A Murder Gone Missing Interview

I'm happy to welcome Lida Sideris to the blog today. Lida writes the Southern California Mystery series. MURDER GONE MISSING is the second book in the series.

Kathy: Corrie Locke is a newly minted lawyer who is taking a break from doing any PI work. Would you rather be a lawyer or a private investigator?

LS: Her breaks from PI work never last long, by the way. :) If I had a late, great PI dad who taught me the ropes (like Corrie), and if my gene for caution was a recessive one, (again, like Corrie), I’d go for the PI work, for sure. She's helping to catch bad guys/gals doing bad things to good people. Who can resist that type of public service? Since I don’t know the ropes and my genes land on the more sedate side, being a non-profit lawyer (these days) works fine for me.


Kathy: Corrie has her dad's cache of illegal weaponry. Do you have an interest in weapons? What's your favorite?

LS: I don't have any interest in weapons and don't own any (does a glass nail file count?), but I am fascinated by the Japanese throwing star or shuriken, which is Corrie's illegal weapon of choice. It's a weapon of distraction, not destruction.


Kathy: In  MURDER GONE MISSING Corrie works to clear her friend Michael who is suspected of killing his bully of a boss. Have you ever stuck your neck out for a friend?

LS: Not to the extent of helping them to avoid arrest until the real culprit is captured, but when my friends or family need help, I'm there. Mostly within legal boundaries, of course.


Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

LS: Like many mystery writers, I started out by reading Nancy Drew books (the tweed covered editions from the thirties and forties). I loved them! And loved that Nancy was a young woman of action with many accomplishments. She was persistent and got the job done. She was also smart, talented, and brave. And was courteous and dressed very nicely. The perfect heroine. Even Nancy's lawyer dad went to her for help. She was no damsel in distress and I found that highly appealing.


Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

LS: I started out by writing historical fiction. But I never got past a few chapters. That's because I realized a light-hearted mystery was what I really wanted to write.


Kathy: Tell us about your series.

LS: Corrie Locke is a newly minted lawyer in my Southern California Mystery series who spent most of her adolescence trailing her late, great PI father. She eventually helped him crack a few high-profile cases. After he was out of the picture, everyone assumed she'd inherited his sleuthing genes. But did she?


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

LS: That's like asking if I have a favorite child. :) But really, they are all my favorites. If they stop being a fave, I just won't bring them back for the next book.


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

LS: I don't think I have any one inspiration. I started out writing to carve an escape hatch from my day job (I run a legal non-profit that provides assistance to those who don't know where to turn). My days can be grueling, so I make sure my writing is fun. You can say that listening and trying to figure out distressing situations inspire me to write a positive and light-weight read.


Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

LS: It was a long, I mean LONG time dream. My objective was to reach The End with my first draft. The next objective was to polish it 'til it shined, which meant I didn't want to feel any embarrassment when someone else read it. When I got to that stage, publication was the next objective.


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

LS: That's tough because there are a lot more than four I'd like to invite. For starters: Margaret Mitchell (GONE WITH THE WIND) so I could find out if she truly planned a sequel and does Scarlett win back Rhett? Next, Harriet Beecher Stowe (UNCLE TOM'S CABIN) for making such a powerful case against slavery during a time when most did not express their opinions, let alone write such weighty content. And finally, I'd include two modern day authors: Janet Evanovich and Alexander McCall Smith, because I'm a fan of each.


Kathy: What are you currently reading?

LS: Unfortunately, I don't have the time I'd like to read, but next on my list is to read CATNAPPED by Elaine Veits.


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

LS: Certainly - I volunteer with rescue dog organizations (and love hanging around with my own two wonderful canine friends), and I enjoy feel-good films from the thirties and forties.


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

LS: Colorful eggs (from our own little flock of hens), homemade yogurt, jam (raspberry or apricot) to have with my yogurt, and chocolate chips because I love to bake cookies.


