AAZK Reviews "Death Roll"

A huge whoop and sigh of relief.

The September issue of Animal Keepers' Forum, the official publication of The American Association of Zoo Keepers, was delivered today. "Death Roll" was very favorably reviewed by zoo animal professionals. Here's some of what they had to say:

"...an engaging romp..."

"...Despite the fact that this is a novel, its conservation-themed undertones may well provide subliminal education to those who read it."

"As the busy summer zoo season winds down, you might want to put this title on your winter reading list...It's a great escape into a murder mystery within the zoo world."

Is That Me?

I volunteered at the zoo today. While doing my rounds on the Tropics Trail, Steve, the lead bird keeper stopped me. "Are you the author?" he asked. I was taken aback by the question. I've never spoken to Steve except in passing and I don't think I look that much like our picture in the book. But it seems he's been getting some ribbing about being the cranky bird keeper in "Death Roll." He wanted to know if I had based the character on him.

I imagine we'll get a lot of this; people seeing themselves in our characters, thinking they know who we're writing about. And they'll probably be right -- to a point. I think every character an author comes up with contains bits and pieces of the people in their lives. Then we take those bits and pieces, make them larger than life, and enhance the characteristics we need to make the story work. If we did our work correctly, the characater will come off as human, with strengths and frailties we can all recognize and empathize with. That's what makes a good character.

Is cranky Mitch Flanagan really Steve the bird keeper? Read the book, Steve and find out.

-- Marilyn

It's a Launch!

Last night was the official launch of our novel, Death Roll. And it was incredible. Good friends, family and co-workers (who we also call friends) joined us to celebrate the publication of our first mystery. I couldn't believe how many people showed up. We got flowers and presents, too! I felt like an actress on opening night.

It was an amazing evening. There was a line outside of Once Upon A Crime waiting to get inside. I had expected to be able to walk around the store and mingle, but Michael and I spent most of the two hours behind the table signing books. The store almost sold out and we were told that the book is going into a second printing! Amazing. I know Five Star doesn't do huge print runs, but the book has only been out a month. Still Amazing to me.

So thank you everyone for your support. I hope you enjoy the book as much as we enjoyed writing it.

-- Marilyn

They Like Us!

We did it! We’ve been reviewed by Kirkus!

Googling one’s name can come up with all sorts of surprises. For us it was discovering Kirkus was going to review Death Roll in its March 1 issue. We were cautiously optomistic, but filled with trepidation. Our publisher had sent advanced reading copies to all the national reviewers, but there’s never any guarantee any of these people will open the book, let alone review it. Getting a Kirkus review was big. Booksellers and librarians base their buying decisions on these reviews. And these reviews can be tough – and snide. It was the proverbial double edged sword. They could love us or tear us to shreds.

Then March 1 came and went and we were the only ones on the list of scheduled reviews that didn’t get covered. They had changed their minds and we were understandably disappointed. But we got a reprieve and it was rescheduled for March 15.

And they liked us! After a snappy synopsis of our book they called it a “competent debut novel with engaging characters and an intriguing behind-the-scenes look at zoo life.”