My guest today is Rebecca Howie, author of the Sam Beckett young adult mystery series. The first book, The Game Begins, was released in February 2016, and Rebecca joins us today on her blog tour to promote book two, A Woman Scorned, scheduled for release on December 10th. Preorder your copy at Amazon!
Returning home days after leaving town wasn’t a decision Sam Beckett made lightly, and the newspaper articles detailing her shooting aren’t making her choice any easier to accept.
When a therapist is found dead in her office, Sam decides to work with CID and Detective Marshall on the case, hoping that the dead woman’s troubles will be enough to help her forget her own. but with Dr Weiss’ perfect image slowly crumbling as the investigation progresses, Sam finds that she isn’t the only person hiding behind a lie, and that uncovering someone else’s could have been what led Dr Weiss to her death.
The idea of making her a PI came from a book I was reading at the time which had a private investigator as the main character, and it was a nice change of pace from the usual mystery novels I read so I asked myself if I could make that work for Sam instead of skipping a few years and making her a real detective.
Which characters were the most and least difficult to write?
The most difficult to write this time around was Sam, which was unexpected because I was looking forward to writing the sequel and catching up with her. But I hadn’t planned for The Game Begins to be a full-length novel or to make it a series, so looking back on it now, it’s not really a surprise that it took me so long.
Least difficult to write was Natasha Morton, another detective in CID, and Marshall’s colleague. She’s the complete antithesis of your typical detective, and I liked that she always has something sarcastic to say even when everyone else is feeling miserable about the lack of progress on their investigation.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned while writing this series?
That’s probably how much planning actually goes into a mystery novel- although I learned a ton of other stuff while doing research.
Will there be any more books in this series?
There will be, but I have no idea how many. I don’t like planning ahead, and I don’t want to know how it’s going to end before I get there.
Which Hogwarts house do you consider yourself to be in?
I like the red and gold of Gryffindor, so I’ll say that.
Name 5 favorite movies.
Sliding Doors, Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban, Titanic, Antman, Avengers.
What is your favorite dessert?
Chocolate cake.
Books and Such 
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A lovely author interview, Teri. A 17 year old investigator is very interesting indeed.
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An idea to build on for a series, I’m thinking.
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Reblogged this on REBECCA HOWIE BOOKS and commented:
Blog Tour Day 2 with Teri Polen
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Thank you for being a stop on the tour, Teri. 🙂
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You’re welcome, Rebecca – thrilled to host you!
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Hi Teri. Fun to meet Rebecca. I haven’t heard of Sliding Doors — I’ll have to look it up. Wishing her the best with volume 2. Hugs!
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If it’s the one I’m thinking about, it came out years ago. Shows the results of what might have happened if you made a different choice – I remember really liking it. Hugs, Teagan!
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Thank you! I heard Sliding Doors is a book, too, so that might be worth checking out if you’d prefer it over the film.
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Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio and commented:
Check out this interview with author, Rebecca Howie, as featured on the Books and Such blog.
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Thank you
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You’re welcome
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Excellent interview, Rebecca and Teri. I’m not surprised that writing a mystery takes lots of planning. That slow leak of information to the characters and audience seems like a tightrope walk. Great luck with book two!
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I’m not sure I could do it – all that planning and misdirection, leaving clues. Thanks for stopping by, Diana!
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Thank you. 🙂
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Fab choice of dessert and movies. And, though you’re a Gryffindor, I’ll still sit with you in the Great Hall (especially if you have chocolate cake). 😉 Ravenclaws are nice that way. Sounds like a fun read and I’m a huge fan of YA so will definitely be checking it out!
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I’m sorry…yes. The Game Begins. I’d recently seen that one reviewed somewhere. In going to Amazon, I recognized the cover. Yup. Both on my TBR list. Or, this time of year, my wishlist. 🙂
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I’m a Gryffindor also, Sarah, but can’t guarantee I’d share my chocolate cake. I take my chocolate very seriously.
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Well. I’m not sure what to say about that. Actually, yes, I do. As a Ravenclaw, I have the ability to create the world’s most delicious chocolate cake (it changes sweetness and flavor to suit the person who eats it). I won’t be sharing mine with the likes of you! House-snob! 😉
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If you can make a chocolate cake like that, I could be persuaded to share – you’d be my new best friend!
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Hmm… I’ll think about it… Okay. I’m done. We’re best friends. 🙂
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That’s nice of you- I’ll be sure to remember the chocolate cake. 🙂 Hope you like TGB
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Pingback: Blog Tour Catch-up – REBECCA HOWIE BOOKS