Murder by Interview, Review, and Giveaway

I'm happy to welcome Jeanne Quigley back to Cozy Up With Kathy. Jeanne writes the Victoria Walsh Mystery series.  Murder, By George, the second book in the series, was released last month.

Kathy: Veronica and Mark start Murder, By George by attending the town's annual fall flea market. Do enjoy flea markets?

JQ: I confess I am not a flea market person. I’m always ready to hit a book sale, though, with a canvas bag in hand for all those hardcovers and paperbacks I just have to read.


Kathy: Architect Scott Culverson finds a valuable surprise hidden in his inexpensive purchase at the sale. Have you ever made a lucky discovery such as his?

JQ: I’ve never had that luck, but at book sales I’ve discovered authors and characters I’ve come to cherish. I fell in love with Father Tim and the town of Mitford after I bought the first of Jan Karon’s series at a library sale. Karon’s writing strongly influenced my desire to write a series. I also discovered cozy authors MC Beaton, Mary Daheim, and Karen MacInerney at book sales. The used books I’ve purchased may not have high monetary value, but the inspiration and comfort the stories have given me is priceless.


Kathy: Murder, By George deals with an important painting from the 1920s. Do you have a favorite painting style or period?

JQ: My knowledge of art history is limited and my artistic ability hasn’t progressed much beyond stick figure drawings, so I appreciate the talent famous and non-famous artists possess, whatever their style. I marvel at the artistic skill of my sister-in-law Marilyn and niece Shannon and I always enjoy the exhibits my library has of work by local students and residents. I tend to prefer nature scenes to portraits, I suppose because I can imagine I’m there, walking through the woods or plucking the flowers in the fields. I do like van Gogh’s work and the dreamy nature of Chagall’s paintings. Maybe I shouldn’t admit this, but I also love the Dogs Playing Poker series by C.M. Coolidge.


Kathy: Was there a specific inspiration for this story?

JQ: There’s not one specific inspiration, but stories about people discovering Jackson Pollack paintings, original copies of the Declaration of Independence, and centuries’ old Chinese bowls at garage sales gave me the idea for Murder, by George.


Kathy: Are you able to share any future plans for Veronica?

JQ: I’m working on the third book now. My publisher, Five Star, is ending its mystery line, so when I am finished writing, I will have to find a new home for Veronica and friends. Wish me luck!


Kathy: When it comes to writing I understand there are 2 general camps-plotters, who diligently plot their stories, and pansters, who fly by the seat of their pants. Are you a plotter, a panster, or do you fall somewhere in between?

JQ: I fall in between, but I’m working at being a stronger plotter. I don’t start writing until I know the beginning, ending, and have a thread of scenes connecting the two. Once I’m into the story, unplanned scenes and characters introduce themselves and others are eliminated when I realize they don’t work as well on paper as they did in my head. I’d like to get a whole book down in an outline and then (I hope) write like the wind.


Kathy: Will you share any other upcoming books?

JQ: I have a character in mind for a second series. Her name is Robin and she lives in a small town in the Catskills. When I finish the third Veronica Walsh mystery, I plan to spend time developing the idea into a story.

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Review

 Murder, by George by Jeanne Quigley
The Second Veronica Walsh Mystery

Veronica is settling in to her home town of Barton, NY, managing her store and enjoying family and friends. An unexpected art discovery at the local flea market leads to some vicious debates about who the actual owner is, or should be. On the night the painting is to have its own gallery show, the painting and its new owner are late. A search finds the owner dead and the painting gone! Could one of the town's residents vying for ownership have actually killed him? Veronica promises she won't get involved, but when pressed, that promise may not be kept!

I am happy to be walking the streets of Barton once more! Once again Quigley brings us a charming yet intricate mystery. The town of Barton is picture perfect, and the creation of an artist who captured a scene from it is a smart move. I think most people have the dream of finding treasure at a flea market or garage sale. In this case it wasn't a painting unrecognized for its worth, but rather a box with a hidden compartment hiding a recognizable treasure...along with a letter adding even more significance. But, in case anyone gets too envious of Scott and his find-remember it brings him nothing but trouble, arguments from people who say the painting should be theirs and ultimately his murder.

Quigley also deftly handles the issue almost all cozy series face. Our protagonist got into terrible danger by trying to solve the crime in the previous book, yet here she is again, about to do the same thing. In  Murder, by George everyone reminds Victoria about what happened the last time and warn her not to get involved. The intelligent move made is that Victoria agrees wholeheartedly, says it's a matter for the police, and she has no intention of investigating. Of course, with more and more pressure from other friends she eventually does become involved, which, of course, she has to do so or we wouldn't have much of a book! But the original realization and admitting that she has no business getting involved is a pleasant slice of reality.

 Murder, by George is an enjoyable trip to the Adirondacks. The mystery itself is great fun with lots of suspects and possible motives. Veronica Walsh proves once again that she's an intelligent woman; a realistic character who's a pleasure to read.

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Jeanne is graciously offering an advanced readers copy to one lucky reader. Simply leave a comment on this blog post giving us your thoughts on flea markets and/or lucky finds no later than 11:59 pm EDT Monday, June 6, 2016. Be sure to leave an e-mail address so that I may contact you should you win. Sorry, US addresses only.