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WORK TITLE: The Plot Is Murder
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S): Burns, Valerie
BIRTHDATE: 14-Nov
WEBSITE: http://www.vmburns.com/
CITY: Chattanooga
STATE: TN
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY: American
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born November 14, in South Bend, IN.
EDUCATION:Northwestern University, B.A.; University of Notre Dame, M.A.; Seton Hill University, M.F.A.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Author; also works as training manager at a call center.
AWARDS:Agatha Award nomination for best first novel, Malice Domestic, 2017, for The Plot Is Murder.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Cozy mystery author and Agatha Award nominee V.M. Burns made her debut with the first volume in the “Mystery Bookshop” series, The Plot Is Murder. The book centers on the life of a retired English teacher who finds herself in a tangle not of her own making after she moves to a small Michigan town. “When Samantha Washington’s husband dies,” Burns explained to Cynthia Chow in an interview Kings River Life, “she realizes how short life is; she decides to pursue the dream she and her husband shared of opening a mystery bookstore in Southwestern Michigan. When the listing agent for the building Sam buys is murdered, the police believe she is a good suspect. It’s up to Sam, her grandmother, Nana Jo, and her friends from the retirement village, to use their network of friends and family to find the real killer. Opening a mystery bookstore is only one part of Samantha’s dream. She also dreams of writing British historic cozy mysteries.” “Sam and the seniors,” said a Publishers Weekly reviewer, “do a heap of drinking and gambling en route to the satisfying solution.”
Like Sam, her protagonist, Burns initially followed a career path that differed from her dreams. “Burns graduated from Northwestern University and got her master’s degree from the University of Notre Dame,” stated Howard Dukes in the South Bend Tribune. “She worked for Whirlpool in Benton Harbor and then transferred to Cleveland, Tenn., when the company acquired Maytag. All the while, Burns was writing.” In fact, “Samantha’s love of mystery and her interest in British historical mysteries set in the Agatha Christie mold,” Dukes explained, “come from Burns’ own background.” “Similar to my protagonist … I dream of owning my own mystery bookstore,” Burns said in an interview with Kellye Garrett in Chicks on the Case. “In fact, several years ago I actually attempted to purchase a building in Michigan. I ran into a realtor who caused me a great deal of anguish. Eventually, I gave up. It was therapeutic for me to write the book and have the realtor who thwarted my dreams murdered. So, the moral of this story is, people who are mean to me may recognize themselves as a murder victim in one of my books.”
The Plot Is Murder combines elements of historical and contemporary mystery fiction. “Interspersed between Sam’s detecting and bookstore intrigue are chapters of her ongoing manuscript,” Cynthia Chow stated on the Kings River Life website. “What could have been a distraction to the main mystery actually turns out to be a charming and delightful highlight. An exuberant blend of romantic intrigue and murder, fans of Jane Austen will revel in the witty escapades of sisters who may be more alike than they think. This debut series skillfully introduces a multitude of very likable characters, with Sam as a standout young woman forced into starting her life over. The stories of both Sam’s life and her own fictional creations deliver surprising twists.”
Critics responded enthusiastically to Burns’s characters, especially Sam’s grandmother and her friends. “As for Nana Jo and the girls,” Burns told Garrett, “they were inspired by people I met at my first real job. I worked for the Region IV Area Agency on Aging, in Michigan. My job involved going to organizations the Area Agency funded to determine their compliance with federal, state and local regulations. During the course of my site visits, I met a lot of vibrant, energetic, sassy senior citizens.” Burns’s “characters are an eclectic bunch, the heroine is the real deal,” declared Debbie Haupt in the Romantic Times, and the hijinks of her “madcap senior sleuth team,” she continued, are a “blast.” “I give this book five out of five cozy stars! V.M. Burns created a cozy masterpiece!,” enthused a Touch My Spine website reviewer. “When reading through this book I was so excited and just wanted more! I absolutely loved the characterisation in this book. I loved how the main character … went sleuthing with a group on senior citizen ladies! These ladies were a hoot.” “In both story lines,” stated a Library Journal reviewer, “the elder characters shine; they are refreshingly witty and robust.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Library Journal, November 1, 2017, review of The Plot Is Murder.
Publishers Weekly, October 23, 2017, review of The Plot Is Murder, p. 67.
South Bend Tribune, March 18, 2018, Howard Dukes, “South Bend Native Lives Dream through Mystery Novel.”
ONLINE
Chicks on the Case, https://chicksonthecase.com/ (November 29, 2017), Kellye Garrett, “Chicks Interview: V.M. Burns.”
Kings River Life, http://kingsriverlife.com/ (January 13, 2018), Cynthia Chow, review of The Plot Is Murder; author interview.
RT Book Reviews, https://www.rtbookreviews.com/ (November 28, 2017), Debbie Haupt, review of The Plot Is Murder.
