Fresh Fiction Blog | Annie Knox

That Dixie Chicks song is on my iPod, and whenever I go for a walk or a drive there's a decent chance I'll find myself singing along about Wanda and Mary Ann and the abusive man who deserves to bite the dust. I sing with relish, letting go of my better nature and diving headlong into a world of vigilante justice where people get what they have coming to them: their just deserts.

In cozy mysteries, the victims of our murders are often the Earls of the world. They have done Very Bad Things so we don't feel too awful about their deaths. Moreover, they've wronged enough people to give us an array of potential suspects. I've found, though, that this is a convention I have to bend.

Some of my victims start off looking like Earls, but most of them turn out to be likeable folks. Flawed, but likeable.

Take Sherry Harper, the victim in PAWS FOR MURDER, the first in the Pet Boutique Mystery series. She's been handed a generous trust fund without ever working a day in her life, she's completely irresponsible, she's dedicated to agitating and protesting no matter whom it hurts, and she's an unreliable friend. I had no shortage of people who wanted Sherry Harper dead, potential suspects who led my sleuth Izzy McHale on a merry chase.

Ultimately, though, Sherry didn't deserve to die. As the story unfolds, so does Sherry's life. Both Izzy and the reader get to see evidence of Sherry's remarkable generosity, her earnestness, and her tender heart. She's flawed, but likeable.

Funny thing is, the potential killers (and the real killer) tend to be likeable, too. Decent people pushed beyond the brink. Again, flawed, but likeable.

You'd think I spend enough time plotting methods and motives for murder that I wouldn't have any trouble writing a genuinely black-hearted character. But so far, I don't think I've written a one. Instead, I can't help writing victims and killers who are normal people, all with both good qualities and bad, who find themselves in the most dire of circumstances. I want to be able to imagine what it's like to live in their skin, see things from their perspectives (remember, we're all the heroes of our own stories).

I hope you'll join me in uncovering which flawed but likeable resident of Merryville, Minnesota, was pushed far enough to commit the ultimate crime. And I hope that you'll agree that poor Sherry Harper is more than just an Earl.

Comment To win a gift certificate to BN.com or Amazon, winner's choice

Comments

I am so looking forward to reading this book! Oh, and I adore the title! :-)
(Chelsea Brooks 12:52pm January 2, 2014)

I loved your Mystery a la Mode series - can't wait to read this one!
(Dianne Jessie 2:15am January 2, 2014)

Thanks for writing a new mystery. And by the way, I love that Earl song too.
(Jamie Fortney 3:50am January 2, 2014)

Cute book cover. Love mysteries. Sounds so good.
(Sue Brandes 7:56am January 2, 2014)

I can't wait to read this new series! Your books are a riot! Happy New Year, thanks for sharing your talents with all of us!
(Stephanie Strausberger 8:19am January 2, 2014)

Love a good mystery but not nearly as much as my sis. Need to invest in
some good ones for her too.
(Liesl Lane 8:39am January 2, 2014)

with this dreadful weather..nothing better than a good mystery and a full refrigerator.
(Mal Kaplan 8:43am January 2, 2014)

love MYSTERY book sounds good thanks so muchs
(Denise Smith 8:55am January 2, 2014)

Love the title, love the cover. Keeping my fingers crossed on this one!
(Melanie Backus 9:07am January 2, 2014)

I can't wait for Jan 7th. This looks like
such a great book!
(Leah Anderson 9:26am January 2, 2014)

I love mysteries and I love your cover!!!
(Bonnie Capuano 9:51am January 2, 2014)

Hi Annie, "HAPPY NEW YEAR!" I hope 2014 brings you and
yours Good Health, Continued Happiness and the best of
everything else. :) Thanks for having this contest! I
would love to win this book .... it sounds fantastic! I love
stories about or that have animals in them, so that makes
this one sound even better. "Good Luck" to all BUT I hope
that I am the lucky one to win. Have a great day!
(Cheri Minott 10:14am January 2, 2014)

I love cozy mysteries! This sounds like another terrific book!
(Denise Austin 10:25am January 2, 2014)

This mystery sounds captivating and special. best wishes for a
wonderful new year and much happiness and success.
(Sharon Berger 10:33am January 2, 2014)

