A chat with Rosa, the Cuban Psychic!

Rosa de los Reyes us a character created by Ileana Muños Renfroe

Hello, guys and gals! Grandma Bertha here. It's been a long time since my last post, and I hope you are all doing well during these turbulent times. Today, I have an interview with Rosa de los Reyes, all the way from Cuba. Let's dive right in!

What’s your daytime occupation? How does it relate to your investigations?

Good morning Grandma Bertha, it is an honor to be here.

My day job keeps me fairly busy as I am a fashion designer with a boutique on Main Street on Colten Island. In addition, to designing and having a boutique, I have private clients who come to me for one-of-a-kind designs. 

This relates to my investigations because I need to use my skills to decipher between what they are asking for and what they really want. Asking the right questions allows me the ability to always create a design they love.

My current day job will be changing soon, though. If I can solve this case within a timely manner, I will be heading off to Paris for a one-year internship at the House of Mather, that’s if I don’t kill my Cuban family first! If you know anything about my culture, you know that you don’t move out of the house before you get married, which I did, but you definitely don’t move out of the country. When I finally tell my family, all kinds of drama will follow.

What do you like least about investigating a case?

When there are so many suspects, it’s hard finding the real killer or killers quickly. I try not to invade other people’s thoughts, but sometimes I just have to use my mind reading skills to get to the bottom of what really happened, in order to solve the crime and help the spirit move on.

The other thing I like least about investigating a case is dealing with deceitful and ruthless individuals, especially when I find myself in precarious situations and Raul my spirit guide is not around to keep me safe.

What can you do that the police can't?

Don’t tell anyone, but besides being psychic, I can read minds. I do not believe anyone else has those abilities except Nana, my abuela. This comes in very handy when solving crimes.

Do you have anyone helping you in your investigations? Tell us more about them.

Indeed, I have Raul, my spirit guide, which is invaluable as he can travel back and forth between the afterlife and this realm. He can also materialize which is quite useful at times. Then, there is Nana, my abuela, who can read minds and is amazing at tarot card reading. Her familiar, Moro, the Shiba Inu sometimes also helps us solve cases. 

Finally, there are Las Cubanitas. Four of my best friends, Alexandra, Maruchi, Ellie and Caridad, and I have been referred to as amateur sleuths. Together we make a great team.

How would you describe your investigation style?

For me, I start at La Misteriosa Café. This is the one place on Colten Island where you can sit at any table, hear the local gossip, if you want, and quickly get the run-down of what is going on. While there, I write down a list of what happened, what I know, possible motives and opportunities and any potential suspects. 

Then, once I have a comprehensive list, I go and talk to everyone I can think of who might have some clue as to what happened or who could have committed the crime. 

For the case I solved in A Fashionable Fate, I went to Rodrigo Cigar shop, Beatriz’s Hair Salon, Larry’s Hardware Store, and even Valencia’s Perfumeries amongst others to try and narrow down what people knew, hoping someone had some information to narrow down my list of suspects.

Tell me one thing about yourself you wouldn't want others to know.

As I mentioned earlier, I can read minds. Most people would feel very uncomfortable knowing that I can read their every thought. So, as you can imagine this is one thing, I wouldn’t want others to know about me.

Yes, I am telling the truth. No, I am not crazy. Fine, think of something right now and I will prove to you I can read your mind.

What? Did you just think of..

I think I'm going to stop this interview before it gets weird. Thanks a bunch for showing up, Rosa. My dear readers can find the adventures of the Cuban Psychic by clicking the image below. See you next week!

A chat with Katrina Stevens, the usherette sleuth!

Katrina Stevens is a character created by Matt Ferraz

Greetings, guys and gals! It's been a while since our last interview, but today I'm bringing you a very special one. From Emberview, Colorado, it's our very own Katrina Stevens! She's a young woman who works as an usherette at a film theater in the 1950s. Let's hear what she has to say.

So, Katrina, how did you started your first investigation?

Good morning, Grandma Bertha, it's an honor to be here. I'm just a girl from a small town who got her dream job, working at a film theater. And I'll tell you, it was scary to wear that usherette uniform for the first time. Scary and exciting, if you know what I mean. I grew up watching movies at the Palladium, and I wanted to be the best usherette I could be.

