Janet Winters's Blog

                       Granite Noir Crime Writing Festival
                                       Aberdeen Scotland



I had an amazing time in Aberdeen at the Second Annual Crime Writing Festival. As one of the few Americans in attendance, I had the opportunity to gain perspective on writing from authors and mystery fans from "across the pond."

Among the highlights were interviews with one of the UK's most popular actor/authors, Hugh Fraser. If you are a fan of PBS's Mystery series, you will undoubtedly recognize Hugh Fraser as Captain Hastings, Hercule Poirot's straight laced sidekick. [image error]
In his first novel, Harm, Fraser's protagonist, lesbian contract killer Rina Walker, is about as far from Captain Hasting as one could imagine. He told an amusing story...

Fraser was at a book fair mingling with fans when he was approached by an elderly lady who was quite thrilled by her opportunity to meet the charming and reserved Captain Hastings.


                                                                  [image error]
She purchased copy of Harm, and began reading it as she waited at the bus stop. Fraser and another lady attending the book fair watched the elderly woman through a window. She got to about page three and promptly threw the book into a nearby trash can. The woman watching with Fraser was astonished! Why would she do that? Fraser surmised that the lady reached page three where he used the "C" word. His companion considered. "Well, in that case can I buy two copies?"

                       Granite Noir Crime Writing Festival
                                       Aberdeen Scotland



I had an amazing time in Aberdeen at the Second Annual Crime Writing Festival. As one of the few Americans in attendance, I had the opportunity to gain perspective on writing from authors and mystery fans from "across the pond."

Among the highlights were interviews with one of the UK's most popular actor/authors, Hugh Fraser. If you are a fan of PBS's Mystery series, you will undoubtedly recognize Hugh Fraser as Captain Hastings, Hercule Poirot's straight laced sidekick. [image error]
In his first novel, Harm, Fraser's protagonist, lesbian contract killer Rina Walker, is about as far from Captain Hasting as one could imagine. He told an amusing story...

Fraser was at a book fair mingling with fans when he was approached by an elderly lady who was quite thrilled by her opportunity to meet the charming and reserved Captain Hastings.


                                                                  [image error]
She purchased copy of Harm, and began reading it as she waited at the bus stop. Fraser and another lady attending the book fair watched the elderly woman through a window. She got to about page three and promptly threw the book into a nearby trash can. The woman watching with Fraser was astonished! Why would she do that? Fraser surmised that the lady reached page three where he used the "C" word. His companion considered. "Well, in that case can I buy two copies?"

Booksigning in Ligonier!

Saturday November 12th

10am.- 4pm

Please join me for a signing of my new Ivy Snow Mystery "Death at Heart's Desire."
Plus...
Hostess, Beth Whitlock, will be showcasing her fabulous Holiday/Early Spring Estate Jewelry Collection.
Artistically intriguing all around! 
Hope to see you there!

Dovecote Ligonier
136 Main St, Ligonier

           Girl's Night Out
    The Fairmont Pittsburgh was the scene where local celebrities gathered to celebrate the distinguished "Best Office Pet" award presented by Pittsburgh Magazine as part of their "Best of the Burg" issue. Graciously accepting the award was Edie of the Fairmont, who serves as a tour guide of the Golden Triangle on behalf of the hotel.
   Mystery author, Janet Winters, was on-hand to congratulate & celebrate Edie's success. "She's the perfect pooch" quipped Winters. "She's an ambassadress with style and grace. I taught her everything she knows." Edie said "Woof."                                        
                                                                       

                          Death At Heart's Desire                            New Ivy Snow Mystery now available at Amazon.com 


Ivy Snow’s days are numbered. That is if Bart Skeleton has his way. He’s been humiliated and incarcerated thanks to his ex-wife, and now he’s hell bent on revenge.
In Death at Heart’s Desire, former Olympic equestrian and magazine publisher, Ivy Snow, strives to fashion a new life for herself and her teenage twins, while bigamous ex-husband, Skeleton, serves hard time.  Former Olympic equestrian and amateur sleuth, Ivy Snow returns after a triumphant success in the thrilling mystery, Murder at Morgan House.Her peaceful existence is short lived.   After a daring prison escape that leaves a river of death in it’s wake, Skeleton hatches a diabolical plan to put Ivy in her rightful place...the graveyard. With the help of her psychic young daughter, Jaycee, and dashing paramour, Detective John Garrett, Ivy tries desperately to untangle Bart’s web of destruction before it’s too late.

Baptism day for my beautiful new grandson, Neil Curtis Winters. It was a wonderful day for my son Brian, his wife Jackie, brothers Max and Nash, and godparents Allison Stouffer and Ben Tosh. Our families joined together to celebrate Neil's debut into the Christian community. I just had to brag....

EVENTS FROMSEARCHEvents List NavigationJanuary 2015 Literary Magazine Release PartyJanuary 23 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pmLatrobe Art CenterMeet Westmoreland County’s newest authors as Write Local celebrates the release of its literary magazine, Voices. Enjoy readings by new authors. Enjoy a panel discussion/Q&A with experienced authors including Dominick Domasky, Janet Winters, Joe Walko, and Amy Yanity. Purchase your copy of Write local’s literary magazine. Collect young authors’ signatures. Browse speakers’ books to purchase. Enjoy food available to purchase. For more information, contact Krista Sarraf, event organizer, at writelocal@gmail.com or 724.691.4864. RSVP is not required but encouraged. This event is free…FreeFIND OUT MORE

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Greetings all! Yes, I know it's been awhile since I've posted on "Get a Clue", but I've been crazy-busy! As a matter of fact, I've asked Ivy Snow to fill you all in on our trip to Savannah Georgia "The Hostess City of the South." Our visit was inspired by a favorite book (and movie) Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

If you're not familiar, it's the story of Jim Williams, an international antiques dealer who lived at Mercer  House, a neo-classic mansion that is the setting for a brutal murder that rocked the genteel citizens of Savannah.

 So, without further ado...take it away Ivy....

"Hi everyone. It's nice to be back. Hopefully we've already met in Murder at Morgan House, but if not, I invite you to read the book. We really should get to know each other better. 


As for visiting Savannah, we packed an incredible amount of adventure into one whirlwind of a day! As Janet mentioned, the trip was inspired by the happenings at Mercer House as related in the novel, so let's begin there! 
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We drove into Bull Street early Sunday afternoon, and fed a parking meter that was free on Sundays (typical.) We were immediately waylaid by an adorable Springer Spaniel named Belle, and her charming  as we strolled across Monterey Square on our way to tour Mercer House.