First off, I'm in love with the cover!! I'm trying to imagine who would commit a murder in Merryville, but I'm looking forward to reading your book and finding out!! After reading your posting, you left me hanging with enough twists, to make me wish I had the book here in front of me to start reading and find out for myself today!! Have a Happy and Healthy New Year!!
(Peggy Roberson 11:30am January 2, 2014)

I love mysteries... I have been on a big mystery book kick lately... thanks for sharing!
(Colleen Conklin 11:34am January 2, 2014)

I tend to enjoy reading about characters who are likeable and
flawed. It tends to be what I run into in real life and it
makes a story seem more real to me, too.
(G. Bisbjerg 11:36am January 2, 2014)

We are all flawed--and I suppose someone could find a good reason to murder any of us.
(Sue Farrell 11:40am January 2, 2014)

Very nice cover. Love animals in stories. Happy New Year to you!
(Barbara Wells 12:21pm January 2, 2014)

I would love to read this. I have 3 cats inside and 10 to 12 outside. I lost my dog of 9 years last summer. Please count me in.
(Jane Squires 12:29pm January 2, 2014)

Thanks for a fun post and great giveaway. Happy New Year.
(G S Moch 12:33pm January 2, 2014)

sounds great and love mysteries with dogs in too
(Debbi Shaw 1:30pm January 2, 2014)

What a clever title and great giveaway. Count me in!
(Susan Coster 1:48pm January 2, 2014)

I love animals in stories and I love the cover. Thanks for the great giveaway.
(Marcy Shuler 2:52pm January 2, 2014)

Can't beat a good mystery. "Paws For Murder" sounds great, can't wait to read it. Best Wishes.
(Sharon Extine 2:59pm January 2, 2014)

I love that song myself--I'm so pleased you found it
inspiration for a mystery that sounds completely different!
(Janet Martin 3:23pm January 2, 2014)

The Pet boutique Mysteries are purr-fect. I love this cozy idea for your line of writing. Happy New Year Annie!
(Rosemary Simm 3:30pm January 2, 2014)

This book looks like a really interesting book to read and one that I would like to pick up. It sounds like it is a good suspenxe book.
(Carol Oddy 3:41pm January 2, 2014)

Love cozies, this on looks like a bunch of fun--perfect for a chilly January eve!
(Diana Portwood 4:22pm January 2, 2014)

Wendy/Annie here! I'm a little overwhelmed with the outpouring of kind words.
I only hope you all enjoy reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it!
(Wendy Watson 4:41pm January 2, 2014)

Also, if you're looking for an excerpt, you can find one on my website:
annieknoxauthor.com
(Wendy Watson 4:42pm January 2, 2014)

I love that Dixie Chicks song, I have it on a CD. The book sounds great, I can't wait to read it.
(Rita Wray 5:09pm January 2, 2014)

I'd love to read this book! I love cozies and I got the postcard about this book. I love animals too.
(Michelle Fidler 5:09pm January 2, 2014)

I would love to read this book. I love books with animals.
(Susan Clickner 6:20pm January 2, 2014)

I love the fact that Goodbye Earl inspired a book.
(Jenne Turner 6:48pm January 2, 2014)

The book sounds wonderful I'd love to read it.
(Theresa Norris 7:18pm January 2, 2014)

I love mysteries. Thanks for a chance to win your book. I like the cover.
(Linda Hall 7:34pm January 2, 2014)

I love animals and this sounds like a wonderful cozy mystery that I'd love to read! Cute cover!
(Linda Luinstra 7:37pm January 2, 2014)

Cozies are always wonderful to curl up with on cold days, or any days, for that matter.
(Vennie Martinisi 8:37pm January 2, 2014)

I love the title of the book! I'm thinking that the whole
series will be interesting (especially since I work in a pet
store. ;-) )

Happy New Year!
(Glenda Martillotti 9:12pm January 2, 2014)

I would love to read and love the cover!!!
(Jennifer Beck 10:12pm January 2, 2014)

Just read another of your books and I can't wait to read this
one
(Tina Ullrich 10:22pm January 2, 2014)

The book sounds great. I haven't read any of your books yet but your books have great reviews.
(Kai Wong 11:25pm January 2, 2014)

Paws for Murder sounds good.

Happy New Year!
(Cathy Phillips 12:10pm January 3, 2014)

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