Win a $25 GC: Murder at the Zoo by Marcia Rosen

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Marcia Rosen will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

How did you realize you wanted to be a writer?

I just knew it when I was 14, then life took on a pace of its owner, became a successful entrepreneur, finally turned to writing more and more past twenty years.

What served as inspiration for your book Murder at the Zoo?

Living in New Mexico and wanting a mystery that took place in Albuquerque with a strong woman character, which Miranda the Vet is.

How was your work process for the book?

Very organic. I always know there will be more than one murder and a solution at the end of course, in between is up for grabs as I write... first on lots of pink and purple and blue pads, then to computer and back and forth many times.

What was the most challenging thing you faced while writing the book?

Probably the pandemic, dealing with the challenges we all faced because of it and I had moved back to NM in the middle of it.

I have heard about authors who have the ending in mind already before they even finish their book, is this the same case with you? Do you already know the ending of your book before you finish writing it?

Only that the murderers will be caught and hopefully offer a surprise as to who they are

What advice would you wish someone had given you when you started writing?

I did get good advice. Trust my own voice. Find a good editor which I now have and don't worry about editing errors while writing.

If you could go back in time what would you do differently as a writer?

Maybe write some non-fiction books about politics...which interests and fascinates me...I can't regret having a successful career as a woman business owner. I worked hard for it and enjoyed most of it, except of course for some crazy clients along the way.

How would you describe your book Murder at the Zoo if it were a song and why?

Jerry Lee Lewis: Great Balls of Fire...because it sounds outrageous and he was...

For my last question, what would you like to tell the audience about your book and why should they read it?

Because it's a good story, with good characters and I've been told good writing: Here's a summary of it:

A body is tossed into the lion’s habitat at the zoo where Miranda Scott is the senior vet. She and Detective Bryan Anderson join forces to unravel that mystery and several more murders. A fan since childhood of Agatha Christie, Raymond Chandler, and Sherlock Holmes they seem to live in her head frequently telling her what to do…and not do. Murders, family, deceit, revenge and a gangster father and godfather often get in the way of a fine romance between Miranda and the Detective.

Enjoy an Excerpt

“Miranda, get to the zoo! Visitors are pointing at a human arm in the lions’ enclosure.”

“Hmmm. This is intriguing. A body in the lions’ den. What are the facts?”

“Agatha, Raymond, facts if you please,” Sherlock demanded.

“All of you shut up!”

It was not the first time Miranda shouted to the voices in her head. Sometimes they seemed so real to her. She had read nearly every book of every famous mystery writer and had seen movies made from them many times. She was often absorbed and obsessed by the stories and the characters.

Miranda loved their ways of thinking, analyzing problems, finding solutions, and delving into the dark spaces hidden in humanity: Raymond Chandler’s tough Detective, Philip Marlowe, who always found a dame he could lust after and distrust and Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple, and her Tommy and Tuppence. Their gossip and ways of finding clues and uncovering secrets swirled in her head, while the famous Sherlock Homes demanded facts and attention to the tiniest of details.

There were other geniuses of mysteries who stopped by to give Miranda their “two cents” at times, especially when Agatha, Raymond, and Sherlock were disagreeing with each other. Miranda was sure they would have plenty to say about the murder at the zoo.

About the Author:

Marcia Rosen (aka M. Glenda Rosen), award winning author of eleven books including The Senior Sleuths and Dying To Be Beautiful Mystery Series and The Gourmet Gangster: Mysteries and Menus (Menus by her son Jory Rosen). She is also author of The Woman’s Business Therapist and award winning My Memoir Workbook. For 25 years she was owner of a successful national marketing and public relations agency, Marcia has frequently been a speaker and/or program moderator at organization meetings and conferences, bookstores, libraries and Zoom Programs. Topics she has taught and presented over the past twenty years include: Encouraging the Writer Within You, Marketing for Authors, Writing Mysteries…Not A Mystery, Writing Your Memoir and recently “Anatomy of Writing A Murder.” Many articles on these topics have been published on mystery reader blogs and in newsletters and magazines including “Mystery Scene Magazine” and “Mystery Reader International Journal.”

She is a member of Sisters in Crime National and New Mexico (Croak & Dagger), Southwest Writers, New Mexico Book Association, Women Writing the West, Public Safety Writer’s Association, and National Association of Independent Writers and Editors—for which she is also a board member.

Website

“Marcia Rosen's new book is hard to put down! The characters are engaging and you enjoy getting to know them as you read this mystery. I enjoyed discovering the world and people in Murder at the Zoo and can't wait to read more from this author!”

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