Bed and Breakfast and Murder
Page 19
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Author Notes
I never meant to be a mystery writer. I started out reading—and then creating my own—science fiction and fantasy novels as a small girl. But it was a Nancy Drew mystery at the tender age of twelve that sparked my need to write for real and woke the creator in me.
Years passed, time spent learning my craft in ways that I hadn’t intended—as a journalist, a screenwriter, an improv actor and a hair stylist—telling stories became commonplace and a part of my life even though the dream of being a writer hadn’t yet come to pass.
When I found YA through my niece and her love for Harry Potter, I realized I’d been writing the wrong things all along. That the Nancy Drew mystery about a young woman daring to take chances was the kind of heroine I was meant to write about. And, through that understanding, woke Sydlynn Hayle and the rest, as they say, is the Hayle Coven Universe (forty-two published books and growing).
But the mystery side of things took a little longer to explore. Though most books have a mystery to them of some kind, designing a whodunit hadn’t crossed my mind.
Until a pilot for a TV show I’d been working on popped up in my documents and I remembered how fun it was to write a police procedural based on a fictional city filled with paranormal creatures. The Nightshade Cases were born.
But something still didn’t feel right. They are dark and full of the kind of nasty things that people do to each other while embracing all things supernatural. Don’t get me wrong, I love them. I think, though, from reader reactions, they weren’t expecting that kind of cussing, stomping and hard-assed action compared to my YA works.
Fair enough! But I’ve hated to abandon the mystery writing idea all together.
When Fiona Fleming started talking not so long ago, I listened. Here was the kind of mystery I could not only sink my teeth into, the cozy mystery genre had the kind of lighthearted fun and strong female sleuth I was looking for while staying on the giggle inducing and enjoyable side of the characters I love to write while trying something totally new—no paranormal.
I hope you’ve enjoyed the first book in Fee’s series. There are twelve more to come and, as I explore this genre further, I have a feeling there will be more from other voices.
I’m just having too much fun killing people off not to keep going.
Happy reading!
Patti
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About the Author
Everything you need to know about me is in this one statement: I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was a little girl, and now I’m doing it. How cool is that, being able to follow your dream and make it reality? I’ve tried everything from university to college, graduating the second with a journalism diploma (I sucked at telling real stories), was in an all-girl improv troupe for five glorious years (if you’ve never tried it, I highly recommend making things up as you go along as often as possible). I’ve even been in a Celtic girl band (some of our stuff is on YouTube!) and was an independent film maker. My life has been one creative thing after another—all leading me here, to writing books for a living.
Now with multiple series in happy publication, I live on beautiful and magical Prince Edward Island (I know you’ve heard of Anne of Green Gables) with my very patient husband and six massive cats.
I love-love-love hearing from you! You can reach me (and I promise I’ll message back) at patti@pattilarsen.com. And if you’re eager for your next dose of Patti Larsen books (usually about one release a month) come join my mailing list! All the best up and coming, giveaways, contests and, of course, my observations on the world (aren’t you just dying to know what I think about everything?) all in one place: http://smarturl.it/PattiLarsenEmail.
Last—but not least!—I hope you enjoyed what you read! Your happiness is my happiness. And I’d love to hear just what you thought. A review where you found this book would mean the world to me—reviews feed writers more than you will ever know. So, loved it (or not so much), your honest review would make my day. Thank you!
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty One
Chapter Twenty Two
Chapter Twenty Three
Chapter Twenty Four
Chapter Twenty Five
Chapter Twenty Six
Chapter Twenty Seven
Chapter Twenty Eight
Chapter Twenty Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty One
Chapter Thirty Two
Chapter Thirty Three
Chapter Thirty Four
Chapter Thirty Five
Chapter Thirty Six
Chapter Thirty Seven
Chapter Thirty Eight
Chapter Thirty Nine
Chapter Forty