Touch My Spine, https://touchmyspinebookreviews.com/ (December 4, 2017), review of The Plot Is Murder.
BIO
Valerie Burns was born and raised in South Bend, Indiana.
She graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and Urban Studies. Valerie later went on to get a Master of Science in Administration from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Fine Arts in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University.
By day Valerie is a Training Manager at a call center for an appliance manufacturer. At night, Valerie writes cozy mysteries, children’s books and screenplays.
Valerie currently lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee with her two poodles.
Represented by Dawn Dowdle at Blue Ridge Literary Agency.
The Plot Is Murder
Publishers Weekly. 264.43 (Oct. 23, 2017): p67.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Listen
Full Text:
The Plot Is Murder
V.M. Burns. Kensington, $15 trade paper (230p) ISBN 978-1-4967-1181-6
Set in North Harbor, Mich., Burns's promising debut and series launch introduces mystery book lover and aspiring writer Samantha Washington. Sam and her late husband always wanted to own a mystery bookstore, and now she has one. When crooked realtor Clayton Parker shows up one day outside the bookstore, which is not yet open for business, and asks to speak with Sam, she sticks out her tongue at him through the window. Clayton leaves, but later he turns up dead in Sam's backyard. Sam becomes a suspect in Clayton's murder, though that doesn't stop her from getting the bookstore up and running, aided by a slew of family members. Meanwhile, Sam's grandmother, Nana Jo, and Nana Jo's retirement village friends help with the amateur sleuthing, though Burns paints their personalities with a bit too heavy a brush. Extracts from the cozy Sam is writing, set in England in 1938, add spice. Sam and the seniors do a heap of drinking and gambling en route to the satisfying solution. Agent: Dawn Dowdle, Blue Ridge Literary Agency. (Dec.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"The Plot Is Murder." Publishers Weekly, 23 Oct. 2017, p. 67. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A512184180/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=b6e8b228. Accessed 3 Mar. 2018.
The Plot is Murder By V.M. Burns: Review/Giveaway/Interview
IN THE JANUARY 13 ISSUE
FROM THE 2018 ARTICLES,
ANDCYNTHIA CHOW,
ANDMYSTERYRAT'S MAZE SECTIONS
by Cynthia Chow
This week we have a review of the first book in a brand new series from first time author V.M. Burns. We also have an interesting interview with V.M. Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of The Plot is Murder, and a link to purchase it from Amazon and an indie bookstore where a portion goes to help support KRL.
The Plot is Murder: A Mystery Bookshop Mystery by V.M. Burns
Review by Cynthia Chow
It is a bitter truth that it took the loss of Samantha Washington’s greatest love for her to achieve her greatest dream. While she and her husband had always dreamed of owning their own mystery book store, it was not until his death six months ago that insurance money and the sale of their home provided the incentive and means. Poised to open Market Street Mysteries in North Harbor, Michigan, the one contingency Sam didn’t plan for was to find her real estate agent dead outside her patio. Clayton Parker may have been unethical and greedy in his attempt to sell out her building to a higher bidder, but Sam certainly didn’t want him dead. She’s going to have to convince lazy Detective Brad Pitt (not that Brad Pitt), so to keep her independent bookstore from closing before it even opens, Sam is going to have to utilize all of the techniques and lore she’s learned through reading mysteries to track down a killer.book
What helped Sam grieve, and now combat the stress of a murder investigation, has been her novice attempt at crafting an historical British mystery. Unfortunately, the names and method of murder bear a little too much resemblance to actual persons and events for Detective “Stinky” Pitt to see them as coincidental, placing Sam firmly on the suspect list. It should be a long list, as Clayton’s own family is doing much mourning and his wife has a sexy personal trainer waiting in the wings. Sam’s enthusiastic Nana Jo (essentially all of the Golden Girls rolled into one) enlists her own senior girlfriends in a mission to infiltrate Clayton’s former life, and considering that the ladies spend their time at Zumba, Aikido, and water-skiing classes, it’s going to be a lively investigation.
Interspersed between Sam’s detecting and bookstore intrigue are chapters of her ongoing manuscript. What could have been a distraction to the main mystery actually turns out to be a charming and delightful highlight. An exuberant blend of romantic intrigue and murder, fans of Jane Austen will revel in the witty escapades of sisters who may be more alike than they think.
This debut series skillfully introduces a multitude of very likable characters, with Sam as a standout young woman forced into starting her life over. The stories of both Sam’s life and her own fictional creations deliver surprising twists for all, promising even more exhilarating adventures to come. Cozy mystery readers and historical novel aficionados will adore this warm-hearted, cleverly plotted new series.
Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).
Interview with V.M. Burns:
KRL: How long have you been writing?
VM: I’ve been writing for close to 20 years. I started writing screenplays in 2000. I later moved to mysteries. However, I struggled to find a home for any of the screenplays or early attempts at mysteries.
