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Kathy Waller is today’s guest blogger and co-author of Stabbed, Bullet Books Speed Reads #5.

Kathy grew up in Fentress, a small farming town in Central Texas; memories of the place and its people provide inspiration for much of her work. She is a member of Austin Mystery Writers, Sisters in Crime-Heart of Texas Chapter, and the Writers’ League of Texas.

Kathy’s award winning short stories appear in Murder on Wheels (Wildside, 2015), Lone Star Lawless (Wildside, 2017); Day of the Dark: Stories of Eclipse (Wildside, 2017); Mysterical-E; and Texas Mountain Trail Writers’ Chaos West of the Pecos.

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Rules For Writers by Kathy Waller

There are many rules for writers. Two major ones are: Write what you know and write what you love.

I was pleased that Stabbed, which I co-wrote with Manning Wolfe, was set in Vermont. I love vacationing there: mountains and trees, summer wildflowers and narrow, winding roads, rainstorms and starry nights, white frame churches and village greens.

In Chapter 1, Dr. Blair Cassidy, professor of English, arrives home one dark and stormy night, walks onto her front porch, and trips and falls over the body of her boss, Dr. Justin Capaldi. She jumps back into her car and calls the sheriff. The sheriff arrives and . . .

What happens next? Who takes charge of the investigation? The sheriff? Or the state police? What do their uniforms look like? Where do rail lines run? What’s the size of a typical university town? And a typical university? And several other details not gathered during a typical vacation.

I didn’t know, so, new rule: Write what you learn. Research. Research. Research. The best mystery authors have been avid researchers.

Agatha Christie, for example, is known for her extensive knowledge of poisons. As a pharmacy technician during World War I, she did most of her research on the job before she became a novelist. Later she dispatched victims with arsenic, strychnine, cyanide, digitalis, belladonna, morphine, phosphorus, veronal (sleeping pills), hemlock, and ricin (never before used in a murder mystery). In The Pale Horse, she used the less commonly known thallium. Christie’s accurate treatment of strychnine was mentioned in a review in the Pharmaceutical Journal.

Francis Iles’ use of a bacterium was integral to the plot in Malice Aforethought. His character, Dr. Bickleigh, serves guests sandwiches of meat paste laced with Clostridium botulinum and waits for them to develop botulism. If Dr. Bickleigh had been as knowledgeable about poisons as his creator, he wouldn’t have been so surprised with the consequences.

Among modern authors, P.D. James is known for accuracy. Colleague Ruth Rendell said that James “always took enormous pains to be accurate and research her work with the greatest attention.” Before setting Devices and Desires near a nuclear power station, she visited power plants in England; she even wore a protective suit to stand over a nuclear reactor. Like Christie, she used information acquired on the job—she wrote her early works during her nineteen years with the National Health Service—for mysteries set in hospitals.

Most authors don’t go as far as standing over nuclear reactors in an attempt to get it right, but sometimes even the simplest research is time-consuming. And, even the most meticulous researchers make errors.

Dorothy L. Sayers was as careful in her fiction as she was in her scholarly writing. But she confessed in a magazine article that The Documents in the Case contained a “first-class howler”: A character dies from eating the mushroom Amanita muscaria, which contains the toxin muscarine. Describing the chemical properties of muscarine, Sayers said it can twist a ray of polarized light. But only the synthetic form can do that—the poison contained in the mushroom can’t.

Most readers don’t forgive big mistakes. And why should they? Thorough research is a mark of respect for readers. And sometimes, getting the facts straight in fiction has consequences the author can’t predict. Christie’s The Pale Horse is credited with saving two lives: In one case, a reader recognized the symptoms of thallium poisoning Christie had described and saved a woman whose husband was slowly poisoning her; in the second, a nurse who’d read the book diagnosed thallium poisoning in an infant. The novel also credited with the apprehension of one would-be poisoner.

As to Stabbed—Well, we don’t expect it to save lives or help catch criminals. I knew Vermont, but I didn’t know Vermont criminal procedure. Now, readers will come out knowing what the uniform of the Vermont State Police looks like and what happens at a courtroom arraignment.

And choosing the murder weapon was easy. We considered the book’s title and – well, d’oh – no more research was required.

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Check out our YouTube Channel for Books #1 – #12 in the Bullet Books Speed Reads Collection

As those of you who’ve read the Bullet Books Speed Reads are aware, there is a central character that links all the books into a series. His name is Ernest Anguish and he’s a celebrity reporter for the National News Network (NNN) with a chiseled face and tons of charisma.

Ernest Anguish sounds like a crazy made-up name that is contrived to fit the crime fiction themes of the Bullet Books. But, you might be surprised to learn that Ernest Anguish is a real name that is memorialized in the legal records of the Permian Basin around Midland, Texas. The name was discovered in an old oil and gas conveyance years ago. When I saw documents with the unusual name, I immediately made a note to save it for use in a future novel.

