1--What is the title of your latest release?
HOME FOR THE HOMICIDES, book 4 in the Hometown Mystery series. It is out now in ebook and paperback!
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
It's Christmastime in Army retiree Tessa Treslow's small Idaho hometown of New Oslo, but someone is determined to play a grinch this season with as a string of unfortunate incidents disrupts the holiday spirit. Progressing from broken windows to then progresses to car theft, assault, and arson, each instance is accompanied by a clue that clearly ties the crimes together. Then, at one of the arson sites, there is a body…and it is clear to Tessa that the woman was already dead before the fire was set.
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
When I was writing the first of the series, I struggled to decide where to set it – until I went home to visit my family, who had recently moved back to my birthplace. I realized that a series that became the Hometown Mysteries would be best set in my hometown! "New Oslo" is a thinly fictionalized version of my birthplace.
4--Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
Absolutely. She is me had I taken a different fork in the road!
5--What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Tough, smart, stubborn.
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
I had to do some research on homemade bombs. FBI, if you're reading this, I am a mystery writer!
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I try to get the entire story out before doing deep editing. To limit breaking the flow, I use a nonsense word to hold the place of details I've forgotten or sections that need more work to make sure I can go back to that spot. I also wait until after editing to number chapters. Trust me…that was a lesson learned!
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
A good dark chocolate, preferably with sea salt involved. Maybe even some caramel, nuts, or pretzel. Aldi has these amazing dark chocolate-covered almonds… Chef's kiss!
9--Describe your writing space/office!
I have a whole separate room (allegedly for tax purposes) with lovely French doors that I can close to keep out the riffraff. I have a big, comfy chair with an ottoman, a thirsty plant, a bookshelf, a TV, and my desk and desk chair. The TV usually has something from Discovery+ playing, like a History Channel or cooking show that I won't pay close attention to. I've found it useful to have noise to distract one side of my brain while the writing side can then focus and does its thing.
10--Who is an author you admire?
I really admire Amanda Flower. We met for the first time years ago and she is just the sweetest woman. She's a great writer and is prolific enough that she was able to quit her "day job" and write full time. She has written in three subgenres of mystery, maybe forty books now. And yet she always makes time for my questions and to give me advice.
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
Well, this isn't exactly what you meant, but first short story ("What's a Little Murder Between Mammals") being picked for publication really got the ball rolling on my writing career. So, I'd have to say the Chesapeake Crimes: Magic is Murder! anthology is the book that changed my life.
12--Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
It January, and freezing, as I was outside near the Lincoln Memorial. "The call" for my Hometown series was actually my agent calling to tell me that a mid-sized publisher had finally made up their mind and passed. A smaller publisher had also made an offer, so it was a waiting game. My agent and I had already discussed the pros and cons of the two publishing houses and I had been leaning toward the smaller publisher anyway, so it was more of a "ok, let's go!" call.
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
Mystery, of course, especially the cozy and historical subgenres, some police procedural. I also love cozy fantasy and magical realism. I do read some non-fiction, usually historical.
14--What’s your favorite movie?
Any time a Harry Potter movie is on, I set the remote down and watch. Not sure which is my favorite.
15--What is your favorite season?
Fall! I love the cooler weather (especially in the humid mid-Atlantic region!) and it’s the beginning of cozy season.
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
A nice dinner, not cooked or cleaned up by me. And a nap.
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
I recently read the ARC for Paula Charles' second Hometown Hardware mystery, Axe Me No Questions. I thoroughly enjoyed the first one as well, Hammers and Homicide. I feel like our two worlds could easily be the same one, with her Dawna and my Aunt Edna being friends!
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
Italian. My mother-in-law is first generation, so I have some really great recipes, and I joke that I aspire to be a little old Nonna.
19--What do you do when you have free time?
I enjoy reading, but sometimes that feels like work too. When I want to get away from "words" and screens, I like to cross stitch. Also hard on the eyes, but very relaxing. And someone gets a fun gift!
20--What can readers expect from you next?
Right now, I am writing the 5th Hometown Mystery, but the next book out will be CORAL CONSPIRACY, my newest contribution to the Aloha Lagoon mysteries. I have a new main character in this one, but she is linked to and fits right into my previous MC's world. CORAL CONSPIRACY will be out in March 2025, and the fifth Hometown will be out in summer of 2025.
Hometown #4
From author Rosalie Spielman comes a hometown holiday...filled with homicide!
It's Christmastime in Army retiree Tessa Treslow's small Idaho hometown of New Oslo, but someone is determined to play a grinch this season and is robbing local businesses of their holiday cheer!
In the midst of preparing for the first annual Running of the Grinches, a fundraiser to support the Sergeant Santa Toy Drive and the local historical society, a string of unfortunate incidents hit the townsfolk hard. It starts with broken windows then progresses to car theft, assault, and arson—each instance accompanied by a clue that clearly ties the crimes together.
Tessa organizes a watch patrol for New Oslo, and during her first shift she helps rescue a victim from a fire. Unfortunately, it is clear to Tessa that the woman was already dead before the fire was set. Did the arsonist accidentally kill her...or is something more heinous and less in the spirit of the season at hand? It's up to Tessa to find out before tragedy strikes again!
Mystery Woman Sleuth | Mystery Police Procedural | Mystery Cozy [Gemma Halliday Publishing, On Sale: December 10, 2024, e-Book, / eISBN: 9798224641963]
Rosalie Spielman is a mother, veteran, and retired military spouse. She was thrilled to discover that she could make other people laugh with her writing and finds joy in giving people a humorous escape from the real world. She writes cozy mysteries for the multi-author Aloha Lagoon mystery series and her own Hometown Mystery series, both with Gemma Halliday Publishing.
She currently lives in Maryland with her husband in a rapidly emptying nest. For more information on her books or to subscribe to her newsletter, go to her website, follow her Facebook page (Rosalie Spielman author), or join her Facebook group. Rosalie strives to provide you a cozy escape...one page at a time.
No comments posted.
© 2003-2025 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy