Why I Write Mysteries and in Particular the Deputy Tempe Crabtree Mystery Series
The first two books I wrote that actually found publishers were historical family sagas based on
the two side of my own family’s genealogy. When I thought about what I should write next,
since I loved reading mysteries, I thought I’d try one. The first was called The Astral Gift.
From there I created the Rocky Bluff P.D. series. After I moved to the foothills of the Southern
Sierra, I interviewed a female resident sheriff’s deputy for the local newspaper. She told me a lot
about being a woman in a male-dominated profession. Near the same time I met a lovely young
Indian woman from the nearby reservation, and also went on a ride-along with a police officer
who was a single mom. Deputy Crabtree was born from a combination of these three extremely
strong women whose lives hadn’t been easy.
Tempe Crabtree, her spouse, Pastor Hutch, and son Blair have become like family to me, and the
people in Bear Creek where Tempe lives, are like my neighbors. I can’t imagine not writing
about what happens to them.
In the latest in the series,
Not as it Seems, Tempe and Hutch leave Bear Creek and travel to
Morro Bay to celebrate their son’s wedding giving Tempe a new setting in which to do her
sleuthing.
As for mysteries as a whole, in real life sometimes the bad guy or gal never gets caught, or if
he/she does, might get off with a light sentence or no sentence at all. In mysteries, at least mine,
the villain is always caught, and the punishment fits the crime, or it can be assumed it will.
Writing such a conclusion is most satisfying.
Though I have written a few books in other genres, I’ve stuck to mysteries the last few years.
--Marilyn Meredith
Not as It Seems Blurb:
Tempe and Hutch travel to Morro Bay for son Blair’s wedding, but when the maid-of-honor disappears, Tempe tries to find her. The search is complicated by ghosts and Native spirits.
Character Naming Contest:
Once again, I’ll name a character after the person who leaves a comment on the most blogs.
Tomorrow I’ll be stopping by Rebecca’s Author Services http://RebeccasWritingSvcs.com and
giving my opinion about blogs and do blog tours work what with all the other ways to promote
like Facebook and Twitter.
Bio:
Marilyn Meredith now lives in the foothills of the Southern Sierra, about 1000 feet lower than
Tempe’s Bear Creek, but much resembles the fictional town and surroundings. She has nearly 40
books published, mostly mysteries. Besides writing, she loves to give presentations to writers’
groups. She’s on the board of the Public Safety Writers Association, and a member of Mystery
Writers of America and three chapters of Sisters in Crime, including the Central Coast chapter.
Blog:
http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com/
