Hello, friends. I am super excited to open my blog up to mystery author, Susie Black today. She has a new book that recently launched and I’m reading it now. I’ll turn this over to Susie so she can introduce herself and her books.
Thank you, Jan, for giving me this platform today!
World Building 101: How a story is born
Some of my most unforgettable characters and most memorable stories come from the most mundane beginnings imaginable. Drop me in a mall food court or airport waiting area, and twenty minutes later, I’ve people-watched a crowd of strangers enough that, based on nothing more than eavesdropping, a dollop of imagination, and weaving elements of familiar personalities into the mix, I’ve created a cast and a plot. As a hopeless people-person, it’s only natural that character creation and dialogue are my two favorite elements of the world-building plotting process.
Around the time I began my cozy mystery writing adventure, I met famed mystery author Harlan Coben. I asked him for writing advice, and he said, “Never stop asking What IF?”
I live in the California desert. Last summer I watched a local TV weather reporter give the forecast. As the new-to-the-desert reporter shared how utterly unprepared she was on every possible level for our severe and often unpredictable weather that is accurately described by many as six months of heaven and six months of “whose stupid idea was it to move to hell on Earth?”
As the woman waxed poetic about her prickly predicament, I heard Mr. Coben’s voice whispering inside my head. By the end of the broadcast, United Television Network disgraced investigative reporter-turned-desert weathercaster Sunny Knight leaped from my imagination onto page one of a manuscript entitled The Forecast is…Murder!
BLURB:
The United Television Network exiles disgraced investigative reporter Sunny Knight to a remote California desert affiliate. Sunny is informed by the station owner that, since nothing happens in the middle of nowhere, the station does not need an investigative reporter, and she is now the weather reporter. After they have a vicious altercation, the station owner’s bridge partner is discovered dead, and Sunny’s boss is arrested for the murder. Despite her differences with her boss, Sunny is convinced that the station owner didn’t do it. The wise-cracking, irreverent amateur sleuth jumps into action to nail the real killer. But with a clown car full of viable suspects to investigate, will Sunny bring the right one to justice or become their next victim?
PURCHASE LINKS
https://books2read.com/u/3GBDzQ
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Forecast-Murder-Sunny-Knight-Mystery/dp/B0HCRVJ2N9/ref=sr_1_1?
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-forecast-ismurder-susie-black/1150958320?
iBooks: The Forecast is…Murder! by Susie Black on Apple Books
Smashwords: The Forecast is…Murder!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/256383661-the-forecast-is-murder
EXCERPT:
“Mrs. McClintock, allow me to introduce you to Nelly Dean Knight, our new weather reporter.”
Wait. What? Weather reporter? Who? Me?
She clamped her slightly gnarled fingers tightly over mine and gave my hand a solid shake. “Edwina McClintock. Head honcho of this establishment. To save us both a lot of time and aggravation, here’s how it works around my shop. I run a tight ship. I don’t put up with crap from anyone…so don’t even try wasting my time. Show up when you’re supposed to. Come to work prepared. Do your job right. Around here, it’s my way or the highway. Follow my rules, and we’ll get along fine. If not, you and the little still left of your broadcasting career will be history faster than you can say Cactus City.” She narrowed her eyes. “We clear?”
Clear? As mud. Who the hell does she think she’s talking to?
I spoke through gritted teeth. “If you bothered to read my resume, you’d see I am an award-winning investigative reporter, not a weather girl, as you disrespectfully referred to me. I dunno who’s supposed to take that dead-end job, but it sure as hell isn’t me.”
She grinned impishly. “You have spunk and guts, young lady. Good on you. So, here’s the thing. I don’t need an investigative reporter. Truthfully, not enough goes on out here in the middle of nowhere to investigate.
She shook the resume at me. “We can do each other some good. You need a way back into the industry, which I can provide, and I need someone who understands the importance of accuracy in reporting.”
I grinned. “You don’t need a reporter. The receptionist is qualified. How hard is it to say it’s going to be beastly hot today and a little less hot tonight?”
“Lives and livelihoods depend on the weather here. Use your investigative skills to go into the field and report how our severe and often unpredictable weather impacts the residents and the economy. The weather reporter is critically important to the community we serve.”
The madame missed her métier. She should have gone into sales.
“Show me the compensation package.”
I scanned it then held out my hand. “Thanks for the offer, but I’ll make a lot more as a mortuary cosmetician.”
“Good grief. Talk about a grim career choice. That one wins the gold medal.”
I grinned. “Grim, yes, but since death is inevitable, you’re never out of work.”
“Before you go, just to be sure you understand how much you’re walking away from, let’s go over the offer.”
I rolled my eyes. “Go over it all you want, but the numbers don’t lie. I earned double the salary in Newark.”
“Consider the benefits we include. It’s not how much you earn, it’s how much you keep.” She grinned. “And this is a helluva lot better gig compared to preparing corpses for funerals.”
She had me there.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Named Best US Author of the Year by N. N. Lights Book Heaven, award-winning cozy mystery author Susie Black was born in the Big Apple, but like her protagonist in The Sunny Knight Mystery Series, she now calls sunny Southern California home.
She reads, writes, and speaks Spanish, albeit with an accent that sounds like Mildred from Michigan went on a Mexican vacation and is trying to fit in with the locals. Since life without pizza and ice cream as her core food groups wouldn’t be worth living, she’s a dedicated walker to keep her girlish figure. A voracious reader, she’s also an avid stamp collector and ardent sailor. Susie lives with a highly intelligent man and has one incredibly brainy but smart-aleck adult son who inexplicably blames his sarcasm on an inherited genetic defect.
