Happy October! ROCCO interviews SID THE SKELETON!

 

Sid the Skeleton considers himself the protagonist of Leigh Perry’s mysteries because, as he points out, “It’s the Family Skeleton Series, right?” Georgia Thackery, his BFF and partner-in-crime-solving might disagree with this, but since she’s not around, we’ll accept Sid’s pronouncement. Sid has appeared in four mysteries so far. The Skeleton Paints a Picture, the fourth, was just released by Diversion Books this week. When not solving murders, Sid enjoys computer gaming, watching movies with his pal Georgia and Georgia’s daughter Madison, taking online courses of all kinds, and avoiding the family dog, Byron.  Georgia loves the beach, mysterious happenings, and all things good-naturedly paranormal. The family home is in Pennycross, Mass., but in the new book, Sid—and Georgia—have gone further afield to Falstone, Mass. (Don’t bother looking up either on a map. The towns, like Sid himself, are fictional.) (Portrait of Sid by Maggie Kelner)

 

 

R: Welcome Sid! Tell us a bit about yourself and how you became interested in crime solving.

 S: Thanks ROCCO! Well, I’m a skeleton. A robust, male skeleton, if anybody wants personal details. And I got interested in murder when I realized I, myself, had been murdered.

 

 

R: You seem very lively for a skeleton. How did the “Family Skeleton” series come about?

 

S: I met this person Leigh Perry—online of course, since I don’t leave the house that often. Anyway, I told Leigh about some of my adventures, and she brought it up to her agent, and naturally they were intrigued. Leigh might not be the most elegant of prose stylists, but she’s done a pretty fair job of laying out my skills as a detective.

 

 

R: Don’t you have a partner?

S: You must mean Georgia Thackery, my housemate and BFF. I’ve known her since she was six, and I had just woken up in my current gleaming white form. Georgia is an adjunct English professor, which means moving often and not getting a lot of pay. She’s also a single mother of a teenaged daughter, Madison. They share my house now, along with Georgia’s parents, who also academics.

R: It’s your house?

 S: More or less. Anyway, Georgia is a big help in solving my cases. Kind of a Dr. Watson to my Sherlock Bones. Get it? Sherlock bones?

 

 R: Very amusing. So if you had access to a time machine, which historical moment would you travel to and why?

 S: I think I’d like to go back to the time when I was still alive—traditionally alive. I don’t have any memories of that time, but it would be interesting to see what I looked like with skin and flesh and hair and all that.

 

R:  If a movie were to be made of one of your stories, which one would you want it to be and who would you pick for the lead roles?

S: I think it would have to be animation, so all I have to cast is my voice. I’m thinking Patton Oswald would be an excellent choice. He has the acting chops, a great voice, and the intelligence and wit that reflects my charm.

 

R: What is one thing your readers would be most surprised to know about you?

 S: I think just knowing that I exist would be a big surprise, don’t you?

 

R: What is the craziest thing you've ever done? 

S: I posed for a painting class. Nude. Not a stitch on me. That’s in the new book, by the way. Hot stuff—keep it away from the kiddies.

 

 R: What do you hope readers will most take away from your writing?

 S: That family is who you love, and not who—or what—you are.

 

 R: What is Leigh Perry working on at the moment?

 S: It’s a great story of the time an online gaming compaion came looking for me in a summer cabin, hoping I’d help her find a missing person. We’re aren’t sure if it will be called The Skeleton Makes a Friend or The Skeleton Plays a Game.

 

R: Is Leigh a plotter or a pantser?

 S: It’s funny, she says she’s a pantser, starting with notes and scenes and things she wants to shoehorn into the book, and kind of glues it together. But since I dictate my stories, I don’t see what she means by that.

 

R: Where can we find out more about you and your work?

S: Leigh has a web page (LeighPerryAuthor.com) and a Facebook page (Facebook.com/leighperry). I’m on Twitter @family_skeleton.

 

R: Do you have any advice for beginning writers? Or crime solvers?

 S: I’ve got the same advice for both: read, read, read. There’s no better way to get a feel for how language works or for how people think and react.

 

 

R: What book is on your TBR shelf you can’t wait to get to?

 S: I haven’t finished going through Monte Beauchamp’s art book Popular Skullture: the Skull Motif in Pulps, Paperbacks, and Comics.

 

 Just for Fun:

Night or Day?  Night. That’s when the family is home.

Dog or Cat? Cats! Dogs and skeletons are not a good mix.

Beach or Pool? Kind of hard for me to go to either—people are so judgmental of Osteo-Americans. But on a recent stay in a cabin in the woods, I got a chance to go into a lake. It was terrific! I can hold my breath forever. Well, I don’t breathe.

Steak or salad? Not an eater.

Favorite Drink? Not a drinker, either.

Favorite Book? Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I loved the way Rowling tied it all up for her fans.

