Make Note of Marilyn Levinson
Greetings, Noters!
Welcome to May. As you may know, I’ve been celebrating the recent release of #TagMe for Murder. Last night, my pal J.C. Kenney and I had a party over at The Bookish Hour to commemorate the occasion. If you missed it, make sure to check it out. We shared a special look behind the writing curtain when it comes to crafting a cozy mystery.
I’m also deep in the trenches, working on Book 3 in the Trending Topic Mysteries. I am at 45,000 words and feel the manuscript is in a good place. If you thought books one and two were wild, you haven’t seen anything yet! Coco is having a lot of fun in this one with quirky new characters, fun hot spots in town, and major drama. Eek, I can’t wait to see where it all leads!
This week’s featured author is a total pro at cozy mystery world-building. I have the honor of welcoming one of my favorite writers to Noteworthy today. Without further ado…
A Bit About the Author: A former Spanish teacher, Marilyn Levinson writes mysteries and novels for kids. Her books have received many accolades. As Allison Brook she writes the Haunted Library series. Death Overdue, the first in the series, was an Agatha nominee for Best Contemporary Novel in 2018. Other mysteries include the Golden Age of Mystery Book Club series and the Twin Lakes series.
Her juvenile novel, Rufus and Magic Run Amok, was an International Reading Association-Children's Book Council Children's Choice and will soon be republished, followed by three more books in the series. And Don't Bring Jeremy was a nominee for six state awards.
Marilyn lives on Long Island, where many of her books take place. She loves traveling, reading, doing crossword puzzles and Sudoku, and chatting on FaceTime with her grandkids. Learn more at http://www.marilynlevinson.com.
Marilyn, it is so wonderful to have you on Noteworthy today. As a longtime fan of your Haunted Library Mysteries that you write as Allison Brook, I’m thrilled for my readers to get to know you more. Tell us, what book made you first fall in love with reading?
I started reading THE TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN, in second grade, I think. My mother took it from me, though I finished reading it a few years later. I devoured books as a child, often reading two Nancy Drews in one day. I still read voraciously--several books at one time.
I can totally relate to your love of Nancy Drew. I loved nothing more than reading a book in one sitting, but then there was the sadness that it was already done! How did your love of reading evolve into a love of writing? How did you begin your writing journey?
I started writing short stories in third grade. I still have the notebook and the stories in them. I remember writing a short story called "Gone Forever," about a girl whose dog is run over. Somehow, that got into the school newspaper.
Tell us about your character, Carrie Singleton. How did she first introduce herself to you back in Death Overdue?
Carrie simply appears as she's walking across The Green of Clover Ridge, CT, to go to her low-level library job. She's planning to leave town and move on. This has become her way of life—moving every few years to a new place. Coming from a dysfunctional family, she feels rootless with no one and no place to keep her grounded. This all changes when she's offered the position of Director of Programs and Events at the Clover Ridge Library. She's on the verge of turning the offer down, when a voice—Evelyn Havers, the ghost— advises her to at least think it over. Carrie does take the position and her life changes in every possible way.
I’m so glad she decided to stick around because she’s certainly had some fun. Carrie’s seventh mystery, Overdue or Die, launches this October. Seven books, what an amazing feat! Have you known since the beginning where you wanted Carrie’s story to lead?
I had no idea! Every book is a new adventure! I loved delving into Carrie's relationships with her father then her mother as her romance with Dylan Avery deepens and grows. Enjoying her new position in the library, Carrie's self-confidence blossoms and she becomes a responsible adult—solving mysteries along the way.
That sounds like such a joyful way to write. Any advice or best practices for writing a series? What’s your strategy for ensuring continuity between books?
Before you start writing, think about your main characters and their relationships with one another. Have a good, solid setting in mind, be it a real or made-up place. Choose a sleuth that you love and give her challenging experiences. Put her in situations that allow her to develop and grow. All of the books in my series can stand alone. Each book has its own set of mysteries and problems, though there is a continuity of character development and growing relationships throughout the series.
What’s your favorite way to unwind after a tough writing session?
A glass of wine. Checking my emails. Doing a Sudoku puzzle.
Tell us three things that are always on your writing desk/writing space.
Electronics—my computer, printer, and phone; a glass of water; a printed-out list of the characters in my series.
Ooh, I like the idea of having a physical list of your characters. A great reference item! What is your favorite, can’t-live-without writing tool?
My computer, since my handwriting is awful. I don't use any software or aid. But I'm constantly turning to Google to look up so many things, from what's to be served at a rehearsal dinner to renovating an old house.
I hear you. I used to have lovely handwriting, but now it’s barely legible, LOL. All right, Marilyn, my final question: You stumble across a crime scene. What book character are you alerting first? Why?
Dylan, Carrie's fiancé. Dylan Avery is an investigator. Aside from being handsome and wonderful, he's smart and has had much experience dealing with thieves. He has great respect for Carrie's involvement in solving mysteries and never tries to squelch her unless he's concerned that she's treading into too much danger. Dylan is level-headed and will know when to call in the police.
Dylan is the greatest! A fabulous choice, for sure. Marilyn, thank you so much for spending time with us here at Noteworthy. Mystery lovers, OVERDUE OR DIE is available for pre-order now!
Overdue or Die: Carrie Singleton has more than her fair share on her plate: her job at the Clover Ridge Library, preparing for her wedding to Dylan Avery, and hoping that the local art gallery doesn’t steal away one of her part-time employees. Her fiancé Dylan accompanies her to the beautiful home of Victor Zalinka—art collector and successful businessman—to select paintings for an art show at the library. While Carrie muses that Victor's home would be the perfect wedding venue, Dylan spots a forgery among the paintings in Victor's collection.
Then Martha Mallory is found murdered in her art gallery. With the assistance of Evelyn, the library ghost; the resident cat, Smoky Joe; and the office manager of Dylan’s private investigation company, Carrie comes up with a suspect list long enough to rival the size of an encyclopedia. During her investigation, Carrie stumbles across a terrible truth: Martha’s murder was part of something far bigger and more dangerous than she could have ever imagined. And it all leads back to the art gallery.
How far will Carrie go to find the killer and uncover the truth? If the killer finds her first—will Carrie finally be taken out of circulation?