My boss was Don Keller, a very sweet man who founded the Palladium in the 1920s and brought a lot of joy to the people of Emberview for over thirty years. His body was found in the middle of a film session, stabbed in the back. That's how everything started.

And what happened to the film theater, after the owner was killed?

We decided to put together a film festival, using the old film reels that Don kept in the basement. It was our way of attracting people back to the Palladium. We didn't want it to be a cursed place. At the same time, I was trying to find out who killed Don, with the help of my boyfriend Alex - at least, I think he's my boyfriend!

What are your best qualities while investigating a murder?

That's a tough one! People seem to like me a lot, they appreciate my love for what I do and I'm always trying to improve. I think these the same qualities that make me a good usherette. Also, I learned a lot about human nature from all the movies I watched. 

Would you ever consider becoming a full-time detective?

Oh, no! I want to work in this film theater for the rest of my life. This is the most amazing place in the world for me. From here, I get to know places I could never travel to - on this planet and others!

Do you have anyone helping you in the investigation?

Yes, lots of people! Apart from Alex, I have the help of my parents and Mrs. Angela, a nice old lady who used to work in the Palladium a long time ago. And I like to think that everyone in Emberview is helping me, one way or another. We are a very friendly town.

Do you have a favorite quote?

"Get more out of life! Go out to a movie!"

You're my kind of girl, Katrina! Thank you for showing up. Dear readers, don't forget to check out Katrina's first adventure in Murder for Reel, released by Cozy Cat Press. See you again soon!

_____________________________

Matt Ferraz is a Brazilian author with works published in English, Portuguese and Italian. His love for the crime genre started at the age of eight when his grade school teacher gave him a copy of Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile. This led Matt to his first attempts at writing a crime novel in his mother's old typewriter.

In 2013, Matt released Killing Dr. Watson, his first novel in English, from MX Publishing, in the UK. From there, he ventured into the cozy genre with the series Grandma Bertha Solving Murders. Matt is also the author of Sherlock Holmes and the Glad Game, a crossover novel that combines Holmes and Watson with Pollyanna Whittier, from the classic children's books.

Always willing to try new genres, Matt spent two months in the Costa-Rican cloud forest in 2019, to write his epic adventure novel Sawara: A Jaguar's Memoir. Murder for Reel, the first book in the Usherette Mysteries, is Matt's love letter to the act of going to the movies. He used his real-life experience of organizing film festivals with zero budget to create a funny and heartwarming mystery.

Official website: http://mattferraz.com/

Buy Murder for Reel: https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Reel-Usherette-Mysteries-Book-ebook/dp/B09FM4CNFQ

A chat with Audra Clemmings, the craft shop sleuth!

Audra Clemmings is a character created by Diane Bator

Greetings, guys and gals! Today's guest, Audra Clemming, really likes the sound of her voice! We have a lot of questions and answers, so let's skip the introduction and dive right in. What was the first investigation you ever did? What was the last? Do you expect to do more investigations in the future? 

My first case has to do with graffiti at the school my kids went to. It wasn’t put into a book yet but could come back to bite me again! It involved the same officer I had to deal with when the cowboy was murdered.

What’s your major strength while investigating a murder?

I’m nosy and don’t listen well. I also have a great sidekick – my dog Drake.

What’s your major weakness while investigating a murder?  

I’m nosy and don’t listen well.

Did you choose to become a detective? Or didn’t you have a choice?

I really didn’t choose to become any sort of detective. I do like to read mystery novels when I’m not doing needlepoint or running my shop Stitch’n’Time so naturally I was curious when my best friend Merilee, Drake, and I found a dead man on the bench in front of our shop.

What’s your daytime occupation? How does it relate to your investigations?  

Merilee and I own a little craft shop in Sugarwood called Stitch’n’Time. We sell things like needlepoint supplies and craft kits, quilting supplies, and accessories for all sorts of needle crafts. Every Wednesday, we now have a quilting circle who takes over our space for a few hours. It only relates to investigations because it’s located along a busy street. We also have a great space in back to hang our posters that help us sort out who’s who in our investigations.

Do you have your own detective agency? Would you consider opening one and going pro? 

No way! It’s dangerous enough running a craft shop! I don’t think I’d ever be a professional detective. To much stress!

What made you think you could solve a case?  

I’m not sure I thought I could actually solve it, I just asked a lot of questions and got the wrong people angry with me for meddling.

Why were you the ideal person to solve that case? 