Favorite TV Series? Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Favorite Movie? The Toy Story series, The Book of Life, and The Nightmare Before Christmas

Favorite Actor: Danny Elfman, for his portrayal of Jack Skellington

Favorite Actress: Kate del Castillo, for her portrayal of La Muerte in The Book of Life

Dirty Martini or Pina Colada? Nope

Hawaii or Alaska? Alaska. It’s easier to hide, and I’ve recently discovered how much fun snow blowing is.

Finish this sentence:  If I could meet anyone in the world, past or present, it would be: John Lasseter, both to thank him for those wonderful Pixar movies and to see if he can help get a job for Leigh Perry’s animator daughter.

If I had just one wish, it would be: For adjunct faculty to be paid what they’re worth.

If I could trade places with anyone in the world, it would be: honestly? Not a living soul. I am one happy skeleton!

 

 Thanks Sid!

You can find Sid on Twitter @Family_Skeleton, and you can find Leigh Perry on Facebook at leighperry and online at LeighPerryAuthor.com

 

Giveaway time!

Leigh Perry will send a signed copy of The Skeleton Paints a Picture, the brand-new Family Skeleton mystery. US addresses only, please.

 

To enter, leave a comment on this blog post with your name and email address (entries without email will be disqualified). For extra entries, you can do any or all of the below:

 

Tweet about this contest or post on your FB page

Follow moi on Twitter @RoccoBlogger

Follow the Human on Facebook

 

Contest closes midnight, October 15^th! Good Luck!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ROCCO'S OCTOBER COZY MYSTERY ROUNDUP!

Meow, ROCCO here!
Here are my cozy mystery reviews for the month of October, starting with my top pick!

ROCCO's TOP PICK FOR OCTOBER!

Fixing to Die: A Southern Ladies Mystery
Miranda James
October 3, 2017

It’s autumn down south, and An'gel and Dickce Ducote are in Natchez, Mississippi, at the request of Mary Turner Catlin, the granddaughter of an old friend. Mary and her husband, Henry Howard, live in Cliffwood, one of the beautiful antebellum homes for which Natchez is famous.

Odd things have been happening in the house for years, and the French Room in particular has become the focal point for spooky sensations. The Ducotes suspect the ghostly goings-on are caused by the living, but when a relative of the Catlins is found dead in the room, An'gel and Dickce must sift through a haunted family history to catch a killer.

Sez ROCCO:  Miranda James Southern Lady mysteries are just as charming as the Cat in the Stacks series, one of my personal favorites.  It's always enjoyable to watch the sisters ferret out clues. This one, with a hint of the supernatural, just might be the best one yet!  if  you haven't sampled this series yet we encourage you to do so!  Rating:  four and a half paws!!!!!!


ROCCO's October Reviews:
Check out these cozies from Penguin!

Crepe Factor: A Scrapbooking Mystery
Laura Childs/Terrie Farley Moran
October 3, 2017

The holidays are a busy time for scrapbook shop owner Carmela Bertrand—but not so hectic that she doesn’t have time to enjoy browsing the booths at the Winter Market with her best friend, Ava. The last thing the ladies expect to see is a lurching man stabbed by a serving fork, dying in front of them.

The victim is loathed restaurant critic Martin Lash, who posted his scathing reviews on the Glutton for Punishment website. And the prime suspect is New Orleans restaurateur Quigg Brevard—who was seen giving the critic a tongue-lashing minutes before someone stuck a fork in him. An old flame of Carmela’s, Quigg asks for her help, which does not please her current beau, Detective Edgar Babcock, to say the least.

Before her relationship is the next victim, Carmela needs to find a murderer who had no reservations about punishing the culinary curmudgeon…


ROCCO sez:  I'm always a big fan of anything Laura Childs writes, and this series is no exception.  The characters, settings and plots are always lively and well thought out.  I especially enjoyed seeing Edgar squirm when CArmela helps out her ex-beau Quigg.  One must pray that Penguin has the good sense to keep this series going!  Rating: four and a half paws!!!!!!!!


Ghost Times Two
Carolyn Hart
October 3, 2017

Bailey Ruth Raeburn’s latest mission is to guide the spirit of a deceased young man named Jimmy to the next life. But Jimmy is determined to watch over his still-living girlfriend, Megan. As if being haunted by her late boyfriend wasn’t enough, Megan is dealing with an arrogant, manipulative senior partner who threatens to fire Megan’s vulnerable secretary if Megan accepts a partnership at another law firm.

Since Jimmy refuses to move on while Megan is being blackmailed, Bailey Ruth agrees to help him. But after the partner turns up dead and Megan is found at the crime scene, Bailey Ruth and Jimmy must uncover a killer before the love of Jimmy’s life is ordered to spend a lifetime behind bars…

This series is a lot of fun and should appeal especially to those who love a touch of the paranormal mixed in with their  mysteries!  Carolyn Hart has done it again!  This series is a win win!  ROCCO's rating:  Four paws! 


