Michael Murphy's Blog

Nearly all Americans were impacted by Covid. My writer's journey and more importantly my life was shattered by the disease. In December, 2020, my wife and I and our four children tested positive. My wife died on January 5, 2021. The rest of us survived, but the next several months were tough on us all. I managed to grieve but my focus was on helping my kids through their grief. With the help of family and incredible friends, we made it,,

As a writer, I managed to finish my work in progress The Halo Conspiracy but the joy and excitement of creating a fictional world was gone. I stopped writing and accepted it is as the passing of that portion of my life. I'd lost my will to write but that paled in comparison to losing my wife of forty-eight years.

A year ago, my long-time primary care physician asked if I was still writing. I told him no, I was too old. When I arrived home, I reflected on my answer and thought about my future. Over the next few days a story idea churned in my head and I began to write. To my surprise I effortlessly embraced the story and the characters. I was able to create suspense, humor, and mystery.

In a few weeks, the novel Sundown will be published. You can get an idea of what it's about in the book teaser I posted on my profile earlier today.

Tomorrow is the 4th year of my wife's passing, and she would be happy to know that, as I await the publication of Sundown, I've finally defeated Covid.

Whether you're an author or not, twitter users can expand their brand when followers re-tweet their tweets. Pinned tweets a simple way to increase your re-tweets. What's a pinned tweet?

It's a tweet that is attached to your twitter profile. When someone visits your page, that's the first tweet they see; so make it a good one.

I said simple, right. Here's how. Post your tweet then click the "..." option. One of those options is "pin to profile." Here's my profile with the pinned tweet promoting my new Jake and Laura novel.

Happy tweeting and re-tweeting.

Preparation for the release of a new novel is a busy time for any other author. In addition to the release of book four in the Jake and Laura Prohibition-era mystery series, The Big Brush-off, I'm working on my current work in progress a modern day mystery series set in Las Vegas. The Big Brush-off: A Jake & Laura Mystery

This week, my publisher, Penguin Random House Alibi has lowered the price on book three in the Jake and Laura series, Wings in the Dark. Readers can download for 99 cents. It's a light-hearted mystery where my favorite couple meets up in Hawaii with an old friend, Amelia Earhart. Wings in the Dark: A Jake & Laura Mystery

Busy times, but I want to thank the readers who've taken the time to post reviews of my novels. You're the best.

While writing, I sometimes get wrapped up in deadlines and focusing on my work in progress. But with Thanksgiving approaching, I wanted to thank those Goodreads readers who've posted nearly 285 reviews and ratings of the first three novels in the Jake and Laura historical mystery series; The Yankee Club, All That Glitters and Wings in the Dark.

Thank you all!

I’m often asked about what authors have influenced me the most. Invariably I get the answer wrong. So, to set the record straight, the two authors who’ve influenced me the most and helped shape my writing style are Vijaya Schartz and Toby Heathcotte.

Early in 1999, I got the silly notion I could write a novel. I completed one that year, but it wasn’t until Vijaya and Toby invited me to join their critique group that I learned how to write novels. Vijaya taught me to write sensory details and Toby taught me about avoiding passive writing, particularly the use of the dreaded word “was.”

Over the years, they’ve given me advice and encouragement and whatever success I’ve achieved, I trace to the day I was invited to join their writers group.

Vijaya was born in France. She acted on stage and television in Paris. She not only had to learn to speak English, but to write professionally in a new language. Try that sometime! With over twenty-five titles published, Vijaya writes action adventure laced with sensuality and suspense in exotic, medieval of futuristic settings. Her most recent work is a contemporary novella, Asleep in Scottsdale. You can download it for just 99 cents!

Toby is a former high school speech and drama teacher and wrote a book for drama teachers Program Building: A Practical Guide for Teachers. She’s served several years as President of the Arizona Authors Association. 

In addition to writing, Toby is an excerpt on psychic phenomena and dream analysis. She’s written a book Out of the Psychic Closet and writes a blog of the same name. Check them out.

I wanted to acquaint you with these two fascinating people with such deep and diverse backgrounds. It’s a pleasure calling these two talented writers my friend. I thank Vijaya and Toby for the expertise they’ve shared over the years, as well as their friendship.

 

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Book 4 in the Jake and Laura series.

ABOUT THE BIG BRUSH-OFF

The irresistible Jake & Laura return in Michael Murphy’s witty, fast-paced mystery series—perfect for readers of Dorothy Cannell and Christopher Fowler. In The Big Brush-off, the charming and indomitable duo heads to the Midwest to solve a chilling cold case of a young girl’s murder.

Blackie Doyle is dying. That’s what Jake Donovan’s literary agent tells him. Sales are falling, and the rough draft of Jake’s latest Blackie novel doesn’t look promising. Maybe Jake has been distracted by a recent barrage of real-life homicides, or by his marriage to the beautiful up-and-coming actress Laura Wilson, now slated for a part opposite Clark Gable himself. Whatever the reason, Jake decides to return to his roots. Which is why he and Laura hop the next train to the small town in Indiana where Jake once worked as a Pinkerton detective.

