Like many authors of amateur sleuth mysteries, I’m also a
fan of reading them. That’s not to say I don’t read many other subgenres as
well, and in my writing, I write a magical series that features both an amateur
sleuth and an FBI agent, so that one straddles the fence between amateur and
professional sleuths. I also write an occasional standalone thriller, which is
a whole different category. But as both a writer and reader, I’ve always felt a
particular fondness for amateurs who solve crimes, going way back to the time
when Nancy Drew first led me into this life of crime.
Some years back at a signing, a reader asked me whether,
like the protagonist of my Tracy Eaton mysteries — a writer and detective
wannabe — I secretly harbored a desire to solve murders. Nope, not even a
little bit. I bet that’s true for most writers of amateur sleuths as well. But
that I don’t long to follow Tracy down the path of actually solving crimes,
doesn’t in any way lessen my love of amateur sleuth mysteries, especially fun
ones.
Besides, I think we learn from their examples. To my mind,
some of the appeal of amateur sleuths is that, when we see them take on the
impossible in their lives, we’re inspired to tackle the looming obstacles in
our own, even if ours involve something less life-threatening than solving
murders.
Of course, in amateur sleuth mysteries, it’s the amateurs
that have to shine. But that’s not to say the police don’t play important
roles. They do create stabilizing presences, even if, in the end, it’s our
amateurs that save the day.
I’ve always loved the police detectives I’ve created in my
Tracy Eaton mysteries. Each has been different, some more rigidly official than
others, more resistant to Tracy’s free-spirited antics, and they’ve all made
unique and engaging foils for her. But none have been more fun than the police
presence I created for my new release, Revenge on Route 66.
Roy Fricker, the Chief of Police of the small town of Tecos,
New Mexico, where much of the action occurs in Revenge on Route 66, makes an
immediate presence on the page, although maybe not the one he might have
wanted.
Here’s Tracy’s first impression:
In the doorway
stood the world’s most glittery Rhinestone Cowboy, an African-American man,
whose embroidered Western shirt and decorated leather spats sported so much
fringe, he had drastically reduced the world’s supply of it. There must have
been clackers hidden within that fringe, too, because when he strode into the
place, he jangled.
Even more colorful than his dress is Chief Fricker’s speech:
He tipped a
gigantic white hat, which matched the accents in his black shirt and spats, and
said, “Ma’am. Hear tell someone blew out poor Woody’s light.”
That was just the beginning of Chief Fricker’s colorful
lingo. Every time he spoke more of his Western gibberish came out:
Fricker removed
his hat and ran a large hand over his closely shorn hair. “Can’t say I’m all
that surprised someone flipped Woody’s hash browns. He’s always been like
someone riding ’round with a wasp in his bonnet. Always looking for a pig to
kick.”
Tracy’s reaction was predictable enough:
Huh? Was his getup and lingo a
joke? If we’d been back in L.A., I’d have assumed this guy to be an actor in
some Western movie parody. Here, I figured he’d been yanked from his other job,
rodeo clown.
But she soon learns that his looks and lingo can be
deceiving. Chief Fricker is actually a wily investigator, a former big city
homicide detective simply living out his long-held Western dream, albeit in a
pretty dramatic way.
He and Tracy continue to lock horns. He might be all about
living his dream, but he’s not about to let some wacky amateur sleuth just
passing through the flaunt the law and cut corners in his town.
Isn’t that the way it often goes when amateur sleuths and
cops tangle? Amateur sleuths are all about the spirit of justice, while the
police get tangled up in the letter of it.
However the struggle goes in the course of a mystery, it’s
always fun for those of us who love amateur sleuth mysteries.
What do you think about the cops in amateur sleuth
mysteries? Have you enjoyed reading them as much as I’ve enjoyed creating them?
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I'll be doing appearances for Revenge on Route 66 throughout the spring and into the summer. Here's my current schedule:
Saturday, March 16, 2 pm: Book launch party for REVENGE ON
ROUTE 66. The Well Red Coyote. 3190 W. State Route 89A, #100, Sedona, AZ. For
more information, call 928-282-2284.
Thursday, March 21 — Sunday, March 24: Left Coast Crime
2013, Colorado Springs, CO. Here's my LCC schedule:
LCC: Friday, March 22, 1 pm: Panelist on the “If there’s a bad
pun in the title, it must be a funny cozy!” panel, with Donna Andrews, Bionnie
Biafore, Jess Lourey, and moderated by Linda Joffe Hull.
LCC: Friday, March 22, 2 pm: Moderating the “This can’t be
normal, can it: the panel for fantasy, paranormal,” with Ann Charles, Theresa
Crater, Linda Hilburn and Alex Sokoloff.
LCC: Sunday, March 24, 10 am: Panelist on the “Thrills &
Laughs: A Conflict of Interest” panel, moderated by Chantelle Osman, and with
Bonnie Biafore, Robert Downs, and Kathy McIntosh.
Tuesday, March 26, 3 pm: Radio interview with Sandy Moss,
KQNA, Prescott, AZ.
Saturday, April 13, 2 pm: Signing REVENGE ON ROUTE 66 at
Poisoned Pen, 4014 N Goldwater Blvd #101
Scottsdale, AZ 85251. (480) 947-2974. I'll be signing with Deborah J.
Ledford.
Friday, April 26, 4-6 pm: Pump House Readings. Ken’s
Creekside, Sedona, AZ. I’ll be presenting a reading from REVENGE ON ROUTE 66.
Wednesday, May 15, 6 pm: I will be presenting a talk on
humor writing, “Making Them Laugh,” at the meeting of the Sisters in Crime
chapter, the Desert Sleuths of Scottsdale, AZ. Grimaldi’s Pizzaria, 4000 N
Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ. For more information, email:
DesertSleuths@gmail.com.
Friday, May 24 – Sunday, May 26, all day: Phoenix Comicon.
Appearance schedule TBA.
Saturday, June 8, 2 pm. Book ‘Em Mysteries, 1118 Mission
Street, South Pasadena, CA. (626) 799-9600. I’ll be signing REVENGE ON ROUTE
66.
Sunday, June 9, 2:30 pm. Mysterious Galaxy. – Redondo Beach,
2810 Artesia Blvd Redondo Beach, CA. 310-542-6000. I’ll be signing REVENGE ON
ROUTE 66.
Monday, June 10, 7 pm. Mysterious Galaxy – San Diego, 7051
Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Suite #302, San Diego, CA. 858-268-4747. I’ll be
presenting a writing workshop, Creating Memorable Characters, and signing
copies of REVENGE ON ROUTE 66.
Check my appearance page for updates and additions!