No one suspects the woman who runs the craft shop of trying to solve the case! Most of my suspects were people around me who knew me and didn’t take me seriously.

What do you like least about investigating a case?  

When one of my suspects decides to hurt me or someone I love.

What gives you the most satisfaction while investigating a case? 

I have to admit, it felt good to get justice for the poor guy who died. And for the kids accused of vandalizing the school once we caught the culprits.

What can you do that the police can't?  

Befriend my suspects without them thinking their names are on a poster board with a list of reasons why I think they could have done it.

How do you deal with the responsibility of being on a case?  

Responsibility never occurred to me. Well, aside from feeling bad if anyone got hurt. That did happen a couple times.

Did you ever doubt your skills as a detective? How do you deal with that? 

When in doubt, this amateur sleuth goes into hibernation mode with cheesecake and a great needlepoint. Currently, I’m making a Christmas stocking for my dog.

What do you know about investigating? How did you acquire that knowledge? 

Like I said, I’m nosy. I also watch mystery movies and read crime novels.

Are you a fan of crime novels? What are your favorites? 

I love to read when I don’t have a project to work on or a crime to solve. Kathy Reichs, Karin Slaughter appeal to me so do some lighter mystery reads like Agatha Christie, Ellery Adams, and Janet Evanovich.

Do you watch crime TV shows and movies? What are your favorites? 

I’m hooked on reruns of Columbo and Bones as well as Murder, She Wrote.

 Who do you see yourself the closest to: Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple or Sam Spade?

 More like Inspector Jacques Clouseau from the Pink Panther Movies. Peter Sellers always makes me laugh!

What do you know about crime scene investigation? 

About as much as I know about corporate tax law. Not much. All I know, I learned from television.

What do you know about the psychology of a criminal? 

Just that some of them can be very smart, but crazy. The one who killed the cowboy was clever and the last person on my radar.

Can you describe a time when your work as a detective was criticized? 

Pretty much daily. My husband, Rex, isn’t a big fan of me digging into any mystery. He even banned mystery novels from the house for a while until he realized I was reading them at work when it was quiet.

How do you deal with the authorities while doing your investigation? 

I’m polite and try to help them, but sometimes a girl just has to keep things to herself. Lucky for me, I’m neighbors with both a judge and the medical examiner. Good to have friends in high places when the police won’t cooperate.

Do you have anyone helping you in your investigations? Tell us more about them. 

Merilee is good for helping create the posters that keep us both on the right track. We get takeout and a bottle of wine and brainstorm. My other sidekick is Drake, my dog. He’s got a nose for trouble and helped find some great clues while we were looking for the cowboy’s killer.

How do you handle investigating when people don’t believe in you? 

It’s not so much the believing IN me that’s a problem. It’s more a matter of believing what I tell them and not taking my evidence at face value.

What was the most difficult period in your investigation, and how did you deal with it? 

The most difficult part was having the police confiscate my evidence. Okay, I know that’s his job, but it didn’t help me any. It bothers me most when I hit a brick wall and nothing seems to add up.

Would you ever do something against the law to help your investigation? 

Who? Me? Not really, but it never helps to buy the Medical Examiner lunch or bake the judge muffins sometimes.

What will you do differently in your future investigations? 

That’s it. No more investigations for me. I’m focusing on my shop and never, ever solving another case. Well, unless one just happens to fall at my feet…

How would you describe your investigation style? 

Hm, I’m not sure about style. I’m more like a Jessica Fletcher-type investigator. Small town, I get to know most of my suspects without them suspecting I suspect them… Something like that. Being a cross-stitch aficionado, I’m more apt to notice the little details.

Who has impacted you most in your career as a detective (amateur or not) and how? 

Oh, good question. I guess I’d go with Jessica Fletcher. I try to think the best of everyone but remain skeptical.

Tell me one thing about yourself you wouldn't want others to know. 

That’s a tough one. I’m friends with a couple women who love to gossip, so I don’t really have any secrets. They even know about my husband being a lout and changing jobs without telling me. He works for a development company that plans to expand our little town while taking advantage on property owners. Not cool!

 Do you have a favorite quote? 

“Live the life you love.” That’s why I opened a craft shop. I love to do needlepoint and help other people to create their passion projects.

Thank you for the lengthy talk, Audra, and keep on with the good work!

