terror. It was anything but predictable. That’s talented writing.

Every writer approaches murder mixed with humor differently. From Shakespeare to Agatha Christie to Janet Evanovich or Richard Osman, we’ve all got our unique style.

If you would like to get to know my characters’ humor styles, I hope you’ll stop by. Find me at www.judylmurraymysteries.com

Judy L Murray, Winner Silver Falchion, IPPY First Place, PenCraft Gold, Agatha Nominee

 

Love is in the Air! Happy Valentine’s Day!

By Heather Weidner

There are a lot of celebrations around my house in February. My birthday was yesterday, and today’s Valentine’s Day. Besides birthday cake, February always brings chocolate, roses, and red and pink hearts to my mind. With all the love and romance in the air and on store shelves, I decided to start a list of favorite romantic/literary entanglements.

But just as mysteries have lots of twists and turns, love or passion are not always X’s and O’s or the perfect happily-ever-after. Authors use romantic encounters and relationships to show a more human side of their sleuth, to highlight a vulnerability or a weakness, or to create tension or conflict in the story or among characters (not to mention with some readers who love or hate the pairing).

Here's my list.

Rhys Bowen

·        Lady Georgiana and Darcy O’Mara

Michael Connelly

·        Harry Bosch and ex-wife Eleanor Wish and others

·        Mickey Haller and first wife, Maggie McPherson, and second wife, Lorna Crane and others

Arthur Conan Doyle

·        Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler (in later adaptations)

Dashiell Hammett

·        Nick and Nora Charles

Carolyn Keene

·        Nancy Drew and Ned Nickerson

Faye Kellerman

·        Peter Decker and Rena Lazarus

Robert B. Parker

·        Spenser and Susan Silverman

Louise Penny

·        Chief Inspector Armand and Reine-Marie Gamache

Elizabeth Peters

·        Amelia Peabody Emerson and Professor Radcliffe Emerson

J. D. Robb

·        Eve Dallas and Roarke

Dorothy Sayers

·        Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane

Tom Shaw

·        Richard Castle and Kate Beckett

·        Nikki Heat and Jameson Rook

·        Derrick Storm and Clara Strike

Karin Slaughter

·        Will Trent and Sara Linton

Ellie Alexander

·        Jules and Carlos

Jacqueline Frost

·        Holly and Sheriff Evan Gray

My Characters

·        Delanie Fitzgerald and Special Agent Eric Ellington (Johnny Velvet was just a fling.)

·        Jules Keene and Jake Evans

·        Jade Hicks and Nick Driscoll

 We also cannot forget about the fictional love triangles that create all kinds of suspense, frustration, and havoc among the characters and the readers who take opposing sides.

 Janet Evanovich

Stephanie Plum and Joseph Morelli and Ranger

 Libby Klein

Poppy McAllister and Tim and Gia

 Joanne Fluke

Hannah and Norman and Mike

 Korina Moss

Willa and Roman and Detective Heath

 Who are your favorite literary couples? And are there any that you love to hate?

 

Through the years, Heather Weidner has been a cop’s kid, technical writer, editor, college professor, software tester, and IT manager. She writes the Pearly Girls Mysteries, the Delanie Fitzgerald Mysteries, The Jules Keene Glamping Mysteries, and The Mermaid Bay Christmas Shoppe Mysteries.

Originally from Virginia Beach, Heather has been a mystery fan since Scooby-Doo and Nancy Drew. She lives in Central Virginia with her husband and a pair of Jack Russell terriers.

Check out her Valentine cozy, Deadlines and Valentines. Available at your favorite bookseller.

 

The Story Behind the Story: "Voices in the Caves"

 

 

 

By Margaret S. Hamilton

 

When I contemplated writing a story about our 2022 visit to the Dordogne region in southwest France, I made a list of everything I had liked about the area: the food, wine, castles, churches, and ruins, the rolling countryside and rivers, and the layers of history, from prehistoric caves to medieval castles and villages. In addition, we encountered many reminders of the retribution committed by German soldiers during the summer of 1944, following the success of the D-Day invasion.

 

Eyrignac Manor

During our visit, I experienced a strange kinship with the prehistoric families who had lived in the limestone caves and had painted animals on the ceilings—the horses, bison, and stags they hunted for food at the end of an ice age. The caves were cool in temperature and sweet smelling, with ample fresh water and firewood nearby. I could envision living in a cave and raising a family.

