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Old-Fashioned Country-House Murder Mystery
The Chesterfield Clue follows a former school teacher and his wife who come into a large inheritance and purchase a vineyard in the Finger Lakes. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I had introduced Chesterfield, Carrie, their very vivid parents, and even the baroque French barrister Alaistre (“Swifty”) Treves-Alsace in THE CHESTERFIELD HOURS, a pure romantic comedy that earned a starred review from Kirkus and was ultimately named to their Best of 2012 and LOL lists. With the supernatural provenance of the Ffoulkes Fortune, I saw a chance to move them up in the world, to a beautiful Finger Lakes wine estate, where I could essay a good old-fashioned country-house murder mystery.
Your characters are richly developed and complex, really allowing readers to get to know them. Do you incorporate any emotions or memories from your own life into your characters’ lives?
Well, I had a Shakespeare-loving mother of Welsh parentage, for a start. The dad was a veteran, though not of the ferocious exploits of Captain Jack Chesterfield. Beyond that, I fell in love with the idea of making Carrie a girl next door type, and her 50 yr. old mother Barbara a seductress of almost terrifying erotic power. I also love writing master scenes for Swifty, and hope readers indulge me to their profitable enjoyment. Finally, it was only with two Chesterfield novels completed that I realized something mysterious and unconscious about character creation. Two “minor” characters — Jeanine the Gym Chick in THE CHESTERFIELD HOURS, and Deputy Dibberly in THE CHESTERFIELD CLUE — each became in the end sort of working-class, underdog heroes: conceived to fill a function, they took on such life that they were fully in the arena at the climax. Somehow I found justice in that, and wonderment.
When will book two be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?
A good question, as slow cooking works for me. I do have a title, and a bit of scribbling. It’s THE CHESTERFIELD NIECES, and those nieces will be quite a contrast and quite a handful together. One will be rich and spoiled (Barbara’s), the other a daughter of Juanita’s brother Johnny, a border sheriff in Texas. And she’s also, sharp readers of The Clue will surmise, cousin to the late Miguel. At least one character from The Clue is going to get killed, and though it won’t be at the hands of either niece, their misadventures won’t be a bit of help in solving anything!
How do you balance story development with shocking plot twists? Or can they be the same thing?
It is always an organism with me, not schematic. Characters come first, like Adam and Eve. I have to clearly see and hear them or they are not there. They have not only their own voices but their own drives, upon which they act for good or evil. OK then. For a shocking plot twist I will cite the decision, quite late in the game, to write a second murder. The primary murder follows country-house tradition: a wealthy, rather disagreeable older family member has cruelly treated many, and created motive all around. A second murder, I felt, would really turn the screw and open up new dimensions, yet be almost traumatically painful. I went on and wrote it, and feel right about it. So that was a battlefield decision, more than halfway through, and so were some character creations made spontaneously: Fauncebroke (“Fancy Boy”) Mountjoy IV, Hannes the winemaker, Mrs. DeChambeau. They made their impact, and I like to think the two judges, one male one female, registered as distinct personalities with distinct bench styles.
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Mother knows best, eh what? At least while mainly sober. Thus when the “mythical” Ffoulkes Fortune actually comes through – and to the only pair who didn’t scheme for it – the ghost of Daphne Ffoulkes Chesterfield instructs her son to “put a bit of it back into the land.” This advice he dutifully follows by purchasing the Finger Lakes wine estate of Carrie’s father, a “reformed” Brooklyn gangster. Ensuing are roomsful of lust, triumph and scandal in the vineyards, humour bone-dry as a fine Cab Sauv, classic country-house murder, and masterly courtroom chessplay from the anciently wise French avocat Alaistre (“Swifty”) Treves-Alsace.
THE CHESTERFIELD CLUE: The First Chesterfield and Carrie Finger Lakes Wine Country Mystery
Gwyn Parry’s The Chesterfield Clue unfolds in the picturesque Finger Lakes wine region, providing a glimpse into the world of Chesterfield, a former schoolteacher turned winemaker, and his vivacious wife, Carrie. Chesterfield navigates complex family dynamics, clashing with his domineering father-in-law, Shemp Hahn, a successful winemaker. Shemp’s wife, Barbara, adds another layer of intrigue with her melancholic demeanor and surprising literary depth.
Parry uses vignettes to introduce characters and build suspense. A lavish party hosted by Shemp serves as a microcosm of the family’s dysfunction, revealing veiled barbs, insecurities, and a shocking altercation involving threats and a gun. Barbara’s unexpected Shakespearean quotes hint at hidden complexity beneath her melancholic facade, further piquing the reader’s curiosity.
The book delves into themes of insecurity, ambition, and the intricate web of familial relationships. Readers will uncover the motivations of each character, revealing hidden resentments and long-held secrets. The Finger Lakes region itself becomes a character, with vivid descriptions capturing the essence of the vineyards, the intricacies of grape varietals, and the art of winemaking. Wine enthusiasts will appreciate the immersive exploration of this picturesque region and the insights into viticulture.
Parry excels at creating a compelling array of characters. From the endearingly insecure Chesterfield to the flamboyant Shemp and the enigmatic Barbara, each individual is imbued with depth and personality. Even minor characters, like the housekeeper and Carrie’s brother, pique curiosity, hinting at their potential roles in the unfolding drama. The inclusion of a ghost-like cat named Peevish adds a touch of the unexpected, inviting readers to wonder how it ties into the larger mystery.