KRL: When did your first novel come out? What was it called? Can you tell us a little about it?
VM: The Plot Is Murder is my first novel, and it was released on November 28, 2017. This is the first book in the Mystery Bookshop mystery series. When Samantha Washington’s husband dies, she realizes how short life is; she decides to pursue the dream she and her husband shared of opening a mystery bookstore in Southwestern Michigan. When the listing agent for the building Sam buys is murdered, the police believe she is a good suspect. It’s up to Sam, her grandmother, Nana Jo, and her friends from the retirement village, to use their network of friends and family to find the real killer. Opening a mystery bookstore is only one part of Samantha’s dream. She also dreams of writing British historic cozy mysteries. Each book in this series will include a mystery within a mystery, the contemporary mystery Sam must solve, and the historic cozy set in between the two world wars, which she is writing.
author
V.M. Burns
KRL: Have you always written mysteries/suspense? If not what else have you written?
VM: I have four screenplays which have never seen the light of day. Mysteries are my passion.
KRL: What brought you to choose the setting and characters in your book/series? Please tell us a little about the setting and main character for your most recent book.
VM: I think the setting and character for The Plot Is Murder came from my own dreams and desires. Similar to the main character, my dream is to one day own my own mystery bookstore. I lived in Southwestern Michigan for several years, and that’s where I was when I first started writing the book. Although I now live in Tennessee, I think location in Michigan. The Lake Michigan shoreline is a beautiful area.
KRL: Do you write to entertain or is there something more you want the readers to take away from your work?
VM: I write to entertain and educate. I have three series: The Mystery Bookshop Mystery series; the RJ Franklin Mystery series (first book releases July 1, 2018), and The Dog Club Mystery series (first book releases August 2018). Each series will have what I hope is an intriguing mystery, but they will also include components which (I hope) will educate readers as well as entertain them. The bookshop series includes my love of history and includes lots of information about the period leading up to World War II. The RJ Franklin Mystery series takes place in Northwest Indiana which is my hometown area. It includes a lot of information about African-American culture and includes soul food recipes. The Dog Club Mysteries includes information on different dog breeds and various activities for dogs.
KRL: They all sound great! Do you have a schedule for your writing or just write whenever you can?
VM: I set writing goals of 7,500 to 10,000 words per week. This translates into 1,000 to 1,500 words per day. I try to write daily, but if I miss a day, then I can usually make it up on the weekend. If I can stick to that schedule, then I can generally get a rough draft completed in two months.
KRL: Do you outline? If not, do you have some other interesting way that you keep track of what’s going on, or what needs to happen in your book when you are writing it?
VM: Unfortunately, I am not a plotter, although I think my editor would prefer it if I were. I develop my characters and create a general idea of the plot. I create a detailed synopsis which provides a framework for the story. I write down the major clues and red herrings and allow the story to develop from the characters’ interactions.
KRL: If you had your ideal, what time of day would you prefer to write?
VM: In my perfect world I would write from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. Unfortunately, I don’t live in [a] perfect [world], so I write at night, usually 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
KRL: Did you find it difficult to get published in the beginning?
VM: YES! Most publishers don’t accept unsolicited manuscripts from unagented writers. So, I tried to find an agent and sent out tons of query letters to publishers and agents. Most agents receive thousands of query letters and it can be frustrating to wait for a reply. However, the key is to keep going and not give up. Once I signed with my agent, things fell into place fairly quickly. Writers don’t have to have an agent. However, it definitely makes life easier.
KRL: Do you have a great rejection/critique or acceptance story you’d like to share?
VM: The Plot Is Murder is my first published book. However, it was not the first book I wrote. The first mystery I wrote was called Travellin’ Shoes. I tried for years to find a publisher. Eventually, I moved on and wrote The Plot Is Murder and sold it. Unfortunately, my publisher wasn’t interested in Travellin’ Shoes. Rather than giving up, I decided to send it out again. I was fortunate to find Camel Press, and signed a six-book deal. Travellin’ Shoes will release in July 2018. So, my advice is, never give up. book
KRL: Most interesting book signing story in a bookstore or other venue?
VM: I haven’t had a lot of book signing stories yet, but I recently agreed to go on a small, local radio program to promote my book. I was scheduled to be in the studio at eight on Saturday morning. I decided there was no need to get dressed up since this was radio and no one would see me. So, I skipped makeup, threw on jeans and a sweater and headed to the studio. Imagine my surprise when I learned the radio program was streaming live on the internet. I learned from that experience to always be photo-ready, no matter the venue.
KRL: Future writing goals?
VM: My writing goals are to continue writing, and hopefully have a long-term career doing the thing that I love.
KRL: Writing heroes?
VM: Victoria Thompson, Emily Brightwell, Sue Grafton. These writers have created long-running series that continue to keep readers’ attention. The characters grow and evolve, yet maintain the unique qualities which got me hooked on the series in the first place.
