Peggy Rector is visiting Ascroft, eh? to tell us about Murder in the Genes, the latest novel in the Peggy Rector mystery series.

Welcome, Peggy. 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.

Thank you for asking, before I start, I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Peggy Rector and I’m a writer. I moved back to my hometown after the death of my husband. My plan was to write books, romance books, and I had the great idea of writing special books on commission, until an angry husband blamed me for the breakup of his marriage. I had no intention of becoming an amateur detective but here I am, three books in.  In the first book, A MURDEROUS GRUDGE, I found a body on a pickleball court of all places. The poor thing’s face was covered in cream pie! Who does that! When my old high school flame, Jess Carson, was accused of the murder, I  knew I had to help him. I enlisted my friends in the Stinky Springs Ladies Social Club to help.

In A TROPHY FOR MURDER a nasty local man, who wants to open a trophy hunting business, goes missing, despite not liking him, the whole town turns out to search for him, that’s how we roll in the country. Guess who found him. Yep, me and my westie, Mr. Winkie stumbled on him while out for a walk. Once again, the police are after the wrong guy, my BFF Wanda’s son. This was a complicated case but once again, the ladies and I nailed the bad guy.

MURDER IN THE GENES is my latest adventure which begins in England. I went to visit my fiance, Jess, who was landscaping a garden for a famous rock star. I met the sweetest lady, Eleanor, a genealogist with a nose for trouble. Back home, my friend Dorothy’s cousin died under suspicious circumstances. The local cops wanted to chalk it up to old age, but we disagreed. There was more to that story and you know the drill, we just had to find out who did it with the help of Eleanor, of course!

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

Good question. I believe that I control what happens in the story. My author just sits at her laptop and lets me channel my story through her fingers, kinda like a seance. She often comments on how surprised she is by what we get up to here in Stinky Springs.  I sure wish she typed faster as I have so much to say!

How did you evolve as the main character?

Oh wow. I’ve learned so much about life and myself since I moved back here to Stinky Springs. I left home after college and lived in the big city of Houston. Married, raised two great kids, had a fantastic career as an emergency room nurse.  But I was tired of the traffic, and the frantic pace of life. I left the hustle and bustle for a slower life in the country. Here, I’ve reconnected with old friends, learned a lot about myself, loyalty, and courage. I’ve learned to appreciate what I have, and how fragile life is, when to hold on and when to let go. I’m not perfect, as Jess and Wanda will tell you, I’ve still got a lot to learn, but I’ve come a long way, baby. (Sorry had to add that last bit)

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

Wanda, who I mentioned earlier, is my best friend. BFFs since we were toddlers. We kept in touch while I lived in Houston. I’d catch up with her when I visited Stinky Springs to see my folks. I live next door to her now. She’s a fantastic cook! Makes the best cakes and pies and her kolaches are to die for. Wanda’s been through a lot since I returned and I’m glad I was here to support her. The only time we didn’t get along was when our kids were dating. But I think that’s smoothed out.

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

The tiny town of Stinky Springs, Texas is halfway between Dallas and Houston. It’s set off the highway and you’d never know it was there unless you broke down! And yes, there is a ‘stinky spring’ nearby. We are surrounded by cattle ranches, small holdings and deer leases and a lovely little creek runs nearby. My house is at the end of the street and backs onto heavily wooded land. In the morning when I get up, I can often see deer crossing my yard. It’s peaceful and quiet.

The residents are a close knit community. We have some businesses: Betty’s Burger Bar, Georgia’s Crafts and Ammo, Risa’s combo laundromat, juice bar and yoga studio and the community center where the Stinky Springs Ladies Social Club has met for over one hundred and fifty years. 

Recently, they started building a new over-55 community, and we’ve had an influx of newcomers. They are good for the economy and give us old-timers something to gossip about.

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

Well, If I had to describe my books, I’d say that they are funny, sometimes silly, with touching moments of female friendship, in fact, friendship is the main theme running through the stories. The ladies of Stinky Springs love to laugh, get together, console each other, and support each other. I hope you’ll come along for the ride and get to know us. My Peggy Rector Mysteries are on Kindle Unlimited and available on Audible in audiobook format!

Thank you for answering my questions, Peggy, and good luck to you and your author, J M Roberts, with Murder in the Genes, the latest book in the Peggy Rector mystery series.

Readers can learn more about Peggy and her author, J M Roberts by visiting the author’s blog and her Facebook, Goodreads, Bookbub, and Instagram pages. You can also follow her on Twitter.

The novel is available online at  Amazon 

About J M Roberts: J. M. Roberts is a nurse turned writer, much like her main character in the Peggy Rector Mystery series. She lives in an over-55 development outside of Houston, Texas that provides endless ideas for her murder mysteries. When not taking notes on her friends and neighbors, she can be found in her garden, cooking, or reading.