 

Prehistory Museum

On a drizzly morning in Sarlat, the market town where we were based, we prowled around the town cemetery, reading the many memorials to members of the Resistance. I cried when I found a monument erected for a local sixteen-year-old boy executed by the Nazis. Too young to fight, he was probably a courier, carrying messages or provisions from his family farm to a local Resistance group. The descendants of residents have long memories of the German atrocities.

 

Lascaux

In July 1944, money for Resistance operations was running out. Local fighters created a plan to steal a rail shipment of 2.28 billion French francs in 150 burlap sacks. The money was used for guns and ammunition, medical expenses, and food. A few months later, the German army moved north.

 

For my story, I created an American protagonist, Kate Carmody, a genealogy librarian, who, with her husband and local guide Bruno, set out to explore a prehistoric cave owned by Bruno’s cousin. A French woman with suspicious motives insists upon accompanying them. Kate’s instincts prove correct as the woman’s unscrupulous actions are revealed.

 Rocamadour

    

 

After World War II, the French government supported the preservation of Sarlat and other medieval towns in the area. Sarlat has street markets two days a week, and other than shops, restaurants, and small hotels, the town is completely restored. No gas stations, strip malls, or supermarkets. Dordogne is now a major tourist destination offering river sports, hiking, and cycling, with a superb local cuisine and wine.

Cheese truck at the Sarlat market

 

Martin Walker, author of the Bruno, Chief of Police series, sets his books in the area.

 

Readers, do you enjoy visiting places you’ve read about in books? Writers, do you set your stories and books in places you’ve visited?

 

“Voices in the Caves” is in Gone Fishin’, Crime Takes a Holiday, ed. James M. Jackson, 2025.

www.wolfsechopress.com

 

Margaret S. Hamilton’s debut amateur sleuth mystery, What the Artist Left Behind, is on submission.

Home - The Official Website of Margaret S. Hamilton

 

 

 

 

 

An Interview with Debra H. Goldstein by E. B. Davis

 

Judge Debra H. Goldstein’s novels and short stories have received Silver Falchion, IPPY, BWR, and AWC awards and been named as Agatha, Anthony, Derringer, and Claymore finalists. Debra’s short pieces have appeared in numerous periodicals and anthologies including Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Black Cat Mystery Magazine, and Mystery Weekly.

 

With Our Bellies Full and the Fire Dying, is a collection of eighteen award-winning short mysteries, from cozy to dark, centering around family and friends, their sins and their sometimes redemption.

Amazon.com

 

Thankfulness, forgiveness, redemption and sometimes sinful denial are the result of living and are ways of coping with life’s dilemmas. Debra presents situations that are down-home real, and some are scary, pouncing on the reader like unaware prey. While reading, I heard the varied voices of characters, from youngsters of both sexes, several lawyers, to the old black men. Many stories were set in the South, which is unsurprising since that’s where Debra has lived. The stories in this collection were written between 2011 and 2022. After reading the volume, I knew my favorites, but I’ll let you discover your own. 

 

Please welcome WWK’er Debra H. Goldstein.           E. B. Davis

 

Is there such as thing as a “gigolo clause?”

 

Technically, a “gigolo clause” is a fictional or almost slang reference to a no-contest clause in a will. Usually, it is drafted to say that the party agrees to a certain sum at a divorce or death to be received only after having stayed married a set number of years. It is an accepted payoff. An example would be parties who agree that if they stay married three years, then the groom (or bride depending upon how the estate plan is drafted), will receive X, and have a claim for no more. 

 

What is it about leafy greens that is bad for heart attacks or is it the way the greens are made in that slow Southern style or in a rich bechamel sauce? (I made green beans for Thanksgiving one time here in NC, and was accused of serving “squeaky” Northern beans—which I now fear.)

 

The problem with certain leafy greens is their interaction with blood thinners. Many medicines, like Warfarin are made less effective at stopping blood clots if one consumes too much Vitamin K. Because vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, brussels sprouts, collard greens, kale, mustard greens, seaweed, spinach, swiss chard, and turnip greens are high in Vitamin K, they must be eaten in moderation.

 Is there a real recipe for “Pig Lickin’” cake? I’d never heard of it, but then I’m really a Yankee.

 “Pig Lickin'” or “Pig Licking'” cake is a Southern dessert made using yellow cake (mix works fine), mandarin oranges, pineapple, and whipped topping. The recipe given in my story is the traditional one.

