Creative Alchemy

Author, TV writer, and playwright Ellen Byron reveals her distant connection to the mob!

'Writers write what they know.' That's the adage and it's true. We pull from our real lives and mix our experiences with imagination and creativity and create something that is both grounded in reality and imaginary at the same time.

Ellen Byron is doing just that with her new Catering Hall mystery series, set in Astoria, Queens, a place she is very familiar with. On this episode, Ellen reads from book 1 in that series, Here Comes the Body, and in the interview shares with us the fascinating story of one of her grandfather's possible connections to the actual mob. (Yes, really!)

It was a delight to talk to Ellen about this new series. If you'd like to know more about Ellen's writing, you can also find our conversation about her Cajun Country mysteries in episode 61 of It's a Mystery podcast.

Press play (above) to listen to the show, or read the transcript below. Remember you can also subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts. And listen on Stitcher.

You can also click here to listen to the interview on YouTube.

This Week's Mystery Author

Ellen Byron’s Cajun Country Mysteries have won an Agatha award and multiple Leftys for Best Humorous Mystery.

Her new series, the Catering Hall Mysteries, written as Maria DiRico, was inspired by her real life. She’s an award-winning playwright and non-award-winning TV writer of comedies like Wings, Just Shoot Me, and Fairly Odd Parents. But she considers her most impressive credit working as a cater-waiter for Martha Stewart.

You can learn more about Ellen and all her books, including the Catering Hall series, at EllenByron.com

Here Comes the Body by Maria DiRico (Ellen Byron)

After her philandering husband’s boat went down, newly single Mia Carina went back to Astoria, the bustling Queens neighborhood of her youth. Living with her nonna and her oversized cat, Doorstop, she’s got a whole new life—including some amateur sleuthing . . .

Mia is starting work at Belle View, her father’s catering hall, a popular spot for weddings, office parties, and more—despite the planes that occasionally roar overhead on their way to LaGuardia and rattle the crystal chandelier. Soon she’s planning a bachelor party for a less-than-gentlemanly groom. But it goes awry when the gigantic cake is wheeled in and a deadly surprise is revealed . . .Since some of her family’s associates are on the shady side, the NYPD wastes no time in casting suspicion on Mia’s father. Now,

If you're a Downton Abbey fan, you'll appreciate this introduction to Clara Benson's English mysteries set in the '20s and '30s.

In the introduction I mention that I'm deep in revision territory on the next Freddie Lark mystery. Then I jump right into this interview and reading from the delightful Clara Benson.

Enjoy!

This week's mystery author

Clara Benson is the author of the Angela Marchmont mysteries and Freddy Pilkington-Soames Adventures – traditional English mysteries in authentic style set in the 1920s and 30s. 

One day she would like to drink cocktails and solve mysteries in a sequinned dress and evening gloves. In the meantime she lives in the north of England with her family and doesn’t do any of those things.

To learn more about Clara Benson and all her mystery novels go to ClaraBenson.com.

Press play (above) to listen to the show, or read the transcript below. Remember you can also subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts. And listen on Stitcher.

You can also click here to listen to the interview on YouTube.

Excerpt from A Case of Blackmail in Belgravia

Chapter Two

Elsewhere, Freddy Pilkington-Soames had had a most pleasant evening, having passed it in indulging in youthful high spirits at a fashionable new night-club near Regent Street. At two o’clock he and his friends reluctantly obeyed the order to vacate the premises, and emerged into the London night, preparing to head homewards and sleep the sleep of the just. Freddy was feeling quite delightfully fuzzy in the head, having that evening discovered a new type of cocktail containing champagne, Cointreau, Bourbon whisky, and a secret ingredient which he could not identify, but which was half-sweet and half-sour and rounded the whole thing off deliciously. The more he drank of it, the better it tasted, and since Freddy was a keen and scientific seeker of pleasure—indeed, could wax quite philosophical on the subject at times—he had judged it only right to experiment exhaustively in order to ascertain to his own satisfaction that no greater joy was to be had on that particular evening, at least. The result was that by the time he left the night-club, his brain and his finer motor abilities had mutually agreed to part company for a few hours. No matter, however; the world was a beautiful place, and Freddy felt not the misery of life’s travails as he tottered gently towards Oxford Street in search of a taxi, a beatific smile on his face. Had any malefactor chosen at that moment to jump out in front of him with a dagger or a pistol and demand monies,

We're Canadian and we cannot resist talking about the weather!

