Wednesday, April 24, 2013

A Conversation with Mystery Author Mitzi Kelly

Omnimystery News: Author Interview
with Mitzi Kelly

We are delighted to welcome mystery author Mitzi Kelly to Omnimystery News today, courtesy of Cozy Mystery Book Reviews, which is coordinating her current book tour. We encourage you to visit all of the participating host sites; you can find her schedule here.

Mitzi's second "Silver Sleuths" mystery is Deadly Policy (Thomas & Mercer, October 2012 trade paperback and ebook formats).

We recently had a chance to talk to Mitzi about her characters and books.

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Omnimystery News: Deadly Policy is your second mystery to feature a group of "silver sleuths". Tell us a little more about these characters.

Mitzi Kelly
Photo provided courtesy of
Mitzi Kelly

Mitzi Kelly: My mystery books features three main characters, Trish, Edna and Millie, older women who are steadfast friends with quirky personalities. When I started Classic Revenge, the first book in the series, I hadn't thought about a series of novels, but once the characters came to life, I knew their adventure couldn't end with just one book. In writing the third book, I've noticed the characters are evolving. They have some experience (uh, relatively speaking) behind their belt and they've become braver and, in Millie Morrow's case, a little more obnoxious. I imagine as the series continues that these characters will be constantly maturing and surprising us with their sleuthing skills!

OMN: These books would be considered traditional, or cozy, mysteries, right?

MK: This series definitely falls into the cozy mystery genre. The protaganists are normal folk who have been dragged into the detective world because a dear friend needed some help. There are tons of readers who love cozy mysteries, which is a distinct advantage when writing one. The only downside is that for readers looking for a grittier, edge-of-the-seat mystery, they could bypass a cozy mystery without realizing there is plenty of suspense involved. Cozy mysteries are a lot of fun to write, and I believe there will always be many loyal fans of the genre.

OMN: How did you go about developing the individual personalities of your silver sleuths?

MK: Actually, there's a little bit of me in each of my characters. The best part, though, is that there is a mixture of the many amazing women in my life who now live in Trish, Edna and Millie. I have truly been blessed with strong, funny, optimistic role-models who are very real. So, while the individual personalities of my characters are unique and specific, they developed from bits and pieces of actual people in actual situations.

The setting of this series is in a little suburb (fictional) of San Antonio, Texas. Texas is my home, so it was an obvious locale to launch the series. And, with Texas' powerful sense of independence, I couldn't imagine Millie living anywhere else!

OMN: Tell us about your writing process.

MK: When I begin a novel, I hand-write a one page overview of what I want the story to tell. Then I do character sketches on all the important characters, going into as much detail as I can. At that point I'm ready to start the chapter specifics. I've learned to do this only on the chapter I'm currently working on because very seldom am I able to fit everything in I had planned. More often than not, the original story idea changes so much that I hardly recognize it. I look forward to the point in the writing process where the characters take over and tell me what they want to say and do. The fun really begins at that stage because I'm as intrigued by the plot as — hopefully — the reader is!

OMN: Did any of the books you read as a child influence your decision to write mysteries today?

MK: When I was growing up, I read everything! I adore romances, and I love mysteries of all kinds. I was actually in the middle of a romance manuscript when the idea for the Silver Sleuths popped into my head and I couldn't wait to get the idea on paper. I'm particularly partial to books in a series. I become attached to characters and it's so satisfying to be able to pick up a new book and feel as if you are on an adventure with an old friend.

OMN: Give us an example of what you are reading now?

MK: My bookcases are filled with books from a plethora of different authors. I'm a collector of books, so I try to add new releases from my favorite authors as soon as I can. Two of my current favorites are James Patterson (isn't he everybody's favorite??) with his "Woman's Murder Club "series, and Sue Grafton's alphabet series. Did I mention I like to read books in a series?

OMN: What about films? What are some of your favorite movies?

