T. C. LoTempio, author of A Tail of Two Murders, the latest novel in the Nick & Nora mysteries series, is visiting Ascroft, eh? today.
Welcome, T. C.
Tell us about your novel. Is it part of a series? If so, please tell us about the series too.
Yes, it is Book #9 in the Nick and Nora mystery series. It’s about a former true crime reporter who returns to her home town in California to manage her late mother’s sandwich shop, and ends up solving mysteries with the aid of a tubby tuxedo cat.
Where did the idea for the mystery that is central to the story come from?
My warped imagination LOL.
Is there a theme or subject that underlies the story? If so, what prompted you to write about it?
No particular theme. I confess I like to write complicated stories (so my editor tells me) and to me it’s a challenge every time to keep everything straight and work everything out. I’m hoping this will keep me from getting Altzheimer’s LOL.
How do you create your characters? Do you have favourite ones? If so, why are you partial to them?
That’s like asking a mother who her favorite child is, but I do admit I am partial to the character of Nick the cat. He is modelled after my own tuxedo, ROCCO. I got the idea for the series when he jumped into my lap whlle I was watching The Thin Man (I do that when it’s on Turner Classics every August)
How do you bring to life the place you are writing about?
I’ve visited Pebble Beach and Northern California where the series is set, so memories and research for these locations.
What research do you do to provide background information to help you write the novel?
Google is my friend!
Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers about the book?
If you like challenging cozies, I think you will enjoy this! And I would like to thank my loyal Nick and Nora readers. I could not do it without you.
You can keep up with everything on Rocco’s blog, www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com, and my website www.tclotempio.net I do put out a newsletter but I’ve been very lax this year (it’s been a rough one). I will improve in 2027!
Thank you for answering my questions, T. C., and good luck with A Tail of Two Murders, the latest book in the Nick & Nora mystery series.
Readers can learn more about T. C. LoTempio by visiting the author’s website and and blog, and her Facebook and Goodreads pages. You can also follow her on Twitter/X.
The novel is available at the following online retailers:
About T. C. LoTempio: T.C. LoTempio is the award-winning, nationally bestselling author of the Nick and Nora Mysteries, the Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries, and the Cat Rescue Mysteries. Born in New York City, she now resides in Phoenix, Arizona, with her two cats, Maxx and Rocco. Rocco prides himself on being the inspiration for her Nick and Nora series!