Fellow Canadian author Mike Martin is back to talk about the latest instalment in his Sergeant Windflower mysteries that are set in and around Grand Bank in Newfoundland.

Mike was previously on the show in episode 45 so after he reads to us we have a catch-up about what Sgt. Windflower has been up to since we last encountered him (including marriage and a baby) and how Mike continues to weave social issues into his mystery novels.

In the intro I also mention that on Valentine's Day 2020 I finished the first draft in the next Freddie Lark mystery (Lark Underground). It is always a giddy time when the first draft of a book is complete. It feels good to celebrate that milestone. Soon I'll be getting down to the hard work of revising, revising, revising and hope to release the book in April 2020.

Big thanks to my very first patron of the show, Barbara Kirby!

This week's mystery author

Mike Martin is the author of the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series, his most recent is Fire, Fog and Water, which is the 8th book in the series. A Long Ways from Home was shortlisted for the Bony Blithe Light Mystery Award as the best light mystery of the year and Darkest Before the Dawn won for the 2018 Bony Blithe Award.

Mike is currently Chair of the Board of Crime Writers of Canada, a national organization promoting Canadian crime and mystery writers. He is also a member of Ottawa Independent Writers, Capital Crime Writers, and the Newfoundland Writers’ Guild. A freelance writer, specializing in workplace and social policy issues, his first published book was Change the Things You Can: Dealing With Difficult People. Born in St. John's, Newfoundland, he now lives in Ottawa.

To learn more about Mike visit SgtWindflowerMysteries.com

Press play (above) to listen to the show, or read the transcript below. Remember you can also subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts. And listen on Stitcher.

You can also click here to listen to the interview on YouTube.

Excerpt from Fire, Fog and Water

Chapter One

Sergeant Winston Windflower was not happy. That was unusual. Anybody who knew Windflower would say he was almost always happy. Today though, anyone who saw him could tell he was certainly not happy. The funny thing is, if someone dared to ask him why he was so unhappy,

We go back to 1960s Brighton for murderous adventures with journalist Colin Crampton.

In the introduction I mention that you can find the books of most of my guests at your public library. If you can't find them there, simply ask your librarian and it's likely they'll appreciate your suggestion and try to get the book in for you.

I also mention that It's a Mystery podcast now has a Patreon page. If you'd like to support the show, for as little as one fluffy coffee a month, you can do that at Patreon.com/itsamystery.

As a consumer of podcasts and other art, I really appreciate being able to make small, regular contributions to those artists I enjoy. I offer the option to you, my listeners, and include rewards for patronage like a private mystery readers' Facebook group, where we can chat about what we're reading and get recommendations from others around the globe. ;-)

Today's Mystery Author

Peter Bartram brings years of experience as a journalist to his Crampton of the Chronicle crime mysteries. He’s has done most things in journalism – from door-stepping for quotes to writing serious editorials. He’s covered stories in locations as different as 700-feet down a coal mine and Buckingham Palace.

Peter launched his Crampton series in 2015 with Headline Murder. As of now, there are 12 books in the series with well over 120,000 readers around the world.

You can learn more about Peter Bartram, and find all his books, at ColinCrampton.com.

Press play (above) to listen to the show, or read the transcript below. Remember you can also subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts. And listen on Stitcher.

You can also click here to listen to the interview on YouTube.

Excerpt from The Tango School Mystery

In Antoine's Sussex Grill, Shirley slammed down her knife and fork.

She'd lost interest in her steak. The blood-stained remnants lay on her plate.

Another droplet of blood formed on the ceiling. It shone like a ruby.

I glanced up at it and sighed in a resigned sort of way. I knew I wasn't going to enjoy what I had to do next. 

"I'm going upstairs," I said.  

"How?" Shirley asked.

"There's a separate front door to the apartment in the street."

"I'm coming with you."

"No, it's best you wait here. If we both rush out Antoine will think we're doing a runner to avoid paying the bill."

   Shirley grinned. "Would be great exercise, cobber."

Welcome back, mystery readers!

I'm thrilled to be re-launching It's a Mystery Podcast today after many months.

In the coming weeks I'll have an interview with a new mystery author every Monday and we're going to change up the format slightly. The first 10 or 15 minutes of each episode will be a reading from my guest. We'll tell you a story!

After that, I'll interview my guest and ask them about their characters, their inspiration, and what drives them to write their books.

This week, we're kicking things off with me reading from my new mystery, Lark Lost. Here's the transcript, if you'd rather read than listen.

