Killing Time - A Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway

 Review

KILLING TIME by Suzanne Trauth

The Sixth Dodie O'Dell Mystery

Vampires have descended upon Etonville! OK, one vampire. OK, it's a newcomer playing Dracula in the Etonville Little Theater's latest production. But this suave yet spooky actor has the town atwitter, apprehensive about vampires even if they are getting a bit tired of the Windjammer's garlic infused specials. As if a vampire wasn't enough, the Grim Reaper shows up. Seeing the Grim Reaper at the town's Halloween party is one thing, but when some teens find him dead in the cemetery, it's another. To ease Lola's mind and protect the production, Dodie agrees to do a little snooping into the leading player's background. But will digging into Dracula's past prevent Dodie from having a future?

KILLING TIME is about identity: keeping it, changing it, and losing it. Are you willing to give up the intrinsic parts of who you are? What part must you keep, no matter the cost? There is no doubt that Dodie loves Bill and is happy to be engaged. But, is she delaying the wedding plans out of a fear of losing herself? Her life will obviously change, but how much of a change is she willing to make? And Dodie isn't the only character facing these concerns.

I love the Dodie O'Dell Mystery series and this sixth entry is a great addition. The wacky citizens of Etonville never fail to make me laugh and the trials and tribulations of the Etonville Little Theater bring back happy memories of my time in the theatre.

KILLING TIME looks at identity while providing a complex mystery.  Deep characterizations combined with fun and laughs make this a book you won't want to miss.

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Killing Time (A Dodie O'Dell Mystery) by Suzanne Trauth

About Killing Time

 

Killing Time (A Dodie O'Dell Mystery)  

Cozy Mystery 6th in Series  

Publisher: Lyrical Press (June 2, 2020)  

Number of Pages: 215 Digital

With Halloween just around the corner, Dodie O’Dell is making preparations to transform the Windjammer Restaurant on the Jersey Shore into a haunted house, while the Etonville Little Theater is staging Dracula. But casting the titular Transylvanian is proving challenging. The amateur actors in the company are not shy about chewing the scenery, but who among them can convincingly sink their fangs into a victim's neck? When a mysterious newcomer with a transfixing Eastern European accent lands the part, rumors that he might be an actual vampire start to take flight—not unlike the bat who's recently been spotted in the town park.

 

But everyone’s blood really runs cold when a stranger is found in the cemetery with a real stake in his heart. Dodie decides to put her Halloween theme menu on the back burner and stick her neck out to bring the killer into the light of day. She'd better keep her wits about her, though—or Dodie may be the next one to go down for the Count . . .

 

Excerpt

“It sure looks haunted,” Edna murmured to no one in particular, to the cast of Dracula in general. They were grouped around her on the sidewalk that ran past the old Hanratty place that Carlos and Bella had rented. I’d never been inside though once I’d driven by it when I first moved to Etonville on my way out of town. The house stood on half an acre of scruffy lawn with patches of dried dirt, surrounded by a few straggly trees—minus leaves at this time of the year—and no neighbors. The nearest houses were on a side street some distance away. The three-story building looked as if it might collapse at any moment, its outer walls covered with weathered, gray shakes, the steps to the front door supported by concrete building blocks. There was no handrail. Light leaked out of windows on the first floor. Curtains covering small, circular panes on the third story—an attic room?—quivered. Was someone up there watching us? I shivered. A turret rose upward from the right side of the structure, giving the house a smidge of outdated dignity. A drain pipe dangled loosely from the gutter.

“Let’s go.” Penny corralled actors and nudged everyone forward to the front door. There were six company members, Renfield saying he’d be along later, plus Penny, Lola, Pauli, and me. Strength in numbers.

We crept across the porch cautiously, aware of the creaking beneath us as the flooring shifted with each individual’s footsteps. Penny put out a hand to knock on the door. Before she could hit knuckles to wood, it flew open. “Welcome everyone!” Bella stood in the doorway, a silhouette backlit by muted foyer lighting.