KRL: What kind of research do you do?
VM: I do a lot of research on the internet. I watch documentaries and read a lot of history books.
KRL: What do you read?
VM: I read a lot of cozy mysteries. I enjoy the genre and trying to figure out whodunit. However, I also read cozy mysteries to learn what worked well. I like to re-read old favorites, like Agatha Christie’s The Murder Of Roger Akroyd, or And Then There Were None. I try to figure out what it is about the books that make them work. I also like to read biographies and the occasional fantasy novel. Unfortunately, I haven’t had a lot of time to read lately, so my To-Be-Read pile is huge.
KRL: Favorite TV or movies?
VM: I love mysteries (Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot, Sherlock Holmes, Nero Wolfe). I also watch a lot of science and history. One of my favorite shows is Mysteries at the Museum.
KRL: Any advice for aspiring or beginning writers?
VM: Keep writing and don’t give up. You will get a lot of rejections, but you have to keep trying. If you wait until the planets are perfectly aligned, then you will never achieve your goals. When something is important you make time for it, even if it’s only 10 or 15 minutes per day. Don’t worry about making everything perfect. Get the words on the page. You can always fix it later, but you can’t edit a blank page.
KRL: Anything you would like to add?
VM: The Plot Is Murder is my first book to be released. However, I have two other series that readers may enjoy that will release in 2018. So, check out my website for more information on the RJ Franklin Mystery series and the Dog Club Mystery series.
KRL: What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
VM: I love dogs and like to include them in my books. However, not a lot of people know that at one time I used to compete in Canine Agility and Obedience with my dogs. We weren’t very good, but I met a lot of wonderful people.
KRL: How fun! My sister competes in Agility.
Website? Twitter? Facebook?
VM: www.vmburns.com, twitter.com/vmburns, www.facebook.com/vmburnsbooks.
To enter to win a copy of The Plot is Murder, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “plot,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen January 20, 2018. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.
Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section.
Book Review: The Plot is Murder by V.M. Burns~5 Stars
DECEMBER 4, 2017DANI☆TOUCH MY SPINE BOOK REVIEWS☆10 COMMENTS ON BOOK REVIEW: THE PLOT IS MURDER BY V.M. BURNS~5 STARS
☆~Available Now~☆
I want to thank NetGalley and Kensington for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate this opportunity.
Book Blurb:
The small town of North Harbor on the shores of Lake Michigan is about to have a new mystery bookstore. But before the first customer can browse its shelves, the store’s owner is suspected of her own murder plot . . .
Samantha Washington has dreamed of owning her own mystery bookstore for as long as she can remember. And as she prepares for the store’s grand opening, she’s also realizing another dream–penning a cozy mystery set in England between the wars. While Samantha hires employees and fills the shelves with the latest mysteries, quick-witted Lady Penelope Marsh, long-overshadowed by her beautiful sister Daphne, refuses to lose the besotted Victor Carlston to her sibling’s charms. When one of Daphne’s suitors is murdered in a maze, Penelope steps in to solve the labyrinthine puzzle and win Victor.
But as Samantha indulges her imagination, the unimaginable happens in real life. A shady realtor turns up dead in her backyard, and the police suspect her–after all, the owner of a mystery bookstore might know a thing or two about murder. Aided by her feisty grandmother and an enthusiastic ensemble of colorful retirees, Samantha is determined to close the case before she opens her store. But will she live to conclude her own story when the killer has a revised ending in mind for her?
“You’ll love this delightful debut mystery with its charming and wacky cast of characters and a mystery within a mystery just to keep things interesting.”
–Victoria Thompson, bestselling author of Murder in Morningside Heights
“A charming read–with murder, romance and lots of mouthwatering desserts.”
–Laura Levine, author of Death of a Bachelorette
Review: I give this book 5 out of 5 cozy stars! V.M. Burns created a cozy masterpiece! When reading through this book I was so excited and just wanted more! I absolutely loved the characterisation in this book. I loved how the main character(Samantha) went sleuthing with a group on senior citizen ladies! These ladies were a hoot and could out party me any day! I just loved Nana Jo and how she was described as “all of the Golden Girls” wrapped up in one! Her group of friends that her and Samantha tagged along with made me laugh out loud.
I have been in a reading slump lately but was able to gobble this book up regardless of my mood. I also enjoyed how the main character was a writer and took us on another adventure. I felt both stories were well written and I couldn’t wait until I went back and forth to the other one. I can’t wait until I get to read more of V.M. Burns’ works! I definitely recommend this fun and light cozy!😊
Valerie Burns was born and raised in South Bend, Indiana.
She graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and Urban Studies. Valerie later went on to get a Master of Science in Administration from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Fine Arts in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University.
By day Valerie is a Training Manager at a call center for an appliance manufacturer. At night, Valerie writes cozy mysteries, children’s books and screenplays.
