Emma Stewart is visiting Ascroft, eh? to tell us about Dying to Live Here, the first novel in the Estate Sales mystery series.

Welcome, Emma. 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.

My name is Emma Stewart. Dying to Live Here is about the crazy events that happened when I got the idea in my head that it would be fun to live in my best friend, Laura’s neighborhood. Laura lives in a cozy coastal neighborhood, so it seemed like an excellent idea. I know my dog, Hopper, would love to walk on the beach every day. Stumbling over a body during our first house viewing kind of threw a wrench into that plan, however. When all the suspicion landed on her, she begged me to help her track down the real killer. One of the places we looked for clues was an estate sale. Estate sale shopping is one of my hobbies. By the conclusion of our investigation, Laura came up with an idea for the two of us to start an estate sale business together. In future installments, you’ll find out about what happens during our early efforts to run our own estate sales. Lets just say we find more bodies than bargains.

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

Sometimes it’s hard to tell. Over the course of our friendship, Laura has always tried to take credit for the really great ideas, but I have the feeling that we’re swept along by the story we find ourselves in.

How did you evolve as the main character?

I have a tendency to make a joke out of everything. Sometimes life can be challenging, and being able to laugh at circumstances make them a whole lot more pleasant to muddle through—even when the circumstances involve a murder investigation.

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

Laura is my ride-or-die best friend. We may be different, but I know we’ll always be there for each other. We’ve been through a lot together, and she’s helped me through some difficult times.

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

Harbor Shores is close to the beach, which is my favorite place to be. Like any location, though, it has it’s ups and downs. Here in North Florida, we enjoy beautiful weather for most of the year. Sure, we ride out the occasional hurricane, but everything has its trade-offs. Laura’s neighborhood has some HOA drama, for sure. I could do without that.

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

I have a good feeling about this guy I met in Laura’s neighborhood named Sam. He’s handsome, funny, and my dog loves him. Over the course of the coming months, who knows? He could be someone I might be able to fall for. But first, I have to be certain I can trust him.

Thank you for answering my questions, Emma, and good luck to you and your author, Shelley Marsh, with Dying to Live Here, the first book in the Estate Sales mystery series.

Readers can learn more about Emma and her author, Shelley Marsh by visiting the author’s website and her Facebook, Instagram and TikTok pages. You can also follow her on Twitter/X, Threads and BlueSky.

The novel is available online at Amazon

About Shelley Marsh: Shelley writes laugh-out-loud mysteries set along Florida’s sun-splashed coast. Her forthcoming debut, Dying to Live Here (Feb 10 2026), launches the Estate Sale Mysteries series, pairing clever puzzles with a hint of romance. When she isn’t prowling estate sales for story fodder, Shelley combs beaches and bookstores, searching for treasure.