___________________________________________________

	Diano Bator Website http://penspaintsandpaper.com
	Blog http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
	Twitter https://twitter.com/dibator
	Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Diane-Bator-Author/
	Goodreads  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7179945.Diane_Bator
	Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/diane-bator-35b63418/
	Smashwords  https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/bator
	BWL Publishing Inc http://www.bookswelove.com/authors/bator-diane-mystery/
Pinterest		https://www.pinterest.ca/dibator/diane-bator-author/?lp=true
Instagram		https://www.instagram.com/dianerondeaubator/

A Chat with Mrs. Odboddy, a Patriotic Detective!

Mrs. Odboddy is a character created by Elaine Faber

Hello, guys and gals! Today in Grandma Bertha Interviews we are going to have a special chat with Mrs. Odboddy, a terrific lady who did her investigations in the times of World War II.

Tell us, Mrs. Odboddy, what do you know about investigating? How did you acquire that knowledge? Do you have anyone helping you in your investigation?

To answer all of these questions, I'm not your run of the mill sleuth. If fact, in 1919, during WWI, I was one of the United States' most experienced and secret undercover agents stationed in Europe along with my partner, Godfrey Baumgarten.  If I was to disclose any of our secret missions that greatly influenced the outcome of the war, I'd have to kill you... Suffice it to say that during the three days we were trapped under a bombed-out building, we became very close...but that's another story.

Godfrey disappeared from my life. Several years ago, in 1942, at the age of 70 something, (a woman never gives away her exact age) he suddenly reappeared! He declared his undying love, expected me to reciprocate, and requested to be allowed to park his boots under my bed. Well! As an almost regular church-goer, naturally, I refused.  Hesitant to engage in a romantic entanglement (at least at the moment), he is a good friend and often assists me as I expose Nazi spies and conspiracies.

Faced with the current activities, once again at war with Germany, and too old to volunteer for active duty, I am determined to fight the war from the home front. Godfrey helps me accomplish that goal. With the likelihood that Nazi spies live in our home town, I was determined to expose their seditious activities. The war also provides local scalawags the opportunity to engage in conspiracies and black market skullduggery. 

In Mrs. Odboddy Hometown Patriot, I pursued a ration book conspiracy and a local Nazi spy.  

It seems you have a lot on your plate, Mrs. Odboddy. Tell me, what gives you the most satisfaction while investigating a case?  

Let's exchange the term 'investigating' with 'pursuing' a case, as when I was asked to carry a package across the country by train to President Roosevelt. When Colonel Farthingworth at the local military base, said he didn't trust the mail, I was convinced it contained secret military documents. Meeting several suspicious characters on the train, I concluded one must be a Nazi spy, determined to steal the package. Then, an unexpected situation caused me to miss the train and I  joined forces with a disabled homeless black veteran. Together, we devised an ingenious plan to reach Washington. Successfully quelling all odds and completing one's mission is most satisfying. You'll find this story in Mrs. Odboddy Undercover Courier.

You are a woman of action! It's not always easy, though, especially when you're an elderly woman. How do you handle investigating when people don't believe in you? 

When a Japanese air balloon bomb struck and burned down the watchtower near the ocean, the military declared that air balloon bombs were a 'classified top secret'. I was compelled to take the blame for burning down the tower. The Newbury Daily Gazette sent a reporter and I had to invent a tall tale as to how and why it happened. I don't think he believed that a 'squirrel, or maybe it was a seagull', knocked over the electric heater and started the fire. Mrs. Odboddy Hometown Patriot I'm never at a loss to excuse my behavior that often goes awry...and I'm truly ashamed...

Would you ever do something against the law to help your investigation? 

Oh, my, of course not... Well, there was the time I sneaked into the casket factory, following the fellow that stole the ration books. Or maybe the time we stowed away in a boxcar, headed for Albuquerque or... or the time that I crawled through the bathroom window into the Gently Used Clothing and Shoes second-hand store, looking for the war bond money I accidentally misplaced in Mrs. Odboddy And Then There was a Tiger. I'm a law-abiding senior citizen and I'm at a loss to understand why these things continue to happen.

We have to do or best when they do happen. Thank you, Mrs. Odboddy, we'll make sure to read all about your amazing adventures!

______________________________________

Elaine Faber

Website: https://mindcandymysteries.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001875864349

Email:    Elaine.Faber@mindcandymysteries.com 

A Chat will Alice Atkinson: the Retirement Village Sleuth!

