Madeline Mona Moon is visiting Ascroft, eh? today to tell us about Murder Under a Western Moon, the latest novel in the Mona Moon mystery series.

Welcome, Mona. Let’s get started, shall we?

Tell us about the novel that you live inside. Is it part of a series? If so, please tell us about the series too.

Hello Cozy Mystery Readers.  My name is Madeline Mona Moon.  I was born in New York City and am 29 years old.  My profession is cartography—at least it was until my estranged uncle died and made me his beneficiary.  I was bequeathed the man’s wealth, business empire, and a horse farm in the Kentucky Bluegrass.  It was fortuitous as I was out of a job and looking for work during the Great Depression. 

My uncle had several stipulations in order for me to inherit. One was that I had to live in Moon Mansion in Kentucky and take over Moon Enterprises which is a conglomerate of businesses.  I was wary of the terms, but accepted as I was tired of being hungry and jobless.  So I took the first train to Lexington, Ky. and soon discovered the Moon family was not happy with the terms of my uncle’s will—or with me for that matter.  Too bad.  I overcame my relatives’ distain and discovered I had a knack for business.  I discovered I also have a knack for solving murders.

Two years after I stepped off the train, I married an Englishman, Lawrence Robert Emerton Dagobert Farley, Duke of Brynelleth.  He had purchased the horse farm next to mine and—well—we just hit it off and got married.  We were supposed to be on our honeymoon when I received an urgent telegram stating a murder had been committed at a Moon Enterprises copper mine in Montana, and I needed to come quick.

Forgoing our honeymoon plans reluctantly, Robert and I caught the first train to Montana and investigated the murder while inadvertently placing ourselves in harm’s way.  We were followed, threatened, and plunged into mortal danger.  Those rugged Westerners play for keeps.  I don’t have time right now to tell you all of my adventures in Montana.  You simply must read Murder Under A Western Moon for yourself.  Trust me—you won’t be bored.

Does the writer control what happens in the story or do you get a say too?

Abigail Keam does a wonderful job weaving real people and events into the story to make the mystery more exciting for me.  I like the fact she adds an addendum at the end to further explain the history.  It would take too long to explain everything what was going in the 1930s myself, but she does a great job of it.  However, I don’t let her push her adjectives on me.  I am my own person, and I don’t let Miss Abigail shove me around.

How did you evolve as the main character?

I am from New York City, but I have grown to embrace Southern culture, which is more leisurely and quiet.  I had lived in dirty tents due to my profession most of my life because I traveled so much for work.  I enjoy living in Moon Manor where I can look out a window and see horses rambling in green pastures, hear dogs barking in the distance, and smell the catfish frying up in the kitchen.

Because of my wealth, I am more aware of noblesse oblige—a duty to help those less privileged.  I do my best.

Do you have any other characters you like sharing the story with? If so, why are you partial to them?

 I enjoy my husband, Robert Farley, who is the Duke of Brynelleth.  Of course, he kept his identity a secret when I first met him.  He lived next door and was involved with the Thoroughbred industry.  I must admit I didn’t like him at first as I didn’t care for his sarcastic humor.  We seemed always to be snapping at one another.  Maybe it was sexual tension—I don’t know, but when he grabbed and kissed me once—I was enthralled.  I couldn’t get Robert out of my mind, so I married him. 

What’s the place like where you find yourself in this story?

I travel to Mooncrest Village, the gritty mining camp outside Moon Mine in Montana.  I am troubled by the problems I find there—no electricity in the miners’ homes, village store overcharging the miners, lack of food on the miners’ tables.  I like to fix things—so I roll up my sleeves, putting things to right.  It gives me great satisfaction to right a wrong.  Oh, yes, I solve a murder along the way.

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

I met interesting people in Montana like Maggie Daly, who was an owner of the Anaconda Mine, one of the most famous mines in the world.  Montana is a wild, rugged place—not like Kentucky at all with its emerald pastures and white fences.  I grew to love its fierce beauty, and the people who migrated there to work in the copper mines, hoping for a fresh start during the Great Depression.  Like me, they were determined to move forward regardless of bank failures, the dust bowl, and economic collapse.  You can learn more about me from my creator – Abigail Keam.  My latest adventure just came out—Murder Under A Western Moon.  You can go to https://www.abigailkeam.com/books/murder-under-a-western-moon/ and find your favorite site to download it.

Feel free to sign up for my HoneyBee newsletter – http://www.abigailkeam.com/ 

I also have giveaways on my author’s Facebook page and TikTok page monthly.

Thank you for answering my questions, Mona, and good luck to you and your author, Abigail Keam, with Murder Under a Western Moon, the latest book in the Mona Moon mystery series.

Readers can learn more about Mona and her author, Abigail Keam by visiting the author’s website and her Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and Pinterest pages.

The novel is available at the following online retailers:

Amazon    Apple Books   Nook    Amazon UK    Amazon AU    Amazon CA

About Abigail Keam: Award-winning author Abigail Keam writes the Mona Moon Mystery Series—a rags-to-riches 1930s mystery series which includes real people and events into the story. “I am a student of history and love to insert historical information into my mysteries. My goal is to entertain my readers, but if they learn a little something along the way—well, then we are both happy.”  She has won many awards for her mysteries, and Murder Under A Western Moon is her 40th novel.  Miss Abigail lives on the cliffs above the Kentucky River with her husband and various critters.  In her spare time, Miss Abigail is a beekeeper.