I, as well as many other writers, often use names in writing that allow the reader to sift through a cast of characters, all interacting without a face, to help identify and differentiate each fictional person. Honey Chandler, the attorney in the Bosch novels by Michael Connelly and Atticus Finch in Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird come to mind. Also, Raymond Chandler’s Dashiell Hammett, Margaret Mitchell’s Scarlett O’Hara, and Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes are memorable. These names stay with us not only because of their uniqueness, but also because the rhythm of the syllables and feeling tone when spoken or read describes the character so well.

When it came time to name the common character in all the Bullet Books, Ernest Anguish came to mind because we needed a moniker that really stood out so that readers could remember it from book to book. It’s one thing to ask a reader to remember John or Mary Doe within the covers of one book, but to remember a name between reads that does not belong to a primary character requires a zinger. Ernest Anguish fills that need and accomplishes that goal very well. He is brought into each book during a time when the national spotlight is on the story being told and usually at a moment in the plot when anguish is being experienced by the protagonist. Use of Ernest Anguish often provides an element of surprise to the lead character as he or she learns that something thought to be a secret is being revealed on the national news.

I think of a cross between Walter Cronkite, Wolfe Blitzer and Diane Sawyer. In that vein of celebrity reporting, Ernest Anguish is going to become more important in one of the upcoming Bullet Books actually adding to the plot beyond mere reporting. Watch for it and let me know what you think.

Happy Reading,

Manning

This week I’m sharing one of my favorite authors, who also happens to be my husband, Darling Bill Rodgers! Bill is a short form humor writer and has written for Jay Leno for over twenty years. His material has been used in Jay’s monologues and comedy routines around the world. Bill has recently joined me in co-authoring action-filled thrillers with an element of mystery. His initial foray into crime fiction is Killer Set: Drop the Mic, #1 in the Bullet Book Speed Reads Series.

Now, without further adieu, here’s Bill Rodgers!

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Writing comedy and writing crime fiction share a number of common elements, though they may be used in different ways. Two interesting elements are voice and the release of tension.

When writing jokes for Jay Leno, I write in Jay’s voice. I write the way Jay talks – the way he delivers. I write on topics Jay likes to use in his act. I use the same attitude Jay exudes while performing.

Recently, I co-authored my first crime fiction book with Manning. Killer Set: Drop the Mic, is the story of a road comic, Beau Maxwell, who travels the country performing his standup comedy. While in Boston, he’s accused of murdering the comedy club owner where he is headlining. Although the main character is a comedian, he has to navigate through serious and sometimes dangerous circumstances. It was a challenge to develop a voice for Beau that allowed him to be both funny and fearful when in danger.

The idea of comic relief has been around since the beginning of storytelling and involves the buildup and release of tension. A comedian develops the setup of a joke, leading the audience or reader along a certain direction, building interest or tension along the way. Then he takes a sharp and unexpected turn for the punchline. The release of tension results in a laugh.

In crime fiction, the story carries the reader along as conflict and tension build. This tension can be released in a number of ways. There could be a fight, either verbal or physical. Or murder, which then leads to more conflict. There could be an escape, or a surprise revelation. Sometimes, conflict in crime fiction can be released with humor. Turns out, Beau is a bit of a smartass, which allowed us to use humor to release conflict before starting to re-build it – akin to riding a roller coaster – up and down. I hope you find time to read Killer Set: Drop the Mic soon, and that you enjoy the ride!

-Bill Rodgers

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Bill’s hilarious History Retweets Itself books can be purchased on Amazon.

Psssst… At $7.99 they make GREAT stocking stuffers!

Available on Amazon!

Available on Amazon!

Happy Holidays!

I hope this season finds you merry and bright! Now that the Bullet Books have fully launched, and the Fall’s events have passed, I’m taking time to celebrate the holidays with my family here in Austin and giving away lots of books! When my son, Aaron, was born, we started the tradition of giving him a Nutcracker and a Waterford Crystal Ornament every year for Christmas. Now that he’s in his 30’s, we have a tree full of crystal and shelves full of Nutcrackers ranging from Darth Vader to Elvis and everything in between. My husband, Bill, and I started a similar tradition where he gives me a crystal angel and I give him a snow globe. It’s special to mark the passing of time with these keepsakes, and I always enjoy setting them up for the season each year.

I would love to hear from you about YOUR family’s traditions. What do you look forward to doing or seeing or decorating or singing or reading each year? If you have a picture, put it below this post on my Facebook page.

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There have been some exciting giveaways happening behind the scenes the last few weeks! First of all, one lucky winner from The Wolfe Pack Facebook Group earned all 12 of the Bullet Books Speed Reads just for liking the page. Congrats to Roberta Peden of Hewitt, Texas! Jan Grape won Box 1, and Janice Harris won Box 2, of the Bouchercon Books and Swag Giveaway. Thanks to everyone who participated in the challenge! Lastly, Helen W. of the UK was the winner of the Rafflecopter drawing for a $50. Amazon card and 3 Bullet Book ebooks. Congratulations Helen! For more news on upcoming giveaways, join The Wolfe Pack by clicking the link in the footer of this email, or keep your eye out for future newsletters.

