Today Jodi Linton is visiting Ascroft, eh? to tell us about The Hiker’s Guide to Murder, the latest novel in the Soutwest Exposure mystery series.

Welcome, Jodi. Let’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. The Hiker’s Guide to Murder is the second book in my Southwest Exposure Mystery Series. The book follows outdoors guide Andie Sullivan after she stumbles on a dead body while on a hike with her brother. In this book, Andie is pitted against her friend, the sheriff, as they race to uncover the truth about the killer. As to the series, it follows Andie, an outdoors guide, in New Mexico and various crime cases as she tries to keep her mountain community and tourist safe.

Where did the idea for the mystery that is central to the story come from? I recently went on a hike with my husband and kids, and before it was over my kids were whining that if we didn’t stop now, they’d die. So, that’s how I got the idea for a hiking murder case. Lol.

Is there a theme or subject that underlies the story? If so, what prompted you to write about it? Proving a person’s worth. I have this tug-of-war between Andie and Sheriff Mars, and in this particular book, I wanted them both to show their value in each other’s life. That neither can survive or do their job without the other. 

How do you create your characters? Do you have favourite ones? If so, why are you partial to them? When I’m thinking about characters, I think about what type of job they’ll have, and from there I create the plot and side characters around them. At the moment, my favourite character is Sheriff Zac Mars. He’s fun to write, with his wit and drive to get Andie to see he’s the only person for her, despite their age difference.

How do you bring to life the place you are writing about? I like to choose places I’ve been or live around to help me bring to life the location. If I’ve visited or even lived in the area, I get a better sense of the location and can describe it.

What research do you do to provide background information to help you write the novel? For the Southwest Exposure Mysteries, I vacation in the area I fictionalized for my series. We normally spend at least three to four trips in the mountains at various times throughout the year.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers about the book? It’s an adventurous, whodunnit in the mountains, with a splash of romance. And it has chipmunks.

Thanks for answering my questions, Jodi, and good luck with The Hiker’s Guide to Murder, the latest book in theSouthwest Exposure Mystery series.

Readers can learn more about Jodi and her writing by visiting her website and Jodi’s Book Corner, as well as her Bookbub and Instagram pages. You can also follow her on Twitter.

The novel is available online at Amazon

From Jodi Linton: I’m just a girl from Texas, minus the big hair…and oh, yeah, a horse. My crew consists of two kiddos, one which inherited my makeup addiction, and a husband still living out his garage band dreams, but in our closet next to my shoe collection.

I love to hang out with my readers, discussing books, recipes and just everyday shenanigans. I got started in the romance community, which you might know a few of my books from there. Now, I’m all about the cozies…and the coffee. Yeah, can’t forget that.

I’d love for you to come and join my reader group, Jodi’s Book Corner or come like me on Facebook to discover my books. And chat. Naturally.