with Jane Tesh
We are delighted to welcome mystery author Jane Tesh to Omnimystery News today.
Jane's latest mystery featuring PI David Randall is Now You See It (Poisoned Pen Press; October 2013 hardcover, trade paperback and ebook formats), the third in her Grace Street series.
We recently had the chance to spend a few minutes with Jane to talk about her books.
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Omnimystery News: The Grace Street mysteries is your second series. What is it about series characters that appeals to you?
Photo provided courtesy of
Jane Tesh
Jane Tesh: I think the idea of recurring characters comes from my childhood staring at the TV. I grew up watching my favorite characters have new adventures every week. When a show I liked went off the air, I wrote new adventures. I later found out there is an entire subculture called fandom where everyone writes new episodes. I thought I was the only one who did that!
When my own characters came to me, I wanted to see what happened to them as they grew and experienced life's situations. I have a plan for each one to find the happy ending they're searching for, so they will develop as the series progresses.
OMN: Into which mystery genre would you place your books?
JT: My books are considered cozy. The only disadvantage is that "cozy" sounds warm and fuzzy. I'd say my books are on the light side and have humorous moments, but my characters also deal with grief, estrangement, and guilt. These are murder mysteries, so somebody's going to get killed. Nothing real cozy about that. Someone needs to invent a better word for the more character-driven books.
OMN: Tell us something about Now You See It that isn't mentioned in the publisher's synopsis.
JT: Being from the South, I really enjoy exploring and using Southern slang, so one of my characters, Rufus Jackson — what some folks might call a redneck, but what's also referred to as a Good Old Boy — has a wealth of expressions that make my hero, David Randall, often stop and say, "What?" Here's an example: "He's so ugly, his mama takes him everywhere so she don't have to kiss him good-by." Rufus can always be called upon for the perfect expression. "All foam and no beer." "Poor as Job's turkey." And my particular favorite: "He looked like Death eatin' a cracker." I've heard that one all my life. Not exactly sure what it means, but it sounds really dry, as I always picture a skeleton eating a saltine.
OMN: How much of your own personal or professional experience do you include in your books?
JT: Each character in my series represents a facet of my personality. Kary is the maternal side that has a rapport with children. Ellin is the no nonsense, take charge, get things done side. Camden is the intuitive and musical side, and Randall, the man of action who solves the crimes and finds things for people, gets to say and do all the things I wish I could say and do, but being a nice Southern lady, I don't get to punch people.
Everything that happens to me creates possible story lines, whether it's my travels, my experiences with community theater, or the petty quarrels that go on in my small town. (The latest fuss is over a beer garden that wants to set up downtown during Mayberry Days — the horror! That'll find its way into a story.)
Everyone I meet is a potential character, especially if they have an interesting way of expressing themselves. I have a friend who gives a little nervous giggle after everything she says. That's the kind of quirk I'll change a little bit and use.
OMN: What's the best advice — and harshest criticism — you've received as an author? And what might you tell aspiring writers?
JT: The best advice I received was about point of view. Early in my writing career, I had multiple points of view all over the place, and once I was shown how to fix the problem, my work became considerably better.
The harshest criticism was in a review on my first book, A Case of Imagination, in which the reviewer said the book had "no imagination whatsoever."
Here's what I learned, and here's what I would tell others: Make sure you stay in one point of view throughout a chapter or a scene. And don't read your reviews.
OMN: Complete this sentence for us: "I am a mystery author and thus I am also …".
JT: I am a mystery author and thus I am also baffled. I was going to be a science fiction/fantasy author! At least, that was my plan. But somewhere along the line, I found Poisoned Pen Press, and all the great people there steered me into the world of mystery. I still use a lot of paranormal and fantasy elements in my mysteries, but I had to learn how to lay in clues (be obvious but not too obvious!) and understand police work. I like it now and I'm comfortable with the mystery genre. And maybe someday all those fantasy novels will find a home.
OMN: Describe your writing process for us.
