It’s always fun to discover new authors, and to discover someone that I have so much in common with is “icing on the cake”! I’ve already heard good things about Debra E. Marvin’s The Case of the Clobbered Cad (don’t you just love that title?!), but was mainly attracted by the genre and setting – namely, cozy mystery and Scotland.
From the time I discovered Miss Marple as a teenager, British mysteries have been an addiction – and meeting Debra has been an added bonus. I am excited to be reviewing this book in a couple of days, so do check back in. Now sit back and enjoy getting to know a little about Debra …
Q. Share a little bit about yourself, Debra. Married with kids? Empty nester? Do you work full-time and write when you can squeeze it in?
Carole, I do work full time as a program assistant at Cornell University, and I write (and market) pretty much all the rest of the time. When I’m actively writing, I will write or edit in the early morning, after work until bedtime and all weekend. I’m able to do that now because I’m at the ‘wee gran’ stage in life!
Q. What genre(s) do you write in? Any specific areas of interest?
I’ve written mostly romance in historical settings, but I love mystery so The Clobbered Cad is a very special release for me! I have multiple manuscripts waiting to see daylight and my favorite of them are an historical ‘gothic’ series.
Q. Introvert, extrovert, or somewhere in between . . .
I am definitely introverted with ambivert thrown in. When I am with people, I’m not shy, but I need lots of down time to function outside my cave.
Q. Favorite way to relax or unwind . . .
Re-watching costume dramas or bingeing on British Mysteries. I love doing hand-crafts with paint, fiber or fabric. Lately it’s been all about quilting!
This is such a tough question! While my frizzy ringlets are usually a mess, I like life to be well-ordered. I’m a truck-driving, craft-making, green-eyed granny who plays with insects, makes doll clothes and fairy houses, and loves peanut butter and red onions. (Not at the same time, though I’ve heard it’s good.) Has never used Siri, but has eaten alligator and haggis. (Again, not at the same time.)
Q. Please tell us a little about the Nosy Parkers mystery series and the book that we are featuring today, The Case of the Clobbered Cad.
This series came about when Author Lisa Karon Richardson proposed it to our friend Jennifer ALlee for Journey Fiction. We wanted something that tied in with our love for the old Nancy Drew books, but wasn’t quite a modern makeover. The heroines in the series will all be friends from a 1940s teen detective club who end up involved in their own mysteries in the 1950s. My book is set in Edinburgh’s academic world. Heather may love Scotland as much as I do.
Q. The Case of the Clobbered Cad can be described by these 5 adjectives . . .
Nostalgic, entertaining, absorbing, delightful, fresh
Q. What do you hope your readers will take away from this story?
A smile! I hope they close the book with a grin as they recall the fun of solving mysteries with their favorite girl detective!
Q. What’s on the book horizon for you?
I have a colonial era novella out next year with Barbour Publishing, and a second Heather (Nosy Parkers) mystery from Journey Fiction, plus a couple historical romances from Forget Me Not Romances.
Q. How can we support and/or pray for you, Debra – both personally and as an author?
I’m always thankful for prayers to be able to ‘do it all’ – writing and marketing, as well as work. But more importantly prayers for my adult children and my grandchildren to keep it all together in this very challenging world.
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Debra, thank you for visiting today and taking the time to share with us. Readers, here’s some fun “behind the scenes” facts to interest you even more …
1) We reference “The Girl Detective” but we never actually use her name! You know who I’m talking about though, don’t you?
2) The book is set in 1956. Can you guess why I chose that particular year? Go ahead. You won’t offend me!
3) Heather’s first trip abroad is to the U.K. Sixty years later, Debra made her first trip abroad and was greeted in the Edinburgh airport by a lovely customs agent with a broad Scottish accent. (Debra grinned like an eejit!)
4) The Case of the Clobbered Cad was originally set in Old Sturbridge Village because I wanted to visit there. The heroine was a history major doing an internship. When I made the last minute decision to buy a ticket to Scotland, I asked my publisher if she minded if I changed the setting! She loved the idea!
5) Like Heather, my grandfather was Scottish. (though mine was born in the U.S. to a Scottish immigrant family). He insisted I was “Scots t’ the backbone and prood of it.” What a thrill to be able to visit the village where his my great-grandparents called home.
6) I visited the Archeology Department at the University of Edinburgh and went inside the archives room. If you read the book, you’ll understand why that was so important! (Though in 1956, the setting was completely different!)
7) I actually stayed on both of the Edinburgh streets used as ‘home addresses’ for two of my characters.
8) Some retired policemen and professors answered my questions, including a gentleman with an OBE. You do know what that means, don’t you?
9) Lisa Richardson, author of The Counterfeit Clue designed the covers!
10) While my earlier published works have been sweet romances, mysteries are my first love and I hope to take Heather elsewhere in Scotland and Ireland.
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The Archeology Department at the University of Edinburgh and the Archives room would be fun to visit! I am so glad I have read this fun book! I will leave a review today if I can. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThis looks great--I'd love to read it!
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