Clea Simon's Blog, page 13

Julia Henry, how does your garden grow?

Julia Henry is not only my friend and an ardent supporter of the arts – including her crime fiction peers – the tall, talented woman with the striking hair is an incredibly busy author in her own right. Not only does she pen the light-hearted, green-thumbed Garden Squad series, but as Julianne Holmes she writes clock-themed mysteries (Chime and Punishment), while under Julie Hennrikus (the name I know her as) she has penned wonderful mysteries that draw on her extensive knowledge of the fascinating world of theater (including With a Kiss I Die). Today we’re celebrating the release of Wreathing Havoc, the fourth in her garden series because the holiday season is fast approaching! (And don’t you love her titles?)

Clea, thank you for having me on the blog to celebrate the release of Wreathing Havoc, the fourth book in my Garden Squad series!

I love writing this series, and this book was the most fun because it mashes up so many things I love–gardening, theater, Thanksgiving, food, and friendship. Of course, leave it to me to take all that I love and kill someone at the same time.

One of my favorite parts of writing a mystery is figuring out the puzzle. I grew up reading mysteries, and always hated it when the solution and the pieces of the puzzle didn’t fit. I especially enjoyed the Golden Age mysteries, where there were fair play rules to mystery writing. As enjoyable were the mysteries that stretched the rules. Agatha Christie was particularly good at that –The Murder of Roger Ackroyd and Murder on the Orient Express being cases in point.

The fair play “rules” include things like the reader must have equal opportunity with the detective for solving the mystery, all clues must be included, no mysterious poisons or last minute surprises. A well crafted mystery will surprise the reader, but the reader should be able to go back and find all the clues.

When I write, I try to abide by those rules. That said, in writing the first draft of Wreathing Havoc, the rules got in the way. The book was fun, but who did it was SO obvious I couldn’t imagine someone not throwing the book across the room. So I had to go back, rework the plot, add a couple of subplots and weave it all together. The final result was much more satisfying. And it still follows the rules.

Readers, do you enjoy figuring out the puzzle in cozies? 

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Julia Henry writes the Garden Squad series for Kensington. Wreathing Havoc is the fourth book in the series. She blogs with the Wicked Authors. JHAuthors.com

“An enchanting, guitar-shredding crescendo…”

“[A]n enchanting, guitar-shredding crescendo of a novel… with the perfect balance of mystery and complex character study.”

So says Matthew Turbevill’s review of Hold Me Down in Writers Tell All, and I could don’t be more grateful!! Thank you so much, Matthew!

Read the full review below or click here: https://www.writerstellall.com/writer...

Review: HOLD ME DOWN by Clea Simon9/25/2021
Prolific author Clea Simon (A Spell of Murder) delivers an enchanting, guitar-shredding crescendo of a novel in Hold Me Down, a novel that can just as easily draw comparisons to Denis Johnson’s Train Dreams as Megan Abbott’s The End of Everything.  Simon writes about former rock star Gal, who becomes invested in the mysterious death of a former roadie after a reunion show to benefit a former bandmate who has recently died of cancer, the illness having left her husband and daughter in debt. The novel delves deep into issues of rape, sobriety, fame, and the various ways we cope with the past and remember events and life so differently, while never letting go of a profoundly lyrical and gripping writing style that so permeates Simon’s writing as a whole.  Simon clearly has a vast knowledge of music and understands all the behind-the-scenes components well, using crime fiction to investigate the horrors of trauma and the various ways we all cope, some more successful than others, leaving the reader with the question: is this a murder mystery, or something more? I’d argue the latter, with Simon pointing to the complexities of human nature, emotion, and our ability to stomach the truth and the different ways and various extremities we use when protecting those we love.  As a new uncle myself, I can say that Hold Me Down hits hard and wonderfully, with the perfect balance of emotional complexity and mystery and complex character study.  I was engrossed in Hold Me Down, a wonder which works on many levels, just as much as an electric rock-n-roll novel as it is a gristly murder mystery.  Simon excels at delving deep into human emotions and what makes each of us tick, revealing a gift for a tremendous amount of empathy that works for both her protagonist and also some of the characters guilty of even the most heinous crimes—Simon isn’t necessarily interested in redemption as in understanding that we are not all simply black or white, good or bad.  She has so much love for the people of her novels, but never sacrifices the pure noir bent of the story, always finding the edge to her multilayered characters.  Simon’s latest is an absolutely not-to-miss book, a beautiful and contemplative rush of a novel you’ll want to read over again, just in case you missed anything the first time around—or just because, like the urge to listen to any favorite rock song. Simon’s prose and story is just as electric and hypnotic and breathless as the best albums you play on repeat to experience all the feels and all the fun, all at once.  Fans of Megan Abbott, Alison Gaylin (especially What Remains of Me and If I Die Tonight), and Jessica Knoll will delight in Simon’s writing. 