Lark Lost is a free download and you can get your copy here.

Press play (above) to listen to the show, or read the transcript below. Remember you can also subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts. And listen on Stitcher.

You can also click here to listen to the interview on YouTube.

Prologue

I heard the raised voice before the automatic door whooshed open in front of me, releasing me into the hot July night.

“I’m not going to ask you again, sir. Please move along.” The security guard made the word ‘sir’ sound like an insult.

The young man was sitting, slouched against the outer brick wall of the grocery store, slumped but defiant, a woolen toque crushed onto his skull despite the warm night. The baseball hat he was holding, dome down, in his right hand flapped briefly against his outstretched legs.

“Imma waiting….” he began, but the security guard was exasperated.

“You can’t sit here.”

I hiked my canvas grocery bag up higher on my left shoulder and walked over to stand at the thin soles of the slumped man’s sneakers. I looked at the security guard but didn’t recognize him.

“Trouble, officer?” I said, smiling.

He wasn’t in a joking mood. “He needs to leave. Store rules.”

“Gotcha.”

The young man was named Rory. He rolled his head backward, eyes mostly closed. Then he glanced at the guard. “See?” he said, briefly confident. “I tol’ you I w’s waitin’. Sh’s here f’r me.” He flapped the baseball hat toward his chest.

This wasn’t true, but I reached down anyway and grabbed his right arm and tried to heave him to standing. He was a human-sized wet noodle, however, and I was struggling. I felt rather than saw someone walk behind me, and then a man appeared on Rory’s left side.

“I’ll give you a hand,” he said, reaching down.

Together we got Rory upright. Then we were able to cradle one of his elbows each and get him moving toward the street.

“I’m David,” the man said, looking around Rory at me. He had dark hair, thick,

In George Mercer's mystery novels predators can be both human and animal.

George seems to be the quintessential Canadian author; he worked as a Park Warden for Canada's national parks system and now he writes about the fictional mysteries that take place in those parks.

George and I live on the same island off British Columbia's coast and it was great to chat with him about his career, his books, and his inspiration for more stories about the wild, sometimes forgotten places, in Canada's wilderness.

In the introduction I mention that this is the final episode of It's a Mystery Podcast for a while. I have enjoyed myself enormously in the last two years interviewing nearly 70 authors from around the globe.

When I had the idea for show in late 2015 it seemed like it would be a win for everyone: for you, the listeners, who would learn about new books and authors; for the authors themselves who would have an opportunity to shine a light on their books; and not least of all for me. My intention was to meet other authors and create a community of people I knew who are as passionate about writing as I am. I'm happy to say, that's what happened.

I keep in touch with many of the authors I've interviewed over these last two years. It has been a joy getting to know a bit about all of them through our interview together. There is a wealth of creative talent and energy in the world, and I'm so grateful, as I'm sure you are, that these writers take the time, effort and energy to bring us stories that touch our lives.

Thank you for being a part of this adventure for the past couple of years. It has been tremendous fun for me. I hope you enjoyed the interviews as much as I did. ;-)

All the episodes from It's a Mystery Podcast will remain available from the podcast page, and also on iTunes and YouTube, so if you happen to find the show after we've gone off the air, never fear! You can still learn more about the authors I've interviewed, and about their books of course.

This episode of It's a Mystery Podcast is sponsored by the brand new Town Called Horse short mystery, Water Horse.

The Town Called Horse is reeling when its connection to the outside world is cut off. Arthur ‘Sully’ Sullivan’s passenger and freight ship has burned in the night. There are no witnesses, no clues, and any evidence that might have existed has been swallowed by the lake.

You can find out more about today's guest, George Mercer, and all his books on his website GeorgeMercer.com. You can also find him on Twitter @egeorgemercer.

Links and resources mentioned in this episode

* Click on any of the book covers to go to George's books on Amazon

* We mention Nevada Barr's Anna Pigeon series and also Paul Doiron's Maine game warden series

* George mentions some of the parks he's worked in, including Cape Breton Highlands, and Wood Buffalo.

* You can read the prologue of George's next book, Fat Cats,

Author Sean Cameron has coined the term 'Daft Noir' to describe his books.

How great is that?! I love it.

Sean is a UK transplant, now living in Los Angeles with his wife and wee daughter. As you'll hear in our interview, he grabs writing time whenever he can, given that parenting comes first - and with a toddler that can be complicated!

