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Why do you write in your genre? What draws you to it?
I write mysteries because I love mysteries! I've always enjoyed reading mysteries and watching TV crime drama. No as a writer, I love the thrill of crafting intricate puzzles that keep readers guessing. I also love exploring the complex motivations and interactions of the characters. The genre is a balance between engaging the reader and keeping them on their toes. It’s a challenge to weave a logical yet unpredictable plot, but it's incredibly rewarding when everything comes together, creating that "aha" moment that mystery lovers crave.
What research is required?
There is a lot of research required for the mysteries I write. I am writing in a setting that is not my local area. I’ve done a lot of research into Baltimore and surrounding areas. I’ve also chosen to set my novel in the recent past. Even though I have a lot of memories about how things were in 2009, I still have to fact-check that information because technology has advanced and changed so much since then. Then there is a lot of research involved into people’s occupations to increase the realism and depth of the story. I also have to do research to confirm whether certain plot points are possible and believable. A lot of this research can be done online, through other books, or by talking to people who have personal experience with the subject.
Name one thing you learned from your heroine.
I've learned that true resilience requires perseverance. Katherine Carson has been through many tragedies and seen things that most of us can't imagine. She is very resilient, but her past still comes back to haunt her. Katherine's journey shows me that strength is in the choice to rise each time we're knocked down. It's to keep going when the battles seem endless. Katherine inspires me to see courage isn’t always winning—it’s about continuing to fight.
Do you have any odd or interesting writing quirks, habits or superstitions?
A: My most interesting writing habit is plotting in the bathroom. I have a big white board on the door of the bathroom for taking notes. I do some of my best thinking in the shower or brushing my teeth.
Are you a plotter or pantser?
I consider myself a discovery plotter! I start with a general, loose outline of key points or scenes. Then I layer in more details and spend a lot of time thinking about the plot and asking myself questions. For example, I might know exactly how the villain commits the crime, but I have to mull over what clue will lead the detectives to that conclusion and how they will find that clue. I keep layering details into my outline and making changes as needed until I am happy with the story. The outline keeps me of track, but the freedom to discover new character details and twists keeps it exciting for me.
Look to your right – what’s sitting there?
There’s a stack of books I use for reference: Self-Love Workbook for Women by Megan Logan; The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi; and Reclaim your Author Career by Claire Taylor. There’s also a stack of different colored and sizes of post it notes and colored pens.
Anything new coming up from you? What?
I’m working on book 2 of the Carson Crimes Files series, of course. But I’m also starting a new series focused on Margaret Mitchell, the lawyer who is Katherine’s childhood friend. Margaret Mitchell Mysteries will be shorter and cozier, and we will get to learn more about the budding relationship between Margaret and Jake.
Do you have a question for our readers?
Carson Investigations has four detectives: Katherine, Jake, Lee, and Sammi. Which one is your favorite? Which is your least favorite? And why? Comment on this post or send me an email at amethyst@agswordsmiths.com
Katherine Carson, a former intelligence operative turned private detective, has never been in it for the money. But when a desperate CEO offers double her usual fee to find his missing daughter, she can't refuse.
Set in Baltimore, 2009, what begins as a simple missing person inquiry transforms into a complex case of espionage, financial crime, and deep-seated grudges. For Katherine, this case strikes a personal chord, stirring up haunting memories from her own past. As unexpected connections emerge, she must confront her unresolved guilt.
Can Katherine and her team of private detectives solve the case before it's too late, or will the turmoil of her past consume her?
Read an Excerpt
Katherine’s mixed emotions reflected the muddle of the Ames’ case. The chilly silence was broken by the ring of her BlackBerry. She answered on the second ring.
"Hey, Katie."
"Hi, Jake." Katherine unbuckled her seatbelt and straightened up in her seat.
"Did you make it inside your apartment?"
Katherine slumped back. "You always know, don't you?”
"You okay? Seems like this case is getting to you.”
"I guess so. I wanted this to be easy money…find a run-away heiress, let the family figure out the relationship mess." Katherine got out of her car and climbed the steps to her apartment.
"I suppose nothing is ever that simple."
"I suppose not.” Katherine unlocked her apartment door and stepped into the nearly bare living room. “I just wish we had more to go on. The clues we do have seem to conflict with each other. And I think Sammi is on strike.”
“Again?” Jake chuckled.
Katherine huffed as she removed her coat and bolted the door. “What does she think detectives do? We can’t find missing people by looking into a crystal ball.” Katherine lowered herself onto the soft couch, the only piece of furniture in the room.
"Even if we could, she’d probably think that was spying, too.” Jake chuckled louder. “Cut her some slack, Katie. We were all young and naive once.”
Jake knew better than most people exactly how young and naive Katherine had once been. He was the closest thing to family she had.
“Anyway, I’d like to believe Olivia wouldn’t run off..."
Jake finished her thought. “But it’s possible that this Robert character manipulated her into doing something she would not normally do."
"If that’s the case, then I want to find Olivia before she does something she’ll regret. I hope it’s not too late."
About the Author:
Amethyst loves reading all kinds of mysteries, suspense, and thrillers and enjoys watching classic detective and espionage dramas like "Murder, She Wrote," "Perry Mason," and "Mission: Impossible."
She also loves hearing from readers! Connect by signing up for her newsletter at amethystdrake.com or email amethyst@agswordsmiths.com
Author Website: https://amethystdrake.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amethystdrake.author
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3M5lmJO
Barnes and Noble: https://bit.ly/3Z3VsOv
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ReplyDeleteThis looks like an intriguing read. Thanks for sharing .
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great read.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting story.
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