Valerie currently lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee with her two poodles.
Represented by Dawn Dowdle at Blue Ridge Literary Agency.
THE PLOT IS MURDER
Image of The Plot Is Murder (Mystery Bookshop)
Author(s): V.M. Burns
Burns’ latest tale is an entertaining cozy with a bite. The debut of her new Mystery Bookshop series stars a bookshop owner who also writes British cozies, giving readers a story inside a story and two brainteasers for the price of one. Fans will enjoy the witty dialogue, realistic depictions of settings, a plot that is a fantastic mix of humor and suspense, and a great lead-in to book two. The characters are an eclectic bunch, the heroine is the real deal and the madcap senior sleuth team is a blast.
After the untimely death of her husband, high-school English teacher Samantha Washington decides to make the lifelong dream they had of opening a mystery bookstore — and her personal dream of writing her own cozy mystery — a reality. She quits her job, buys a historic brownstone, stocks the shelves with all manner of who-done-its and sits down to write. Just before she’s ready to open the doors she finds a body on her property. Luckily her granny Nana Jo and her super senior citizen sleuth friends decide they’re going to catch the culprit. (KENSINGTON, Dec., 256 pp., $15.00)
Reviewed by:
Debbie Haupt
Title:
The Plot Is Murder: A Mystery Bookshop Mystery. Library Journal, 03630277, 11/1/2017, Vol. 142, Issue 18
The Plot Is Murder: A Mystery Bookshop Mystery
COZY CORNER
★ Burns, V.M. The Plot Is Murder: A Mystery Bookshop Mystery. Kensington. Nov. 2017. 256p. ISBN 9781496711816. pap. $15; ebk. ISBN 9781496711823. M
DEBUT Samantha Washington's late husband always dreamed of opening a mystery bookstore in North Harbor, MI, but she really wanted to write a British cozy mystery. Now Samantha is doing both, writing at night and preparing to open Market Street Mysteries in the brownstone she bought after a legal battle with the shady realtor Clayton Parker. Her problems with Clayton come to a head when she finds his body in her backyard. Police believe Samantha had reasons to kill him, but her grandmother Nana Jo has other ideas. She and "the girls" from the retirement village team up with Samantha to uncover the truth. In alternating chapters, the plot of Samantha's 1930s mystery unfolds. VERDICT This debut cleverly integrates a historical cozy within a contemporary mystery. In both story lines, the elder characters shine; they are refreshingly witty and robust, with formidable connections and investigative skills. Readers of Carolyn Hart and Vicki Delany will appreciate the lively seniors, the humor, and the bookstore environment.
Copyright of Library Journal is the property of Media Source, Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.
Kick-butt cozies. Fun, fearless sleuths.
Chicks Interview: V.M. Burns
Posted on November 29, 2017 by Kellye Garrett 19 Comments
I first met Valerie (aka V.M. Burns) when I invited her to join ’17 Scribes, a group of authors with their debut novels coming out in 2017. With both of us being black and writing amateur detective novels, we became fast friends.
So I was thrilled when she let me read an advanced copy of her debut, The Plot is Murder! (Full disclosure: I may have begged just a tad.) It came out yesterday and it’s amazing. Library Journal described the characters as “refreshingly witty and robust, with formidable connections and investigative skills.” Since I loved the book so much, I couldn’t wait to interview her for Chicks.
Valerie_Burns_Facebook.png
Kellye: Hi Valerie. Thank you so much for agreeing to talk with us. Let’s get started. How did you get the initial idea for The Plot is Murder?
Valerie: Thank you so much for this opportunity. Similar to my protagonist, Samantha Washington, I dream of owning my own mystery bookstore. In fact, several years ago I actually attempted to purchase a building in Michigan. I ran into a realtor who caused me a great deal of anguish. Eventually, I gave up. It was therapeutic for me to write the book and have the realtor who thwarted my dreams murdered. So, the moral of this story is, people who are mean to me may recognize themselves as a murder victim in one of my books.
Kellye: I actually just purchased something for my office that reads “If you were in my novel, you’d be dead by now.” so I definitely relate. And that explains one of my favorite moments in the book, which is when Samantha—who is an aspiring mystery writer—she points out that she’d “unconsciously taken bits and pieces of people I knew and turned them into characters in my fiction.” Besides that awful realtor, did you use any other real life people as inspiration? I’m especially curious about Samantha’s grandma Nana Jo and her crew of partying and investigating seniors.
Valerie: I tend to “Frankenstein” my characters. I take one person’s laugh, another’s manner of speaking and someone else’s sense of humor and meld them together to create a fictionalized character. As for Nana Jo and the girls, they were inspired by people I met at my first real job. I worked for the Region IV Area Agency on Aging, in Michigan. My job involved going to organizations the Area Agency funded to determine their compliance with federal, state and local regulations. During the course of my site visits, I met a lot of vibrant, energetic, sassy senior citizens who liked to party and have a good time. They were a wonderful group of people with great stories to tell and a network of family and friends. They’d lived long enough that they were completely uninhibited and had a real zest for life. I wanted to capture that spirit with my sleuthing sidekicks.