Alice Atkinson  is a character created by Rodney Strong 

Hello, guys and gals! Grandma Bertha again. I'm sorry I wasn't able to post this last Thursday, as I usually do, but it has been quite a week. Today we are going to talk to a young lady named Alice Atkinson: she's 97 years old, and that's when life really starts after all!

Tell us, Alice, what was the first investigation you ever did? What was the last? Do you expect to do more investigations in the future?

I wouldn’t really call it an investigation, more being nosy, but the first time I was involved in a murder was in 1969 in London, England. No one thought he was murdered, but like I always say, be the smartest in the room and if you can’t then be the most cunning. I knew it, and I proved it. The last time was in 2019 and as long as no more murderers turn up at the Silvermoon Retirement Village then I don’t expect to do any more.

I too was involved with murder when I was much younger. That's the kind of thing that sticks with us. And what made you think you could solve a case? 

Well the most recent it was because no one else thought it was murder. Mmm, seems like a theme in these things. If I didn’t solve it then no one else was going to. Besides investigating murders is a lot like setting up cons, as long as you do your homework and plan for everything you succeed.

What can you do that the police can't? 

No comment. Seriously though, I know a thing or two about crossing the line, just a little bit you understand, well unless you count being a con artist as criminal. So I can lie and cheat if I need to. As long as I find out who the murderer is then it’s justified. And I only broke a couple of bones. It was their fault for underestimating me.

They usually underestimate us, and that's what gets them. What do you know about the psychology of a criminal? 

This isn’t on any sort of record is it? Well I suppose they’re not going to put a 97 year old in jail. I was a con artist for sixty years before I retired, a damn good one. I sort of stumbled into the life out of necessity. There weren’t a lot of options for smart, young solo mother’s back then, but it turned out I was a natural. I only ever took things from people that wouldn’t miss them. I know what it was like being poor and I’m not going to be responsible for making anyone else that way.

Tell us: do you have anyone helping you in your investigations? 

Ah, you’re talking about young Vanessa. Officially she works at the Silvermoon Retirement Village, but that’s a waste for a girl her age. With her looks and smarts I’ll have her learning my trade before she even realises it. She says she’s happy in her job, but I’ve seen the look in her eyes when we find clues and that’s not the look of someone happy sitting behind a desk.

Thank you for stopping by, Alice, and I hope to talk to you again soon. To my dear readers, don't forget that this weekend my books are at discount prices. Don't miss them!
______________________________________

Rodney Strong

http://www.rodneystrongauthor.com/
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WQHWH8Q
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B085NGNXL6
https://www.facebook.com/rodneystrongauthor

A chat with Mona Moon: A classy detective!

Mona Moon is a character created by Abigail Keam

Hello, guys and gals! Grandma Bertha here. Our guest today is Mona Moon, one of the most interesting people I"ve ever interviewed for this blog. What’s your daytime occupation?  

I am Madeline Mona Moon and head of Mooncrest Enterprises, which specializes in copper and other mining concerns. It is a family-owned business left to me by my uncle, Manfred Michael Moon. That's when I began sleuthing. I never believed his death was due to pneumonia. It turns out I was right.  He was murdered by the housekeeper. Before my inheritance, I made my living by being a cartographer.  I made maps.

That makes you the first cartographer I've ever interviewed! Tell us, Mona, how do you deal with the authorities while doing your investigation?  

I avoid them as much as possible but that is not easy. I have to be careful around them as I am sometimes a target of their distrust. I am a woman owning a masculine business in 1933. There are many tongues in the community wagging saying that I'm going against God's feminine plan for me. I should get married and have children. Settle down. Let my husband run the business. Oh, how dreary. I have my wits about me and a gun in my purse.  They both serve me well.

With that answer, I think you just became my personal hero! What made you think you could solve a case?  

I didn't really think about it. I just followed one clue after another until I reached a conclusion.  Of course, my next-door neighbor, Lord Farley, was quite of bit of help. When I first came to Lexington, Kentucky he introduced me to all of the "swells" who didn't take to me at first. There are three things of importance to people in Lexington-bourbon, horse breeding, and horse racing.  And, of course, money.  I had the money but came up short with the bourbon and the horses. By the way, Lord Farley's full name is Lawrence Robert Emerton Dagobert Farley, Marquess of Gower. He owns the Thoroughbred farm next to Moon Manor, my home. We are currently engaged.