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Merit Bridges Legal Thriller Series

Dollar Signs: Texas Lady Lawyer vs Boots King (#1)

Music Notes: Texas Lady Lawyer vs L.A. Baron (#2)

Green Fees: Texas Lady Lawyer vs Browno Zars (#3)

Bullet Books Speed Reads

Killer Set: Drop The Mic

Iron 13

Bloody Bead

The Hot Seat

Stabbed

Man In The Client Chair

Only A Pawn In Their Game

Dangerous Practice

Two Bodies One Grave

Last Call

The Last Straw

The Neon Palm

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Ernest Anguish reporting: Attorney, Manning Wolfe, is representing a new gang!

This gang is said to be well versed in the art of deceit. Some people call them liars.

Now before you go making lawyer jokes about liars, hold your horses. Ms. Wolfe tells us that this particular group of characters are good, honest, folk. She alleges they may be getting a bad-wrap. She explained, that telling stories is their job.

I asked, “You mean their day job is telling lies? And they aren’t attorneys?”

“No, Ernest! I never said they tell lies. I said they tell stories.” That is all our local counselor is willing to divulge at this time. I guess we have to wait to find out more about the dubious twelve… I understand the first made their appearance on September 15. Did I hear a speeding bullet whoosh by?

Stay tuned. Ernest Anguish reporting.

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BULLET BOOKS

ON A PLANE… ON A TRAIN… FASTER THAN A SPEEDING BULLET!

Bullet Books are speed reads for the busy traveler, commuter, and beach-goer. All are new original crime fiction stories that can be read in two to three hours. Gripping cinematic mysteries and thrillers by your favorite authors!

Page turners for fans who want to escape into a good read.

ALL ABOARD!

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Books #1 through #5 in the Bullet Books Speed Read Collection are AVAILABLE NOW. Books #6 through #12 are COMING SOON!

Read your first crime today and then come back for more!

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AVAILABLE NOW!

MURDER IS NOTHING TO LAUGH AT…

Stand-up comic Beau Maxwell is accused of killing the owner of a Boston comedy club and the evidence looks damning. His only option: escape from jail and prove he’s innocent. With Detective Bookton hot on his trail, can Beau chase down the killers before he gets caught or killed?

It’s time to drop the mic…and run!

KILLER SET: DROP THE MIC

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TERROR STRIKES…

John Hanna is hired by Senator Barry Sands to extricate him from a murderous blackmail scheme designed by terrorist, Fiero. When the Senator’s wife is kidnapped, John and Barry find themselves on the trail of the MS-13 terrorist group and discover a sinister plan to assassinate both the American and Russian presidents.

As the clock ticks down can they stop the attack, or will they fall short and witness their worst fears?

IRON 13

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MURDER SMELLS FOUL…

Juan Agosto smells death at dawn in trash bins near Mrs. Wong’s home. A single white pop bead stuck in blood indicates foul play. Juan’s job as a trash collector in the suburbs of Denver didn’t prepare him for this, but his life before his escape from Sinaloa did. Will local cops Teresa Agosto and Joelle McVay be able to solve a horrific murder and find justice for the victim…

Or, will Mrs. Wong’s name go on the chilling list of unsolved crimes?

BLOODY BEAD

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IT’S BEASTLY HOT IN THE WITNESS CHAIR!

Law professor Oliver Kendall – British transplant to Duke University – is asked by former student Emma Russo to second chair the defense on a death penalty case. A vagrant stole the victim’s wallet, and thinks he found a large diamond. He’s charged with killing a newspaper reporter who was working a controversial story. As other suspects emerge, Oliver and Emma must discern whether their client is guilty or innocent.

Can the lawyers solve the mystery, or will their homeless client end up on death row?

THE HOT SEAT

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FATAL BACKSTABBER!

English professor Blair Cassidy arrives home late one rainy night to find the body of her boss-from-hell, Justin Capaldi, lying stabbed to death on her front porch. Her bloody clothes and plausible motive make her the number one suspect. When attorney and ex-husband Hart Montgomery vows he’ll keep her out of prison, she wants to believe him…

But, Blair suspects hers is one murder case Hart would love to lose.

STABBED

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NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER!

DROWNING IN SECRETS…

The media is hyper-interested in the divorce and disappearance of Senator James Winston’s wife. The Baltimore law firm of Steve and Loni Lewis are hired to handle the divorce of the power couple. A cold case involving a friend’s murder, a mystery lover, and the reappearance of Mrs. Winston, with an incredulous story, baffle the legal team. As the pieces of the puzzle fall into place, Steve and Loni become the target of those with much to hide.

Will the legal team prevail or wind up at the bottom of Baltimore Harbor

MAN IN THE CLIENT CHAIR