ROOM WITH A BREW
A Brewing Trouble Mystery
Joyce Tremel
October 3, 2017

Disaster is on tap in this all-new mystery from the author of Tangled Up in Brew.

It's Oktoberfest in Pittsburgh, and brewpub owner Maxine "Max" O'Hara is prepping for a busy month at the Allegheny Brew House. To create the perfect atmosphere for the boozy celebration, Max hires an oompah band. But when one of the members from the band turns up dead, it's up to Max to solve the murder before the festivities are ruined. 

Adding to the brewing trouble, Candy, Max's friend, is acting suspicious... Secrets from her past are fermenting under the surface, and Max must uncover the truth to prove her friend's innocence. To make matters worse, Jake's snooty ex-fiancée shows up in town for an art gallery opening, and she'll be nothing but a barrel of trouble for Max.

Sez ROCCO:  The Human loves beer and I myself do not  mind the occasional sip. This series is like catnip to me!  The characters are likeable and the plots interesting!  I enjoyed seeing Max going all out to prove her friend Candy's innocence, and of course, there is a dash of romance included!  Grab yourself a Corona (or your brew of choice) and enjoy!  Rocco's rating:  Four and a half paws! 


Familiar Motives: A Witch's Cat mystery
Delia James
October 3, 2017

After learning that she comes from a family of witches—and adopting a familiar named Alistair—artist Annabelle Britton has made beautiful Portsmouth, New Hampshire, her home. Together with her coven, this good witch is trying to put a stop to magic and murder most foul. 

When Anna takes Alistair to see local veterinarian Ramona Forsythe, they meet the most famous cat in town: Ruby the Attitude Cat, spokes-feline for a pet food brand. But then Ramona turns up dead, and Ruby goes missing. It seems like the murderer used magical means, so it’s up to Anna and Alistair to catch a killer and cat-napper as only a canny cat can.

Sez ROCCO:  Oh, come on! Who wouldn't like a series about a witch's cat??????  The plot in this one is especially well thought out and we always love it when cats play a major role in the mystery solving.  This series is a delight, even if the supernatural isn't your cup of tea!  ROCCO's rating:  Four paws!

Enter to win a copy of GHOST TIMES TWO!

Leave your name and email address in the comments section!  Winner will be chosen at random!  US entries only please! Contest closes midnight October 8!

WIN ROCCO'S SEPTEMBER TOP PICK!!!!!!!!!

Meow, ROCCO here.  For those of you who missed my five paw review earlier this month, here it is:


ROCCO's TOP PICK!

A TALE OF TWO KITTIES – SOFIE KELLY

With a well-placed paw on a keyboard or a pointed stare, Kathleen’s two cats, Hercules and Owen, have helped her to solve cases in the past—so she has learned to trust their instincts. But she will need to rely on them more than ever when a twenty-year-old scandal leads to murder…
 
The arrival of the Janes brothers has the little town of Mayville Heights buzzing. Everyone of a certain age remembers when Victor had an affair with Leo’s wife, who then died in a car accident.
 
Now it seems the brothers are trying to reconcile, until Kathleen finds Leo dead. The police set their sights on Leo’s son and Kathleen’s good friend Simon, who doesn’t have much of an alibi. To prove her friend innocent, Kathleen will have to dig deep into the town's history—and into her sardine cracker supply, because Owen and Hercules don't work for free...

ROCCO sez:  Everyone’s favorite librarian, Kathleen Paulson is back with her ‘magical cats’ Owen and Hercules!  This series has been a favorite of mine from the first, and I was especially pleased to see that it’s now in hardcover!  Owen and Hercules, as per usual, steal the show!  This is one series that we just can’t get enough of. More!  More! More!  Five Paws!!!!!!

One lucky commenter will win my review copy!  enter your name and email address below!  Contest closes midnight, September 30th!


The HUMAN and I are taking a short fall break!  We will return with new blogs, reviews and interviews October 1st!


Till then, stay cool!  (Like a cat)
ROCCO

 

ROCCO welcomes Jessica Estevao!

Meow, today my guest is author Jessica Estevao!

 Photo by  Lisa Knowlton

Jessica Estevao is the author of the debut novel in the Change of Fortune Mysteries, Whispers Beyond the Veil. She loves the beach, mysterious happenings, and all things good-naturedly paranormal. While she lives for most of the year in New Hampshire, with her dark and mysterious husband and exuberant children, she delights in spending her summers on the coast of Maine where she keeps an eye out for sea monsters and mermaids. As Jessie Crockett, she writes the Sugar Grove Mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime. (Photo of Jessie by Lisa Knowlton)

• Welcome Jessica! Tell us a little about your background

Thanks ROCCO! I have always loved mysteries and have loved to write since I was a small child. I live in NH for most of the year and on the coast of Maine in the summer.