Are you a fan of crime novels? What are your favorites?  

Now you're talking my language, Miss Bertha.  I read all the time.  I love anything by Dashiell Hammett, especially The Maltese Falcon, and I've read The Thin Man so many times I've broken the spine. I love hard-boiled detective stories. Dorothy L Sayers is a British mystery writer that I'm fond of, but my favorite writer is James M. Cain.  I hear he is going to publish The Postman Always Rings Twice next year.  I can't wait and bought an advanced copy.  When it comes out, I'll be one of the first to read it. Have you read anything by Cain or Hammett?  I hear they are going to make Hammett's The Thin Man into a movie. I wonder who is going to play the lead role?

I love everything Hammett writes. My favorite is The Glass Key. I could tell you a lot about that movie from the timeframe I'm in, but I'll let you find out by yourself. Now tell us, what do you know about the psychology of a criminal?

I know a skunk when I smell one.

Give them hell, Mona! Thank you, my readers, and don't forget to check Mona's adventures. See you all soon!

___________________________________________________________

Award-winning author Abigail Keam writes the Mona Moon Mystery Series--a rags-to-riches 1930s mystery series which includes real people and events into the story line.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Abigail-Keam/e/B0045PEGUQ

AWARDS
2010 Gold Medal Award from Readers’ Favorite for Death By A HoneyBee
2011 Gold Medal Award from Readers' Favorite for Death By Drowning
2011 USA BOOK NEWS-Best Books List of 2011 as a Finalist for Death By Drowning
2011 USA BOOK NEWS-Best Books List of 2011 as a Finalist for Death By A HoneyBee
2017 Finalist from Readers’ Favorite for Death By Design
2019 Honorable Mention from Readers’ Favorite for Death By Stalking
2019 Top 10 Mystery Novels from Kings River Life Magazine for Murder Under A Blue Moon

A chat with Inspector Montgomery, an old school investigator!

Inspector Montgomery is a character created by Clarisa Vau

Greetings, guys and gals! Today I'm talking to my good friend Inspector Montgomery. He's a master when it comes to putting together the pieces of a case, and reminds me of the Inspector Maigret books I used to love when I was young.

Let's have a chat, Inspector. Tell my readers what’s your major strength while investigating a murder.

I’d have to say it’s my patience. My colleague, Mr. Fellman, is young and enthusiastic, but he jumps to conclusions too quickly. I like taking my time and let the little grey cells do their work.

I see you love crime novels as well. But solving a mystery in real life isn't always fun. What do you like least about investigating a case?Do you have a favorite quote?

The deaths, certainly. I truly regret every life lost, especially when the people were young.

That's my least favorite part as well. And what gives you the most satisfaction while investigating a case?

Being able to solve it, of course. Catching the criminals and bringing them to justice. I also enjoy a little seeing my colleague at a complete loss, that happens frequently and, although I appreciate him very much, it adds a funny touch to the job.

What do you know abou

t the psychology of a criminal?

I took a few courses for starters. The rest, I learned as I worked. I think it’s a crucial aspect of any criminal investigation and can certainly be the key to solving it.

And do you have anyone helping you in your investigations? Tell us more about them.

I’ve been working for some time now with Augusto Fellman. He’s got potential, I can tell, and Works hard. He does need guidance, of course, but fortunately, he’s got me as his mentor. He’s a great friend as well.

Do you have a favorite quote?

Fortune favors bold ones.

Thank you for your time, Inspector! And you, my readers, don't miss the novel Mystery at the Weisseblume Hotel, where the Inspector shows that it takes a lot of intelligence to catch a jewell thief. The book is available in English, Spanish and Portuguese, the latter translated by our good friend Matt. Thanks a bunch and see you soon!

____________________________________

Clarisa Vau

Read Mystery at the Weisseblume Hotel in three languages!

English: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VMTG13J

Spanish: https://www.amazon.es/dp/B07NKC1JPN

Portuguese: https://www.amazon.com.br/dp/B088VP6T4K

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/clarisa.vau.9

Instagram: instagram.com/clarisa.v2019/

A Chat from Ella Shane, the Opera Singer Sleuth!