Library Journal gets Hold Me Down!

“VERDICT: A mystery that explores character motivations … For fans of Alexander McCall Smith and Janet Evanovich.”

Thrilled that Library Journal got the essence of Hold Me Down – and what company to be in! – though, of course, I would argue that understanding the characters involved is what is key to understanding the murder! That said, so proud to have this writeup in the Oct. 1 Library Journal.

“Wickedly smart” cats – thank you!

What a joy to stumble across this article in Crime Reads: “Six Cozy Mysteries Told From a Cat’s Purr-spective” There’s a nice shout-out to my A Cat on the Case (the latest Witch Cats of Cambridge mystery) and the note that my cats are “wickedly smart.” Why thank you!

They’re HERE!

The official publication date for HOLD ME DOWN has been bumped back two weeks – until Oct. 19 – because of the supply chain issues that are affecting everyone in the book business. But I have proof that the books have been printed because my author copies have arrived!!

Twenty-nine books into this, opening that box is still a thrill!

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October is going to be a blur anyway…

You’ve probably heard about the supply chain issues hitting publishing – well, hitting EVERYONE* – this year? I guess they’ve messed a little with Hold Me Down. The book is printed and it’s on its way to the distributors and from there to bookstores near and far. But between staffing shortages and materials issues (not enough boxes? I guess this is a thing), Polis Books is changing my official publication date from Oct. 5 to Oct. 19. (The e-book is still going to be released on Oct. 5. No cardboard needed for that!) And your book, if you pre-ordered it, will likely still arrive earlier. (So grateful that my @MurderBooks event is Oct. 18 and my big-deal local launch – at my beloved Harvard Book Store – is Oct. 28!) But officially… Oct. 19 is now my book birthday! (And both those lovely bookstores are doing pre-orders NOW – click here for Murder by the Book and here for Harvard Book Store.)

*It could be worse. My friends, the super-talented musical duo Damon and Naomi, released their dreamy, hypnotic new record “A Sky Record” via Bandcamp on Aug. 6. The digital recording is available now. But with record pressing plants even more backed up than book printers, they aren’t going to get the actual vinyl records until 2022.

Sigh! (Naomi, a brilliant graphic designer, responded by making a cool 48-page booklet for those of us who want something to hold. Value added for the consumer!)

PS – Naomi did this cool photo of me. As I said, she’s brilliant.

Photo by Naomi Yang

Talking fame and fiction with MWA Florida

What is it about the bright lights that makes the shadows so dark? Why did I set yet another psychological suspense in a story of rock and roll stardom – and why am I encouraging all my fellow writers to do the same? These questions and more will be addressed this Saturday (Sept. 18), when I’ll be speaking to the Mystery Writers of America Florida chapter’s monthly meeting. My talk – “The Dark Side of Fame (a great place to hide the bodies)” – will be geared to the how’s and why’s, the process of writing, and you’re invited to join us! Sign up now for a Zoom link – and have your questions ready! (The midday meeting starts with some online socializing and then board business. After my talk, I’ll be taking questions.)

