I usually don’t schedule author interviews for Sundays. But, with half the country snowed in today, what else do you have to do except read? I’d like to welcome Tracy Weber today. She’s the author of the Downward Dog mysteries. Murder Likes It Hot is the sixth in the series. Thank you, Tracy.
Tracy, would you
start by introducing yourself to readers?
start by introducing yourself to readers?
Hi everyone! I’m a
Seattle resident who teaches yoga and trains other yoga teachers. I’m also the owner of a cute and mischievous
German shepherd named Ana. Ana wasn’t
the inspiration for my series, but she keeps me entertained nonetheless. I am currently also studying to become an
applied animal behaviorist through a program at the University of
Washington. I’ve written six books in
the Downward Dog Mystery series. If you
want to learn more about my series and me, check out my author website at http://tracyweberauthor.com/.
Seattle resident who teaches yoga and trains other yoga teachers. I’m also the owner of a cute and mischievous
German shepherd named Ana. Ana wasn’t
the inspiration for my series, but she keeps me entertained nonetheless. I am currently also studying to become an
applied animal behaviorist through a program at the University of
Washington. I’ve written six books in
the Downward Dog Mystery series. If you
want to learn more about my series and me, check out my author website at http://tracyweberauthor.com/.
Would you introduce
us to Kate Davidson?
us to Kate Davidson?
Kate Davidson is a 35-year old Seattle yoga teacher with a
crazy German shepherd named Bella. She’s grown a lot through my series. She
struggles with pogonophobia—the irrational fear of beards—and
sometimes-embarrassing anger management issues.
In spite of her weaknesses, she has an amazing heart and a strong desire
to help others.
crazy German shepherd named Bella. She’s grown a lot through my series. She
struggles with pogonophobia—the irrational fear of beards—and
sometimes-embarrassing anger management issues.
In spite of her weaknesses, she has an amazing heart and a strong desire
to help others.
Tell us about your
latest mystery, Murder Likes It Hot.
latest mystery, Murder Likes It Hot.
My publisher’s summary of Murder Likes It Hot is below:
Newlymarried yoga instructor Kate Davidson feels stuck in low-energy limbo, despite
her high-energy life. She’s trying to conceive a child, keep her studio afloat
now that the ultra-cheap Some Like It Hot Yoga studio has opened across the
street, and start a yoga program at a local resource center for homeless youth.
When
a center employee is found dead, Kate sets aside her fertility and financial
woes to delve into the world of teenage homelessness. While digging for clues
with her German shepherd Bella, Kate discovers that family can be formed by
bonds stronger than shared DNA, and she must defend it at all costs.
a center employee is found dead, Kate sets aside her fertility and financial
woes to delve into the world of teenage homelessness. While digging for clues
with her German shepherd Bella, Kate discovers that family can be formed by
bonds stronger than shared DNA, and she must defend it at all costs.
This installment of the Downward Dog Mystery Series is a bit
darker than my earlier works. It’s pretty tough to write realistically about
teenage homelessness, heroin addiction, and infertility without exploring
darker emotions. I’ve never shied away from serious themes in my work, but this
book was a particular challenge.
darker than my earlier works. It’s pretty tough to write realistically about
teenage homelessness, heroin addiction, and infertility without exploring
darker emotions. I’ve never shied away from serious themes in my work, but this
book was a particular challenge.
One reviewer called it one of the darkest and most realistic
cozies she’d ever read. (It was a compliment.
She loved the book!) I believe that hope illuminates the darkest of times
and emotions. That theme—hope and transformation through challenge—pervades
this and all of my work.
cozies she’d ever read. (It was a compliment.
She loved the book!) I believe that hope illuminates the darkest of times
and emotions. That theme—hope and transformation through challenge—pervades
this and all of my work.
And there are definitely lighter moments to balance out the
dark. The hijinks of two new animal
characters—rats Ed and Lonnie—provide plenty of laughs.
dark. The hijinks of two new animal
characters—rats Ed and Lonnie—provide plenty of laughs.
Why yoga? What about
yoga allows Kate to be an amateur sleuth?
yoga allows Kate to be an amateur sleuth?
A good yoga teacher (and Kate is a great one!) has finely tuned observation skills and she
becomes sensitive to changes in energy. Additionally, yoga philosophy is more
about living clearly and ethically than stretching your hamstrings. A yoga teacher/sleuth would have a keen sense
of justice and a desire to help those in need.
becomes sensitive to changes in energy. Additionally, yoga philosophy is more
about living clearly and ethically than stretching your hamstrings. A yoga teacher/sleuth would have a keen sense
of justice and a desire to help those in need.
Why did you choose to
write cozy mysteries?
write cozy mysteries?
I’ve loved cozy mysteries since long before I knew there was
a genre by that name. It was a natural
for me to want to write one!
a genre by that name. It was a natural
for me to want to write one!
What has been the
highlight of your writing career?
highlight of your writing career?
Getting nominated for the Agatha award for Best First Novel
for Murder Strikes a Pose. I
didn’t ultimately win, but the other four nominees and I became fast friends,
and I treasured the experience.
for Murder Strikes a Pose. I
didn’t ultimately win, but the other four nominees and I became fast friends,
and I treasured the experience.
Where do you take
friends when they come to visit you in Seattle?
friends when they come to visit you in Seattle?
People love the Seattle waterfront, and no waterfront visit
would be complete without a trip to Ivar’s Fish Bar where they encourage you to
feed fish and fries to the seagulls!
would be complete without a trip to Ivar’s Fish Bar where they encourage you to
feed fish and fries to the seagulls!
What authors
influenced you, Tracy?
influenced you, Tracy?
Susan Conant inspired me to become a writer. Her Dog Lovers Mystery Series made me laugh
out loud and realize that I should write down some of my dog Tasha’s crazy
antics. Tasha has since passed on, and I’m grateful that she continues to live
on through Bella.
out loud and realize that I should write down some of my dog Tasha’s crazy
antics. Tasha has since passed on, and I’m grateful that she continues to live
on through Bella.
What author or book
do you think is underappreciated?
do you think is underappreciated?
I think most mid-list authors are underappreciated. In such
a crowded field, it’s hard to stand out.
a crowded field, it’s hard to stand out.
I’m a librarian, so I
always end with the same question. Tell us a story about a library or librarian
in your life.
always end with the same question. Tell us a story about a library or librarian
in your life.
My local Greenwood library has been extremely supportive to
me throughout my writing career. They’ve
promoted my books as great summer reads, hosted discussion groups, and made me
feel important. I love them!
me throughout my writing career. They’ve
promoted my books as great summer reads, hosted discussion groups, and made me
feel important. I love them!
Thank you, again, Tracy.
Murder Likes It Hot by Tracy Weber. Midnight Ink, 2019. ISBN 9780738750699 (paperback), 288p.
As Tracy mentioned, her website is http://tracyweberauthor.com/
This is such a good series! Thank you for the interview!
My pleasure, Deb. I'm glad Tracy had time.
I love this series! Fantastic interview!
Thanks, Robyn!