Ten years ago, the murder of a teenage girl interrupted life in quiet, God-fearing Hanover. The unsolved case has always gnawed at Jake, and it seems no coincidence that as soon as he starts digging up old ghosts, he’s once again writing like a dervish. Nor is it surprising that some townfolk would rather see the truth stay buried—and maybe even Jake and Laura with it. But the glamorous crime-solving pair refuse to leave before sorting through a bevy of suspects—and at long last nailing the one who almost got away with the not-so-perfect crime.

Praise for Michael Murphy’s Jake & Laura mysteries

 

“Glittering with a hint of Nick and Nora, Michael Murphy’s 1930s Manhattan provides a witty setting for murder and mayhem.”—Mary Daheim, bestselling author of The Alpine Yeoman, on The Yankee Club

“[Jake and Laura] are fun, witty, and charming, and [All That Glitters] is filled with the same kind of 1930s Hollywood glamour that made the film of The Thin Man such a classic.”—Popcorn Reads

“The third installment in Murphy’s series is just as much fun as the first. The mystery is full of twists with an ample amount of red herrings, suspects, and action.”—Mystery Please!, on Wings in the Dark

Coming in February from Penguin Random House

The post The Big Brush-Off appeared first on Michael Murphy's Mystery and History.

Book three in the Jake and Laura series, Wings in the Dark has barely been out two weeks. Amazing reviews have are flowing in; 10 five star reviews on Amazon and 20 on Goodreads already.

My publisher and I are busy working on book four in the series, The Big Brush-Off, to be released next February. Recently we finalized the cover. I hope you like it as much as I do!

The post Jake and Laura appeared first on Michael Murphy's Mystery and History.

Release Week for Wings in the Dark continues with blog interviews and reviews on Amazon, Nook Store, Goodreads and elsewhere. Thanks to all of you who are enjoying the Jake and Laura series, and special thanks to those who’ve posted reviews.

Amazon Kindle Daily is featuring Wings in the Dark and making a special offer, a chance to win an Amazon Echo. Stop by, check out my new novel and register to win between July 16 and 21.

Okay, you don’t even have to check out the novel to register. It’s quick and easy and an Amazon Echo is really cool.

If you haven’t purchased the new Jake and Laura novel, you can download to your Kindle, Nook, Kobo or other ebook device, for just $2.99.

 

 

The post Release Week Continues appeared first on Michael Murphy's Mystery and History.

Random House Alibi has released book three in the Jake and Laura historical mystery series. Download Wings in the Dark now for just $2.99 and journey back to Hawaii, 1935.

Witty and stylish in the classic Dashiell Hammett tradition, Michael Murphy’s latest high-flying Jake & Laura mystery features a Hawaiian honeymoon that’s interrupted when their friend Amelia Earhart is accused of murder.

Download Wings in the Dark for just $2.99

Hawaii, 1935. Mystery novelist Jake Donovan and actress Laura Wilson are in gorgeous sun-soaked Hawaii, but their best-laid plans for canoodling on the beach are interrupted by a summons from famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart. It seems a local businessman has been gunned down next to her plane. In just days, the famous pilot intends to fly from Honolulu to Los Angeles, making aviation history over the Pacific. But now, without Jake and Laura’s help, Earhart’s flight might never take off.

Trailing a killer, the newlyweds’ sleuthing leads to a jealous pilot, a cigar-chomping female officer of the “Royalist Militia,” and a notoriously disagreeable lieutenant colonel named Patton. With a sinister killer lurking in the shadows, it’s safe to say the honeymoon is over . . . and the danger has just begun.

Amazon Kindle    Amazon Kindle Canada    Amazon Kindle UK

Barnes & Noble Nook    Google Play Store       iBooks

Kobo    Books A Million

The post Wings in the Dark Release appeared first on Michael Murphy's Mystery and History.

Journey back to Hollywood’s Golden Age.

For a limited time only! Penguin Random House Alibi has reduced the price of All That Glitters, book two in the Jake and Laura series. Download for just $.99!

Download now for just 99 cents!

Amazon        Nook Store      Google Play Store        Apple          Kobo

Amazon Canada         Amazon UK

Praise for All That Glitters

“Jake and Laura really do remind me of Dashiell Hammett’s Nick and Nora Charles. They are fun, witty, and charming, and the novel is filled with the same kind of 1930s Hollywood glamour that made the film of The Thin Man such a classic.”—Popcorn Reads

 

“Art imitates life imitates art imitates life, with just as terrific results as the first book in this series, The Yankee Club.”—Reading Reality

 

“Michael Murphy has pulled off another successful novel with interesting characters, a riveting story, and a great setting that transports us back to Prohibition-era Hollywood.”—The Book Binder’s Daughter

 

“Murphy has a good thing going with this great new historical mystery series. . . . [They’re] fast-paced and a good look back at an interesting era and the people in it.”—Joyfully Retired

 

“Highly entertaining . . . Mystery lovers, noir fans and lovers of classic movies will really go for this book.”—The Reader’s Hollow

 

“I couldn’t put this book down. It grabbed me right from the start and I was quickly invested in the characters and their lives. . . . A great read and wonderfully fun characters.”—Mystery Playground

 

“You know how it is when you have the perfect cup? The aroma is great, the perfect balance in taste, it’s hot enough to warm your soul, but not too hot to burn your tongue, and the mug fits perfectly in your hands. All the senses are engaged and you forget the world around you. That is this book to a mystery reader- it has the impeccable balance.”—Lilac Reviews

All That Glitters Excerpt

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