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Author Meeting Place Interviews Author J. R. Lindermuth of Pennsylvania, USA
Bio: I came back to writing full-time after a career as a newspaper reporter and editor. I say 'full-time' because I wrote for a variety of magazines and hammered away at short stories and novels throughout my career, though I have to admit without success in selling any of those novels.
Since retiring in 2000 I've also been librarian for my county historical society, where I assist people with research and genealogy.
How many book/s have you written?: I've published seven. A few others are in production and there are a few I'd rather forget.
Please share with us your book titles: Watch The Hour, a historical romance; three novels in the Sticks Hetrick mystery series: Something In Common, Cruel Cuts and Corruption's Child; The Accidental Spy, another historical novel; St. Hubert's Stag, mainstream, and Schlussel's Woman, historical mystery.
What genre/s would you like to write in?: I prefer mysteries and historicals.
Please share with us who or what encourages you to write and why?: Life. I'm curious about so many aspects of life and people and what makes us tick.
How long did it take for you to write your book/s?: That's a subjective question. It depends on the book. Some, like Schlussel's Woman, percolated for years. I recently wrote a historical mystery in less than a month. Of course that was first draft. It's not ready to submit yet.
How long did it take for you to publish your book/s?: Schlussel's Woman was published about a year after I finished it by an e-publisher who promptly went bust. I then self-pubbed it with iUnivese in 2003. In 2006, Whiskey Creek gave me a contract for Something In Common, first of the Hetrick novels.
Who did you publish with and why?: I went with iUniverse for my firt two novels out of frustration with the difficulties of finding a main-line publisher. Thankfully, there are now many more opportunities for writers--both in self-publishing and with the new generation of small publishers who are willing to take a chance of new writers.
Please share with us how you prefer to market your book/s?: I sell through several indie bookstores (unfortunately, the biggest just closed in the wake of the current economic downturn)as well as through every possible on line venue. I have two webpages, utilize Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, Authors Den, etc., etc.
Please share with us any event/s that you have planned in marketing your book/s: I've participated in several signing events this year, though they seem to have lost strength this year. A new venture for me has been speaking to clubs and organizations. I've done two in the past few months, have another next week and one is scheduled for February.
Do you wish to share any additional information with our readers?: The best part about being a writer is never being bored. I can’t understand people who say they’re bored. There’s always a challenge, something new to learn.
Backcover Description: When an out-of-state reporter is found murdered at a disreputable bar the tendency to violence spirals in the rural Pennsylvania community of Swatara Creek, and the investigative trail keeps bringing Sticks Hetrick and his team back to the family of a wealthy doctor who has retired in his hometown.
Hetrick and his protege Officer Flora Vastine are joined by an old friend from his State Police days as they unravel old secrets and mysteries in a tale with as many shocking twists as a country road.
Book Review/s to share: One family's tragedy seems balanced in the way of things by the return of the prodigal son who has been gone for more than a decade. His absence took him down a long road of drug abuse to a point where he says he found Jesus and has come home a changed man.
In the background of this tale lurk an unhappy marriage, other murders and a deepening mystery as to why two men from Maryland and a local barmaid are dead. Join Sticks as he and the local police force attempt to unravel the mystery.
There are secrets, twists in the trail and red herrings to keep you guessing. And reading. You will not want to be interrupted until you finish that last paragraph to find out who the killer is and why. Anne K. Edwards
Retired police chief Daniel 'Sticks' Hetrick, still serving as unofficial consultant to his less experienced successor, has another murder to deal with in rural Swatara Creek, Pennsylvania. The death of a local waitress is not the only trouble in the township. An elderly man has been seriously injured in the latest of a string of burglaries from the Amish, there are items missing from the police department evidence room and rumors of drug dealing are circulating.
Book Review/s to share: “Kevin stumbled onto a murdered woman and a wad of cash. Amos reported a rash of thefts in the Mennonite community. Corruptions Child has an interesting plot. The police are searching for a murderer and a thief. The intrigue goes much deeper, keeping the air of mystery at the forefront of this mystery. Twists and turns will keep readers on the edge of their seat.” Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for ReviewYourBook.com
"While billed as a 'Sticks' Hetrick novel, in fact, there is an ensemble cast of recurring characters. The author draws the reader into their day to day lives as the characters interact with one another and, at the same time, try their best to do their job of dealing with the unsavory underbelly of peaceful small town and rural America." - Douglas Quinn, author-editor-reviewer
“Talented author John Lindermuth has crafted a clever and very new plot for the fan of mysteries and suspense. Guaranteed to keep you reading, matching wits with Sticks as the story unfolds. Look out for icy roads as you search for red herrings and follow willingly down those false trails with the police. You'll love the lifelike characters with their realistic motivations, good guys and the baddies. Set in a small town in Pennsylvania, the author has captured the small town flavor all through the story, and if you're from a small town, it's like going home again. The characters are neighbors and old friends you'll enjoy renewing an acquaintance with. I'm happy to highly recommend this tale as a fun read anyone will enjoy. I know I sure did.” - Anne K. Edwards, Mysteryfiction.net ________________________________________ "I enjoyed reading Corruption's Child. There was good character development and it was an interesting peek into the Amish community. Most readers of a good mystery will appreciate and enjoy Corruption's Child." Sabrina Sumsion, www.premierbookreviews.com
Backcover Description: As the 19th century winds to a close, Sheriff Sylvester Tilghman of the small Pennsylvania town of Arahpot ponders his biggest problems: finding a new deputy and convincing his true love, Lydia, to marry him. But an early autumn day finds Arahpot's usual tranquility shaken when a stranger is fatally stabbed. Upon seeing the victim, Tilghman recalls witnessing a strained encounter between him and Valentine Deibert, an obese man with a wife half his age who had recently moved to Arahpot. The sheriff questions Deibert who denies knowing the victim. Tilgman is unconvinced, but lacks a connection until the widow arrives in Arahpot. Suddenly Sylvester is plunged into investigating two murders. As he works through an abundance of motivated suspects, Tilghman finds himself in danger. And worse -- Lydia is pushing her obnoxious cousin as a candidate for deputy.
Ben Yeager is a police officer, sworn to protect property of mine owners in the 1870s in Pennsylvania’s anthracite coal region. His job makes him the enemy of the Irish. And that’s the crux of his troubles. For Ben is in love with an Irish girl.
john.lindermuth@verizon.net
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