Behind her Carlos stood silently, observing the group huddled in his entryway, like deer caught in headlights.

Lola took the lead, moving graciously into the house. “Thank you. So nice of you to invite us to your home.”

I’m not sure what the members of the Etonville Little Theatre were expecting. Given the exterior and location of the Hanratty homestead, I anticipated something out of a late-night classic horror film.

About Suzanne Trauth

Suzanne Trauth is a novelist, playwright, screenwriter, and a former theatre professor at a university. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, the Dramatists Guild, and League of Professional Theatre Women. When she is not writing, Suzanne coaches actors and serves as a celebrant performing wedding ceremonies. She lives in Woodland Park, New Jersey.

Author Links: 
Webpage: www.suzannetrauth.com  
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SuzanneTrauth/  
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SuzanneMTrauth  
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6187623.Suzanne_M_Trauth  

Purchase Links: Amazon – B&N – Kobo

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No More Time - A Review & Giveaway

Review

NO MORE TIME by Suzanne Trauth

The Fifth Dodie O'Dell Mystery

Dodie O'Dell and her boyfriend, Bill, are enjoying a relaxing vacation on the Jersey Shore. Away from the Windjammer and the Etonville Little Theater all that's on the menu is relaxing on the beach, eating good food, and sipping delectable cocktails with no drama. All that changes when Dodie's old boyfriend shows up and decides to camp out on their porch. Then the troupe from Etonville arrive, having received a last minute shot to compete in the New Jersey Community Theater Festival. Stunned that Bill is taking everything in stride, Dodie is less relaxed, especially when an old friend winds up dead and her ex becomes the main suspect. So much for a relaxing vacation.

You learn a lot about people when they're on vacation and we learn a lot about Dodie and Bill in this fifth Dodie O'Dell Mystery. We see how the Etonville Police Chief can be laid back and carefree. And we see how Dodie can't resist a mystery. While I enjoyed the break from Etonville responsibilities and felt bad for the loss of privacy and romance time for Bill and Dodie I loved that Etonville came to the shore. The ELT crew are a hoot and I loved their interactions in the competition and with the other theatre folk.

Ultimately, NO MORE TIME deals with acceptance. Seeing the past for what is was and moving to the future. Loving people for who they are without trying to change them. Dealing with life's surprises with grace and dignity.

Although set on a beach and perfect for summer reading NO MORE TIME is more than a beach read. It's a great character driven mystery that's fun, but has depth as well. The book had me smiling and I closed the final page with a grin on my face!

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No More Time (A Dodie O'Dell Mystery) by Suzanne Trauth

About The Book

 

No More Time (A Dodie O'Dell Mystery)  

Cozy Mystery 5th in Series  

Lyrical Underground (July 23, 2019)  

Paperback: 214 pages 

DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY

Restaurant manager Dodie O’Dell has found her niche in the cozy New Jersey town of Etonville, creating menus that make a delicious double-act with the community theater’s productions. Now she’s ready for a vacation at the Jersey Shore town she called home before a hurricane hit. Sun, salty air, and seagulls make for a nostalgic escape from regular life—until a contingent from Etonville arrives to compete in a Jersey Shore theater festival.

Roped into helping her former boss cater the event, Dodie also gets a visit from her old flame, Jackson, who’s hoping to revive his charter boat business and is looking for a place to crash. Before Dodie can tell him that ship has sailed, Jackson’s partner is found murdered on his boat. Dodie knows her ex is a mooch, but she’s sure he’s no killer. But as she follows a trail of evidence that leads into her own past, Dodie stumbles on a dangerous conspiracy theory that could bring the festival to a shocking finale…

About the Author

 

Suzanne Trauth is a novelist, playwright, screenwriter, and a former theatre professor at a university. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, the Dramatists Guild, and League of Professional Theatre Women. When she is not writing, Suzanne coaches actors and serves as a celebrant performing wedding ceremonies. She lives in Woodland Park, New Jersey.

