Read to Death

I'm so happy to welcome Terrie Farley Moran back to the blog. Terrie pens the Read 'em and Eat mystery series. Read to Death, the third book in the series, was released this past week.

 
Kathy: In Read to Death the gang takes a day trip to the beautiful Edison and Ford Winter Estates. Do you enjoy taking similar day trips?

TFM: Hi Kathy, it’s great to be here and yes, sometimes I do like day trips. (I am now singing the Beatles song. “She was a day tripper…” Musically, I am way too suggestable.)
I actually took the guided tour of the Edison and Ford Winter Estates about two years ago and I was amazed at how much work Edison did in his Florida laboratory. Apparently he was not one for long vacations. His botany experiments were fascinating. I can verify that everything mentioned in Read to Death about the Edison and Ford Estates is accurate right down to it being the home of the largest banyan tree in the continental United States.


Kathy: Was there a specific inspiration for this story?

TFM: I think that a one word answer would be “secrets”. People keep all kinds of secrets tightly locked inside their hearts. And sometimes a word or a gesture from someone else can scare them into thinking the secret is no longer safe. And when that happens…

I also wanted to show the massive impact snowbirds have on Florida. They are huge contributors to Florida’s economy and I wanted you all to see how easily the snowbirds slip into community life during winter season and then slip right out again come spring.


Kathy: Are you able to share any future plans for Sassy Cabot and Bridgy Mayfield?

TFM: Not at this time. Read to Death is the final book under my existing contract with Berkley. If the book sells really, really well and appears to be on an upward sales trajectory especially during the first few weeks after release, then we may see another book. It is too soon to tell. (So get out there and buy, people, buy. And please ask your library to order a copy for you as well. End of commercial break.)


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?

TFM: Definite pantser here. I wish I had the discipline to outline and plot. Although I know writing is difficult no matter how you approach it, I have a sneaking suspicion that plotters are more organized so they may be less anxiety ridden while working on a project. Alas, I will probably never know for sure. I don’t see plotting on my radar screen.


Kathy: Authors are required to do a lot of their own marketing. What's your favorite part of marketing your work? What do you dislike about marketing?

TFM: Hands down, my favorite part of marketing is meeting, either in person or via social media, so many members of the cozy mystery community. I have developed strong, warm friendships that I believe will last a lifetime. On the down side, marketing takes up a huge amount of time and a fair amount of money, which are two resources that I’d rather spend other ways. I could use the time for writing and the money to buy cookies and ice cream for my grandkids.


Kathy: Will you share any other upcoming books?

TFM: Right now I am working on a proposal for a cozy series called Arts and Drafts, which takes place in New York State in a fictional town called Wishing Well located in the general vicinity of the real town of Tuxedo.

As you know I have been fortunate enough to work with Laura Childs on her scrapbooking series. Crepe Factor will be released this October.

I am thrilled to join a fabulous array of mystery writers who have a short story, “The Boggy Bayou Caper” in the Bouchercon 2016 anthology Blood on the Bayou, edited by Greg Herren. The anthology will be released at Bouchercon New Orleans this September. All proceeds will directly benefit the New Orleans Public Library. (Dare I say it again? Buy, people, buy.)

Thanks so much for letting me visit and good luck to everyone who enters the giveaway.

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Review

Read to Death by Terrie Farley Moran
The Third Read 'Em and Eat Mystery

Sassy and Bridgy give their Cool Reads/Warm Climate book club a grand finale by hosting a tour of the Edison and Ford Winter Estates. Upon their return to the Read 'em and Eat Cafe however, an ending they never expected occurs. Bridgy, instead of finding her lost sunglasses, finds the body of their murdered bus driver. Her unusual apology when Sassy appears on the scene has sheriff's deputies raising eyebrows so Sassy quickly calls in legal reinforcements. Surely Bridgy isn't responsible, but who is? The book club member who seems to have disappeared, a sailor with a grudge, someone from his past? When being questioned by law enforcement, not only is it handy to have a lawyer, but it's good to have your mother-so both Bridgy and Sassy's moms arrive to provide support, even though friction remains rife between Bridgy's mom and aunt. Can the Brice babes get along? Will Bridgy be exonerated? Will Sassy play nice with Lieutenant Anthony?

Sharing details about life in Florida brings readers right into Sassy and Bridgy's world, whether it's emergency preparedness planning for hurricanes or shopping in unique boutiques. I love being an armchair traveler and Read to Death also gave me the opportunity to learn about the Edison and Ford Winter Estates. Moran delves a bit deeper into familial relationships in this book. The bond between mothers and daughters, as well as sisters, is explored. While troubles and differences are part and parcel of being a family, so is love and support.

Terrie Farley Moran gives us another winner with Read to Death. Adjusting to life with the snowbirds and their inevitable departure creates a different sense of community, but that sense of community is strong in her Read 'em and Eat series. Unique characters filled with personality inhabit her pages providing plenty of fodder for the mysteries they encounter.

Recipes Included.

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