Writing
a series had been on my to-do list for a while. But what kind of series and
what would it feature? After some thought, I decided to do a murder mystery
series with romance mixed in, along with the character solving a murder. Voilà!
The Minx Tobin Murder Mystery Series was born with THE BLOODSTAINED BISTRO as
the first case.
Who
is Minx Tobin, you ask? Minx is a fitness instructor newly relocated to Los
Angeles, California, who has a knack for solving puzzles--puzzles concerning
dead bodies. For fun, romance, and... unexpected corpses, follow her adventures
in this murder mystery series!
For
the Minx Tobin series, I like to plot a story on the basis of the title. I also
enjoy the challenge of creating a meaningful title with the two words starting
with the same letter. Strange but true! Beginning this series is The Bloodstained Bistro. Naturally, the
bistro location figured prominently in the book.
Artist’s rendering of a possible cover
TO LIVE... AND DIE IN L.A.
Newly relocated Minx Tobin likes to help her friends.
She also has a knack for solving puzzles. A huge puzzle in the form of a dead
body soon gets dropped into her lap. Did waitress Brandi Evans murder her
ex-boyfriend? Minx doesn't think so, but can she crack the Case of the
Bloodstained Bistro?
Overworked homicide lieutenant Gabe Harris has his
fill of women... and dead bodies. The women he can handle. The dead bodies --
unfortunately they keep piling up. But on this particular case he meets a young
woman that not only impedes his investigation, but she also has no interest in
him. A healthy ego like his can't handle that. He'll have to keep an eye on Ms.
Minx Tobin.
Here’s
a picture of me conferring with the legendary detective, Sherlock Holmes on
Minx Tobin’s latest case!
Desert
Breeze Publishing has published all six (to date) Minx Tobin novels and have
received great reviews including 4.5 stars from Sensual Reads and 5 stars from
Single Titles Reviews. The books are available both electronically and in print.
Eating at Valentin's Bistro can be hazardous to
amateur detective Minx Tobin's health, so why does she continue to dine at this
restaurant?
Amazon.com
Ebook Amazon.com
Print
Here is a popular book trailer for THE BLOODSTAINED
BISTRO:
Now
for the slices of real life. Inspiration for Minx came from my own fitness
background; I worked for an exercise program shown on public television--behind
the scenes. This experience also came in handy when I wrote my English murder
mystery TAINTED TEA FOR TWO. I always admired personal fitness trainers who
made exercise look so easy!
And
speaking of personal, Minx Tobin’s stomach tends to talk when she’s hungry. I
confess; mine does too! This can be embarrassing, but does serve a purpose when
advancing the story line. Here’s an example. Minx is getting ready to leave
L.A.P.D Headquarters when Homicide Lieutenant Gabe Harris walks over to her car
in the parking lot.
Harris nodded. "What are you doing at
headquarters?"
"Leaving." Minx’s actions weren't any of
his business, thank goodness.
He folded his arms across his chest, and for some
reason, she reconsidered her answer. Maybe he subtly intimidated her. "I
thought I'd visit Brandi Evans to cheer her up, but she's at the medical
clinic."
There. Minx fulfilled her duty as obedient citizen,
didn't she? As she extended her arm with the key toward the car lock, her
stomach growled. Loudly. Loud enough to be heard. She felt herself flush.
"Hungry?" he asked with a touch of humor
lightening his voice.
Why bother answering the obvious? She turned the key
in the lock. Her stomach spoke again.
From out of the blue, Harris said, "I'll take
you to dinner."
She bristled. "Will you?" The nerve of the
man! He just assumed she would acquiesce, that she'd be grateful. He didn't ask
her, he told her. Well, he had another thing coming.
"I'm not that hungry, Lieutenant."
Unfortunately, her traitorous tummy denied her words. She finished unlocking
the car door, looking for a swift escape.
He leaned closer, and she could smell his masculine
scent. Her heart beat faster. Why? Anticipation?
"Look, Ms. Tobin, I'm off duty. I need dinner
and so do you. Why don't we eat together?"
I hope you enjoy Minx and Gabe’s adventures. There are lots more surprises in store for them as
the series progresses. Case Number Two is THE ILL-GOTTEN INSURANCE.
Happy reading,
Susanne Marie Knight
Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!
