Q and A

Who are some of your favorite authors?
I'm a great fan of the Golden Age mystery writers, especially Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, John Dickson Carr, and Ngaio Marsh. I like Graham Greene, Truman Capote and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I love some living writers, like Peter Lovesey, Colin Dexter, and Margaret Maron.

Is Dotsy you?
No. Dotsy is shorter than I am, and her eyes are amber whereas mine are green. There are similarities between us, though. We're about the same age, both empty-nesters, we both love to travel, and we've both been called tenacious by people who like us-stubborn by those who don't. I'm a retired science teacher and Dotsy is a history professor. Neither of us tolerates injustice very well. Actually, Dotsy's scatterbrained friend Lettie is somewhat like me as well. Lettie and I have both been known to point a calculator at the TV and get mad when the channels won't change.

Why do you write mysteries?
Because I like to read mysteries. J. D. Salinger said you should think of the book you'd most like to read, then sit down and shamelessly write it yourself. Sounded good to me.

How do you choose your settings?
I travel all I can. When I find a place that I'd like to "live in" for a year while I write a novel, I take lots of pictures and notes. Then, when an appropriate plot idea hits me, I revisit the setting (in my mind) I don't think I'd ever use a setting I haven't actually experienced for myself. I can't imagine doing that.

Do you have pets?
I have two sweet Bichon Frises, Holly (age 10) and Hamilton (age 8).  Holly is Hamilton’s mother. I know why they call Bichons “velcro dogs.” They stick to you wherever you go.

How much do you make up and how much is real?
The plots and characters are totally made up. I'm sure I get inspiration for my characters from people I've met, but it's not a conscious process and I don't care to think about it. The settings are real except for the exact dwellings. In Death of an Obnoxious Tourist, I made up the hotel, but located it in a logical spot in Florence. For Death of a Lovable Geek, I made up Castle Dunlaggan, but the general setting (the Highlands near Loch Ness) roads, etc., are real.

Why is there an archaeology thread in every book?
Dotsy is teacher of ancient and medieval history at a junior college somewhere in western Virginia. I gave her that job so I would have an excuse to put a bit of archaeology/ancient history in each story. I fell in love with Egypt a couple of years ago and can’t wait to go back. This fall, I’m going to Turkey, where some of the earliest settlements have been found. Too bad, some of the places I’d most dearly love to visit are in hotspots like Iraq and Iran.

What next?
I’m writing the fourth Dotsy Lamb Mystery. This time Dotsy and Lettie will be in the Swiss Alps. Dotsy’s son, Patrick, is getting married and the whole family, including Dotsy’s ex-husband and his new wife, are staying in the same chalet!