Author Links:  

Webpage: www.suzannetrauth.com  
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SuzanneTrauth/  
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SuzanneMTrauth  
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6187623.Suzanne_M_Trauth  

Purchase Links:

Amazon - B&N - Kobo

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Excerpt

By noon we were both hot and famished. I suggested a break from the sun at the tiki bar and we gathered our beach gear and trudged through the sand to the Polynesian music. We were halfway through our bucket of steamed clams when an elderly twosome at a table next to ours gasped in shock. We couldn’t help noticing.

“Is everything okay?” I asked gently.

The woman’s head bobbled and her wide-brimmed sunhat swung from side to side. She picked up the newspaper she’d been reading, the Candle Beach Courier, a local rag, and shoved the front page at us. “He was such a nice boy. We knew his parents years ago.” I smiled sympathetically and scanned the sheet. Then I gasped.

“Dodie, what’s the matter?” Lola said. “Were you acquainted with him too?” the woman asked.

I nodded numbly. Was I ever. The headline read LOCAL MAN DEAD. Underneath was a photo of the victim: It was Vinnie C. I rotated the paper so Lola could see the front page. “It’s him,” I said hoarsely.

Lola blinked. “Vincent Carcherelli,” she read.

I scanned the story. Apparently his body had been washed up on the beach sometime overnight and was discovered by a jogger early today in time to make the mid-morning edition. The police were calling it a drowning and speculating that he’d fallen off his boat, The Bounty, which had drifted half a mile off the shoreline. No foul play suspected at the moment but the investigation was ongoing.

I offered to return the newspaper but the couple refused to accept it, saying the story was too upsetting. They picked up their bill and left.

“Wow. What a coincidence. We were talking about how Jackson saw him yesterday …” Lola stopped. A light bulb went on. “The police will want to speak with Jackson. He might have been one of the last people to see Vinnie alive.”

It was Lola’s last word that brought me up short: alive. Jackson had been steamed during that meeting on the boardwalk. Did he know anything about Vinnie’s last hours? If Bill were here he’d tell me to mind my own business, let Jackson alone, let the police determine the actual cause of death. Bill was right, of course. But something about the whole event didn’t sit right with me. Why did Jackson lie about what happened when he met Vinnie?

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Just in Time - A Review & Giveaway

Review

JUST IN TIME by Suzanne Trauth

The Fourth Dodie O'Dell Mystery

Dodie O'Dell is smoothing things over at the Windjammer as the exuberant new sous chef settles in, bringing new recipes and breaking things with equal abandon. Though somewhat chaotic in the restaurant, chaos is quite the norm for the Etonville Little Theater. This time the group is teaming up with the Creston Players for an outdoor production of Bye Bye Birdie. Despite a few love triangles, rehearsals are going smoothly, thanks in part to Ruby, the accompanist brought in by the Players. The septuagenarian may be brusque, smoke like a chimney, and tipple from a flask, but she's practically a musical genius. Nothing runs smoothly for long for the ELT, however, and just before opening night Ruby is found dead in her car. Was it a heart attack, drunk driving, or murder? The only thing known for sure is that the show must go on!

It's great to be back with the gang from the ELT and the Windjammer. I love the addition of Wilson who merrily enjoys his life and work and is always there when you need him. The angst of teenage romance as well as middle aged romance makes an appearance as Dodie and the Chief solidify their relationship. Indeed, the many faces of love color this fourth Dodie O'Dell Mystery. What do you do for love? And what happens when love is thwarted?

A victim whose life was as mysterious as her death is the center of this quick reading mystery. Dodie pretty much played by the rules in this book, though I did gasp out loud at one move she made which was so wrong as to be unbelievable as well as unconscionable to me. I still do like her though. The rest of the ensemble is well developed and even the small roles add ambience and character to the mystery.

