We live in interesting times. Then again, I suppose all times have been and always will be interesting in one way or another.
I’m someone who has always found plots and characters for my books in current events—from local to worldwide. Everything I read about, see on the news, and observe winds up parked in the various crevices of my brain, especially human-interest stories. It’s all fodder for future books. And because I write humorous mysteries, no story or event is too weird or too absurd. After all, truth is stranger than fiction.
There are topics I steer clear from, though. I make a point of not giving readers a reason not to read my books. That means I avoid certain subjects, especially politics and religion. The one exception is when it come to my sleuth’s communist mother-in-law. Based on the personality and political leanings of my own mother-in-law, Lucille Pollack is always good for both a laugh and for pushing readers’ buttons. She’s the character many of my readers love to hate. However, others have gone so far as to ask that she become the next murder victim in my series.
Tempting though that may be, I’ve decided against taking such drastic action. Anastasia has had the patience of a saint when it comes to Lucille, allowing the woman who has never had a kind word for her to remain in her home after the passing of Anastasia’s husband. However, in Seams Like the Perfect Crime, the latest book in my Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery Series, Lucille has gone too far, and Anastasia has finally reached her limit. You won’t get any spoilers from me, though. All I’ll say is change is afoot, and early reviews have given Anastasia’s decision (and mine) two thumbs up.
Meanwhile, for this book, I also dug into one of my brain crevices to resurrect some extremely odd neighbors who lived across the street from me decades ago. I don’t know if the man Barry Sumner is based on was ever a Revolutionary War reenactor, but the odd behavior I describe in the book comes directly from my own observations of him and his wife.
When I hear writers complain that they don’t know what to write, my advice is to look no further than your own experiences and observations. You’re bound to find something lurking in one of those brain crevices that would make for the perfect character, scene, or plot. All you have to do is dig a little into your own memories. It’s amazing what gems you’ll discover.
Seams Like the Perfect Crime
An Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery, Book 1
When staffing shortages continue to hamper the Union County homicide squad, Detective Sam Spader once again turns to his secret weapon, reluctant amateur sleuth Anastasia Pollack. How can she and husband Zack Barnes refuse when the victim is their new neighbor?
Revolutionary War reenactor Barry Sumner had the odd habit of spending hours mowing a small patch of packed dirt and weeds until his mower ran out of gas. He’d then guzzle beer on his front porch until he passed out. That’s where Anastasia’s son Nick discovers his body three days after the victim and his family moved into the newly built mini-McMansion across the street.
After a melee breaks out at the viewing, Spader zeroes in on the widow as his prime suspect. However, Anastasia has her doubts. There are other possible suspects, including a woman who’d had an affair with the victim, his ex-wife, the man overseeing the widow’s trust fund, a drug dealer, and the reenactors who were blackmailing the widow and victim.
When another reenactor is murdered, Spader suspects they’re dealing with a serial killer, but Anastasia wonders if the killer is attempting to misdirect the investigation. As she narrows down the suspects, will she jeopardize her own life to learn the truth?
Craft projects included.
Buy Links
Amazon: https://amzn.to/49KvjaG
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/seams-like-the-perfect-crime
Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/seams-like-the-perfect-crime-lois-winston/1146583329?ean=2940184679983
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/seams-like-the-perfect-crime/id6738502932
Books2Read Universal Link to Other Sites: https://books2read.com/u/3LXa1e
USA Today and Amazon bestselling author Lois Winston began her award-winning writing career with Talk Gertie to Me, a humorous fish-out-of-water novel about a small-town girl going off to the big city and the mother determined to bring her home to marry the boy next door. That was followed by the romantic suspense Love, Lies and a Double Shot of Deception.
Then Lois’s writing segued unexpectedly into the world of humorous amateur sleuth mysteries, thanks to a conversation her agent had with an editor looking for craft-themed mysteries. In her day job, Lois was an award-winning craft and needlework designer, and although she’d never written a mystery—or had even thought about writing a mystery—her agent decided she was the perfect person to pen a series for this editor.
