Monday, April 20, 2015

Interview with Susan M. Boyer




Susan M. Boyer, author of the Liz Talbot mysteries set in South Carolina is here today to answer questions about her latest, Lowcountry Boneyard. The book makes its debut tomorrow, April 21.

Where did you get the idea for this book? How did you know that was the book you wanted to write? 


Bits and pieces of it came to me over the course of about a year. I was intrigued by Boneyard Beach on Bulls Island in the Charleston, SC area. Around the same time I was doing some genealogy research. To say much more than that would give away key parts of the book. Once the idea gelled in my head it became a story I had to write.

Do you share any traits with your protagonist? Which traits? 

Yes, several. Liz gets her worldview from me. We’re both Southern, both small town girls. We both love the beach, Southern cooking, and puzzles. Family is important to us both. That said, Liz is younger, thinner, and braver than I. She also thinks of the things she wants to say at the right time, not hours later like I do.


If you could be any character in a book, who would you be and why? 

I would absolutely be Liz. She gets to do all the fun—and dangerous—things I only fantasize of doing. The first mysteries I fell in love with were the Nancy Drew and Trixie Beldon books. I wanted to be Nancy Drew. Since that wasn’t practical, I created my own grown up Nancy Drew. I live vicariously through Liz.  

Magnolia Cemetery in Charleston, SC where two scenes in the book take place

What did you do to research the book? 

I spent a lot of time in Charleston. I spoke with people who work at some of the places where scenes in the book take place. I asked a million questions of friends and relatives who’ve lived in Charleston for a long time. I picked the brain of a real-life private investigator who lives and operates in Charleston. And I Googled a lot of things.

You can read Susan's other book launch blog stops at these URLs: 

April 21 – Christa Reads and Writes – Review
April 22 – I Wish I Lived in a Library – Review
April 23 – Babs Book Bistro  – Spotlight
April 24 – Laura’s Interests – Review
April 25 – Latte Da – Guest Post
April 26 – deal sharing aunt – Interview
April 27 – Shelley’s Book Case – Review, Guest Post
April 28 – Musings and Ramblings – Review, Interview
April 29 – View from the Birdhouse – Review
April 30 – Community Bookstop – Review
May 1 – A Blue Million Books – Guest Post
May 2 – A Chick Who Reads – Review
May 3 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Interview


Don't forget you can find Mystery Playground on Twitter @mysteryplaygrnd

3 comments:

  1. Thank you so much, Deborah, for such a fun interview! :)

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  2. What a great interview! Thanks for sharing.

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