JUST IN TIME captures the love, laughter, and dismay that is all a part of community theater. I want to visit Etonville, eat at the Windjammer, and watch a production of the Etonville Little Theater.

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Just in Time (A Dodie O'Dell Mystery) by Suzanne Trauth

About the Book

 

Just in Time (A Dodie O'Dell Mystery)  

Cozy Mystery 4th in Series 

 Lyrical Underground (September 25, 2018)  

Print Length 220 pages 

FACE THE MUSIC

Business is humming at Dodie O'Dell's Windjammer Restaurant, where she offers theme menus connected to the Etonville Little Theatre’s amateur productions. This June, the theatre is collaborating with the neighboring Creston Players to stage Bye Bye Birdie under the stars—their first musical! There's a contest in the play to pick a fan to receive rock idol Conrad Birdie's last kiss before he ships off for the Army, so Dodie plans a contest to pick the food for a pre-show picnic.

But before the show opens, Ruby, the rehearsal accompanist, is found dead in her car. Why would anyone murder the crusty old gal who loved to sneak a smoke and a nip between wisecracks? Once again, the resourceful restaurant manager must play the part of amateur sleuth, accompanied by Police Chief Bill Thompson, who also happens to be her beau. Confronted with a chorus of suspects, she'll need to stay composed to catch the killer—or it'll be bye bye Dodie…

About the Author

 
Suzanne Trauth is a novelist, playwright, screenwriter, and a former university theatre professor. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and the Dramatists Guild. When she is not writing, Suzanne coaches actors and serves as a celebrant performing wedding ceremonies. She lives in Woodland Park, New Jersey. Readers can visit her website at www.suzannetrauth.com. Facebook

Purchase Links: Amazon B&N kobo BookBub

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Running Out of Time - A Visit from Dodie O'Dell & Review

I'm happy to welcome Dodie O'Dell to Cozy Up With Kathy today. You can find Dodie on the pages of the Dodie O'Dell Mystery series by Suzanne Trauth. RUNNING OUT OF TIME is the third book in the series.

     It’s winter in Etonville, New Jersey. Living down the Jersey Shore in the past had not completely prepared me for the ordeals of cold weather months: substantial snow, ice, cold, wind, sleet, more snow, freezing rain. And now I’m sneezing! My remedy? Just the usual. Aspirin, vitamin C, and a shot of whiskey. That last was my great aunt Maureen’s remedy for whatever ailed you. She usually came down with “something” once a week.

     I’ve been spending my free Sundays overseeing a baking class on steroids at the Windjammer restaurant, which I, Dodie O’Dell, manage. The latest production of the Etonville Little Theatre is Eton Town, an adaptation of the classic Our Town, set during the American Revolution and featuring the founding of the town. I’m still into creating theme food for every play the theatre produces and for this show we’re making early American desserts: Swamp Yankee applesauce cake, apple pie, mulled wine, hot cider. The bakers are Etonville folks who are having a good time peeling apples and slinging batter.

     But the baking class is over, we’ve cleaned up the Windjammer kitchen, the bakers have left, and it’s time to go home. I step outside the restaurant. Falling snow has sprinkled a light layer of powdery white stuff on all surfaces. I stick out my tongue to catch the moisture. Reminds me of afternoons I shared with my little brother Andy on those rare occasions when it snowed down the shore.

     My cell chirps. A text from Bill. Aka Etonville Chief of Police Thompson: Sorry about last night. We’d gotten to know each other during the past year when I’d assisted in the investigation of a couple of homicides. Okay, so I “investigated” on the sly and jeopardized our budding relationship. But Bill was still grateful for my detection skills and I still got all jittery when I saw that sandy-colored brush cut and former-NFL-running back build. We’d been dating for the last couple of months. Which included a New York Giants football game and Christmas Eve dinner at the Windjammer. And an aborted attempt to go sledding in the town park. At the last minute, Bill had had an emergency.

