Ask the Author: Diane Meier
Answered Questions (5)
Diane Meier
I think it may be unique in a couple of ways. The combination of a mystery that has organized crime and ghosts is different, I believe. At least, I've never seen anything like that in a mystery - or any novel. Despite the ghosts, the book is not a horror story. Neither is a cozy mystery book.
Reviewers have stated that it's a tough read because of what happens to the shelter animals. That's because the book's major theme is that killing homeless animals is a tragedy that can be stopped. While some parts of the story may shock people who are not aware of the problems, the book does not wallow in any harm done to animals. There are no long descriptions that are gory and disturbing. I would never be able to write anything like that because I am an animal advocate who loves dogs and cats.
The book is meant to be a good story that is uplifting. One reviewer who has Pit Bulls said she found the book inspirational. Another reviewer with rescue experience wrote that at some points she wanted to stand up and cheer. Those comments mean a lot to me.
Reviewers have stated that it's a tough read because of what happens to the shelter animals. That's because the book's major theme is that killing homeless animals is a tragedy that can be stopped. While some parts of the story may shock people who are not aware of the problems, the book does not wallow in any harm done to animals. There are no long descriptions that are gory and disturbing. I would never be able to write anything like that because I am an animal advocate who loves dogs and cats.
The book is meant to be a good story that is uplifting. One reviewer who has Pit Bulls said she found the book inspirational. Another reviewer with rescue experience wrote that at some points she wanted to stand up and cheer. Those comments mean a lot to me.
Diane Meier
The book is a fictionalized account of events that actually occurred in Delaware and still happen in other communities across America. While the murder is pure fiction, I didn't have to imagine the organized crime, political corruption and other evils. As I created the characters and plot, I used stories that I heard directly from reliable sources, as well as articles in the mainstream media. My own experiences as an animal rescuer also gave me a lot of material for the story.
Diane Meier
1. What made you want to write?
Since I first scratched out the alphabet, I’ve been fascinated with the power of putting words on paper. My career required me that I write about public policy issues, but I have always devoted every spare moment to reading novels. I love to escape into other people’s lives.
I wished that I could write a novel, but every time I tried, I gave up in frustration.
I’ve heard the expression “write what you know.”
My great passion in life has been animal rescue. I didn’t want to write a memoir because some of the experiences were so painful. The hardest part of animal rescue is that you can’t save all the dogs and cats on death row. I believe that we could be saving almost all of them if shelters turned to the strategies of the no kill movement but that’s another topic.
I had blogged for years about shelters and the no kill movement, but it seemed to me like rescuers and animal advocates are always preaching to the choir. I started to think about how a novel might reach a different audience. I wanted to create a story that would not only engage and entertain people but also spread the word that we can save more homeless dogs and cats.
I started thinking about a story involving an animal shelter and then I realized that I had the perfect victim in mind for a murder mystery - an animal shelter director who kills, neglects and abuses dogs and cats. That’s not a spoiler because the murder happens on page one.
Once I knew who the victim would be, the story flowed easily. I was truly amazed.
Since I first scratched out the alphabet, I’ve been fascinated with the power of putting words on paper. My career required me that I write about public policy issues, but I have always devoted every spare moment to reading novels. I love to escape into other people’s lives.
I wished that I could write a novel, but every time I tried, I gave up in frustration.
I’ve heard the expression “write what you know.”
My great passion in life has been animal rescue. I didn’t want to write a memoir because some of the experiences were so painful. The hardest part of animal rescue is that you can’t save all the dogs and cats on death row. I believe that we could be saving almost all of them if shelters turned to the strategies of the no kill movement but that’s another topic.
I had blogged for years about shelters and the no kill movement, but it seemed to me like rescuers and animal advocates are always preaching to the choir. I started to think about how a novel might reach a different audience. I wanted to create a story that would not only engage and entertain people but also spread the word that we can save more homeless dogs and cats.
I started thinking about a story involving an animal shelter and then I realized that I had the perfect victim in mind for a murder mystery - an animal shelter director who kills, neglects and abuses dogs and cats. That’s not a spoiler because the murder happens on page one.
Once I knew who the victim would be, the story flowed easily. I was truly amazed.
Diane Meier
I'd be delighted to have you read my book.
Diane Meier
I have always wanted to write a novel but just couldn't find the right idea. Then it hit me that my experience in the animal rescue world was full of drama. I killed off the evil shelter director on page 1 and that was very satisfying. Then I had my good cop and bad cop (very bad) and a romance. The plot and characters really started pulling together.
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