I devoured all of Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, Rex
Stout, Dick Francis, Helen MacInnes, Sue Grafton…and
the list goes on. I began to wonder if I could be a mystery
writer. I attended some conferences, and one day I
mentioned to a friend that I wanted to write a mystery. Her
response was, “Why don’t you just do it?” Right. Just do it.
So I picked a day to start my writing and hoped ideas
would come. The day before the one I’d designated,
thoughts began to trickle in. As the day progressed, they
streamed in. The next day I started my book.
TB: What are you currently working on?
I’m working on book five of the Kelly Jackson mystery
series. Its tentative title is Murder at the Marina. Kelly,
raised on a Wyoming cattle and guest ranch, is now the
manager of Redwood Cove Bed and Breakfast. She is an
honorary member of a group of crime-solving senior
citizens known as the Silver Sentinels.
Rudy and Ivan Doblinsky, two Russian brothers with
distinct differences in the physical stature, are part of
the Sentinels. Book five reveals their background.
When a murdered man is found on their boat, they
become suspects in the police investigation. Kelly
Jackson and the Silver Sentinels go to work to get the
case solved.
TB: What books have most influenced you as a
writer?
The books written by the list of authors I mentioned
earlier such as Agatha Christie and Rex Stout. I loved
the way they wove intricate plots and created
memorable characters.