Muriel: Yes. I grew up in and around Niagara Falls.
We all have people from our growing up years that we just don’t like. I know I have a cousin who just couldn’t leave me alone. You have something similar don’t you? It is the season for forgiveness? Can you forgive and move forward?
Muriel: It’s not that I didn’t like Frankie, it’s just that he complicates things.
Got an example?
Muriel: It started in high school when he wrote me a note. I have no idea of its contents. Nor do I care. All I know is the teacher intercepted it, read it, raised an eyebrow, and zeroed in on me.
“I believe Frankie had you in mind when he wrote this,” she said, then began to read it aloud. She got as far as the salutation he’d printed on the outside of the folded sheet of three-ring notepaper. “To the Brian.”
The class erupted into hysterics. The teacher returned the note to Frankie and resumed her lesson. From that day forward, I was the girl named Brian, and Frankie became my sworn enemy.
Brian?
Muriel: He’s dyslexic.
I can see by the words you use that you have quite a bit of education. Some people might not find you too interesting. Oops, sorry, didn’t mean that the way it sounded. How does an intellectual type get involved in a missing person’s case?
Muriel: What is it with men who are intimidated by a few grey cells?
I’m not intimidated.
Muriel: Right.
The missing woman?
Muriel:A very close friend asked for my help. I couldn’t say no.
My family, including that cousin, isn’t very close. I rarely return to my hometown. Your family is quite colorful. I can’t believe I heard this right, but they are going for some type of world record?
Muriel: I’d really rather not discuss it.
I would.
Muriel: (Long silence, and then Muriel sighs.) Okay. It’s a tradition that began with my parents. My father was a real live action figure. Always on the go. Always in search of that next adrenalin rush. My mother shared his sense of adventure, and in some ways was even more of a daredevil. My brothers went on their first adventure trip when they were still in diapers. Me? Riding the merry-go-round makes me nauseous. I’ve always held the conviction that if humans were meant to race down snow covered mountains, scuba dive on ocean floors, or jump out of airplanes, we’d have been born with skis for feet, gills for lungs and had wings attached to our backs.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, the only time of year the family gets together is December. On Christmas Eve we vote for the family member who took the greatest risk during the past year and lived to tell the tale. The winner receives the D-DAY trophy. The letters stand for Death-Defying Act of the Year Award. Now, can we please talk about something else?
I’m not big on romance. Never have really dated. You find yourself in some sticky situations with this private investigator and it’s a bit cold? Any juicy parts?
Muriel: That is none of your business. Besides, there’s nothing going on between me and Frankie. We’re, um, just friends. Really.
Uh-huh. Thanks Muriel for the visit. If you ever leave New York, drop by Grand River, Michigan. Weather is about the same but maybe I could provide some warmth. (Muriel rolls her eyes.) FRANK, INCENSE AND MURIEL sounds like a great story. How can I find out more about it?
Muriel: Visit author Anne K. Albert online at her website http://www.AnneKAlbert.com/ She also blogs at http://anne-k-albert.blogspot.com/ and http://muriel-reeves-mysteries.blogspot.com. Anne is also on Facebook www.facebook.com/annekalbert and Twitter www.twitter.com/AnneKAlbert.
CONTEST DETAILS: Comment to WIN! Three names will be selected at random from comments on all 14 of Anne’s Mystery We Write Blog Tour guest appearances. Winners will receive an e-copy of FRANK, INCENSE AND MURIEL, book one of the Muriel Reeves Mysteries. Visit http://tinyurl.com/3hzpqvv for her schedule and contest details. Good luck!
Mitch here. Just to let you know that W.S. is collecting names for a drawing for my adventures so let me know what you think! To visit her today chec out Mike Orenduff's blog:
Thanks for chatting with Muriel, Mitch!
ReplyDeleteHi, Anne and Wendy. A delightful interview.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn
I am enjoying the interviews....thanks for doing this. It's a fun way to learn about new to me authors.
ReplyDeleteAnne: Muriel is a hoot and a half. It worked so well with Mitch. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteMarilyn: As always you are one of the first commenters. Thanks for stopping by.
Char: I'm glad you like the interviews. They are so much fun to do. You are entered for the drawing for the Mitch Malone Mystery book. Good luck.
Wendy
That was a great interview.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLet's try that again. (Sticking keyboard keys). I agree. Great interview and I'm currently enjoying reading the book. I hope it's a series.
ReplyDeleteAnne, Muriel sounds delightful, and I look forward to getting to know her better.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marilyn and Wendy, for being YOU!
ReplyDeleteYou're also entered in my draw, Char. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Jenny. You're entered in my draw, too!
ReplyDeleteHi Jean, "Frank, Incense and Muriel" is book one of the Muriel Reeves Mysteries. Although I've only begun book two, the title is "Val and Tyne Day's Murder". Guess what time of the year it takes place? (Hint: say the title really fast!)
ReplyDeleteThanks, John, she's quite something, but you may also be partial to her Aunt Val. I won't say more than that!
ReplyDeleteVery fun post, Anne! Love the "little grey cells" comment :-)
ReplyDeleteWitty interview! Way to handle Mitch, Muriel.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I too get nauseous on the merry-go-round. Is that TMI?
I love Muriel. She hangs tough in an interview.
ReplyDeleteAnne: Thank you so much for sharing Muriel today. She is a wonder and such a great interview for Mitch.
ReplyDeleteJenny & Tess: Thanks for stopping by and you have been entered in the drawing for a Mitch book. Good luck. Drawing to be at the end of the tour.
Wendy
W.S. Gager on Writing
That was an interesting interview.
ReplyDelete