Looking for more? Contact Susie at:
E-mail: mysteries.authorsusieblack@gmail.com
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
Blue Sky: @hollysusiewrites.bsky.social
Facebook: Susie Black, author of The Holly Swimsuit Mystery Series | Facebook
Facebook: https://facebook.com/TheHollySwimsuitMysterySeries
Instagram: Susie Black (@hollyswimsuit) • Instagram photos and videos
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/authorsusieblack-61941011
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/hollysusie1/
Substack: Substack Home -Susie Black
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@author_susie_black_
X: Susie Black (@hollyswimsuit) / X
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/susieblackwritescozies
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21437641.Susie_Black
Website: Susie Black | Substack
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Interesting
Hello Caleb, Thank you for reading and commenting on my post. I’m glad you found it interesting. Susie Black
It is interesting to note how Susie gathers ideas about her stories. Wishing her all the best with this one. Thanks for sharing her new book with us, Jan.
Thank you for reading and commenting on my post, and for saying that my story development is interesting. I hope you’ll take a closer look at my books. Susie Black
Hi Jan, I have read and enjoyed a few of Susie Black’s Holly stories. This new book also sounds very entertaining.
Hello Roberta, thank you for reading and commenting on my post. I appreciate you reading some of my books and your kind words and support. Susie Black
🙏🩵
Roberta, I am so pleased that you’ve read some of my books. Thank you for that. Susie
Thank you, Roberta for reading and commenting on my post. I appreciate your reading my books and your kind words about them. Susie Black.
I like Sunny already. Thanks for the introduction to Susie, Jan, and congrats to her on the new release!
Hello, Teri, you brought a big smile to my face! I hope you get to know Sunny. If I do say so myself, she is a hoot and a half. Thank you for reading the post and commenting. Susie.
Sunny is a character that’s easy to like, Teri. Thank you for stopping by to support Susie!
Jan, thank you so much for hosting me on your blog. I am thrilled that so many of your followers read and commented on my post. Susie.
My pleasure, Susie! I love my blogging friends!
I like fun, clever books. This sounds good.
They are great when we need a break from heavier reads, Jacqui. Thanks for visiting!
Hi Jacqui, thank you for reading and commenting on my post. I hope you’ll take a closer look at my new book. If I say so myself, Sunny Knight is a real kick in the pants!
Susie
I love people watching. My favorite place is the airport because there is a tiny bit of stress involved. Can’t do that without a ticket, though. This concept sounds fun and I wish Susie all the best with it.
Oh, I agree about airports, Craig. You can see everything in an airport. 🙂 Glad the concept for the story appealed to you. Thanks for visiting!
Hello! Another people watcher. Yay. You’re a man after my heart. Thanks for the good wishes. I hope you take a closer look at my new book. Susie
Congratulations to Susie on her new release! Sharing to help spread the word.
Thanks so much, Liz!
You’re welcome, Jan!
Hi Liz, Thanks so much for reading and commenting on my post. I appreciate you sharing it and helping me spread the word. Susie Black
You’re welcome, Susie.
This sounds like a very funny story–a refreshing break from the serious mysteries that are out there. I envy writers with the gift of humor. That’s something that doesn’t come naturally to me. Wishing her the best of luck and great success.
I am enjoying it, sister. Sometimes we need a break from heavier reads. Thank you for stopping by!
Hi Linda,
Thanks for reading the post and your kind words. If you need a good laugh, you’ve come to the right place. I write humorous cozy mysteries. I like to think that I give my readers the gift of laughter. Susie Black
Great excerpt! Congratulations to Susan on this new release!
Thank you, Priscilla!
Hi Priscilla, I’m glad you enjoyed the excerpt. There are so many to choose from that I had a tough time settling on one. Susie
It’s good to read about Susie Black’s book, Jan!
So glad you stopped by, Tim!
I’m glad too, Jan! 😍
Thanks, T. W.! Susie
You’re welcome, Susie! 😍
Congrats to Susie – this sounds awesome
Thank you so much for stopping by to support Susie, Toni!
Hello Toni, Thanks for the congratulations. I hope you’ll take a closer look at my new book. Susie.
It sounds like a fun and intriguing book. A book about an investigative reporter investigating a murder sounds like a great plot. Investigative reporters are important now a day. One reason being to hold public officials fully accountable.
That’s true, Thomas, even fictitious ones. 🙂 Thanks so much for visiting and supporting Susie!
Terrific post Jan and wishing Susie great success with her new series. ♥
Thank you, Sally! I appreciate you stopping by to support Susie!
Hello Sally! Thank you for the good wishes on my new series. Susie.
This sounds like an amusing read, from the excerpt given. Congratulations to Susie and best wishes for its success. 😎
I am reading it now, Laura, and I have definitely chuckled a time or two. Thanks for stopping by to support Susie!
🙂🙂
Hi Laura,
If you’re looking for an amusing read, my new book fills the bill. Thanks for the good wishes for success with my new series. Susie.
You’re welcome Susie. 🙂
This sounds like a fun book!!
I’m reading it now, Darlene, and Sunny Knight’s personality is pretty hilarious. 🙂
Hi Darlene,
Thanks for reading my post and commenting on it. If I say so myself, this really is a fun book. Wanna laugh out loud? I’m your girl. Susie.