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

LS: Yes, I'm currently working on Number Three in the Southern California Mystery series, which continues the misadventures of Corrie Locke and her pals.


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

LS: All the wonderful people I've had the pleasure to meet - readers, other writers, librarians, booksellers, conference and blog tour hosts -- just to name a few. Such a supportive group out there. They are fantastic!

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Murder Gone Missing: A Southern California Mystery by Lida Sideris

About the Book

 

Murder Gone Missing: A Southern California Mystery 

Cozy Mystery/Soft Boiled Mystery 2nd in Series  

Level Best Books (April 10, 2018) Paperback: 262 pages

Newly minted lawyer Corrie Locke has taken a vow of abstinence. From PI work, that is. Until her best friend Michael finds his bully of a boss stabbed in the back after confronting him earlier that day. Michael panics, accidentally tampering with the crime scene...which could lead the cops to Michael instead of the real culprit. He turns to Corrie to track down the killer. She doesn't need much coaxing. Her late great PI dad taught her the ropes...and left her his cache of illegal weaponry.

They return to the scene of the crime, but the body's missing. Racing against time, Corrie dredges a prestigious Los Angeles college in pursuit of clues. All she finds are false leads. Armed with attitude and romantic feelings toward Michael, Corrie dives into a school of suspects to find the slippery fugitive. Will she clear Michael's name before he's arrested for murder?

About the Author

Lida Sideris is an author, lawyer and all around book enthusiast. She was one of two national recipients of the Helen McCloy Mystery Writers of America scholarship for her first novel, MURDER AND OTHER UNNATURAL DISASTERS. MURDER GONE MISSING is the second book in the Corrie Locke series. Like her heroine, Lida worked as an entertainment attorney in a movie studio. Unlike her heroine, she keeps her distance from homicides. To learn more about Lida, please visit her website: www.LidaSideris.com

Author Links:
WEBSITE: http://www.lidasideris.com/  
BLOG: http://www.lidasideris.com/blog/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/lidasideris  
TWITTER: @lidasideris  
GoodReads:http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26139837-murder-and-other-unnatural-disasters?from_search=true&search_version=service  

Purchase Links AMAZON B&N

Tail of the Dragon - Review & Giveaway

Review

TAIL OF THE DRAGON by Connie di Marco

The Third Zodiac Mystery

Office drama is one thing, but people are getting death threats at Meyers, Dade, & Schultz, LLP!

Julia Bonatti gets more than she bargained for when she agrees to help out her former boss by filling in as his secretary for a week. From his astrological chart she knew things at the office were bad, but she never dreamt they were this bad! Her first day on the job one of the lawyers is found murdered in his office. Now Julia's using her skills to discover what exactly is going on and if more people are in danger. Will the stars align to help Julia solve the murder or will she wind up another victim?

Connie di Marco pens a great traditional mystery. A sense of danger permeates the book along with a lot of subterfuge which masks the killer. There are so many suspects, so many motives, and lots of suspicious activities that muddy the waters. So many characters are guilty of so many things, but what impact, if any, does it have on the murder? Yet the author brings everything together to in a remarkable conclusion.

I love the astrological details found in the Zodiac series. I was close when I had an idea as to why Julia kept seeing dragons...I was wrong, but I was close! This series always makes me want to learn more and study my own astrological chart in depth. But the beauty of these books is that you don't need to know anything, or even care about astrology, to enjoy a deftly plotted, sitting on the edge of your seat mystery. Wonderfully drawn characters enrich the story as does the ongoing drama of the loss of Julia's fiance. Indeed that death colors the series and in TAIL OF THE DRAGON we find ourselves one step closer to closure.

TAIL OF THE DRAGON is an edgy mystery that combines astrology and murder to create an engrossing, pulse pounding tale.

