Interview Karen Whalen Author of A Stewed Observation
Give a warm welcome to Karen Whalen, author of A Stewed Observation. By the way Karen will be a guest author at a facebook party August 10th from 6-9 p.m. EDT. Here’s the link – https://www.facebook.com/events/234885453771841/
Stop by the party for fun games, a chance to win exciting prizes and giveaways. You don’t want to miss it! 
Now, pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Karen and her A Stewed Observation!
What inspired this particular story?
A Stewed Observation is a cozy murder mystery that takes place in Ireland. The physical condition that causes the victim’s death is real, but not something I’ve ever seen before in a mystery. I learned about this condition while working on a case in my former job as a paralegal. My legal experience is incorporated into my writing, including uncovering facts that qualify as truth-that-is-stranger-than-fiction. Coupled with my love of travel, and in particular my fascination with Ireland, the two story lines came together organically. I enjoyed writing this book. It was like traveling to Ireland all over again.
Why should we read this book/series and what sets you apart from the rest and makes your book/series unique?
In the dinner club series, paralegal Jane Marsh, a widow in the empty nest stage of life, is always game to try new things, including joining an exclusive dinner club. Stumbling across dead bodies and solving murder mysteries has developed into one of her hobbies, as well. Jane solves crimes with her paralegal know-how and help from contacts she has in the medical and legal fields. A handful of mysteries with paralegal amateur sleuths have been written in the last few years, but not many. There are quite a few legal thrillers where the main character is an attorney. I can think of half a dozen off the top of my head and I’ll bet you can, too. Even in the cozy genré, the flower shop mysteries by Kate Collins are about Abby Knight, former attorney turned florist. Paralegals have different expertise and experience than attorneys, more along the lines of a private investigator, plus they have a working knowledge of the courtroom. However, Jane’s character is multi-dimensional. This series not only takes the reader down legal paths, but also dining experiences, from gourmet dinners in the club members’ homes to Irish stew in a castle in Ireland.
Do you see yourself in your characters?
Of course. Jane is a paralegal, as was I for many years. And, I’m in the empty nest stage of my life, like Jane. Plus, I’ve hosted dinner clubs, although murder was not involved. Yes, I see myself in Jane, as I do in all the other characters. Many of the events, especially the dinner parties, were inspired by my own experiences (a dinner menu with a chocolate theme, chefs coming to the house to cook the meal, cigar smoking around a fire pit). Jane is much braver than I am, though. She’s feisty and eager to try new things. She encourages me to step out of my comfort zone and I’m hoping she will also inspire readers to embark on adventures of their own.
If writing is your first passion, what is your second?
I loved my career as a paralegal of 33 years at the same law firm in downtown Denver. The work was interesting, varied, and meaningful. The legal profession works with words, from reading voluminous documents and writing motions and briefs to pinning down witness’s statements and words under oath. It’s natural for legal types to turn their work with words into the writing profession, as many lawyers – and paralegals – have done. I’m thankful for the legal background I can bring to my writing.
Tell us a little about A Stewed Observation.
The Gourmet Dinner Club travels to Ireland to enjoy Irish cuisine while staying at a medieval, ivy-covered castle. Jane hopes Dale will ask her to marry him at this romantic dream destination. But her plans are put on hold when the elderly owner of the castle becomes violent, one of the club members tries to restrain him, and he collapses and dies. The police believe the mysterious death is murder and begin to suspect one of the club’s members. Dale leaves for home on a business emergency, and as the lone single gal in the club full of couples, Jane is thrown into the company of the handsome Irishman who stands to inherit the castle. Jane must prove her friends innocent by solving the crime. Which one of the sweet-tempered Irish could be a callous killer?
A Sneak Peek between the Pages of A Stewed Observation:
“I guess you’ll need to trust me.” Griff’s blue eyes danced in his handsome face. The moment was suspended in the air for a few heartbeats. Then he leaned over and put his lips on hers. She smelled his scent, like the salty sea and the smoldering peat and the burning malt of the Guinness. His lips tasted like Guinness, too.
Had she fallen asleep into a dream? She murmured, “The Irish are certainly a friendly people.” She turned to stare out the car window, aware that Dale might be waiting for his connecting flight from Boston to Denver.
As if reading her mind, Griff asked. “Are you upset about Dale leaving? How serious are you two, anyway?”
Jane lowered her seat back to recline and closed her eyes. “I thought he was going to ask me to marry him on this trip.” Were they even together anymore? They were likely on the outs.
“There’s something you should know.” He was silent for a few seconds as he inspected the steering wheel. “I overheard Dale’s telephone conversation, while I was at the receptionist desk, while you were having breakfast. He was talking to someone called Polly.”
“Y-yes?”
“He was standing right next to me. I couldn’t help hearing it.” Griff turned the ignition switch and pulled out into the traffic. “Dale told Polly he loved her.”
Her breath caught in her throat. At least she knew now. Dale had abandoned her for Polly.
To grab your copy of A Stewed Observation stop by:
Amazon The Wild Rose Press BarnesandNoble itunes
About the Author:
Karen C. Whalen is the author of a culinary cozy series, the “dinner club murder mysteries.” The first three in the series are Everything Bundt the Truth, Not According to Flan, and No Grater Evil. Everything Bundt the Truth tied for First Place in the Suspense Novel category of the 2017 IDA Contest. Whalen worked for many years as a paralegal at a law firm in Denver, Colorado and has been a columnist and regular contributor to The National Paralegal Reporter magazine. She believes that it’s never too late to try something new. She loves to host dinner clubs, entertain friends, ride bicycles, hike in the mountains, and read cozy murder mysteries.
When she’s not figuring out who done it, you can find Karen at the social media links below:
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with A Stewed Observation! And don’t forget to mark your calendars for the FB Party tomorrow, August 10th, 6-9 p.m. EDT.
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged A Stewed Observation, Castle, Dinner Club Cozy Mystery, Ireland, Karen C. Whalen by Tena Stetler with 12 comments.
