We are delighted to welcome author Radine Trees Nehring to Omnimystery News today.
Radine's latest mystery in her "To Die For" series is A Portrait To Die For (Dark Oak Mysteries; April 2016 trade paperback and ebook formats) and we recently had the opportunity to catch up with her to talk more about it.
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Omnimystery News: Tell us a little more about your series' characters.
Photo provided courtesy of
Radine Trees Nehring
Radine Trees Nehring: People sometimes ask me where the idea for my female protagonist — Carrie McCrite — came from. Is she like me?
At first I was shocked by the very idea that Carrie was at all like me, but now I'm not so sure. This may be a case of not "seeing ourselves as other see us." However, the short answer about where Carrie came from is "I don't know. She was just there when I began writing my first mystery novel." As to male protagonist, Henry King, this I do know — his consideration and love for his wife copy those of my own husband (lucky me) but his physical attributes and police experience do not specifically copy anyone I know.
Readers also ask Carrie and Henry's ages. If I knew that (and I don't) I wouldn't admit it. Female readers from 55 to 80 have assumed Carrie was near their own age. Well, why not? (I am pretty sure they have access to pensions and/or Social Security, however!)
Carrie is not fond of cooking, and had no experience with it in her early life, so her meal efforts tend to be, well … interesting. (See sample recipes at the end of many Carrie-Henry stories.) Henry is more comfortable with meal preparation, having lived alone for many years. He is actually at home in a kitchen.
However, Henry is NOT at home with Carrie's deep concern for people who are in trouble, nor her tendency to think she can solve their problems. As a former police officer, he knows the dangers that can arise from her involvement in problem solution.
OMN: How have Carrie and Henry changed over the course of the series?
RTN: Carrie and Henry and all their friends in the same age group have lived long enough that they are more settled in their ways and less changeable than younger people might be. There are subtle changes, but each of the novels will stand alone, and not leave readers who are being introduced to the series wondering what happened to cause some reaction in the current story.
The biggest change comes in relation to Carrie's son Rob, and Henry's younger half-sister Catherine. If there is any pertinent back story in their lives, it's always brought out in conversations during story development. And, of course, there are often dramatic changes in the lives of secondary characters who only appear in one book and are involved in the crimes/problems/challenges there.
OMN: Given you have series' characters of different genders and ages, how do you go about finding the right voices for them?
RTN: Henry King and Rob McCrite as well as several secondary characters in my stories are men and, until I heard an author friend say writers should not write about a character or job they have not been, it never occurred to me that I couldn't make these men come alive on the page. I guess my editors and readers will have to judge whether I succeeded or not. (And I have major male characters because I am actually writing about a family of protagonists.)
OMN: Into which genre would you place this series?
RTN: Cozy amateur detective.
Categorizing mystery novels may be a good idea — and it may not. I think interest in any novel should be left to the discretion of the reader and perhaps too much categorizing might limit reader interest. That has actually happened in my own experience more than once. A friend and prolific writer warned me that one of her series might be too hard boiled for me. Exactly the opposite was the case. I like that series better than her other, perhaps gentler, novels. On the other hand, a friend once recommended a Stephen King novel as not scary like his other books. Interested, since I am not a fan of King's though I had wanted to appreciate the popularity of his work, I bought the book. I couldn't get beyond the first fifty pages. (Shudder!)
OMN: How would you tweet a summary of A Portrait To Die For?
RTN: Portrait fakes? Vanished reporter? Who, what, and WHY? Danger!
OMN: Are any of the characters or locations in your books based on people or places you know?
RTN: My novels are non-fiction in the sense that they are all set in real locations described accurately down to the last doorknob and wildflower, and because history in the chosen area feeds into the present day story including, at times, the crime(s) depicted. All characters are fiction and none copy any real people — to my knowledge, at least.
OMN: Describe your writing process for us.
RTN: I am what has been called an organic writer. Though I know major characters, location, and general plot points when I begin a novel, all else develops as I write. I have never considered making even the barest outline, partly because I know it would soon be discarded. I don't have a sense that the characters take over the story as some have described — I know I am in charge, and I know the story will unfold as I write and think. That means I discover my story almost like my readers eventually will.
OMN: How do you go about researching the plot points of your stories?
RTN: Since my stories all occur at real locations with real history behind them I do very little Internet fact-checking. I spend a lot of time poking about in the chosen location and, in that way, do careful and meticulous research, since some readers will visit (or are already familiar with) the area where the story unfolds. I am always grateful for the assistance of staff members in the chosen location.
OMN: You mentioned that your books are set in real locations. How do you make the reader feel they are an integral part of the story?