See you Saturday!

Sun-Sentinal on HOLD ME DOWN

Rocker turns sleuth

By OLINE H. COGDILLSUN SENTINEL CORRESPONDENT |SEP 07, 2021 AT 3:17 PM

‘Hold Me Down’ by Clea Simon. Polis Books, 288 pages, $26.99

Fame can be fleeting, gone in a blink before it can be appreciated. Gal Raver, the heroine of Clea Simon’s solid “Hold Me Down,” had her share of fame when she was the lead singer and main draw in a women’s rock group. But that was 20 years ago, and she misses that thrill, that power of mesmerizing a sold-out crowd.

At the height of her success, Gal was “fearless” on stage — ”a panther. Juiced as her amp, and twice as loud.” The varnish on her favorite guitar is worn but “her history is in that blonde and battered wood.” Rock was good to her, and, thanks to her accountant, she lives quite comfortably.

“Hold Me Down” by Clea Simon, book jacket. (Polis Books / Courtesy)

Gal and her former bandmates are in Boston for a reunion concert to benefit the family of her late drummer, who also was her best friend. During the concert, she freezes while singing their signature song, “Hold Me Down,” believing she’s spotted a former acquaintance in the crowd. The next day, a friend of Gal’s is accused of murdering the man. To prove her friend’s innocence, she turns from rocker to amateur sleuth.

Simon, a former rock critic and the author of more than two dozen mysteries, perceptively illustrates the sacrifices one makes for art. Gal’s memories are tinged with the pain of lost relationships, betrayals by promoters and managers, but also the joy of performing.

Simon’s tour of the Boston music scene will make readers wish “Hold Me Down” included a link to iTunes.

Zoom with the author

Clea Simon (“Hold Me Down”) will discuss “The Dark Side of Fame” and show how to weave motive, emotion and backstory in writing about performing arts during the Sept. 18 virtual meeting of the Mystery Writers of America, Florida chapter. The event begins at 12:15 p.m. and is free. To register and receive the zoom link, visit mwaflorida.org/events/meeting/

Oline H. Cogdill can be reached at  olinecog@aol.com .

“And yet… and yet…”

“There is inspiration in the idea of imperfect people helping each other find the way back on course.“

I’m not going to post every reader review (although I am grateful for everyone who took the time to respond). But this one made me choke up. Thank you, Mary, whoever you are.

Hold Me Down
by Clea Simon (Goodreads Author) 
Mary‘s review Sep 03, 2021
really liked it
HOLD ME DOWN by Clea Simon is not my normal type of reading, grittier than my usual, and I don’t relate easily to the music scene, and yet . . . and yet . . . I came to care about Gal and her band, felt a bit dizzy at the back and forth in time, the ups and downs in career, and found I could relate to bad decisions, regret, and efforts to put things right, or as close to right as possible. This was not an easy read, a bit like trying to see across a dim and smoky room, but there is inspiration in the idea of imperfect people helping each other find the way back on course.
We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another. 
Luciano De Crescenzo

(PS Goodreads reviews show up on my book pages. Scroll down to read reviews.

“Imperfect people…helping each other find the way back.”

This reader review on BookBub choked me up:

“HOLD ME DOWN by Clea Simon is not my normal type of reading, grittier than my usual, and I don’t relate easily to the music scene, and yet . . . and yet . . . I came to care about Gal and her band, felt a bit dizzy at the back and forth in time, the ups and downs in career, and found I could relate to bad decisions, regret, and efforts to put things right, or as close to right as possible. This was not an easy read, a bit like trying to see across a dim and smoky room, but there is inspiration in the idea of imperfect people helping each other find the way back on course.

We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another. Luciano De Crescenzo”

Thank you, @mgarrett, whoever you are