1--What is the title of your latest release?
PEG AND ROSE STIR UP TROUBLE
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
Murder She Wrote meets The Odd Couple. After decades of animosity, sisters-in-law Peg Turnbull and Rose Donovan, have finally become tenuous friends. Then Rose signs Peg up for a dating app where Peg is matched with a man who appears to be the man of her dreams. When he's murdered, the two women need to work together to solve the crime.
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
My Senior Sleuth series is a spin-off of my long running Melanie Travis mystery series, so I already knew that the setting would be the same: Fairfield County, Connecticut.
4--Would you hang out with your sleuth in real life?
Absolutely! I wish knew both these women.
5--What are three words that describe your sleuth?
Peg: strong, opinionated, fearless
Rose: capable, compassionate, agreeable
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
This series is the first time I've written a book with two main characters, both of whom needed equal attention. I really enjoyed exploring the dynamic between these two, very different, women because that was something new for me.
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I begin by writing a first draft straight through from start to finish. My second draft can be pretty comprehensive, and then the third is mostly nitpicking and polishing.
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
My character, Peg, and I share a sweet tooth and we both love cake.
9--Describe your writing space/office!
My office is a converted bedroom that's lined from floor to ceiling with bookshelves. My desk faces a double window and looks out over a horse pasture.
10--Who is an author you admire?
I admire numerous authors, but two that come to mind are Kate Quinn and Rhys Bowen because they are both wonderful storytellers.
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
When I was a young adult, I was absolutely blown away by James Clavell's SHOGUN. The book intimidated me, it inspired me, and it made me want to be a better writer.
12--Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)
I've been fortunate to have received many such calls in my life. This time was exciting because I really wanted to write books featuring these two "mature" characters, and when I got the go-ahead from my editor I was thrilled.
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
Cozy mysteries, followed quickly by historical fiction and non-fiction
14--What’s your favorite movie?
Hidden Figures
15--What is your favorite season?
Autumn
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
With cake, of course!
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
I thought The Diplomat (on Netflix) with Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell was superb. I can't wait for season 2.
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
Italian (and Japanese)
19--What do you do when you have free time?
I read. I love to walk. And I'll do anything that involves spending time with dogs and horses.
20--What can readers expect from you next?
Next will be the 3rd book in the Senior Sleuths series, PEG AND ROSE PLAY THE PONIES, followed by title #30 in the Melanie Travis series, PUMPKIN SPICE PUPPIES.
Murder, She Wrote meets The Odd Couple in award-winning author Laurien Berenson’s brand-new mystery series, spun off from her much-loved Melanie Travis Canine series and featuring Melanie’s elderly aunts—tough-as-nails Peg and soft-spoken Rose—who’ll put their differences aside to stop a killer, if they don’t throttle each other first. The latest installment will tickle all cozy lovers, especially fans of “senior” sleuths in the tradition of Miss Marple and Jessica Fletcher.
When a typically closed-off Peg attempts online dating at Rose’s strong urging, the experience plays out like an embarrassing mistake. At least, until she matches with Nolan Abercrombie—intelligent, attractive, and a self-proclaimed dog lover. The two share an instant connection that has Peg cautiously excited to finally bring someone special into her busy world of Standard Poodles and conformation shows.
Before Peg can admit that Rose was right and let down her walls for the budding romance, a terrible accident claims Nolan’s life. As details about his background and tragic death come to light, Peg has a serious hunch that someone successfully plotted to kill her first real date in decades . . .
With suspects galore and a slew of puzzling clues to peel through, Peg and Rose team up to solve a dangerous mystery unfolding before their eyes. The question is: Can the unlikely duo turn their radically different personalities into an advantage as they scramble to ID the guilty culprit—or will they manage to work against each other and find themselves precisely where a meticulous murderer wants them to be?
Mystery Cozy [Kensington Cozies, On Sale: July 25, 2023, Hardcover / e-Book, ISBN: 9781496735751 / ]
Laurien Berenson is an Agatha and Macavity nominee, winner of the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award, and four time winner of the Maxwell Award, presented by the Dog Writers Association of America. She and her husband live on a farm in Kentucky surrounded by dogs and horses.
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