Amazon
Kellye: It sounds like my grandmother would have totally fit in with them! Another thing that I loved was that you get a two-for-one deal where we not only have the present day mystery but we also get to read Samantha’s work in progress that takes place in England between the two world wars. I’ve probably read hundreds of mysteries and this is the first time I’ve seen that. How did that idea come about?
Valerie: I knew I wanted to write about a woman who wrote British cozy mysteries. Initially, the only mystery would be the one my protagonist was writing, hence the title (The Plot is Murder). I felt that would solve the problem I sometimes have reading cozy mysteries where the protagonist encounters a lot of dead bodies. It would be natural for the bodies to exist only in the plot of a book. However, I wondered if that would be enough intrigue and thought it would add more interest if the protagonist also had a mystery to solve—two mysteries in every book, one contemporary and one British historical.
Kellye: As you already know, I’m a bit jealous because you might be the most prolific writer I know. You have three series coming out in the next year, including one with Camel Press and another with Lyrical/Kensington. How do you find the time to write so much and what advice do you have for aspiring mystery writers?
Valerie: I’m going to tackle the last part of that question first. My advice to aspiring mystery writers is to WRITE. Don’t wait for the planets to perfectly align, for your dream publisher to come knocking on your door, or for the day you hit the lottery and can afford to quit your day job and stay home and write full time. If you want to be a writer, you need to write. Don’t worry about getting the grammar or the formatting perfect, just get the words on the page. You can always edit later, but you can’t edit a blank page. That’s my secret.
Being a writer is my dream, and I decided to treat it like a full time job. I set a weekly writing word count goal of 7,500-10,000 words per week—that’s roughly 1,000-1,500 words per night. When I get home from work, I write. When I got rejections, I just kept writing. It took a lot of time and persistence, but eventually, I was able to find publishers for the three series, which will release in 2018.
Kellye: Nice. I was actually just speaking with a good friend who sent me a saying that if you write five pages a day for five days a week, you’ll have a finished novel in three months. We made a pact to try that with our next books. You’re clearly a cozy mystery fan so who are some of your favorite series and why?
Valerie: I love cozy mysteries. My favorite authors are Agatha Christie, Victoria Thompson, Patricia Wentworth, Rex Stout, Emily Brightwell, Dorothy Gilman, Laurien Berenson, and Jill Churchill. I like clever books that have humor. I love whodunits where I can pit my wits against the protagonist’s and try to discover whodunit before the sleuth.
Jill churchill
Kellye: Jill Churchill was one of the first authors I read once I discovered cozy mysteries as a teen. Final question, where can people meet you online or in person so they can learn more about the Mystery Bookshop series?
Valerie: I am doing a Facebook event for the 12 Slays of Christmas Thursday, November 30th from 7-8 EST. You can find more information here: https://www.facebook.com/events/122185258461170/.
On December 28, I will be participating in Beyond the Bookmarks, Cozies, Crime, Community & Christmas Facebook event. Info is here: https://www.facebook.com/events/154046095340794/
The best place to find information about other books in the Mystery Bookshop Mystery series or any of my other mystery series is on my website. Book descriptions and release dates are available at: www.vmburns.com.
Kellye: Great! Thanks so much for stopping by, Valerie!
The Plot is Murder
About The Plot is Murder:
The small town of North Harbor on the shores of Lake Michigan is about to have a new mystery bookstore. But before the first customer can browse its shelves, the store’s owner is suspected of her own murder plot . . .
Samantha Washington has dreamed of owning her own mystery bookstore for as long as she can remember. And as she prepares for the store’s grand opening, she’s also realizing another dream—penning a cozy mystery set in England between the wars. While Samantha hires employees and fills the shelves with the latest mysteries, quick-witted Lady Penelope Marsh, long-overshadowed by her beautiful sister Daphne, refuses to lose the besotted Victor Carlston to her sibling’s charms. When one of Daphne’s suitors is murdered in a maze, Penelope steps in to solve the labyrinthine puzzle and win Victor.
But as Samantha indulges her imagination, the unimaginable happens in real life. A shady realtor turns up dead in her backyard, and the police suspect her—after all, the owner of a mystery bookstore might know a thing or two about murder. Aided by her feisty grandmother and an enthusiastic ensemble of colorful retirees, Samantha is determined to close the case before she opens her store. But will she live to conclude her own story when the killer has a revised ending in mind for her?
VM Burns
About Valerie:
Valerie Burns was born and raised in South Bend, Indiana.
She graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and Urban Studies. Valerie later went on to get a Master of Science in Administration from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Fine Arts in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University.
