Character Interview
Q: Dr. Prather, welcome to Island Confidential. Can you tell our readers a little bit about yourself–maybe something they might not guess?
My name is Emmeline Prather, but my friends call me Em. I’m an
assistant professor of English at the university in Copper Bluff, South Dakota.
Readers might not know that I like fast cars and drive a 1969 Mustang
convertible. I’m from Detroit. What can I say? I haven’t met a muscle car I
didn’t like.
Q: Is there any character in Coming Up Murder you get along with particularly well?
Lenny and I get along swell, especially lately. We’ve been
dating four months, and I’m surprised by how little we fight—except when I’m
investigating a murder. Then he feels compelled to give me the usual warnings,
which I promptly ignore.
Q: Is there anyone you aren’t a big fan of…of whom you aren’t a big fan…you know what I mean.
Mrs. Gunderson (my elderly next-door neighbor) and I are resolving
our conflicts one cookie at a time. I used to be irritated by her yapping dog,
constant lights, and well-meaning advice. But now I understand I was being a
little rash. Lights do deter criminals, and her dog, Darling, really
isn’t that bad. He’s just old and cantankerous—like someone else I know. Ahem.
Q: Which brings me to my next question. Just between you and me: What do you really think of your author?
She’s terribly devoted. I’ll say that. She cried when she
finished this book, and I don’t blame her. What Lenny did, well, it was quite
touching. My heart still skips a beat at the thought of it.
Q: Sorry readers, no spoilers, you’ll have to find out for yourself what Lenny did. Dr. Prather, what’s next for you?
I’ve solved four murders, so I think I’ll take a break. In the
meantime, my author is starting a new series. This one is about a shop keeper,
Zo Jones, who owns the eclectic Happy Camper gift store in the heart of the
Black Hills National Forest. The first book, Open for Murder, will be out November
2020 by Kensington. We’re both very
excited!
Mary Angela
Professor Prather Mysteries, Happy Camper Mysteries
Mary Angela is the author of two cozy mystery series that have strong protagonists with soft hearts. Emmeline Prather is the witty young teacher in the Professor Prather series, and Zo Jones is the sassy sleuth and shop owner in the Happy Camper series (coming from Kensington in 2020). When Mary isn’t penning heartwarming whodunits, she’s teaching, reading, traveling, or spending time with her family. She’s the proud mom of two beautiful daughters and the shameless owner of two very spoiled pets. You can find out more about her loves, including her writing, at MaryAngelaBooks.com.
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Review
Coming Up Murder is the fourth Professor Prather mystery, but it reads just fine as a standalone.
When the book opens, we join Emmeline Prather at a high point, with her love life humming along and the much-anticipated Shakespeare exhibit about to start. Naturally, this being a murder mystery, things don’t run smoothly for long.
Like the earlier books, Coming Up Murder has an entertaining cast of characters, some you will root for, others you want to nominate as the next murder victim. But if you work in academia, you will recognize all of them.
There aren’t nearly enough academic murder mysteries in the world. With her fourth Professor Prather mystery, author Mary Angela helps to right this cosmic imbalance.
Professor Emmeline Prather is a likable and relatable heroine, and the academic shenanigans are understated if anything. Highly entertaining, and recommended for anyone who likes cozies with a light touch of satire.
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