Today's post features Jackie Kabler's The Development, a Cora Baxter Mystery. Jackie has come along to answer some of my questions. There is also a great International Giveaway. You can be in with a chance of winning a full set of Jackie's Cora Baxter Mysteries. Details on how to enter are at the foot of this post.
First, a little about The Development...
After a stressful week, TV
reporter Cora Baxter is ready for a quiet weekend. But what she hadn’t counted
on was witnessing the shocking death of a young woman on her way home. She
discovers seventeen-year-old Leanne had been protesting against a new housing
development, angering the powerful establishment. Leanne’s death is ruled a
suicide, but when puzzling information comes to light, Cora decides to
investigate further.
She doesn’t know what an
unscrupulous businessman, a suspended police officer and hate-mail sending
neighbours have to do with the case – but she knows there is a news story
there.
With her eccentric camera crew on
hand to help, can Cora tie the strands of Leanne’s case together – or will
other forces interfere?
The Development is the third in
the Cora Baxter Mysteries series.
Welcome to Books, Life and Everything, Jackie.
Would you like to start by
telling us a little about yourself and how you started as a writer?
With pleasure! I’m Jackie Kabler
and I’m a journalist, TV presenter and author. I worked as a TV news reporter
for twenty years for GMTV, ITV and BBC news, but gave up news a few years ago
to work as a presenter for shopping channel QVC and write books! I started
writing during my last few years as a news reporter, mainly to de-stress and
find an escape from my all-consuming career. I was spending long hours on the
road, on planes and in hotels all over the world, so started using some of my
downtime to write down some of my television news experiences. That eventually
became the basis of my first novel, The Dead Dog Day. I was very fortunate
that, after several years of rejection, I eventually signed a deal with Accent
Press for a series of murder mysteries set in the world of TV news. I live in
Gloucestershire with my husband.
What is it about the crime /
mystery genre which attracts you?
As a news reporter I covered many
high-profile crime stories, including numerous murders, and I always found them
incredibly interesting, from the police investigation process to the reasons
behind the crime – what makes some people commit terrible crimes, when most of
the population does not? The psychology is fascinating. When I started writing
I initially began writing a rom-com set in a TV newsroom, but it wasn’t really
working for me. When I decided to add crime into the mix, it all came together.
The Development is the third book in your Cora Baxter series. Could you
tell us a little about Cora as a character and how did you create her? Was she
based on anyone you have met during your professional life?
Well, many people who know me and then read my
books are convinced that Cora is based entirely on ME, but that’s not strictly
true! OK, she works for a breakfast news show, loves Earl Grey tea and has an
eccentric group of colleagues and friends, all of which is based on my life as
a reporter, as are many of the odd stories she ends up working on. So there are
definitely bits of me in her. But I certainly never had as exciting a love life
as Cora, or got personally involved in murder investigations like she does. I
do like Cora though and I love writing about her and her antics! She’s part me,
part other reporters I knew and part imagination.
Without spoiling the plot, could
you let us know a little about the story?
Cora is driving home from work
after a stressful week when she witnesses the horrific death of a young woman.
The death is ruled a suicide, but when some puzzling information comes to
light, Cora decides to investigate further. She’s not sure what a new housing
development, angry neighbours and a suspended police officer have to do with
the case, but she’s convinced something isn’t right…so was it suicide after
all, or something else entirely?
What are your writing routines and where
do you do most of your writing?
I have no routine whatsoever! I
work in London four days a week, but every week it’s different days – I have no
fixed shift pattern. That technically leaves me three days a week at home in
Gloucestershire to write, but sometimes life gets in the way. I can go weeks
without writing a word, then write frantically on every day off for the next
few weeks. I took a couple of months off writing this summer, but now I’m back
at it again. I do prefer to write early in the day though – I’m a real early
bird, and struggle if I have to work in the evening! I can write pretty much
anywhere, but my ideal is in my lovely dressing room/study at home. I converted
the spare bedroom last year as a birthday gift to myself, and it’s my perfect
writing spot now.
What do you like to read when you are
not writing?
I always have at least two books on the go,
one by my bed and one in audiobook form in the car for my long commutes! They
are nearly always crime novels, or psychological thrillers. I also love fitness
and fashion though, so there’s generally a pile of magazines around somewhere
too!
If your books became a film, who would
you like to play Cora and why would you choose them?
I’d love Sheridan Smith to play
Cora. I think she’s a wonderful actor who can play both serious and comedic
roles brilliantly. There’s a lot of humour in my books as well as the serious
stuff so I think she’d be perfect.
Finally, have you three words which sum
up The Development?
Witty murder mystery. (Well,
that’s how my publisher describes it!)
Thank you, Jackie for giving us an insight into your writing life. Great choice of Sheridan Smith- she'd be perfect!
My Thoughts
This is an enjoyable read especially if you prefer the 'cozy crime mystery' end of the crime continuum. You feel quite secure reading this story. You know that even though there may be some violent aspects, there won't be really gruesome descriptions. Cora and her colleagues are likeable people to spend a some time with and I enjoyed the little insights into Cora's homelife as she prepared for Christmas.
Jackie's experience in the media gives Cora's working week an authentic feel and the banter between her crew never jars. The clues appear at a steady pace and you will Cora on to pull all the strands of the story together. Bring on book no.4!
About the Author
Jackie Kabler is a
journalist, TV presenter and author. She spent twenty years as a TV news
reporter for GMTV, ITV and BBC news, and now works as a presenter for shopping
channel QVC and is author of the Cora Baxter Mysteries, a series of murder mysteries set in a television
newsroom. The Development is her third novel. Jackie lives in Gloucestershire with
her husband, who is a GP.
Thanks to Jackie Kabler and Jenny of Neverland Blog Tours for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.
Giveaway (International)
To win a signed bundle of Jackie Kabler's entire Cora Baxter series of books, follow the link below and good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Comments
Post a Comment