Are priests and other clergy required by law to report to the police illegal activities of parishioners if they find out about them in the course of their duties? How about psychologists?

 

To my knowledge (but let’s open this up to clergy), there has traditionally been a formal confessional exception in the church world – think about how many movies have used this as a basis. For psychologists, there is a psychologist/patient confidentiality rule about information shared in a session. There are exceptions in the United States involving child abuse, elder abuse, and domestic violence. Most times, therapists work with the patient and encourage them to self-report. Psychologists do have a duty to warn if a patient makes a believable threat against an identified individual. The word patient is key to this duty.

 

Have street gangs been known to make up their own Krewes during Mardi Gras? It makes sense that during the riotous time gangs could get away with retribution without detection.

 

Although street gangs throughout the United States may have their own languages, customs, culture, or look, the Mardi Gras Parade Krewes are formally recognized entities who obtain proper permits to parade in the streets. The parade route and size of parade determine how many police officers will be needed to provide a parade escort. These Krewes also may need supplemental permits tied to their event (ex. tents, park space, etc.).

 

After Katrina, were parishes consolidated?

 

After Katrina, at least 40 parishes were forced to consolidate and more than 20 individual churches were closed.

 

What does “humba” mean?

 

Many people think of a Filipino pork dish tied to the word “humba,” but in the Mardi Gras context, it is when the Big Chiefs of two tribes challenge each other to “humba.” The “humba” incorporates a song, chant, and ceremonial dance where the two chiefs demand respect from each other.

 

Are there people who have pet mice and form clubs?

 

Yes, there are many people who have pet mice and belong to national clubs. Some of the national clubs include the American Fancy Rat & Mouse Association (AFRMA), The National Mouse Club (NMC), FinnMouse, r/Pet Mice (a Reddit community), and Mice Breeders And Owners of America (Facebook group). Kings River Life Magazine has a direct relationship to rats/mice and even calls its podcast Mysteryrat’s Maze Podcast.

Some of your stories were surprisingly dark, like “Violet Eyes” and “The Rabbi’s Wife Stayed Home.” Are you drawn to the noir side of mystery? 

 

I’m not so much drawn to the noir side of mystery as I am to the study of character. Human flaws or actions often have a dark side to them even when the action being scrutinized wouldn’t seem to have a violent or negative impact.

 

Is there a challenge to writing shorts to theme and word count?

 

The challenge of writing shorts to theme and word count is when those are specified as part of the submission call. Failure to follow the submission rules means a story will be disqualified. For me, if there isn’t a specified theme or word count, then the story writes itself in terms of how the theme meanders and what the word count should be.

 

Do you think there are defining moments in people’s lives?

 

I believe we all have defining moments – whether we recognize them or not. It can be a word from someone, encouragement or disparagement for an action or activity, or simply something that invades the subconscious.

 

“Harvey and the Redhead," explores the plight of residents of Meyerland, a community outside of Houston prone to flooding. Did Houston really not have building codes even as late as 2001?

 

Sadly, that’s correct.

 

I thought “Bucket List Dreams” was the scariest story from your collection. Do you think there are those out there placing blame and plotting revenge on others, who have no clue?

 

Based upon how hard these questions are to reply to, I’ll tell you the next time we meet in person. Seriously, humans can take things out of context or can shift blame from themselves for a perceived or real slight or interference with a plan and then plot revenge. Some examples we’ve read about in the news that ended with tragic consequences include the refusal of a date, fat shaming, denial of tenure, or termination of employment.

 

Do you write short stories without a prompt from a publication? Are they different from those in this collection?

 

I write with and without a prompt. Both types of stories are included in this collection. “The Night They Burned Ms. Dixie’s Place” and “Pig Lickin’ Cake” were written straight from my imagination without a prompt. “So Beautiful or So What” required a story that somehow reflected the song’s title, but not necessarily the lyrics. This collection is evenly divided between stories that had a submission prompt requirement and stories that came from my imagination before finding a publication home.

 

What’s next on your writing bucket list?

 

Presently, I have eight short stories that have been accepted by periodicals and anthologies for publication in 2025 and 2026. I’m under contract or invited via open submission (no guaranty of acceptance) for five more stories to be written in 2025. In addition, I’m working on a new novel concept.

 

Thank you for interviewing me today. It’s always a pleasure to share my work on WWK via an Elaine interview or my monthly blog.