     I crank the engine of my red Metro, flip on the windshield wipers to clear a patch of window, and set off down Main Street. Slowly. Carefully. Between the ice and wind chill—which could last anywhere from three months to five months in New Jersey—I’m ready to flee to Florida where my parents reside. I could have moved there two years ago after Hurricane Sandy hit my Jersey Shore community and destroyed the restaurant where I worked, as well as my rented home. But I opted to go north across the Driscoll Bridge and ended up in Etonville, a stone’s throw from New York City, managing the Windjammer restaurant, soothing chef/owner Henry’s feathers on a daily basis, riding shotgun on the staff, and providing support for various theater ventures.

     By the time I pull into my driveway in the south end of town, a fresh coating of white covers tree branches, my small patch of front yard, and the walkway leading to my door.  I stamp the snow off my boots, fling my jacket over a kitchen chair, and debate. Should I call Bill and listen to him apologize? He’d had a work conflict last night…I got it. But it was the third time in the last few weeks that he’d had to bow out of a dinner date. I sneeze, pluck a Kleenex from a box on the kitchen table, and blow my nose. When my high school boyfriend dumped me for my best friend two weeks before the prom, my great aunt Maureen said: Dorothy dear, life is messy but love is messier. As usual she’d nailed it. Tonight, I had to be content with a mystery novel and hot-buttered rum. I’d leave the mess for tomorrow.

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Review 

RUNNING OUT OF TIME by Suzanne Trauth
The Third Dodie O'Dell Mystery

Dodie O'Dell is back, this time supplying Revolutionary war fare for the Etonville Little Theatre's production of Eton Town, Walter's version of Our Town. As usual, the ELT is having its share of problems, from the 3 hour long run time to the turntable on stage that doesn't always want to turn. No one expects a smooth opening night-but no one expected a murdered body found on stage cancelling the performance. Now a timid young member of the troupe has disappeared, fleeing the scene of the crime with bloodied hands. Dodie believes she must be innocent, but all signs, and her behavior, point to guilt. Will Dodie go against the chief of police, who she is dating, and his new PI right hand man? Things get ever more dangerous for Dodie as she tries to find Sally and the truth. 

I always enjoy visiting the Windjammer and seeing what trouble the Etonville Little Theatre is cooking up. The antics of the actors and stage manager brings me back to the days when I was involved in theatre. The people involved in the ELT are over the top, but it's completely believable because, as over the top as they are, that's exactly what it's really like in the world of theatre. 

As enjoyable as it was reading this third outing, I had issues with Dodie's behavior. I consider Dodie an intelligent woman, but her actions were downright stupid through most of this book. True, those actions kept the story going, and some things could be overlooked, but when a truly serious thing happened to her she didn't even tell the police...when she's dating the Chief! I hope that future books will have Dodie revert to her intelligent self.

Despite my disbelief at what Dodie did...and didn't do, I still enjoyed the book as a whole. It was well paced with action buffered by daily life in the restaurant and responsibilities of the theatre.

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Running Out of Time by Suzanne Trauth. This book is the third in the Dodie O'Dell Mystery series.

Dodie O'Dell is back, this time supplying Revolutionary war fare for the Etonville Little Theatre's production of Eton Town, Walter's version of Our Town. As usual, the ELT is having its share of problems, from the 3 hour long run time to the turntable on stage that doesn't always want to turn. No one expects a smooth opening night-but no one expected a murdered body found on stage cancelling the performance. Now a timid young member of the troupe has disappeared, fleeing the scene of the crime with bloodied hands. Dodie believes she must be innocent, but all signs, and her behavior, point to guilt. Will Dodie go against the chief of police, who she is dating, and his new PI right hand man? Things get ever more dangerous for Dodie as she tries to find Sally and the truth.

