New York Times bestselling author Kate Carlisle has done it again with her new mystery, If Looks Could Kill.
Romantic Times says: "A solid follow-up to Homicide in Hardcover. Carlisle's latest Bibliophile mystery follows book restoration expert Brooklyn Wainwright to the Edinburgh Book Fair, where an intriguing mystery awaits her. Brooklyn's uncommon occupation drives the well-constructed and smoothly executed mystery. Offbeat secondary characters contrast nicely with the more level-headed Brooklyn."
Carlisle spent twenty years working in television production before deciding to go to law school where she turned to writing fiction as a lawful way to kill off her evil professors. Thankfully for all of her readers, she left law school, but the urge to write has never stopped. Kate makes her home by the beach in Southern California and loves to visit with her readers online at http://www.katecarlisle.com.
I went to Kate's website and found it not only interesting, but fun and entertaining. I had a chance to catch up with Kate a few days ago and ask her a few questions.
Is there anything you'd like to tell us about If Books Could Kill?
"If Books Could Kill takes place at the annual book fair in Edinburgh, Scotland, one of my favorite cities in the world. I love Scotland, love the people, the pubs, the history, the castles, the energy, everything. Most of the places mentioned in the book are real. For instance, the ghost tour is very similar to the one I took (except for that pesky dead body of Brooklyn's ex, Kyle McVee). The pub Brooklyn goes to with Kyle is a favorite of mine, and the restaurants I mention are all on the Royal Mile. I consider it a sacred duty to research my books thoroughly, and scouting Edinburgh to find the perfect pub was a task I took very seriously."
Did any particular event inspire you?
"Because my protagonist is a bookbinder, each of my books involves a particular book she's working on. In If Books Could Kill, the story revolves around a secret book of poems written by the great Scottish poet Robert Burns. Coincidentally, or not, the year I was writing the book, 2009, was the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns."
What are you doing to promote your book?
"Penguin has a wonderful in-house publicist, Megan Swartz, who works miracles. I also work with the fabulous publicist, PJ Nunn of Breatkthrough Promotions, who arranges book signings, interviews, and all sorts of events for me. I also use AuthorBuzz, and I'm doing a short blog tour. I post events and hang out on Facebook, of course. Additionally, I chant and howl at the moon on a regular basis, and that seems to work for me."
What's Next?
"I'm finishing book three in the series, The Lies that Bind. Brooklyn is safe and sound, back in San Francisco, drinking wine, teaching bookbinding classes, and stumbling over bodies. I'm also excited awaiting my first romance novel which comes out in 2010."
When you're not writing, what are you doing (hobbies, family, etc)?
"I'm always writing, but I also love to read. I enjoy cooking and eating, plus spending time with family and friends. I'm a news junkie and probably watch too much television. I love to travel, and I take bookbinding classes whenever I can."
What didn't I ask you that I should have?
"Oh, dear. Well, since the first book came out, everyone seems to want to know whether I was in a commune or not.. (Commune sounds so much better than cult, doesn't it)?"
I'll have to say that I've started reading, Homicide in Hardcover and it's fast moving and entertaining. I look forward to If Books Could Kill.
There is no better way to end this interview than to highlight the following Jacket Blurb from New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery: "Welcome Kate Carlisle, a fabulous new voice in the mystery market."
During Don Helin's career in the military, he spent three tours in the Pentagon, then worked as a lobbyist for industry. These two "Washington Insider" careers have provided him ample material for his thriller novels.
