Today Scarlett English is visiting Ascroft, eh? to tell us about Paws for Murder, her latest novel in the Barking Mad mystery series.

Welcome, Scarlett’s get started, shall we?

Tell us about your novel. Is it part of a series? If so, please tell us about the series too.

SE: The series is called The Barking Mad Mystery series because my rescue puppy Bailey insisted on having a starring role, even if he goes undercover and changes his name. The series is about a US Atlanta cop that comes to live in a small English village and becomes a community based police sergeant. He’s expecting lost dogs and bake sales but he’s immediately embroiled in murder and mayhem.

Where did the idea for the mystery that is central to the story come from?

SE: Because we’re a writing team. One American that adores England, and one Brit that lives in Florida and knows exactly the horrors Garrett is living through!

Is there a theme or subject that underlies the story? If so, what prompted you to write about it?

SE: Opposites attract! How many times have you heard that America and England are two nations divided by a common language?

How do you create your characters? Do you have favourite ones? If so, why are you partial to them?

SE: Oh we put in everyone we know! I adore Lilly. She’s my gran. My gran never solved a murder mystery simply because she never got the chance – but she could have, easily.

How do you bring to life the place you are writing about?

SE: It’s a mix of everywhere we’ve ever been.

What research do you do to provide background information to help you write the novel?

SE: English police procedures. Home made wine. Dog shows. How to deliver a Llama – I could go on…

Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers about the book?

SE: Garrett wanted to escape his life because he’s just taken part in a huge serial murder task force. He innocently thought he was going to spend the rest of his days finding lost dogs and stolen bicycles.

How wrong he was!

Thanks for answering my questions, Scarlett, and good luck with Paws for Murder, the latest book in the Barking Mad Mystery series.

The novel is available online at Amazon 

About Scarlett English: She is a crazy cat lady who likes solving mysteries. Or actually, make that a dog lady. Much to her chagrin, the police have never sought to consult her, which is why there seems to be so much unsolved crime. Especially—surprisingly enough—in the small English village where she lives. So, armed with curiosity, a penchant for taking in strays, a love of homemade wine and a good gossip, she puts her detecting talents to good use murdering her imaginary friends and neighbors and solving the cases one story at a time.