He's got plans for several more books in the Rex and Eddie series. You'll hear him talk about the particular challenges of his hapless detectives, and why solving mysteries without a license is kind of like being Batman. ;-)

This episode of It's a Mystery Podcast is sponsored by the brand new Town Called Horse short mystery, Water Horse.

The Town Called Horse is reeling when its connection to the outside world is cut off. Arthur ‘Sully’ Sullivan’s passenger and freight ship has burned in the night. There are no witnesses, no clues, and any evidence that might have existed has been swallowed by the lake.

Learn more and purchase for less than the cost of your morning latte.

You can find out more about today's guest, Sean Cameron, and all his books on his website sean-cameron.com. You can also find him on Twitter @SeanCameronUK.

Links and resources mentioned in this episode

* Click on any of the book covers to go to Sean's books on Amazon

* Rochester UK's Dickens Festival

* You can help Sean choose the theme music for the Rex and Eddie audiobooks

Press play (above) to listen to the show, or read the transcript below. Remember you can also subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts. And listen on Stitcher.

You can also click here to watch the interview on YouTube.

Transcription of Interview with Sean Cameron

Alexandra: Hi mystery readers, I'm Alexandra Amor, this is "It's a Mystery" podcast and I'm here today with Sean Cameron. Hi Sean.

Sean: Hello.

Alexandra: How are you today?

Sean: I'm good, how are you?

Alexandra: I'm good, thanks. So let me let our listeners know a little bit about you.

Sean Cameron is a writer who has previously worked as an online content producer, music journalist and a video game writer.

He's the author of the British comedy series Rex and Eddie's Mysteries. The books follow Rex and Eddie, a pair of inept private detectives who bumble their way through cases in the drowsy town of Cloisterham. Filled with witty dialogue, silly hi-jinks and clever twists, this daft noir series is equal parts a British comedy and gripping thriller.

Born and raised in Rochester, England, Sean lives in Los Angeles with his American wife and toddler.

First off Sean,

Library Journal has named DM Quincy's mystery, Murder in Mayfair, one of the best mysteries of 2017!

What an honour for me to have the Emmy Award-winning journalist and celebrated author on the show. You'll hear us chat about her love of traveling, the intriguing 'auctions' that went on in the Regency period that DM writes about, and her plans to travel to London in May 2018 to visit some of the places she's been writing about.

DM Quincy's next book in this series, Murder in Bloomsbury, was released last week, so it is hot off the presses.

This episode of It's a Mystery Podcast is sponsored by the brand new Town Called Horse short mystery, Water Horse.

The Town Called Horse is reeling when its connection to the outside world is cut off. Arthur ‘Sully’ Sullivan’s passenger and freight ship has burned in the night. There are no witnesses, no clues, and any evidence that might have existed has been swallowed by the lake.

Learn more and purchase for less than the cost of your morning latte.

You can find out more about today's guest, DM Quincy, and all her books on her website DMQuincy.com. You can also find her on Twitter @DM_Quincy.

Links and resources mentioned in this episode

* Click on any of the book covers to go to DM's books on Amazon

* As we mention early on in the show, DM's book Murder in Mayfair was named one of the 5 best mysteries in 2017, along with titles by Craig Johnson and Louise Penny!

* More about Diana's Regency Romance novels

Press play (above) to listen to the show, or read the transcript below. Remember you can also subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts. And listen on Stitcher.

You can also click here to watch the interview on YouTube.

Transcription of Interview with DM Quincy

Alexandra: Hi, mystery readers. I'm Alexandra Amor. This is "It's a Mystery Podcast," and I'm here today with D.M. Quincy. Hi, Diana.

Diana: How are you?

Alexandra: Very well. How are you?

Diana: I'm good. Thank you.

Alexandra: Good. Well, let me give our listeners a little bit of an introduction to you.

D.M. Quincy is an award-winning former television journalist who, after covering dozens of unsolved crimes, decided to conceive her own stories in which a brilliant amateur detective always gets the bad guy or girl.

D.M. was bitten by the travel bug practically at birth since she's a U.S. Foreign Service brat, and, like Atlas,

Meg Macy writes all the way across the mystery spectrum.

What a treat to chat to Meg Macy, who writes historical mysteries, cozy teddy bear mysteries, as well as co-writing an Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins mystery series with her friend Sharon.

This idea of Eliza and Henry solving crime thrills me. What a great premise for a mystery series!

