Murder on Tour
Bookstore owner and Michigander Samantha Washington is thrilled to see her debut historical mystery finally on the shelves, but a killer seems determined to steal away the spotlight . . .
While Sam wraps up her first whirlwind book tour, Nana Jo has kept Market Street Mysteries running smoothly. The last stop is a prestigious book festival in Sam’s hometown of North Harbor, Michigan. But not everyone thinks the guest of honor, bestselling author Judith Hunter, deserves stellar reviews. Sam witnesses nasty arguments between Judith and two different authors—who accuse her of plagiarism and sabotage . . .
When a publicist is poisoned during a cocktail reception, Sam wonders if the killer missed the intended target. It’s a twist that echoes the plot of Sam’s mystery, Murder at Wickfield Lodge. But fact can be stranger—and deadlier—than fiction. How much collateral damage is the killer willing to risk? With feisty Nana Jo and the girls from Shady Acres Retirement Village lending a hand, Sam tries to solve the case before the festival delivers another fatality . . .
Author Interview
Today we’re thrilled to have Valerie “V. M.” Burns to talk about her latest Mystery Bookshop mystery, Murder on Tour. As both a reader and writer of cozy mysteries, I especially enjoyed the book tour setting!
Valerie, can you tell us about the protagonist, Samantha?
Samantha Washington and her late husband Leon dreamed of quitting their jobs and opening a mystery bookshop. When Leon dies, Sam realizes that life is too short not to follow your dreams. So, she quits her job and she opens the bookstore. But, the bookstore was their shared dream. Sam also dreamed of writing British historical mysteries. Sam is now realizing the culmination of all of her dreams with the publication of her first mystery, Murder at Wickfield Lodge. Her life on tour as a published author is nothing like J.B. Fletcher from Murder, She Wrote. Still, Sam has found success with her bookstore and her writing. She has also opened her heart to love and is engaged. Life is good.
Is Samantha anything like you?
Samantha Washington dreamed of quitting her job and opening a mystery bookshop and writing British historical cozy mysteries because that’s my dream, too. We both have pushy older sisters. Plus, Sam and I both have two toy poodles.
So quite a bit in common then! Also I’d love to visit your mystery bookshop when it opens. How do you think you would you feel about Samantha if you met her in real life?
If I were to meet her in real life, I think we would be best friends.
Have you ever thought of killing someone that you know in real life–on the pages of a murder mystery, I mean?
YES! This is how I get my victims. Whenever someone makes me angry, I add them to the list of victims. I always change the names of the victims, but I leave the initials. I find it cathartic.
I’m definitely going to pay attention to the murder victims’ initials from now on. How about the setting of your story? Do you take liberties, or are you true to life?
The Mystery Bookshop Mystery series is set in the fictional town of North Harbor, Michigan. North Harbor is based on the real town of Benton Harbor. Because North Harbor is a fictional town, I can take a lot of liberties to make the setting work for my books. I have, however, included many details about the setting which are true to life.
When the movie or TV series is made, who plays the major parts?
My dream cast would be Kerry Washington as Samantha Washington. Loretta Devine as Nana Jo. Taraji P. Henson as Jenna Rutherford, and Idris Elba or Djimon Hounsou as Frank Patterson.
What’s the worst and best advice you’ve heard or received as an author?
The worst advice I’ve received is from well-meaning people who tell me to do XXX (e.g. follow a detailed plot, get up at 4am to write, follow the trends, etc.). There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to writing. In my opinion, each person should do what makes them happy. Creating a detailed outline does not make me happy. In fact, when I tried to force myself to follow what others told me to do, it sucked all of the joy out of writing. Every person is different. Know what works for you and do that.
About the Author
Valerie (V. M.) Burns is an Agatha, Anthony, Edgar, and Next Generation Award Finalist. She is the author of the Mystery Bookshop, Dog Club, RJ Franklin, and Baker Street Mystery series. Valerie is a member of Crime Writers of Color, Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, Dog Writers of America, and Thriller Writers International. Valerie has a Bachelor’s Degree from Northwestern University, a Master’s Degree in Business from the University of Notre Dame, and a Master of Fine Arts from Seton Hill University. In addition to writing, Valerie works as a manager at a call center, and is also a mentor in the Writing Popular Fiction MFA Program at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA. Born and raised in northwest Indiana, Valerie now lives in Northern Georgia with her two poodles.
Author Links
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/v-m-burns
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vmburnsbooks/
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16534140.V_M_Burns
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vmburnsbooks/
Website: vmburns.com
Purchase Links
Amazon Apple Books-A-Million Barnes and Noble Bookshop.org Google Play Hudson Booksellers Target KOBO Walmart
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