A Conversation with YA Mystery Author Catherine A. Winn

We are delighted to welcome author Catherine A. Winn to Omnimystery News today.

Catherine's first in a new series of mysteries for young adults is Beyond Suspicion (The Poisoned Pencil; May 2015 trade paperback and ebook formats) and we recently had the opportunity to spend some time with her talking about her book.

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Omnimystery News: We introduced Beyond Suspicion as a young adult mystery. Would you agree with that description?

Photo provided courtesy of
Catherine A. Winn

Catherine A. Winn: I would. Ever since I read my first Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books, mysteries have been my favorite genre.

OMN: Had you always intended for Beyond Suspicion to the first of a series?

CAW: My main character, Shelby Palmer, was intended for a standalone but she had very good sleuthing skills, courage in adversity, was likable. My editor and I decided this character had a lot going for her and needed to be part of a series. Beyond Suspicion became the first in the Whispering Springs mysteries.

Shelby is introduced as a fifteen-year-old high school sophomore but she will soon have her driver's license and a car. Like most teens, Shelby will mature and expand her interests over time, but not too rapidly. Like most parents feel about their children, I don't want Shelby to grow up too fast.

OMN: Tel us a little more about your writing process.

CAW: I begin with a general idea of the mystery plot and where it leads, then start creating the characters. I write a short background paragraph and then a bullet list of biographical facts. When that's complete, I surf the net for a photo of anyone that resembles the character in my mind.

I paste the picture to that character's page, print the page and insert it in a three ring binder. This way while I'm writing, I can pencil in anything new I discover as the character appears, reacts to situations, and interacts with the others.

The general idea of the plot is to keep me on track and not drift too far afield, but when I sit down to write, I want to be surprised with twists and turns. When a character suddenly does something I never planned for him/her to do, it's exciting.

OMN: And where do you most often find yourself writing?

CAW: I've turned an extra bedroom into an office with my laptop and printer set up on a long table. There is one file cabinet, two bookcases one of which holds my writing and reference books and the other holds mysteries by my favorite authors. Near my rolling desk chair, I have a window to gaze outdoors and daydream when my muse takes a break.

OMN: Is the setting of the book inspired by a real place?

CAW: A resident of Texas for many years, I naturally chose to create a fictional town called Whispering Springs in the hill country of Texas just north of San Antonio. It has small town characteristics commuters love but close enough to what only a big city can offer.

OMN: What are some of your outside interests? And have any of these found their way into your book?

CAW: My college major was art and during my years in the classroom I used art to enrich the curriculum. When I created Shelby I gave her artistic talent in painting with watercolors and a desire to study art.

OMN: You mentioned that you read The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew when you were young. Do you still read mysteries today?

CAW: I'm a mystery buff and read everything from thrillers to traditional mysteries to cozies but I can't get enough of Stephanie Plum's adventures. When a new Janet Evanovich comes out, I snatch it up, turn off the phone and sit in my recliner and enjoy the experience. Sometimes I have to put the book on my lap and laugh out loud before I'm able to continue.

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Catherine A. Winn is a former elementary teacher living, gardening, blogging, and writing in Texas. During her teaching career she wrote short stories to aid in teaching, but she never tried to publish. She kept telling herself she would write someday but she didn't have the time. It was easy to procrastinate and dream. Later, she became a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. The membership in this organization encouraged her to get started on the path to becoming a published writer.

For more information about the author, please visit her website at website and her author page on Goodreads, or find her on Facebook and Twitter.

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Beyond Suspicion by Catherine A. Winn

A Whispering Springs Mystery

Publisher: The Poisoned Pencil

Her mom's remarriage has been hard on fifteen year old Shelby. Roger is strict and treats her like a child. At least they're letting her go to her first boy-girl party. That is until she gets home from school and finds that Roger has changed his mind — he wants Shelby to babysit her year-old brother Josh. It's so unfair! Fuming, Shelby takes Josh in his stroller to the park. After all, it's not his fault. Someone sets off fireworks, distracting Shelby. When she turns around — Josh is gone.

Shelby tells the police she's seen a white van cruising the neighborhood lately, and she thinks she saw it at the park as well. But to her horror, the police are not interested: Pointing to angry texts to her girlfriends about getting back at Roger, they accuse her of causing Josh's disappearance! The police focus on the woods around the park, driving Shelby wild with fear and anger that the kidnappers will get away. With TV reporters all over the front yard, Shelby sneaks out the back to find her brother, any way she can.

So begins Shelby's race against time — and against a world that has turned on her. And yet she finds help along the way. There's mysterious Matt, who says he wants to help, but doesn't seem to want anyone to know it. And there's Jess, who watches out for Shelby as, against the odds, she tracks down the kidnappers down just as they are leaving town.

— Beyond Suspicion by Catherine A. Winn