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Tail of the Dragon (A Zodiac Mystery) by Connie di Marco

About the Book

 

Tail of the Dragon (A Zodiac Mystery) 

Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series  

Midnight Ink (August 8, 2018) Paperback: 336 pages 

San Francisco astrologer Julia Bonatti never thought murder would be part of her practice, but when her former boss and current client asks for help she agrees to go undercover at his law firm. Three people have received death threats and the only common denominator between them is a case long settled--the infamous Bank of San Francisco fire. Julia’s astrological expertise provides clues but no one wants to listen. Before she can solve the mystery, two people are dead and her own life is in danger. Julia must unmask the killer before he, or she, takes another life.

About the Author

 Connie di Marco is the author of the Zodiac Mysteries from Midnight Ink, featuring San Francisco astrologer, Julia Bonatti. Tail of the Dragon, third in the series, will be released on August 8, 2018.

Writing as Connie Archer, she is also the national bestselling author of the Soup Lover’s Mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime. Some of her favorite recipes can be found in The Cozy Cookbook and The Mystery Writers of America Cookbook. Connie is a member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.

Author Links:
Website: http://www.conniedimarco.com/  
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zodiacmysteries/  
Twitter: @askzodia  
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14751339.Connie_Di_Marco  
Author Central: amazon.com/author/conniedimarco

Purchase Links: Amazon B&N Indie Bound Goodreads Mysterious Galaxy BookBub


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The Spook in the Stacks Interview & Giveaway

I'm so pleased to welcome Eva Gates back to Cozy Up With Kathy. Eva writes the Lighthouse Library Mystery series. THE SPOOK IN THE STACKS is the fourth book in the series and was released earlier this week.

Kathy: THE SPOOK IN THE STACKS is set during Halloween. Is this a favorite holiday of yours? Do you do anything special to celebrate?

EG: As I no longer have children living at home, Halloween is a nothing day for me. I live in the country, and I don’t expect any children to call, so I don’t even buy candy to hand out. When my children were young, I did enjoying helping them with their costumes and taking them out trick-or-treating, but it was never anything more than that for us.

It does provide good fodder for a story, however.


Kathy: Was there a specific inspiration for this story?

EG: THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW by Washington Irving. In every book in the Lighthouse Library series, the novel the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library Classic Novel Reading Club is reading is reflected in the book. For Halloween I didn’t want a horror novel, per se. Or even anything genuinely supernatural. Many of my readers like to read the book the club is reading, and thus I wanted the mood of the real book to match the mood of mine. Part of the plot of Sleepy Hollow is carried into THE SPOOK IN THE STACKS. As is some of BRACEBRIDGE HALL, also by Washington Irving, which I actually wouldn’t recommend to any but the keenest Irving lover. It’s long and very dense and (frankly) pretty boring. The total opposite to Sleepy Hollow.


Kathy: Strange things are happening at the lighthouse including haunted horses materializing on the marsh. Lucy wonders if the lighthouse could be haunted. Do you believe in spirits? Have you ever had a ghostly encounter?

EG: No and no. But I find the suggestion of the supernatural fun to write about. And in the book, a ghostly horse APPEARS TO BE materializing on the marsh. And only Lucy sees it. The questions is, what is it?


Kathy: People are talking about THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW and the library is hosting a lecture on ghostly legends. I love reading about the haunted and mysterious history of places, especially local stories. Do you enjoy researching ghostly legends as well? Do you have a favorite?

EG: In this series, because it’s set in a real place – the Bodie Island Lighthouse near Nags Head – I’ve done the opposite of researching ghostly legends. I’ve deliberately not even read up on supposedly paranormal stuff around this area. All the stories and legends in my series are totally made up. I should also point out that anything supposedly supernatural in this series is peripheral to the story, only there to add color, and treated humorously. No need to cower under the covers with all the lights on!

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?

EG: I’m a plotter. I like to get the hard part out of the way first and then I can enjoy the writing. Having said that, I’m never stuck to my outline. If I come up with another way of doing things, or see a better path, then I’m happy to deviate from the outline.