JT: My writing process is what I would call free form. I usually start with "Day One — Tuesday," or whatever day I want the story to start on, and then the story evolves on its own. I do break up the story into days, though, to keep some kind of order. Sometimes I know how the story is going to end and sometimes I don't. And most of the time I don't know who the killer is to begin with — or the killer might change. You be the killer. No, you! Wait, maybe this guy did it.
This is the weird part and the part I can't really explain, but my characters start talking and I write down what they say. I may have a vague idea, such as Randall and Cam stop by the country club to talk to the people there about the missing bracelet, but I have no idea what they will say or do until they get there and tell me. How does this happen? I don't know. It's a mystery!
OMN: And where would we find you listening to your characters?
JT: I live upstairs in an apartment building, and several years ago, had extremely rowdy neighbors underneath me. I called them the Howler Monkeys. When they finally moved out, I decided not to go through that again and rented the downstairs apartment for an office. There is no phone, and I disconnected the doorbell, so I have a great writing environment with its own bathroom and kitchen. There's plenty of room for all my office stuff, and my living quarters are just upstairs. Thanks, Howler Monkeys! If you hadn't been so annoying, I wouldn't have thought of this solution.
OMN: Tell us about the book's title and cover.
JT: Since this book is about magic and magicians, I wanted a title that reflected that world, so Now You See It seemed appropriate, as in "Now you see it, now you don't." Also, my hero has received a DVD of his little daughter's dance recital, which he cannot bring himself to watch, as he still feels responsible for the car crash that resulted in her death. Many of the other characters in this book are having trouble seeing what they need to see.
The cover design is by Francois Thisdale, who also did the covers for the other Grace Street books. Francois always does a wonderful job capturing the spirit and the mood of the story. In the foreground, he has the Houdini box, the item Randall has been hired to find. In the background, you see Cam's house, 302 Grace Street, where all the main characters live, the place that Randall will eventually see is his true home. The dark colors and skeletal trees add a nice mysterious feel.
OMN: How do you research the plot elements of your stories?
JT: I do a lot of my research on the Internet. Any police questions I have I ask the Mt. Airy Police Department. They also have a citizens' police academy every year, and I have attended those classes to find out about police procedures. The officers will even let me ride around with them on patrol to see what's happening in our little town. More than I would expect!
I enjoyed looking up facts and reading books about Houdini for Now You See It. I knew a lot about him, but there were many things I found that surprised me. I really enjoyed researching Appalachian folk music for Stolen Hearts. I wanted the songs I made up for the book to have an authentic sound, so that was challenging.
OMN: Where are your mysteries set?
JT: In the Madeline Maclin Mystery series, Madeline's small North Carolina town of Celosia is based on my town, Mt. Airy, NC.
In the Grace Street series, Parkland, NC, is based on Greensboro, NC, the large city where I grew up.
It's just easier for me to have fictional cities. If I used the real Greensboro, for instance, I'd have to make sure all my streets and landmarks were correct, because people would let me know if they weren't!
OMN: What kinds of questions or comments do you enjoy receiving from readers?
JT: My favorite comment from readers is: I can't wait for the next book.
OMN: Suppose your books were optioned for film and you were asked to cast the parts. Whose agents are you calling?
JT: This is a question that comes often comes up. I recall Anne Rice wasn't happy with the choice of Tom Cruise to play Lestat in Interview With a Vampire, and then when she saw how well he interpreted the character, she had to admit she was wrong. I would be so happy that my books were going to be on TV or made into a movie, I don't think I'd have a problem with any actor. I'm sure every reader has his or her own idea of what the characters look like, and it would be impossible to find actors to please everyone's vision. As long as Randall was tall and dark, Cam was short and blond, and Kary and Ellin were blond, I'd be okay.
OMN: What kinds of books did you read when you were young?
JT: I learned to read when I was four, and I read everything. I was especially fond of fantasy and science fiction, fairy tales, and poetry. As I mentioned in an earlier question, somehow I became a mystery author. I remember reading my uncle's collection of Hardy Boys books. Perhaps that lay dormant for many years!
OMN: What specific authors or books, if any, influenced how and/or what you write today?