• Tell us a bit about your Change of Fortune series.  How did that idea come about?

I’ve lived in Old Orchard for the summer for the last seven years. There is something so inspiring about the town and the beach that the story just sort of unfolded in my mind by being on site.

• Your main character is a medium – do you believe in the supernatural?

 I do. I think there are so many ways of knowing things and experiencing the world that I am happy to consider them all.

• How do you “get to know” your characters before and while you’re writing the books?

Mostly they just sort of whisper in my ear as I start to write them. It feels quite magical. I don’t consciously do a lot of character plotting ahead of time. My outlines are for action. The characters seem to simply show up to play.

• How do you construct your plots? Do you outline or do you write “by the seat of your pants”?

I used to grope along and write a discovery draft to figure out the story. Now that I have frequent deadlines I outline and have found that it works really well for me.

• What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a writer and what inspires you and keeps you motivated?

The lag between starting a book and the publishing date can be difficult. By the time a book comes out I am deeply into another project and feel a bit disconnected. Having fun and being in flow when I am actively writing keeps me motivated. Every day I spend at my desk is a good day.

• What are you working on now and what are your future writing plans?

I am working on a new historical series for Kensington called the Beryl and Edwina Mysteries. It is set in England in the early 1920s and features two friends from finishing school; Beryl, an American adventuress and Edwina, an Englishwoman who has never lived outside her village other than her time at school. I am having terrific fun with them!

• What is a typical workday for you and how many hours a day (or week) do you devote to writing?

I haven’t found any day is typical since the work has different needs based on the point in a publishing cycle I am at. Sometimes I am hard at work generating a draft. Other times I am revising or proofreading. Then there are the points in time where promotional activities like blog posts and author appearances are the priority. What is typical is that I work on some aspect of my job for at least a few hours most every day, including weekends and holidays.

• What advice do you have to offer to an aspiring author?

Write because you love it. In the beginning it is about a love of the process more than a focus on the product. Be kind to yourself as you build your skills.

• What’s one thing your readers would be surprised to find out about you?

Maybe that I have written most of my last several books while wearing my bathing suit.

• What question do you wish interviewers would ask? (And what’s the answer?)

I wish they would ask if writing is still fun after having been in the business for most of a decade. The answer is yes, it is more so every day.

•  Where can we learn more about you and your books?

I blog with the Wicked Cozy Authors at www.wickedcozyauthors.com. I am also a member of the Facebook group Sleuths in Time. More information about my books and appearances can be found at my websites: www.jessicaestevao.com, www.jessicaellicott.com and www.jessiecrockett.com

Just for Fun:

Night or Day? Night

Dog or Cat? (answer carefully)  I am allergic to both so would have to say I love birds and goldfish.

Beach or Pool?   Beach

Steak or salad?  Steak on salad

Favorite Drink?  Espresso in the morning, seltzer in the afternoon and wine in the evening

Favorite Book?  Could not possibly decide

Favorite TV Series?  There are too many that I love but current favorites include Outsiders, Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency and Cardinal

Favorite Movie?  There are too many to choose but I have special affection for Stand By Me and all of the Lord of the Rings.

Favorite Actor: I will watch anything with Johnny Depp or William H. Macy

Favorite Actress: Meg Ryan

Dirty Martini or Pina Colada? Martini

Hawaii or Alaska? I’d love to visit both.

Finish this sentence:  If I could meet anyone in the world, past or present, it would be Victoria Woodhull.

If I could trade places with anyone in the world, it would be I wouldn’t trade with anyone. I love my life.

Find Jessica at:

www.wickedcozyauthors.com.

Facebook group Sleuths in Time.

 www.jessicaestevao.com,

 www.jessicaellicott.com

www.jessiecrockett.com

Twitter:@jessiecrockett

Instagram: jessicaestevaoauthor and jessicaellicottauthor

Pinterest: Jessie Crockett

Penguin will donate a copy of the first Change of Fortune mystery, WHISPERS OF WARNING,  to one lucky commenter!

To enter, leave a comment on this blog post with your name and email address (entries without email will be disqualified). For extra entries, you can do any or all of the below:

* Follow my blog (+ 1 point)
* Follow me on Twitter (+ 1 point) (Link: https://twitter.com/RoccoBlogger)
* Tweet about the contest (+ 1 point)
* Friend me on Facebook (+ 1 point) (Link: https://www.facebook.com/ToniLotempio)#!/

* Mention the contest on Facebook (+ 1 point)
* Mention the contest on your blog (+ 1 point)

Winner will be chosen at random using random.org.  Don’t forget to mention all you’ve done in your comment. Good luck! US entries only, please. Contest closes  midnight, September 19^th!