Recently I had a chance to sit down and talk with Janet Finsilver author of Kelly Jackson mysteries! Her latest book is Murder at the Mushroom Festival!
What genre do you write?
In the mystery world they are called cozies. I prefer to call them safe whodunits. What I mean by that is there is no graphic violence and the main characters will always survive to return in the next book. They might get roughed up a bit, but they won’t get killed. You can enjoy them knowing you’ll get to encounter them again in the next book.
How did you come to write whodunit books?
I love mysteries. I like the classic authors like Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, and Rex Stout. They didn’t have to put a torture scene or descriptive violence in their books to attract readers. Murder She Wrote was a favorite show. Put those together and I write the Kelly Jackson mystery series.
What is your favorite character to write about?
I really don’t have a favorite. I love them all and that’s why I continue to write the books. Kelly is my protagonist, so I write about her the most. She was raised on a Wyoming cattle and horse ranch, and it’s been fun fleshing out her background and writing about her family. I enjoy my crime-solving senior citizens, the Silver Sentinels, who all have very different personalities.
Do you have a favorite villain in any of your books? One that stood out more than others?
No, not really. If I did, I wouldn’t be able to share it because that would be a “spoiler.” In thrillers you often know very quickly who the villain is. Cozies aren’t that way.
Who inspires your books?
The writers I mentioned earlier along with many others as well as Murder She Wrote. I want people to have a fun read, an interesting mystery, and a place and a group of characters they want to return to again and again.
What do you do when you’re not writing?
I do all the chores that I’ve neglected when I’m writing! I’m also beginning to train my young dog, a Rhodesian ridgeback, in agility.
Do you have any new books coming out or books you want to share here?
Murder at the Mushroom Festival comes out April 17, 2018. There is a mushroom hunting contest and the theft of logs worth a lot of money because of their unique characteristics. The dog in this book is Max, short for Maximillian. He’s a mix but think goldendoodle. He is trained to find mushrooms and is also a diabetic alert dog.
What was one of your dreams when you were a child?
I wanted to have a horse. I have been fortunate enough to have had two in my life. I continue to ride western whenever I have the opportunity.
Do you have a favorite drink?
I have two drinks I really enjoy. I love really cold Pelligrino sparkling water in the morning. A cup a day of strong black coffee provides my other favorite beverage.
If you were stuck on a deserted island and could take three things with you what would they be?
My husband and my two dogs. They’d all be carrying food and water…so they’d be a bundle of “three things.” I hope this still fits in the perimeters of the answer!
Of course it fits within the question!
Thank you for taking the time to sit down and answer these questions I myself am an avid fan of Murder She Wrote so I really like that she influenced your books as well!
Thank you for taking the time to do this!
2 shout outs:
Thank you for the interview with Janet Finsilver author of "Murder at The Mushroom Festival" and for being part of the book tour.
I'd love the opportunity to read this book.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Paula, thank you for much for interviewing me. I really appreciate it! I had fun doing it.
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