Valerie currently lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee with her two poodles. She is represented by Dawn Dowdle at Blue Ridge Literary Agency. You can find her online at:
www.vmburns.com
https://www.facebook.com/vmburnsbooks/
https://twitter.com/vmburns
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19 thoughts on “Chicks Interview: V.M. Burns”
Hestia Athena (@hestia_athena) says:
November 29, 2017 at 10:59 am
This sounds like so much fun! Congrats on all your success. What an inspirational interview. Can’t wait to find the books.
Thanks Kellye and Valerie
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V.M. Burns says:
November 29, 2017 at 12:59 pm
Thank you so much for the kind words and support. I hope you enjoy the books.
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Ellen Byron says:
November 29, 2017 at 11:08 am
Oh, this book sounds fantastic! I can’t WAIT to read it – and all your books. I’m in awe of authors who can write multiple series. And Valerie, I’m doing the 12 Slays party, too! In fact, I have the slot right before yours tomorrow. Congratulations on your well-deserved success! Looking forward to your series and to meeting in person sometime. Perhaps Malice??
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V.M. Burns says:
November 29, 2017 at 12:58 pm
Thank you so much! I appreciate the kind words and well wishes more than you know. I’ll tune in early to the 12 Slays so I can support you (and learn). Malice is a definite YES!
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Mark says:
November 29, 2017 at 11:43 am
This book had been on my radar to buy, but now I know I need to get it. It sounds wonderful. And I have to support another Dorothy Gilman fan.
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V.M. Burns says:
November 29, 2017 at 1:00 pm
Thank you so much. I LOVE Dorothy Gilman. I hope you enjoy this series.
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vickiefee says:
November 29, 2017 at 11:47 am
Great interview, Valerie — thanks for stopping by Chicks! I love the concept for the plot is murder and look forward to reading it. You’re making a big splash in the cozy world with three series coming out — congrats!
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V.M. Burns says:
November 29, 2017 at 1:01 pm
Thanks Vicki Fee. I appreciate the kind words and support. I’m grateful to Chicks on the Case for interviewing me. I love reading the various blogs and interviews. Keep up the good work!
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Cynthia Kuhn says:
November 29, 2017 at 12:59 pm
Hi Valerie: What a wonderful interview. Thanks for visiting us!
I’m really looking forward to reading your books. Am especially intrigued by the murder-within-a-murder theme, as I have some of that going on in my books too (A prof who studies/teaches mystery is caught up in a mystery, a mystery about a play that is a mystery, etc.)–it is always SO fun to see how people play with such layers.
And three series in one year, well, I’m just going to give you a STANDING OVATION for that!! Best wishes for all the launches.
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V.M. Burns says:
November 29, 2017 at 1:06 pm
Thank you so much. I hope readers like the story-within-a-story too. Fingers crossed all goes well with the three series.
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Cynthia Kuhn says:
November 29, 2017 at 7:14 pm
I hope all three are huge successes. (You’re already a huge success for writing three! It’s amazing.)
Liked by 1 person
Marla Cooper says:
November 29, 2017 at 4:43 pm
What a great interview! I’m just coming off of NaNoWriMo, where the target word count is 1,667 a day (every day) so I can really appreciate the dedication it takes to do that every day (not just for one month!). It was great getting to hear more about your work, and I can’t wait to start reading!
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V.M. Burns says:
December 1, 2017 at 1:08 pm
Congrats on finishing NaNoWriMo. It’s a great way to get a huge jump in word count which can allow you to slow down during December. Glad you enjoyed the interview and I hope you enjoy the book.
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Kay Bennett says:
November 29, 2017 at 5:09 pm
Great interview. My copy just came yesterday and I started it last night. Really enjoying the little I have read so far. Thanks for letting us know about the fb events.
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V.M. Burns says:
December 1, 2017 at 1:09 pm
Thanks a lot. I hope you enjoy the book.
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Dru says:
November 29, 2017 at 7:40 pm
Congrats on your book release. I love Nana Jo.
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V.M. Burns says:
December 1, 2017 at 1:09 pm
Thanks Dru. I think she is my favorite character too.
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Lisa Q. Mathews says:
November 30, 2017 at 10:52 am
Hi Valerie, So nice to “meet” you and sorry I’m late to the party! But I just bought The Plot is Murder and can’t wait to read it. I am completely awed that you write multiple series–looks as if I’ll have a lot of extra reading in my future! Also, I feel terrible that you had a bad experience with a realtor (I am one also, in NH, but I promise I’m nice!)
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V.M. Burns says:
December 1, 2017 at 1:15 pm
It’s great to get to meet you too. I have moved a lot and I’ve been blessed to know quite a few really awesome realtors. I believe the guy was an anomaly, at least I hope so. Thanks so much for the support. I hope you enjoy the book.