Ella Shane is a character created by Kathleen Marple Kalb

Greetings, guys and gals! Grandma Bertha here again! I'm back today with a new interview with the lovely Ella Shane. And what a character she is! Welcome to my blog, Ella, it's a great pleasure.

Delighted to meet you, Grandma Bertha, if I may call you that! Bertha is such a lovely name.

Thanks! My full name is Albertha Isobel Hepburn, but I love when people call me Grandma Bertha. Tell us, Ella, What’s your daytime occupation? How does it relate to your investigations?

Thank you for asking! I’m a mezzo-soprano, and I specialize in what are called “trouser roles,” male heroes sung by women, like Romeo. Between running a traveling opera company with my adored cousin Tommy Hurley, keeping my vocal and fencing skills sharp, and singing at benefits whenever I can, detecting was the last thing I wanted to do. Unfortunately, one night onstage, my Juliet drank real poison and died, and her cousin, who turned out to be a British Duke (of course he did!) asked my help finding out what happened. She was my employee and I felt responsible for her, and the poor man was clearly grieving…as well as rather appealing once I schooled him in how to treat a lady and an artist (with a little fencing match). So of course I helped him.

Did you know I used the story of Romeo and Juliet to solve a case? It's in The Homicide Magnet. Now tell us, why were you the ideal person to solve that case? 

As a fellow singer, I understood the young lady’s life better than anyone outside our world. Certainly better than the Duke, who seemed to think that singing was some dainty girlish accomplishment for the drawing room. I know how hard she had to work on her technique, and to maintain her instrument, and the challenge of finding roles suited to her voice and skills. Not to mention how incredibly difficult it is to launch a career. And the many dangers we face as traveling artists. But also, how incredibly fulfilling it is to sing well, know you are pleasing and moving an audience…then hear that moment of silence before the applause that only happens for an extraordinary performance.

Life in the theater sounds so exciting! Do you have anyone helping you in your investigations? Tell us more about them. 

The Washington Square townhouse I share with my cousin Tommy Hurley is almost never quiet…and if one of us is involved in something, we all are. Tommy, a former boxing champion, left the ring to manage my career, but he maintains strong friendships with several sportswriters, including noted columnist Preston Dare, who is a dear informal uncle to us both. Tommy’s best friend, Father Michael Riley, is also often about, playing checkers and arguing with Toms. For my part, I have two very close female friends, Hetty MacNaughten, one of two women reporters on the Beacon, and my fellow velocipede fancier, and soprano Marie de l’Artois, who is married with three small adorable children I enjoy visiting – and handing back to their mama.

How do you deal with the authorities while doing your investigation? 

As it happens, the authorities are part of the extended family too. Like so many Irish folk in New York, we have connections in the Police Department. Father Michael’s cousin is a detective, and Cousin Andrew the Detective, as he is known to us all, has been known to help us out occasionally. (We’ve also been known to help him out in his courtship with the lovely Miss Katie McTeer, but you won’t meet her until our next adventure.)

Being an amateur sleuth is tons of fun, but from my experience, there's always a time when things become harsh. What was the most difficult period in your investigation, and how did you deal with it? 

Aside from a rather depressing rainy day when a society matron did her worst to make me feel unworthy (and Tommy quickly reminded me what utter nonsense THAT was), I would have to say my final confrontation with the killer. Without going into too much detail, let’s just say that I found myself dueling this unpleasant person on a catwalk high above the stage. I was, naturally, equal to the task, but it was rather unnerving. I was quite glad for a medicinal sherry afterwards.

Now, to wrap this lovely interview, tell me one thing about yourself you wouldn't want others to know. 

I feel quite safe telling you this, since you are a grandmother and remind me just a bit of my dear Aunt Ellen.  When I hold Marie’s children, I sometimes wonder if I might want one of my own. And there was a moment in this recent adventure when I saw the Duke with a little boy, and suddenly there were all of these strange and unfamiliar feelings swirling about. It’s at least possible that I may want a husband and children someday. Not just any husband…but if the Duke continues to show respect for me and my career, and perhaps improves his fencing a bit, he might be worth a look.

Life is full of surprises, sweetie, and I'm sure you'll make a great mum someday. Don't forget to send me some tickets for your next performance!

__________________________________________

Kathleen Marple Kalb

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KalbMarple

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathleenmarplekalb/

Goodreads blog:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19637929.Kathleen_Marple_Kalb/blog

Buy the book: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/9781496727237/