RTN: I try to make settings as close to reality as possible, from street names to architectural and decorating details, to the atmosphere any visitor would notice. All this is important to me, to my enjoyment while writing, and to the eventual experience of readers. Settings are very important — they feed the plots.
OMN: If we could send you anywhere in the world to research the setting for a book, where would it be?
RTN: Oh how I wish a dream like this could come true. Where? Pick any major art museum in Europe or the UK. And I would find a way to fit a Carrie and Henry story into that place? You betcha!
OMN: What are some of your outside interests? And have any of these found their way into your books?
RTN: I am a miniaturist — a collector and creator of miniature houses and creator of what might be called doll houses and their settings. And no, this does not appear in my books.
OMN: What is the best advice — and harshest criticism — you've received as an author? And what might you say to aspiring writers?
RTN: Advice — you must never stop learning. I will never tire of going to conferences where other writers speak, even though they might think they are speaking to beginners and aspiring authors and I am neither. Best advice? "Write every day." Though I don't always do this, the advice evidences a degree of dedication and commitment that every serious writer must have. Harsh criticism has never made it into my awareness though of course that doesn't say some haven't felt it.
OMN: Complete this sentence for us: "I am a mystery author and thus I am also …".
RTN: 13. I am a mystery author and thus I am also an occupant of two worlds, one imaginary, one (more or less) real.
OMN: How did the books in your series come to be titled?
RTN: A long time ago (and when Sue Grafton's ABC novels were getting started) an agent said I should link all titles in my series to one noticeable phrase or name. At that time the phrase "To Die For" was in popular use to describe any thrilling thing — from chocolates to diamonds. Incorporating that phrase into the titles of a mystery novel series seemed a good idea — though some have questioned the "To Die For" phrase since then. I am fortunate to have an excellent photographer (husband) and graphic designer (sister-in-law) in my family, plus wonderful cover artists at my publishers. One or more of them always come up with cover art that I love.
OMN: What kind of feedback have you received from readers?
RTN: The most common feedback is from people who truly like the characters — always Carrie, with many others coming a close second. I feel the same way, of course.
OMN: Suppose your mysteries were to be adapted for television or film. Who do you see playing the lead roles?
RTN: I would have said Angela Lansbury was Carrie in earlier years. And, there are several Public Television TV stars from former times that I could see as Carrie but, unfortunately, most are gone now since many are only seen in re-runs. So, guess I don't know. Whoever "she" was she'd have to be more sturdy and comfortable than glamorous. Henry would be fairly large, dark hair and eyes, and solid looking. I can easily picture Carrie and Henry and all the others — all but their specific faces. Those remain fuzzy.
OMN: What kinds of books did you read when you were young?
RTN: I began with Nancy Drew and moved into the "Dead British Ladies" soon after, principly Agatha Christie. I enjoyed books about Ellery Queen and Nero Wolfe but was clueless about available American female mystery authors for many years until I discovered Patricia Sprinkle, Margaret Maron, Carolyn Hart, and Margaret Truman.
OMN: And what do you read today for pleasure?
RTN: Gosh, wish I had more time to read. I just discovered the Miss Fisher mysteries by Kerry Greenwood due to the series running on PBS. Most other reading is from authors I read about on a blog, have met at conferences, signings, and other "business" locations.
OMN: Create a Top 5 list for us on any topic.
RTN: Top 5 places to visit: Ozark Folk Center State Park, Buffalo National River, War Eagle Mill and Fair, Hobbs State Park, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
OMN: What's next for you?
RTN: Working on a series of Carrie-Henry short stories. Writing my blog. Spending more time with my husband doing what HE wants to do.
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For more than twenty years, Radine Trees Nehring's magazine features, essays, newspaper articles, and radio broadcasts have shared colorful stories about the people, places, events, and natural world near her Arkansas home.
In 2002, Radine's first mystery novel, A Valley To Die For, was published and, in 2003 became a Macavity Award Nominee. Since that time she has continued to earn writing awards as she enthralls her original fans and attracts new ones with her signature blend of down-home Arkansas sightseeing and cozy amateur sleuthing by active retirees Henry King and Carrie McCrite King.
For more information about the author, please visit her website at RadinesBooks.com and her author page on Goodreads, or find her on Facebook and Twitter.
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A Portrait To Die For by Radine Trees Nehring
The To Die For Series
Publisher: Dark Oak Mysteries
Carrie discovers two versions of a supposedly original portrait in a loan exhibition at Crystal Bridges of American Art, where she does volunteer work.
When the reporter who interviewed Carrie at the museum is abducted, Carrie must choose between honoring her promise to stop crime-solving — or work to find the woman who was her son's college friend.
— A Portrait To Die For by Radine Trees Nehring