Thus, was born the Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries, which Kirkus Reviews dubbed “North Jersey’s more mature answer to Stephanie Plum.” The series now includes fourteen novels and three novellas. Lois also writes the Empty Nest Mysteries and has written several standalone mystery novellas. Other publishing credits include romance, chick lit, and romantic suspense novels, a series of romance short stories, a children’s chapter book, and a nonfiction book on writing, inspired by her twelve years working as an associate at a literary agency.
Learn more about Lois and her books at www.loiswinston.com where you can find links for her other social media sites and sign up for her newsletter to receive a free download of an Anastasia Pollack Mini-Mystery.
Website: http://www.loiswinston.com
Newsletter sign-up: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/dc9t0bjl00
Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers blog: www.anastasiapollack.blogspot.com
Booklover’s Bench: https://bookloversbench.com
The Stiletto Gang: https://www.thestilettogang.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Anasleuth
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/722763.Lois_Winston
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lois-winston
Thanks so much for hosting me today, Debra!
Thank you for this wonderful and so true blog.
Two of my favorite mystery mavens in one place today!
Make it three because you have joined us.
You make me blush, Gay! Thanks for stopping by.
Books all sound like great reads would love to read & review them in print copy format
All of Lois’s books are enjoyable fun reads. You can’t go wrong with any of them as it is a strong series.
Crystal, Assault with a Deadly Glue Gun is currently on sale at Kobo and Amazon for 1.99. On March 8th-April 7th, Guilty as Framed will go on sale for .99 on Amazon
A good reminder, Lois. One of the things I love about writing is that I can “off” some characters from real life who deserve it! Loved your humor presentation at Desert Sleuths. Thank you. Mary A
Mary,
You hit the nail on the head about “offing” characters from real life who deserve it. Lois has a knack for doing that, as well as incorporating other things she’s observed into her wonderful books.
Great catharsis, isn’t it, Mary? Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
As a model for working through one’s deep-seated hostilities, writing is cheaper than therapy, amirite?
so true.
Great information, Lois. I stay clear of politics and only briefly mention that my protagonists are Catholic.
Kathleen, I think the only time I’ve ever mentioned religion in any of my books is in my humorous women’s fiction, Four Uncles and a Wedding. My protagonist’s name is Polly Faith Harmony. (Read on to learn why!) She has four great-uncles. One is a Catholic priest, one a Methodist minister, one a rabbi, and one a Unitarian minister. They’re all golfing buddies and all, along with Polly’s mother, are trying to marry her off before her biological clock run outs.
I would only comment (to agree) to Kathleen, but your description of Four Uncles and a Wedding had me laughing out loud. One of your books that I seem to have missed.
I hope you enjoy it, Debra. It was written years ago during my chick lit phase, but I had a blast writing it.
Great post, Lois.
I’m curious, is ‘humorous amateur sleuth mysteries’ considered cozy or traditional? Is it become it’s own genre or a subgenre of traditional or cozy?
Thanks, Jackie! There are subtle differences between cozy mysteries and amateur sleuth mysteries. Humorous amateur sleuth mysteries lean more toward cozies because of the humor and the fact that they incorporate many cozy tropes. Some of the differences are that amateur sleuth mysteries will usually have a sleuth who’s a professional, such as an editor, lawyer, teacher, etc., rather than a shop owner, crafter, or home baker. They also tend to take place in more metropolitan areas, not small villages. My former publisher used to have both cozy and amateur sleuth lines. Although I had created an amateur sleuth series, they decided to market the book as cozy because they found cozies sold better. The lines have been blurring for years.
Thanks for explaining, Lois.
I always appreciate hearing what you have to say.
Thank you, Jackie! Much appreciated!
Thanks to both of you for your interesting and consistently polished content. Always fun to read.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Saralyn! So glad you appreciated the post.