MK: Now, don't laugh, but my favorite films involve animals in a dramatic situation. For example, some of my favorites are Spirit, Iron Will, Secretariat, and Seabiscuit. There are many more, but you get the idea. I can watch them over and over again. And, yes, horses happen to be my favorite hero, followed closely by dogs. I can't say any of these inspire my writing, but they do give me energy to get off my rear-end and get to work!

OMN: What are your interests or hobbies? Do any of these find their way into your books?

MK: Believe it or not, I really enjoy yardwork and home improvements. I have used these interests in my books occassionally, but I have to admit I exaggerate freely on how much my characters accomplish. I think I do it as a challenge to myself. "If Millie can do it, certainly I can!"

OMN: What kinds of comments do you get from readers?

MK: I really enjoy meeting readers at book signings and answering emails through my website. I never tire of answering questions about my characters, and it's particularly satisfying when a reader will mention a specific scene in one of the books. There have been a few times when a reader will tell me about a similar incident they personally experienced, and I can't think of a more rewarding compliment. It's also encouraging to know that even though my "ladies" are seasoned citizens, readers of all ages are enjoying the books!

OMN: What's next for you?

MK: I'm currently working on finishing up the third book in the "Silver Sleuths" series. It should be released toward the end of this year. I'm also working on a romance trilogy. As soon as I can see the light at the end of the tunnel with these projects, I plan to write a fact-based family saga, and then delve back into the next addition to the cozy mystery series. Maybe I'll have time to see a good movie in between — preferably one with a horse!

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Mitzi Kelly Book Tour

Mitzi grew up in Texas, loving everything about the huge state. From the stark beauty of the desert plains, to the majestic glory of the mountains, to the intense power of the ocean, she's never had a desire to live anywhere else. Traveling is nice, but there's no place like Texas!

In 1981 she married her soul mate and best friend, John, and in 1982 their son, John Lewis, was born. Mitzi thoroughly enjoys the moments her husband steps in as her "co-plotter" to add spice to a scene with his unique sense of humor. With the love and support from the two most important men in her life, Mitzi has had the freedom to explore a myriad of interests and that's when she discovered she loved to write.

To learn more about the author and her work, visit her website at MitziKelly.com.

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Deadly Policy by Mitzi Kelly

Deadly Policy
Mitzi Kelly
A Silver Sleuths Mystery (2nd in series)

When a sudden rash of stolen cars brings Millie Morrow's daughter under suspicion for conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, Millie convinces her two best friends, Trish Anderson and Edna Radcliff, to help her find out who is trying to frame Michelle. Knowing the odds are against them that they will be able to discover who the thugs are, Trish and Edna nevertheless go through the motions of investigating, hoping Millie will feel productive in helping her daughter while the police do the real detective work.

But the situation becomes much more serious when a body is found in front of the insurance office Michelle works for. And even though the evidence pointing to an inside job is purely circumstantial, it could still destroy Michelle, something the ladies are determined to prevent. They're going to have to work fast to present a different theory for the police to consider, though, since Millie has once again alienated Henry Espinoza, the chief of police. And she's alienated someone else, too, if the suspicious incidents suddenly plaguing her are anything to go by.

Keeping Millie out of trouble while attempting to clear her daughter's name will take every ounce of skill … or luck … the amateur sleuths possess.

Amazon.com Print and/or Kindle Edition  Barnes&Noble Print Edition and/or Nook Book

3 comments:

  1. Great fun!

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gee it is so hard to choose! I pick the Thea Krakow mysteries. I love cat amd dog mysteries so much.

    ReplyDelete
  3. As I'm beginning to read blogs, and look at more author websites, I'm learning lots of new terms. I don't think I'd ever heard 'cozy mystery' as a genre, but I immediately got the feel for what this Silver Sleuth series would be like. And I'm looking forward to reading these first two, and then looking toward the third.

    ReplyDelete

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