The Story Behind the Story with Gianetta Murray of Great Britain.

 

We are most pleased to have Gianetta back with us today.

Her latest novel is now available and she’s going to share the good news with you.

She’s been a guest before and if you missed her previous visit, please go HERE.

Read on, my friends.

  

Gianetta has spent most of her life, like her protagonist Vivien, as a technical writer and librarian. She grew up in the heady tech boom of Silicon Valley, but for the last twenty years has lived a more peaceful existence in South Yorkshire, England with her British husband and two or more cats. She plays various musical instruments and enjoys watching Hollywood musicals as well as doing an annual rewatch of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and she hopes one day to be able to afford a seat close enough to the stage to be spit on by Jonathan Groff.

 

Title: Dug to Death: A Vivien Brandt Mystery

 

 

Synopsis:

“Wicked stepmother” wasn’t something Vivien wanted on her resume (or her CV).

But six months after moving from California to join her British husband in a quiet Yorkshire village, Vivien and her cat Sydney are confronted with a volatile 24-year-old stepdaughter and the sparks start to fly.

It certainly doesn’t help when they join a local protest and a dead body turns up.

Once again Vivien must work with her enterprising neighbors to solve a murder and clear her family’s name, which isn’t easy when you’re surrounded by those who “’ear all, see all, and say nought”!

 

The Story Behind the Story:

This sequel to Moved to Murder was already outlined before I finished the first Vivien Brandt mystery, Moved to Murder, and was inspired by various events in the local press (although not the murder or the corruption parts). While the first book is about Vivien’s culture shock directly after moving to Yorkshire, this one is more about adjusting to her new family situation and her burgeoning career.

Because I was fictionalizing actual events, it was also an adventure in what could and couldn’t be said without alienating my local audience, so we’ll see how that goes!

The writing itself flowed better this second time around, but it also required more research into the functioning of local British politics, the archeology of South Yorkshire, and issues related to step-families; research which I enjoyed immensely. You can take the librarian out of the library, but…

I hope everyone enjoys the result.

Website: Please go HERE.

A question before you go, Gianetta:

Scribbler: What has been the most enjoyable about your writing journey? The least enjoyable?

Gianetta: I love love love the plot creation and the writing, working out the puzzle of how the murder happens, how it is solved, and where there are red herrings (and how the story will involve the cat, of course!). This is why I decided to spent my retirement not really retiring, because I enjoy what I’m doing so much.

But as with most of us introverted author types, the marketing isn’t something I look forward to (except when people like Allan make it so easy and I don’t have to put makeup on or comb my hair). Going to book fairs and working out ads and effective keywords, etc., are just not what floats my particular boat. It would be ever so lovely if people the world over would simply recognize my genius and wait with bated breath to purchase my next work of art. 😉





An Excerpt from : Dug to Death: A Vivien Brandt Mystery

 

“Wait until you hear what I learned today from the archeologists,” Sara said.

“Ah, yes,” said Geoffrey. “You had lunch with the young man leading the dig, eh?”

“Keith,” she confirmed.

“And he was helpful?”

“Not so much, to tell the truth. But I also got to talk to two of the women working with him, Lucy and Phoebe, when we went back to the dig after lunch, and they were more forthcoming, especially after Keith left to run an errand.”

Vivien quirked an eyebrow at her stepdaughter. “What was wrong with Keith?” she wanted to know.

“Frankly, I think Keith is hiding something. When it came down to it, he didn’t really want to talk about the dig at all. He avoided my questions, claiming he wanted to know more about me instead.”

“Maybe he was just being polite? Trying to put you at ease?”

“No, it was definitely avoidance. I don’t think it was about getting into my knickers. At least, not entirely.”

“Sara!” her father protested, but his daughter just grinned.

“So, what did the other two tell you?” Vivien wanted to know.

“They confirmed my doubts about Keith, as a matter of fact. They said he’s been very secretive about his findings in that one trench, he won’t allow anyone else to work it, and that he’s always still there when they leave. He’s logged some minor pot shards in the official record, but nothing major, nothing to justify his suspicious behavior.”

“Maybe he’s on the developer’s payroll and wants to hide some important find so the project isn’t delayed, or cancelled, even,” Vivien hypothesized.

Sara nodded. “It could be that. But he doesn’t seem worried about the rest of them finding anything, which you’d think he would be if that’s his concern.”

“Hmm, true,” Geoffrey added. “So maybe it’s something he’s already found and wants to keep to himself?”

“Also possible. Although any ambitious archeologist would be happy to be associated with a major find. But one thing’s for sure, if he’s found something that would stop the dig, he doesn’t seem inclined to give it up.”

“Well then,” said Vivien, “we may have to have another talk with Mr. Myers tomorrow to try and find out what’s going on.”

“Leave it to me,” Sara responded. “I think I know how to make him talk.”

“Nothing involving torture, Sara. Or the sacrifice of your good name,” her father cautioned.

She looked at him with wide eyes and fluttered her lashes for emphasis. “Why, Daddy, how could you think I’d stoop to such levels?” she teased.

“Hmph,” Geoffrey responded. “Just be careful, please.”

Sara rose and started to clear the dishes from the table. “I’ll clean up, and then I’m going to the coven meeting with Tabitha. I told her I was interested in the rituals from an anthropological point of view, and she said she’d let me observe.”

“Are you thinking of becoming a Wiccan practitioner?” asked Vivien.

Sara shrugged. “It’s more about being a good anthropologist than a blessed-wanna-be.”

Vivien laughed as they all cleared the table together before Sara waved goodbye and left her father and stepmother to an evening of rewatching The X-Files. Geoffrey had a thing for Scully, and Vivien occasionally indulged him without admitting she found a young Fox Mulder equally easy on the eyes. After three episodes they found themselves exhausted from trusting no one and retired.

When the phone rang just after midnight and Sara told them she was being held at the police station under suspicion of murder, Vivien was glad her stepdaughter couldn’t see the “I told her so!” look on Geoffrey’s face.

 

 

This novel sounds like a winner, Gianetta. Thanks for being our guest this week. We wish you continued success with your stories. 

 

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