Murder at the Moonshine Inn by Maggie King Interview

Murder at the Moonshine Inn
by Maggie King

The story is full of twists, turns, and humor, and should please both cozy and traditional mystery fans.
~The Book’s the Thing

This story is very well-written, with a well-developed mystery and a grand cast of quirky characters.
~Book Babble

Settle in and invite your own bookclub to share in this complex and thought provoking multiple murder mystery.
~Laura’s Interests

It’s not often I find myself immersed in a cozy mystery, yet alone the ebook version of it, but once I started this one, I couldn’t put it down.
~Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

…this is a unique story with fun characters and a well-written murder to solve.
~Reading Is My SuperPower

Murder at the Moonshine Inn: A Hazel Rose Book Group Mystery
Cozy Mystery
2nd Series
Koehler Books (November 15, 2016)
Paperback: 288 Pages
ISBN-13: 978-1633932814
E-Book ASIN: B01LXL1VXD

Synopsis

When high-powered executive Roxanne Howard dies in a pool of blood outside the Moonshine Inn, Richmond, Virginia’s premiere redneck bar, the victim’s sister enlists Hazel Rose to ferret out the killer. At first Hazel balks—she’s a romance writer, not a detective. But Brad Jones, Rox’s husband, is the prime suspect. He’s also Hazel’s cousin, and Hazel believes in doing anything to help family. Never mind that Brad won’t give her the time of day—he’s still family.

Hazel recruits her book group members to help with the investigation. It’s not long before they discover any number of people who feel that a world without Rox Howard is just fine with them: Brad’s son believes that Rox and Brad were behind his mother’s death; Rox’s former young lover holds Rox responsible for a tragedy in his family; and one of Rox’s employees filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against her. The killer could be an angry regular from the Moonshine Inn—or just about anyone who ever crossed paths with the willful and manipulative Rox. When a second murder ups the ante Hazel must find out who is behind the killings. And fast. Or she may be victim #3.

About The Author

Maggie King is the author of the Hazel Rose Book Group mysteries, including the recently-released Murder at the Moonshine Inn. She contributed the stories “A Not So Genteel Murder” and “Reunion at Shockoe Slip” to the Virginia is for Mysteries anthologies.

Maggie is a member of Sisters in Crime, James River Writers, and the American Association of University Women. She has worked as a software developer, retail sales manager, and customer service supervisor. Maggie graduated from Elizabeth Seton College and earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Rochester Institute of Technology. She has called New Jersey, Massachusetts, and California home. These days she lives in Richmond, Virginia with her husband, Glen, and cats, Morris and Olive.

Author Links

Website/Blog: http://www.maggieking.com/blog

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaggieKingAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaggieKingAuthr

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4758759.Maggie_King

Instagram: maggie8208

Purchase Links

Amazon    B&N

Interview

Where are you from?North Plainfield, NJ

Tell us your latest news?I just released my second Hazel Rose Book Group mystery, Murder at the Moonshine Inn,and my blog tour is a blast. The Bon Air library in Richmond hosted a wonderful launch for the book.

Next March, 50 Shades of Cabernet comes out. Eighteen authors contributed to this anthology of wine-themed mysteries and I’m honored to be one of them with “Wine, Women, and Wrong.” Here is a brief synopsis:

Ever since he devoured the Hardy Boys adventures as a child, Tommy Bradshaw has wanted to solve a mystery. When a wine merchant is stabbed at a fundraiser in Richmond, Virginia, Tommy gets his chance. He finds that detecting isn’t as easy as it is in books. Plus Tommy is besieged by women: the glamorous and sexy oenophile who’s hell-bent on seducing him; and the cop who would love to woo him away from his love interest.

When and why did you begin writing?

It all started in sixth grade when, under the influence of Nancy Drew, I wrote a mystery and read it to my friends on the way home from school. Despite their encouragement, I went on to other interests (probably boys).

When I lived in Los Angeles, three of my co-workers took creative writing classes at UCLA Extension. I liked their work and thought, “If they can do this, so can I.” But I didn’t act on my bold thought until I moved to Charlottesville, Virginia in 1996. I took writing classes at the University of Virginia and the Charlottesville Writing Center. I got started on writing a mystery, my genre of choice. My rest is, as they say, history.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Once I started writing my mystery (see above) I felt like a writer. Not a very good one initially, but a writer all the same.

What inspired you to write your first book?

Decisions. Specifically, the big ones we make when we’re facing a turning point in our lives. Too often, I’ve observed people who don’t consider the possible consequences of their decisions and actions. But eventually they will have to suffer consequences in some way—that’s where I came in to tell their stories in Murder at the Book Group.

Do you have a specific writing style?

I use a lot of dialog, especially in providing information. Some readers think I’m funny—if I am, it’s natural, and not forced.

How did you come up with the title?

Murder at Tip’s was the first title, followed by Murder at Rebel’s. While visiting a friend in the hospital, I brainstormed with her, her son, and her son’s girlfriend to come up with Murder at the Moonshine Inn. I’m very happy with the choice.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Readers might be sure that they would go to any lengths to help their families. But is there a limit to how far they would go? How about money—how important is it? How far would they go to have more of the green stuff?

What would you like my readers to know?

While my Hazel Rose Book Group mysteries are cozies (with an edge!), my short stories are very different. Readers find them morally ambiguous and unsettling.Find them in the following anthologies: Virginia is for Mysteries, Virginia is for Mysteries, Vol 2, and the upcoming 50 Shades of Cabernet.

Next up for Hazel Rose: she decides to become a mystery writer!