M.M. Gornell's Margot Madison-Cross

Day 14 of the Murder We Write Blog Tour and Margot Madison-Cross is my next victim, err interviewee. Margot is called to the California desert in LIES OF CONVENIENCE, BY M.M. Gornell. Margot, you live across the pond shall we say from me. You live on one side of Lake Michigan and I live on the other in Grand River, Michigan. You must love the changing seasons and weather shifts, which make me wonder how you came to be embroiled in a desert mystery. Can you tell me about it?

Margot: Oh, Mr. Malone—a fellow Midwesterner—how delightful! Indeed, young man, Chicago has been my lifelong home, and the center of my universe. So when my brother Graham called and requested me to come to Palm Springs immediately, of course I went. From there I visited my niece in Newton on Route 66. Little did I know Camille was embroiled in a murder investigation and I would have to confront family secrets. Some of those secrets are based on lies that could destroy all our lives. I’m sure you’ve had to deal with lies in your line of work. I surmise the people you interview are not always forthcoming with the truth.

Are you kidding?

 
Margot: I seldom kid, Mr. Malone.

(Mitch clears his throat) I understand your niece is cute. Do you think she might like to visit a certain eligible bachelor and award winning journalist who lives near Lake Michigan?

 
Margot: Oh, dear, I seriously doubt that! She is a doctor you know, and now quite smitten I’m sure with the Newtown Police Chief. (Margot narrows her eyes) And, may I ask, what are your intentions toward my niece?

Hey, I didn’t mean to offend, but there aren’t a lot of eligible girls out there. Back to the questions. How do you spend your time in the Midwest? Hobbies, jobs?

Margot: I am a widow, Mr. Malone, and fortuitously of independent means at this point in my life. Your question regarding my time is very good one. I’m sure if I seriously look at my motivations, my lack of purpose in life might have influenced my willingness to rush to the West Coast without questioning my brother more thoroughly. Though I have to admit, my excursion into Graham and Camille’s world was quite exhilarating. Of course, it was definitely different not having my butler George at my beck-and-call—though he did come through regarding my derringer. You understand, we were all in quite serious danger.

What was your time like in the desert? Did you do some sightseeing? I’ve never been to the desert but am thinking about a trip to Vegas. What do you recommend?

Margot: Sightseeing? Come now, Mr. Malone, do you really think I had time to “sightsee” while embroiled in a murder investigation? And there was my brother’s urgent request, reliving college day traumas, sand storms, rain storms, a dark and mysterious Quonset hut—

Whoa! I get the picture. Care to share any of those family secrets? Could make an interesting feature article.

Margot: Hardly, Mr. Malone.

Well, thanks anyway, Margot, for the interview. Let me know the next time Camille comes to visit and I might take a ferry across the lake and maybe change her mind about that desert-rat Police Chief.

Margot: You could come to tea. Darjeeling, Earl Grey? Oh my, I can see from the look on your face, Mr. Malone, eighteen-year-old Jameson Pot Still Irish Whiskey might be more to your taste?

I’m beginning to like you, Mrs. Margot Madison-Cross. For more on Madeline and her books, check out her blog:

  http://mmgornell.wordpress.com

Madeline (M.M.) Gornell has three published mystery novels—PSWA awarding winning Uncle Si’s Secret (2008); Death of a Perfect Man (2009); Eric Hoffer Fiction finalist and Honorary Mention winner, the da Vinci Eye finalist, and Montaigne Medalist finalist Reticence of Ravens (2011); and PSWA award winner and Hollywood Book Festival Honorary Mention Lies of Convenience (2012). Both Reticence of Ravens and Lies of Convenience are both Route 66 mysteries. Madeline is also a potter with a fondness for stoneware and reduction firing. She lives with her husband and assorted canines in the Mojave Desert in a town on internationally revered Route 66.