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

EG: Lucy, and me, will just take life as it comes. Although I can tell you that wedding bells are in the air for Lucy’s favorite cousin Josie in Something Read, Something Dead, coming Spring 2019.


Kathy: Will you share any other upcoming books?

EG: Happy to. The fourth Sherlock Holmes Bookshop book (written by me as Vicki Delany) is coming in November, and it’s titled A SCANDAL IN SCARLET, and the next Lighthouse Library book in the spring. There will be a new Year Round Christmas book, (also by Vicki Delany) but not until fall 2019.

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Chicken Pot Pie with Larissa Reinhart - A Guest Post and Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Larissa Reinhart back to Cozy Up With Kathy. Larissa writes the Finley Goodhard Crime Capers. THE CUPID CAPER is the first book in the series and was released earlier this year. 

Thanks so much for having me on today, Kathy. For those who read my amateur sleuth books, they know my heroines aren’t cooks. However, they do like to eat. A lot. (Some maybe too much.) And they do have family or friends who cook for them.

For my ex-con artist trying to do right, Finley Goodhart in THE CUPID CAPER, the chef is her ex-partner and ex-boyfriend, Lex Leopold. Clever Lex knows the way to a girl’s heart is through her stomach. That’s actually how my husband caught me. I think we were ten years into our marriage before I took an interest in cooking.

However, unlike my husband, Lex is British and a charming con artist — brilliant and brilliantly frustrating, as Finley would say. And although he could make her a Michelin-star worthy meal, Lex knows Finley is a small town, Southern girl. She didn’t grow up eating sushi, coq au vin, or chateaubriand. He keeps it simple and Southern, food Finley's mother might have made at one time.

One of my family favorite’s is chicken pot pie. I often make this after roasting a chicken and use the leftover chicken. But you can make it with any leftover cooked chicken. It’s simple because I use puff pastry for the crust for a lighter feel. And because I don’t use canned soup and fresh ingredients it has more of a savory, homemade taste.

I can see Lex making this for Finley. The British love their savory pies. (Probably where we got this recipe from!)

Chicken Pot Pie (serves 6)

1 package of thawed puff pastry sheets

1/3 c butter

2 cups diced carrots (about 4 carrots)

1.5 cups chopped onion (about 3 onions)

3 cups sliced mushrooms (8 ounce package)

1/3 cup flour

3 1/4 c chicken broth/stock

1 T Dijon mustard

1 t dried thyme

1/2 t ground black pepper

3 c cubed cooked chicken

1 c thawed frozen peas

1 T dried parsley or 3 chopped fresh parsley

Heat the oven to 400F. Choose your casserole dish (2 quarts round or I use a lasagna pan) and roll one pastry sheet into a size slightly larger than the bottom. Press it into the casserole dish, prick it with a fork, cover in aluminum foil, and bake it for 25 minutes. 

  

Remove the foil. Place on a baking sheet. (It’ll bubble over!)

While it’s baking, Unfold the remaining pastry sheet. Cut it crosswise into 6 equal strips for a lattice. Or cut it to size for a top crust. Cut holes in the top crust (you can get fancy or I just make slits).

Over medium heat, melt the butter in a large skillet. Add the carrots, onions, and mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes or until they are tender. Be sure to stir. Add the flour. Cook and stir for about three minutes or until it’s golden brown. Slowly stir in the broth. Cook and stir until the mixture boils and thickens.

Stir in the mustard, thyme, black peeper, chicken, peas, and parsley. Turn off the heat.

Spoon the chicken mixture into the casserole dish (don’t forget to remove the foil!). Weave your lattice strips or place your top pastry over it. Trim the excess.

Bake for 45 minutes or until the filling is bubbling and the pastry is golden brown.

Enjoy!

Thanks so much. I’ll have to put this in the next Finley Goodhart book. :)

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