Five Question Interview - Rebecca Yount & Mick Chandra

Hailing from a literary family, Rebecca Yount could say writing is in her blood. Having studied music, worked on a 'Washington career' and had 'a bad marriage, divorce then a good marriage', she found that her love of writing became a reality after taking early retirement.

Her skill at creating mystery, suspense, horror, humor and real characters are seen in her four outstanding books - 'Death in C Minor', 'The Erkling', 'The Ravenhoe Cauldron' and her latest novel 'The Oracle of Baal'. With little doubt, her main character Detective Inspector Mick Chandra is an affable individual who takes his home life just as seriously as his work. Commitment to ridding the world of crime is no easy feat, Chandra makes it seem effortless. And this ease is gained only through the artistry of Yount's writing.

The Interviews

Rebecca...

Author: Rebecca Yount

l.  Who are your top five favorite characters in novels/books? 1. Jane Eyre. 2. Nancy Drew. 3. Spencer (R. B. Parker’s PI) 4. Odysseus. 5. Phillip Marlowe.

2. Which authors (dead or alive) have inspired you?
Here is a partial list:  Jane Austen; Fanny Burney; Joan Didion; Robert B. Parker; Charles Dickens; Alex. Pushkin; Edna St. Vincent Millay; Rita Mae Brown.

3.  What motivates you to write the next book? 
The on-going adventure.

4. You’re hosting a literary dinner party – who would you invite (dead or alive) and why?
Jane Austen – For obvious reasons;
The Bronte Sisters – How did they manage to write those powerful stories stuck up there in N. England? Charles Dickens – But as hostess, I would warn him that he could not use the party as an opportunity to do a dramatic reading from one of his books. Rita Mae Brown – Because she seems like a lot of fun, and I love her writing. William. Shakespeare – Well, did you or did you not write all of those plays? Bruce Chatwin – How much time did you actually spend in Patagonia? Patrick Fermor – What was the best thing about walking from Holland to Turkey? Herman Melville – After the failure of MOBY DICK, what kept you writing? Fanny Burney—How do you feel about being considered the mother of the feminist movement? Harper Lee – Didn't you just want to smack your editor when she demanded so many rewrites of MOCKINGBIRD?

5. Looking back over your career, would you still become an author?

Yes, only sooner.

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Mick...

1. What do you like about being a detective?

This may sound like pure conceit on my part, but I like to think I’m “righting” the wrongs of the world.

2. How do you feel when people see your race rather than a skilled detective?
I've long since convinced myself it’s them, not me. Furthermore, I’m exceedingly proud of my Kerala heritage.

3. Do you have a favorite part of London?
By all means north London, where I live in Stoke Newington.  It’s not the most “posh” part of the city, but it’s a real community, multi-cultural, with wonderful international shopping.  You can walk up the High Street and hear a polyglot of languages being spoken. I love that, and so does my wife, Jess.
             
4. Now that you’re married & have a young family, would you consider giving up your career and being a stay-at-home dad?
I might consider cutting back a bit, but I could never give up my work.  Again, at the expense of sounding too grand, I like to think I’m making the world a safer place for my wife and daughter. Also, I confess I’m somewhat hooked on the adrenalin rush of police work.

5. Of all the investigations, which affected you the most?
I would have to say The Erlking case, in which we broke up a notorious pedophile ring in north London. The morning I saw eight-year-old Josie Stephens’ corpse pulled out of the Grand Union canal, I vowed to bring down her abusers and murderers.  The mantra for that investigation became, “For Josie’s sake.”

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GIVEAWAY

Rebecca has kindly offered three readers of my blog to receive a digital copy of her latest novel - The Oracle of Baal.

Leave a comment or question on this post by October 15 8pm EST to be entered into a drawing to win this book. One person will be chosen randomly using Random.org. Please make sure to leave an e-mail address with your comment. Thank you and Good Luck!

A Death in C Minor (Mick Chandra Mysteries) - Rebecca Yount

Renowned pianist, Jessica Beaumont couldn't take it anymore - her son was killed in a hit and run accident, her husband left her for his secretary and her suicide failed. Needing to leave it all behind, she heads to rural England - Kenwick, Essex - a sleepy village where she can potter around and nurse her wounds. Or so she thinks.

Jessica (Jess) soon makes friends with some of the villagers, namely the 'fish and chips' gang. A mixed bunch but all have money, some more than others. They enjoy walks and meet once a week for their fish and chip supper. But the murder of one Peter Chandler still haunts them. Jess, egged on by her friend Gwen, asks the question - 'what can you tell me of Peter Chandler's murder?' -  an uncomfortable silence hits the table and Pandora's box is opened.

Detective Inspector Mick Chandra and his assistant Elizabeth Chang are responsible for the cold cases for Scotland Yard. Chandra was initially on the Chandler case but could only take ownership of it once the case was put on the back burner. His reputation in Kenwick is infamous and the villagers do not take kindly to his invasion again. Staying in the same rambling country house as Jess, they both try to ignore the attraction but fail. The investigation heats up with a car bomb exploding, a gay informant sleeping with a woman to illicit information, fraud, attempted rape...Kenwick is anything but a quiet village. Will Mick find out who killed Peter? Is it all linked to the Chechnya mafia? And is Jess really the woman for him?

Yount's mystery is a fascinating web of deceit that takes its time to unravel. The main characters - Mick and Jess are vibrant and their relationship is honest, sweet and not wholly romantic. They've both been scared by a failing marriage so are cautious. Mick's detecting skills are marred with underlying racist remarks but it makes him all the more resilient and determined to show his narrow minded colleagues he's good. Jess has her own demons to work through, ones that eventually lead her to resuming her career as the accomplished pianist that she is.

The author has created a story that will lead the reader in several directions with a number of suspects. Her descriptions and overall language used is eloquent and suits the upper middle class setting. Although some English expressions (like 'crikey') are a little twee it doesn't detract from the plot. Akin to Midsomer Murders (a long running UK TV crime show based in an English county), I found this a well written and honest narrative, if perhaps a little too detailed in some parts - recipes, songs sung - but again it adds to the building drama as well as some light relief. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and look forward to adding the Mick Chandra mysteries to my collection of favored crime books. A recommended read.  

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for review. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to give a positive critique.