Being a huge cozy mystery fan, I’m very excited to have fellow-mystery writer, Susan Bernhardt here to talk about her new release, Murder Under the Tree.
Aren’t we all looking for a new writer? I’m happy to introduce you to one of my favorites. Welcome Susan!
JC: I know you began your career as a nurse. Tell us about your journey from nursing to writing.
SB: I’m a registered nurse and volunteer at my local free clinic. I started writing as a challenge to myself. I always was competitive in my younger years and as I got older I challenged myself in many things. I loved to read cozy mysteries and after reading many cozies in a series, I thought I could write a decent cozy. My challenge was to write a cozy, that would be traditionally published, and to see my mystery on Amazon. Also I wanted to sell a certain number of books that I have exceeded. I’m happy to say that my initial criteria was met.
JC: Congratulations for meeting your goals. Now, you have new goals. You indeed sound like a person who likes to stretch herself. How has nursing played a part in your writing?
SB:
She also volunteers at a free clinic. I draw from my own experience when describing the settings, Kay Driscoll’s activities, etc. I have scenarios that take place at the free clinic in The Ginseng Conspiracy and in Murder Under the Tree. However, the Kay Driscoll series is not a medical mystery series by any means.
JC: Yes, drawing from your experiences is a great way to write a compelling book. I know you said you like cozy mysteries, but my guess is you also read many other kinds of mystery–police procedural and detective stories. What made you decide on the cozy sub-genre?
SB: My love for the cozy played into my decision. It’s exciting and fun to write a mystery about a small town that holds wickedly, intriguing secrets and to have an amateur sleuth.
Everyone in a small town is right there. They can be watched, observed, questioned. Sudbury Falls in my mystery series is a charming, insular town where secrets, assumptions, and the relationships of the people are intense.
JC: Sudbury Falls sounds wonderful. Tell us about your delightful character Kay Driscoll and how you created her.
SB: Thank you, Joan. Kay Driscoll is actually based on myself, and her family is based on my family. You always hear, “Write what you know.” And that’s what I did.
Kay Driscoll is a newcomer to Sudbury Falls. She can take in the city with fresh eyes and sees things differently, from the people who live there. To quote a review, “Kay’s sweet, tough, vulnerable, and reckless in her sense of justice. She continues her pursuit for the truth, even when her life is in danger. “
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JC: And, so would you pursue the truth even when your life is in danger? 🙂 You don’t have to answer that one! Speaking of your reviewers, you have had some great reviews on Amazon. Many talk about the wonderful town of Sudbury Falls. Does your second mystery, Murder Under the Tree take place in the same town?
The town’s population just keeps decreasing. 🙂 Sudbury Falls is inspired by the insular town in northern Wisconsin in which I live. I could give tours of Sudbury Falls, (and actually have) where the murders and other events from the mysteries take place.
JC: How cool of give tours of Sudbury Falls. Maybe you’d return to my blog and do that one day?
Writing a series takes a certain amount of finesse–not tell too much but making sure each book is a stand-alone. What have you found to be some to the biggest challenges to writing a series?
SB: I think it’s easier to write a series than not. In subsequent novels, the author already knows the main characters, the town, the homes and other places, like in my mystery, Sweet Marissa’s Patisserie, the crime fighting headquarters of The Ginseng Conspiracy.
The author needs to know when to end the series and move on to something new. After many novels, it would be difficult to keep up the level of excitement.
JC: I think after many novels it would be difficult to keep up with a lot of things. I don’t know how people like Martha Grimes do it. I know my readers want to hear more about your new release
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While Kay attends a Christmas tea at Hawthorne Hills Retirement Home, a beloved caretaker dies from an allergic reaction to peanuts. When the official coroner’s report rules the cause of death to be accidental, a small group of residents suspect foul play and call upon Kay to investigate.
Kay uncovers sinister plots of fraud, revenge, and corruption at the Home. During this season of peace on earth, good will to men, additional murders occur. Despite multiple attempts on her life, and with the support once again of her best friends, Elizabeth and Deirdre, Kay continues her quest for bringing justice for the victims.
Kay’s first Christmas in Sudbury Falls is an unforgettable one, with equal amounts of celebration and danger. Tis the season to be sleuthing!
The Ginseng Conspiracy and Murder Under the Tree by Susan Bernhardt can be purchased at: Amazon, iTunes, Barnes and Noble, MuseItUp Publishing, Kobo Publishing.
Connect with Susan
Website: www.susanbernhardt.com
Twitter: @SusanBernhardt1
Author FB page: https://www.facebook.com/TheGinsengConspiracyBySusanKBernhardt
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/skbernha/
Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7255617.Susan_Bernhardt
I’m very happy to be here today. 🙂 Thank you, Joan, for hosting me on your lovely blog.
Susan
Thanks for the great interview, Susan and Joan. I really enjoyed The Ginseng Conspiracy and I look forward to checking out Murder Under the Tree. The plot sounds intriguing. Best of luck with both books, Susan!
Thanks for stopping by Matt. Susan, it was a delight to host you!
Thanks, Matt for visiting our interview and for your lovely comments. I’m reading your thriller, The Brothers’ Keeper presently and find it intriguing.
What a lovely interview, Susan and Joan. I enjoyed the Ginseng Conspiracy very much, and am looking forward to reading Murder under the Tree over Christmas. Congratulations on realising your writing ambitions, Susan, and hope you have many more to fulfil!
Thank you, Helena. I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed The Ginseng Conspiracy and that you are looking forward to Murder Under the Tree. Writing is incredibly fun. It started out for me as a challenge and it has grown into something that I really love to do.
I appreciate you stopping by, Helena. Thank you for your lovely comments.
Hi Joan and Hi Susan,
Thanks for a very nice interview. Funny how goals keep expanding, isn’t it?
As you know, Susan, I enjoyed The Ginseng Conspiracy and look forward to your new book.
Best of luck to both of you with your recent publications!
Thanks, Ken. I’m glad that you could visit and thank you for your great comments. I hope you’ll enjoy Murder Under the Tree.
Best wishes to you and Anne on your new release, Praise Her, Praise Diana.
Hi Ken, Thanks for stopping by. It’s so nice to hear how other Musers support one another.
Fabulous interview! I’m looking forward to spending more time with Kay…as soon as I can find time! 🙂
You’re too busy!!
Thanks, Heather, for visiting our interview and for all of your support. I appreciate it.
Susan
Great interview. I can identify with Sudbury Falls because I’m a small town gal myself and know exactly what you mean about small towns. Gotta love ’em. Maybe that’s why I enjoyed the Ginseng Conspiracy so much (and learning ginseng grows in Wisconsin. Who knew?) So happy you met the goals you were seeking with your first book. Looking forward to your latest, Susan! Best wishes on completing #3.
Hey JQ, Thanks for stopping in today. Susan is fun to interview. She’s got so much to share.
J.Q., I’m going to need your best wishes for completing #3. My goal is to submit the manuscript in January.
Until I started writing The Ginseng Conspiracy, I didn’t know that Wisconsin grew 95% of the cultivated American ginseng. I mentioned in another interview, that I had met a couple from Central Wisconsin on a trip who were ginseng farmers, and that is how my idea for The Ginseng Conspiracy came about.
I hope you are enjoying Florida. We had below zero temps here a couple of days ago.
Susan