With witty dialogue, quirky characters, and a central mystery that keeps you guessing, The Chesterfield Clue is a delightful read for fans of cozy mysteries.
Pages: 340 | ASIN : B0CKXZ9WQP
Embrace Crankiness
Cranky Superpowers: Life Lessons Learned from the Common CrankaTsuris Chronicles is a collection of thought-provoking and humorous stories about the challenges people face in their everyday lives. What was the inspiration for this collection of stories?
My first book was a children’s book titled The Last Surviving Dinosaur: The TyrantoCrankaTsuris, and a reviewer wrote that I didn’t talk about overcoming crankiness. But the whole point was to embrace crankiness. I started a blog, and I wanted to be both funny but to highlight that since this is about all of us, I wanted to explore how it can be our strength.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Patience, empathy, overcoming obstacles, and finding strength inside of us when we have those cranky moments.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Cranky Superpowers?
I hope that readers will see themselves in the stories, and find inspiration to take on life’s challenges that we all face.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
My third Snoodles book. Snoodles in Space: Episode 2. The Zoodles Strike Back will be available in late Winter/Early Spring.
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Peppered with captivating tales, both fresh and familiar, “Cranky Superpowers” unveils the often-missed hilarity in our everyday grumbles and groans. But it’s not all laughter—this witty guide offers priceless insights into our hidden “Cranky Superpowers,” powers that when harnessed correctly, can ignite a more understanding, patient, and positively cranky version of ourselves.
“Cranky Superpowers” is a rollicking journey of self-discovery, one that not only entertains but enlightens. So, put on your favorite cape and tights, and get ready to unlock your potential, unleash your better self, and find a little bit of humor in the perfectly imperfect art of being human.
Cranky Superpowers: Life Lessons Learned from the Common CrankaTsuris Chronicles
Cranky Superpowers: Life Lessons Learned from the Common CrankaTsuris Chronicles is an engaging anthology blends humor, wisdom, and fresh takes on life’s everyday challenges. Penned by Stephen Joseph, the book captivates readers with its playful narrative style and colorful array of characters, dilemmas, and solutions.
From its initial pages, the collection charms with its witty language and imaginative spins on timeless fairy tales. As you turn each page, stories unfurl that will evoke laughter and spark moments of reflection. Joseph’s adept handling of language and his flair for surprising narrative twists ensure that every reader will discover delightful segments to savor, no matter their comedic taste. Tailored for casual reading, it’s an excellent companion for your living room table, beckoning for spontaneous dives into its light-hearted world. Given its brevity, it’s also a fitting choice for brief intervals, like waiting times, as it promises easy immersion without the commitment of lengthy plots.
But don’t let its comedic facade fool you. Amidst its humor, the collection also offers valuable life lessons, guiding readers through challenges such as impatience, weariness, or overwhelming dynamism. While certain tales deliver unadulterated amusement, others provoke introspection, further enhancing the allure of decoding their underlying messages. Though the distinctions among the various CrankaTsuris forms may be subtle, they create an intriguing quest for readers to decipher and relate to. Each CrankaTsuris, much akin to Pokémon, boasts its distinct traits: some demand control, others call for proactive measures, and a few signify attributes worth cherishing. This vagueness beckons readers to delve deeper, enriching their engagement.
Cranky Superpowers is an enchanting compilation, interweaving sheer entertainment with occasional idiosyncrasies. This treasure chest of humor and insight is undoubtedly worth exploring. Dive in for a read that teeters on the brink of excellence, and you won’t be disappointed.
Pages: 246 | ASIN : B0CH1FTZSV
You’re the Cake
You’re the Cake: The Guy’s the Frosting by Marcia Lite-Braus is a self-help book that emphasizes the need for you to love and care for yourself first before seeking love from others. With ten chapters telling of Marcia’s experience dating different men, this book had enough coverage to point out the psychological and emotional reasons that influenced her and many women’s choice of men.
An invaluable attribute of this book is how Marcia, in bullet form, highlighted the problem with each choice in each story, what could have been done to avert it, and the affirmations that will help you do better. Furthermore, Marcia’s ability to find streaks of humor in her mistakes buffers the painful and, sometimes, alarmingly shocking mishaps she had dating different kinds of men. For every type of person out there, Marcia shared her experience dating them. From the kleptomaniac to the criminal, Marcia’s writing style makes her stories memorable, along with the lessons gleaned from ‘not shopping the inside’ of these men.
As a single, divorced mother of one, Marcia demonstrated how many women are inclined to re-enter the dating pool with a lot of anxiety and low self-esteem, bruised from the end or failure of their last relationship or marriage. This book reassures single women how that should not be the case. It provides copious examples of how love has been misrepresented and how not loving yourself can only attract the wrong kind of people. It is even worse when you project your past trauma or lapses into your future engagements. In this book, Marcia has succeeded in describing, in simple terms, how to be less critical of self. In this breakdown of one of the most complex aspects of human relationships – finding the right partner, Marcia made her writing relatable and easy to read. The burden of building a relationship should not be on you alone. If anything, it should not be a burden at all.
You’re the Cake: The Guy’s the Frosting is a real page-turner. On the last page, you’d be left desiring more of the writing and knowing that you have learned all it takes to value yourself and be that cake that deserves the best frosting.
Pages: 66 | ASIN : B0B72HMVM2
LITERARY TITAN 