MY
TAKE ON ANIMALS IN MYSTERIES
Though many mystery authors include animals in their novels
on a regular basis, I’m not one of them. There have been a few exceptions. In
my previous Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery, Bears With Us, much of the plot
was built around bears. And there was a big dog named whose name, Killer, certainly
didn’t fit him.
In my latest, Raging Water, two little dogs play
an important part in what goes on.
First, I should explain that a good friend of mine and a fan
of the Tempe Crabtree series asked if I would put her into my next book. I
agreed, and though the character has a different name, my friend’s essence is a definite part of the character’s
personality. My friend has two little dogs, Cleopatra, a black and white mixed
terrier, and Blondie, a long-haired doxie mix.
Of course I used Cleo and Blondie’s real names—and
definitely their distinct personalities. In hopes that you’ll read the book, I
won’t tell you what they do, but they definitely “save the day” to use a
fitting cliché.
My friend hasn’t read the book yet, but I’m hoping she’ll
like the part she plays in the mystery, and even more, that she’ll enjoy Cleo
and Blondie’s appearances.
I had a great time writing this book and including someone
who is my friend, something I’ve never done before.
Marilyn
Raging
Water Blurb: Deputy
Tempe Crabtree’s investigation of the
murder of two close friends is complicated when relentless rain turns Bear
Creek into a raging river. Homes are inundated and a mud slide blocks the only
road out of Bear Creek stranding many—including the murderer.
Contest: The
person who leaves comments on the most blogs will have his/her name used for a
character in my next book—can choose if you want it in a Deputy Tempe Crabtree
mystery or a Rocky Bluff P.D. crime novel.
Bio: Marilyn Meredith is the author of over thirty published
novels, including the award winning Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series, the
latest Raging Water from Mundania Press. Writing as F. M.
Meredith, her latest Rocky Bluff P.D. crime novel us No Bells, the forth from
Oak Tree Press. Marilyn is a member of EPIC, three chapters of Sisters in
Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and on the board of the Public Safety
Writers of America. Visit her at http://fictionforyou.com and follow her blog at http://marilymeredith.blogspot.com/
Marilyn borrows a
lot from where she lives in the Southern Sierra for the town of Bear Creek and
the surrounding area.
I know there are some people who like to read a series in
order, but let me reassure you that every book is complete. Though the
characters grow through each book, the crime is always solved. Here is the
order of the books for anyone who wants to know: Deadly Trail, Deadly Omen,
Unequally Yoked, Wing Beat, Intervention, Calling the Dead, Judgment Fire,
Kindred Spirits, Dispel the Mist, Invisible Path, Bears With Us, Raging Water.
