Stacy Wilder, author of Cayman Conundrum, the latest novel in the Liz Adams mysteries series, is visiting Ascroft, eh? today.

Welcome, Stacy.

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

Cayman Conundrum is book four in the Liz Adams Mystery Series. Each book can be read as a standalone. The series features Private Investigator Liz Adams and her truth-sniffing Labrador retriever, Duke. The pair travel to various tourist destinations to solve the latest crimes. Here’s a brief description of Cayman:

A tropical vacation transforms into a web of danger and deception when an author and his manuscript vanish. Is his thriller about money laundering in the Caribbean too close to the truth?

With the stakes high and time ticking, Private Investigator Liz Adams and her new husband, Brad, along with their truth-sniffing Labrador, Duke, partner with the local authorities to unravel a multitude of crimes. As they search for clues, the newlyweds explore the delights of the island, including a hunt for buried treasure.

Will they unearth the clues in time, or will the honeymoon end in heartbreak? Set against the backdrop of the stunning island of Grand Cayman, this cozy mystery will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

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

The ideas for the stories typically come to me while I’m journalling or sometimes in the middle of the night. Part of the inspiration for this book came from an author friend who told me that she could never publish the first book that she wrote because it might get her killed.

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

There is a theme that runs through all the novels related to drugs and hints of money laundering. Cayman tackles the subject of money laundering in greater depth. Both subjects are important social issues, and I like that Liz helps bring justice to the culprits.

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

Creating characters is one of my favorite parts, and they often dictate the story. I have character worksheets that I use to flesh them out. Since my books are part of a series, I enjoy finding ways for the main characters to continue to develop and grow, introducing new characters, and bringing back characters from earlier books. In Cayman Conundrum, JP from Charleston, and Sam from Carmel, both make reappearances.

Of course, Liz’s Labrador retriever and sidekick, Duke, is one of my favorites. In Cayman Conundrum, Pearl, the queen of gossip on the island, is another favorite. Although some of my characters are based on real people who asked to be in the story, Pearl is a complete product of my imagination. Commissioner Holmes is loosely based on a friend of ours who asked to be in the book, and yes, he is British.

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

I google a lot of images, read books, and watch videos and movies set in the location. If possible, I also visit for research. Although I’ve been to Grand Cayman, it’s been years, and I couldn’t make a trip prior to the book’s release. Our good friends had a trip planned, and they scouted the settings in the story for me instead.

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

I do quite a bit of research including reading books on the subject, ordering tourist materials, researching online, and interviewing experts. For Cayman Conundrum, I was fortunate to be able to interview John Cassara, an expert in anti-money laundering. He’s authored multiple books on the subject and was gracious with his time and expertise. As a result of our conversations and his suggestions, I ended up altering the plot to make it more believable.

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

I donate a portion of the proceeds of the books to causes that help the homeless, both people and pets. So far, I’ve made donations to Texas Sporting Breed Rescue where we adopted our current Lab, Eve, Schnauzer Rescue of Texas, Citizens for Animal Protection, Best Friends Animal Society, National Alliance on Mental Illness, and Feeding America.

I’m currently working on the next book in the series, A Camping Conundrum, a novella, and also a prequel to Charleston Conundrum, the first book in the series, which once released will be available for free as a reader magnet.

Thank you for answering my questions, Stacy, and good luck with Cayman Conundrum, the latest book in the Liz Adams mystery series.

Readers can learn more about Stacy Wilder by visiting the author’s website and her Facebook, Instagram, Goodreads and Bookbub pages.

The novel is available at the following online retailers:

 Amazon – B&N – Kobo – Bookshop.org 

About Stacy Wilder: Stacy writes mysteries, children’s stories, short stories, and poetry. Her mission is to deliver a delightful story to readers of all ages while benefiting a larger community. She donates a portion of the proceeds from the sales of her books to causes that help the homeless, both people and pets.

Beyond writing, Stacy is deeply devoted to her faith, family, and her beloved Labradors. She is also enthusiastic about the causes she supports, the beauty of art, the serenity of the beach, and the joy of reading. She and her husband live in Houston, TX with a totally spoiled Labrador named Eve.