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Crime drama addict. Can't do a Scottish accent. Known accomplice is a polydactyl tuxedo cat. Author of the DESTINATION WEDDING mysteries.
Recovering TV writer. Undercover candle addict. Abandoned promising early writing career for a Barbie Dream House. Author of HOLLYWOOD HOMICIDE.
Editor on the lam. Repeat typo offender. Once locked Nancy Drew in a closet. Author of THE LADIES SMYTHE & WESTIN series.
Reformed actress. Serial dog rescuer. Currently serving one-to-life writing TV sitcoms. Author of the Cajun Country mysteries.
Writer on work release. Stalked Miss Marple. Informant for grammar police. Author of the LIV & DI IN DIXIE mysteries.
Brazenly bookish. Armed with a pen. Last seen plotting between classes. Author of the Lila Maclean Academic Mystery series.
Valerie Burns was born and raised in South Bend, Indiana.
She graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and Urban Studies. Valerie later went on to get a Master of Science in Administration from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Fine Arts in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University.
By day Valerie is a Training Manager at a call center for an appliance manufacturer. At night, Valerie writes cozy mysteries, children’s books and screenplays.
Valerie currently lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee with her two poodles.
Represented by Dawn Dowdle at Blue Ridge Literary Agency.
South Bend native lives dream through mystery novel
By Howard Dukes South Bend Tribune Mar 18, 2018 Updated Mar 18, 2018 (7)
South Bend native lives dream through mystery novel
South Bend native Valerie Burns recently published “The Plot Is Murder,” the first book in her Mystery Bookshop series. Photo provided
Valerie Burns says that she has harbored two dreams that she shares with Samantha Washington, the main character in her mystery novel “The Plot Is Murder,” the first in her Mystery Bookshop series.
“The character’s dream was to buy a bookstore and write mysteries,” the South Bend native says. “My dream is to own a bookstore and write mysteries.”
In some ways, Samantha has outdone her creator. She not only owns a bookstore, she has a murder mystery to solve. On the other hand, Burns has finished her book while Samantha is still in the process of writing a novel.
Nominated for an Agatha Award for best first novel, “The Plot is Murder” tells the story of Samantha, a widow who shared a love of books and especially the mystery genre with her recently deceased husband. Samantha decides to honor her late husband’s wish to open a bookstore that focuses on mystery books by leaving her job as a high school teacher and purchasing a building. Samantha manages to buy the building despite the best efforts of her Realtor to sabotage the deal.
Samantha never forgave the Realtor for trying to undermine the deal and she never understood why. However, she is forced to seek the answers when she learns that the Realtor was fatally stabbed in the yard of her newly acquired property, and she becomes a person of interest after a detective notices a copy of Samantha’s manuscript on her office desk, reads it and learns that a character dies in a manner eerily similar to Samantha’s unfortunate Realtor.
A group of senior citizen ladies, led by Samantha’s grandmother, assists in solving the murder — in between shopping and taking trips to the local casino to gamble, meet gentlemen and eat at the buffet.
The setting of “The Plot Is Murder” has a local feel because the fictional cities that sit on the shore of Lake Michigan are modeled after Benton Harbor and St. Joseph, Burns says.
“Samantha will be the main protagonist throughout the series, and also will be working with her grandmother and the ladies from the retirement village,” she says.
Samantha’s love of mystery and her interest in British historical mysteries set in the Agatha Christie mold come from Burns’ own background.
“I’ve liked murder mysteries since I was young,” she says. “I was into Nancy Drew books and Agatha Christie. I would read them when I was a young teenager and I just couldn’t stop.”
Burns graduated from Northwestern University and got her master’s degree from the University of Notre Dame. She worked for Whirlpool in Benton Harbor and then transferred to Cleveland, Tenn., when the company acquired Maytag. All the while, Burns was writing, and although “The Plot Is Murder” is her first published book, it is not her first project. She couldn’t find a publisher for “Traveling Shoes,” her first novel.
Her fortunes changed when she enrolled in a creative writing program at Seton Hall University in New Jersey, where one of her favorite authors, Victoria Thompson, served as an adjunct professor. Burns, who still lives in Tennessee, stayed in the program for two years, rewrote “Traveling Shoes” and started work on “The Plot Is Murder.”
Kensington Press agreed to publish “The Plot Is Murder,” and eventually four other books in the Mystery Bookshop series. Burns found another publisher for “Traveling Shoes” as part of a six-book series. With that much work, Burns has to take a systematic approach to writing.
“I basically go to work and come home and I write,” she says. “I consider myself a pretty fast writer and I set goals. I set a weekly goal of 7,500 to 10,000 words, and that’s about 1,000 to 1,500 a day.”
Of course, some days are more productive than others, and Burns says that she does not push it when writer’s block slows her output.
“On weekends, I have more time, and I can make up for the days when the words don’t come.”
Valerie Burns Mystery Novels South Bend The Plot Is Murder