JT: I am a big fan of Terry Pratchett. I admire the way he can mix humor, drama, slapstick, and pathos all in the same book, something I strive for. Jasper Fforde is another favorite. His books are amazingly inventive, and I appreciate the clever wordplay. I've read all of P. G. Wodehouse, great and funny books filled with sparkling dialogue. And I enjoy C. J. Cherryh's Foreigner series. I've learned a lot about creating and maintaining a series from her books.
OMN: And what do you read today for pleasure?
JT: Fantasy and mystery.
OMN: Do you have any favorite characters from these genres?
JT: Literary Specialist Lewis in Kage Baker's Company series (SF/Fantasy) and Bren Cameron of C.J. Cherryh's Foreigner series (SF/Fantasy). From mystery, Lord Peter Wimsey, Pascoe and Dalziel, any of Dick Francis' protagonists, and any of Carl Hiaason's protagonists.
OMN: Do you watch movies regularly? And if so, what are some of your favorites?
JT: I love Pixar films because they really care about the story and how it influences the characters. My favorite is Monsters, Inc. I tend to watch a lot of films for children because for the most part, they're funny and don't have gross things in them that make me sleep with a light on. I thought the Harry Potter movies were excellent, and as a long time Tolkien fan, I was pleased with Peter Jackson's version of the Rings trilogy.
OMN: What are some of your outside interests? And do any of these find their way into your books?
JT: I play the piano, and I love learning how to play other instruments such as the folk harp, violin, mandolin, and concertina. I enjoy playing for productions at our local community theater, and occasionally, I'll take a part in a show, preferably a musical or a comedy. There is always music in my books. Randall's favorite music is traditional jazz, which is my favorite, too. Kary plays the piano, and Camden is a singer. I often involve my characters in some facet of community theater, because there's no better place to find real drama than in a local theater group.
My sister and I like to travel in the summer. We usually pick a state and check out what it has to offer. I also enjoy traveling overseas. I haven't written any adventures that take place outside of North Carolina yet, but I'm sure I will.
OMN: Create a Top 5 list for us on any topic.
JT: Top Five Authors Who Write Excellent Dialog:
• Terry Pratchett;
• Jasper Fforde;
• P. G. Wodehouse;
• Georgette Heyer; and
• Dorothy Sayers.
OMN: What's next for you?
JT: Poisoned Pen Press will publish the next Madeline Maclin Mystery, A Bad Reputation, in March, 2014. Meanwhile, I'll continue to edit and polish the Grace Street stories so they'll be ready.
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Jane Tesh is a retired media specialist and pianist for the Andy Griffith Playhouse in her hometown of Mount Airy, NC. For more information about the author and her work, please visit her website at JaneTesh.com or find her on Facebook.
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Now You See It
Jane Tesh
A Grace Street Mystery
Who is audacious enough to steal an antique box once owned by Harry Houdini? This collector's treasure, skillfully hidden in the local Magic Club — a nightclub where magicians perform — is not merely an old theatrical prop. It is the prize in a contest that promises to jumpstart a magician's career. At least that's what Taft and Lucas Finch hoped before their prized possession was stolen. Private investigator David Randall is already busy searching for socialite Sandy Olaf's missing diamond bracelet when he begins the search for Houdini's box. But instead of finding the valuable box, Randall finds Taft murdered, his body locked in a backstage trunk. The magical world is brimming with jealous suspects, less successful magical competitors, romantic rivals, business conflicts, and festering hurts from long ago. Randall's friend Camden is concerned with losing his voice, his girlfriend Kary insists on being a magician's assistant, and Cam's girlfriend Ellin has to deal with the overbearing Sheila Kirk, wife of a potential sponsor, who insists on hosting the Psychic Service Network's programs.
Warned away from interfering in a police homicide investigation, Randall focuses on finding the box, searching for a missing diamond bracelet, and handling the crises embroiling his unique housemates in their rambling home on Grace Street. It will take a stroke of magic to connect the interlocking circles of these crimes.
Jane Tesh shows wonderful insight regarding the characters in her series, they have conflicts rising from the human condition. As a writer, I appreciate that point of view and see it rich in possibilities for interesting and never ending plots.
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