Listen in and hear how Meg came up with the idea and how she got her fellow author and friend on board to write the series, which was accepted by an agent just hours after they pitched it.

You can find out more about today's guest, Meg Macy, and all her books on her website MegMacy.com. You can also find her on Twitter @MegMimms.

Click on any of the book covers to go to Meg's books on Amazon

Press play (above) to listen to the show, or read the transcript below. Remember you can also subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts. And listen on Stitcher.

You can also click here to watch the interview on YouTube.

Transcription of Interview with Meg Macy

Alexandra: Hi, mystery readers, I'm Alexandra Amor. This is "It's a Mystery Podcast," and I'm here today with Meg Macy. Hi, Meg.

Meg: Hi.

Alexandra: How are you today?

Meg: I'm doing fine.

Alexandra: Good, good. Well, let me introduce you to our listeners.

Award-winning mystery author, Meg Macy, lives in Southeast Michigan, the area she chose to set her "Shamelessly Adorable Teddy Bear," cozy mystery series for Kensington. Bearly Departed, which is book one, is available now, and book two, Bear Witness to Murder, will be coming out in May 2018.

Meg's first published book, Double Crossing, won the 2012 Best First Novel Spur Award from the Western Writers of America.

Meg is also one-half of the D.E. Ireland team writing the Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins mystery series. Books one and three have been named Agatha Award finalists for Best Historical Mystery, and we're going to touch on all of that today.

Let's start talking about the "Adorable Teddy Bear" mystery book. So this was an idea that really captured my imagination, and I'm going to ask you about the factory and the shop in Michigan that's now closed, actually, that was a bit of inspiration for you.

Tell us a bit first about Sasha Silverman and your main character in these books.

Meg: She's my daughter's age, actually, so every time I have to have her read my manuscript, because it's like, "Does she talk like this?" Because a lot of times my vocabulary comes out, and it's like, "No, she wouldn't talk like that." So my daughter, luckily, is exactly her age, but she has a lot of my qualities.

And, of course, she follows the cozy mystery...not really a formula, it's just what readers expect, the small-town atmosphere where a lot of family and friends are. There are a lot of quaint shops and stuff like that.

Have you ever wondered what it would take to disappear from your life entirely?

I've been thinking about this conversation with Laura since we recorded it in late December, 2017. How does a person go about disappearing?

Laura's detective in her debut mystery novel, Daughters of Bad Men, is a skip tracer; she finds people who don't necessarily want to be found. In our wired world it must be increasingly difficult for those who want to disappear to do so. Toward this end of this interview, you'll hear Laura touch on the idea for her next book featuring skip-tracer Jamie Rush, which asks the question, what if it's better for one of Jamie's targets to remain unfound?

You can find out more about today's guest, Laura Oles, and all her books on her website LauraOles.com. You can also find her on Twitter @lauraoles.

Links and resources mentioned in this episode

* Click on any of the book covers to go to Laura's books on Amazon

* Laura belongs to a group called the Austin Mystery Writers. Click here to learn more.

* Book People bookstore in Austin, Texas

Press play (above) to listen to the show, or read the transcript below. Remember you can also subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts. And listen on Stitcher.

You can also click here to watch the interview on YouTube.

Transcription of Interview with Laura Oles

Alexandra: Hi, Mystery Readers, I'm Alexandra Amor. This is "It's A Mystery Podcast" and I'm here today with Laura Oles. Hi, Laura. How are you?

Laura: Hi, how are you?

Alexandra: I'm good, thanks. Let me introduce you to our listeners.

Laura Oles is a photo industry journalist who spent 20 years covering tech and trends before turning to crime fiction.

Daughters of Bad Men, her debut novel was named The Killer Nashville Claymore Award Finalist in 2016. This is the first book in a new series which introduces skip tracer Jamie Rush and her partner Cookie Hinojosa.

Laura's short stories have appeared in several anthologies, including Murder on Wheels which won the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award in 2016. She's also a Writer's League of Texas Award Finalist. Her short story, "Island Time," has been selected to appear in the "Malice Domestic 13 Anthology: Murder Most Geographical" to be published next year. Laura lives on the edge of Texas Hill Country with her husband, daughter, and twin sons.

Just before we started to air the show today, we both mentioned that as we're recording this, it's Friday, December 29th, 2017. And the world is just finding out that our beloved Sue Grafton has passed away.

I asked Laura if she would be comfortable just talking a little bit about Sue's influence.

Why don't we start there, Laura,