Review & Giveaway - Time Out

Review

TIME OUT by Suzanne Trauth

The Second Dodie O'Dell Mystery

With a continued partnership with the Etonville Little Theatre Dodie O'Dell's latest idea is an outdoor food festival with a 1940s Brooklyn theme to correspond with the play, Arsenic and Old Lace. As usual, the theatre is having its own issues, especially with guest director, Antonio Digenza, and his young wife, Tiffany. Dodie is having issues of her own between Henry's niece, Honey "helping" at the restaurant and wondering if she has a relationship with the Chief of Police or not. But when Antonio drops dead after eating a plateful of festival food, both restaurant and theatrical production may be kaput, even if it wasn't the knishes that did him in!  

When the hairs on the back of her neck stand up Dodie O'Dell knows that something's wrong. Those hairs stood up a few times in this second Dodie O'Dell Mystery. TIME OUT is a story and a mystery about relationships. Dodie's new relationship with Henry's niece, Honey, is one frustrating affiliation as is the confusing relationship she has with Etonville's busy Chief of Police. There's also the relationship between the Windjammer restaurant and the Etonville Little Theatre (ELT), Dodie's relationship with the theatre members, and their relationships with each other. Trauth brings in new blood to the ELT in the form of guest director, Antonio Digenza, and his young wife. Antonio's relationships are key to the mystery itself!

TIME OUT provides a satisfying second act to the Dodie O'Dell Mystery series. Well rounded characters, plenty of humor, and an intimate look at community theatre and family restaurants enhance the mystery. So grab a black and white cookie, but perhaps pass on the elderberry wine, and take your own time out to enjoy this delightful mystery.

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Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Time Out by Suzanne Trauth. This book is the second in the Dodie O'Dell Mystery series and was released yesterday!

With a continued partnership with the Etonville Little Theatre Dodie O'Dell's latest idea is an outdoor food festival with a1940s Brooklyn theme to correspond with the play, Arsenic and Old Lace. As usual, the theatre is having its own issues, especially with guest director, Antonio Digenza, and his young wife, Tiffany. Dodie is having issues of her own between Henry's niece, Honey "helping" at the restaurant and wondering if she has a relationship with the Chief of Police or not. But when Antonio drops dead after eating a plateful of festival food, both restaurant and theatrical production may be kaput, even if it wasn't the knishes that did him in!

Show Time

I'm pleased to welcome Suzanne Trauth to the blog today. Suzanne pens the Dodie O’Dell Mystery series. Show Time, the first book in the series, was released earlier this month.

Kathy: In Show Time we meet Dodie O’Dell who manages a restaurant that dishes dinners themed around the community theatre’s latest productions. Have you ever prepared themed dinners? If so, what were some popular themes, or some unpopular ones?

ST: I’ve been in a book club for many years and in the early years we had a theme dinner (with costumes) for each book we read! There were hits and misses…we read Memoirs of a Geisha and while the kimonos we wore were wonderful, we ended up eating dried, salted fish from an Asian market. It was a challenge to eat. Now we also read several books with southern themes and ate fried chicken, greens, mashed potatoes, and pecan pie! Delicious!


Kathy: My undergraduate degree is in theatre and prior to that I performed in various community theatres. Have you ever been involved with community theatre?

ST: I’ve worked at many theatres – academic, professional, and community as a director, actor, playwright, and producer. I’ve been immersed in the performing arts for most of my life.


Kathy: The Etonville Little Theater is putting on a production of Romeo and Juliette. Is this a favorite Shakespearean play for you?

ST: I am a Shakespeare nut! I love all of his works and love seeing a wide variety of interpretations. Even on roller skates! But Romeo and Julie is special. I’ve seen a number of productions of the play. It just seemed to lend itself to the mystery series: love story, potion, challenges with verse! And of course it’s quite a challenge for the Etonville Little Theatre…


Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

ST: I started reading mystery stories when I was young – Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden – and then graduated to adult cozies and thrillers. I love the whodunit aspect of the cozy mystery. And I enjoy a good sense of humor!


Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

ST: Yes, I write both plays and screenplays. It’s interesting to change it up when writing, moving from one genre to another.


Kathy: Tell us about your series.

ST: The Dodie O’Dell Mystery Series features Dodie O’Dell who moves to Etonville, New Jersey after Hurricane Sandy destroys her home and place of work. She manages the Windjammer restaurant which is located next door to the Etonville Little Theatre. Voila! Themed dinners to promote both the plays and the restaurant. But of course she finds herself knee deep in the affairs of the theatre so in Show Time when her good friend and ELT member is found murdered, she HAS to jump in and help investigate…


Kathy: Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?

ST: Of course I love Dodie for her proactive approach to problems, sense of humor, and creative problem-solving! But I get a kick out of the gossip-mongers Banger sisters and computer whiz Pauli – who is essential to Dodie solving the mysteries.


Kathy: Did you have a specific inspiration for your series?

ST: Though Etonville is fictional it is based on a couple of northern New Jersey towns near where I live. Besides my experience in the theatre, I also work at a gourmet soup kitchen and my time there offers lots of restaurant/dining/menu ideas!


Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

ST: I’d published plays and academic books prior to this but I decided I’d try my hand at fiction. The folks at Kensington Books have been very helpful.


Kathy: If you could have a dinner party and invite 4 authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite?

ST: Well, William Shakespeare, of course, Elizabeth George, a wonderful mystery writer, David Sedaris (love his sense of humor), and Janet Evanovitch.


Kathy: What are you currently reading?

I recently finished Kate Atkinson’s Life After Life and Anne Tyler’s A Spool of Blue Thread.


Kathy: Will you share any of your hobbies or interests with us?

ST: Besides reading a range of mystery and non-mystery books, I love movies and crossword puzzles to relax and give my mind a break! There are also wonderful series on TV these days and with DVR I can save and view later.


Kathy: Name 4 items you always have in your fridge or pantry.

ST: Peanut butter, tea, orange juice, and frozen yogurt!


Kathy: Do you have plans for future books either in your current series or a new series?

ST: Yes, the second Dodie O’Dell Mystery – Time Out - will come out at the beginning of 2017, and a third book is on the way.


Kathy: What's your favorite thing about being an author?

ST: I love the creative freedom and feeling of getting lost in the writing process. It’s also such fun to see the cover of the book for the first time and know that something is really being born!

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Review


SHOW TIME by Suzanne Trauth
The First Dodie O’Dell Mystery

Hurricane Sandy destroyed much of the Jersey Shore including Dodie O'Dell's place of employment. So Dodie packed up and moved inland, to the small town of Etonville, where she manages the casual Windjammer restaurant. Dodie also joins forces with the Etonville Little Theater, located next door, creating dinner theatre events for residents of their community. The theatre's director has chosen to perform Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, perhaps biting off more than the little community theatre can handle. When Lola, her good friend and troupe member, asks Dodie to help organize rehearsals, Dodie jumps in to lend her managerial skills. Dodie finds herself almost as in over her head as the director when Jerome, a fellow mystery reader and treasurer of the theatre is found murdered. Now it's up to Dodie to calm her boss, who's worried over a new restaurant in town, assist the good looking chief of police, whether he wants her help or not, and make sure that the show goes on!

SHOW TIME is an engaging new series turning the fun as well as the challenges of community theatre into a backdrop for murder. The mystery itself is compelling and well plotted. Character foibles add intrigue as well as red herrings as Dodie and Chief Bill Thompson search for the truth. Dodie is a down to earth, likeable protagonist with enviable organizational skills and a penchant for trouble. The spark of romance between Dodie and Bill adds an extra dimension to the mystery as each needs to balance what information is shared with the other.

Suzanne Trauth introduces us to a new world in SHOW TIME. Family restaurants, community theatre, and charming small town New Jersey make Dodie, as well as readers, feel at home. Despite many issues, murder included, one must never forget that in the end it's show time!