Monday, October 28, 2013

Interview with Young Adult Mystery Author Lisa Orchard

Lisa Orchard was hooked on mysteries by the fifth grade and even wrote a few of her own. She knew she wanted to be a writer even then. After graduating from Central Michigan University with a Marketing Degree she spent many years in the insurance industry, pining to express her creative side. The decision to stay home with her children gave her the opportunity to follow her dream and become a writer. She currently resides in Rockford Michigan with her husband, Steve, and two wonderful boys. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, running, hiking, and reading.

Hello, Lisa. This is a young adult mystery about three girls who organize their own detective squad. Please tell us about your novel.

It’s the story of an innocent game of Truth or Dare that spins out of control when three friends stumble upon the dead body of a reclusive neighborhood woman. The girls are taken into custody when the police arrive on the scene and find them. One of the police officers believes that the girls are responsible for the old woman’s death. Fearing he will frame them for the murder, the girls form their own detective squad and start their own inquest. They dig into the Cat-lady’s past and discover a horrible crime that happened thirty years ago. When they uncover a connection between the two crimes, they bring the information to the police, only to be reprimanded for meddling in the investigation. Not only are the girls upset by the admonition, but they find out their exuberant investigating may provide a legal loophole for the killer to go free. Frustrated by this turn of events, the Super Spies realize it’s up to them to snare the Cat Lady Killer.

This book is perfect for the Halloween season. Where did you get your inspiration for this book?

I got the inspiration for this book from my own teen exploits and the fact that I wanted to be a detective when I was younger. In fact, my friends and I formed our own detective squad and investigated an act of vandalism in my neighborhood. I was also a huge Nancy Drew fan when I was younger so the mystery genre was a natural choice for me.

What kind of research did you have to do for this novel?

I did a lot of research on police procedures regarding crime scenes.

What does your family think about your writing?
They’re very proud and excited for me. I have two young boys and they’re always coming up with titles for my books. It’s fun for all of us.

Now that’s real support. I love how your kids help out. Okay, it’s time to tell us something about the real you that we’ll never forget.

Well, I’ve already told you about my desire to be a detective when I was younger. That’s something most people never forget. LOL. I love chocolate and hiking in the woods. Both are great stress relievers!

True. Chocolate and exercise do relieve stress. Haha. Thanks for this great interview, Lisa. I believe this will be a fun series of books.

32 comments:

Lisa Orchard said...

Thanks for allowing me to be a guest, Linda! It's greatly appreciated!

Nikita said...

Great interview Linda and it seems a very interesting book.. :)

Nikita said...

OOps forgot to add my email id..Here it is nj_kinny@yahoo.co.in :) :)

Lisa Orchard said...

Thanks for stopping by Nikita! I appreciate your kind words. Good luck to you on the giveaway!

AshleighSwerdfeger said...

Wonderful interview! I used to love Nancy Drew, as well. I used to read all of my mom's books and some of my grandma's :)

Virginia Wright said...

Great interview Linda, with Lisa! Love the book cover, Lisa! Very colorful.

virginia [at] virginiawright.com

Library Lady said...

I would love to win this book for our Young Adult section in the church library.
Thanks for the chance to do so.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

Becky said...

Great interview! I really like the cover for The Super Spies and the Cat Lady Killer. I like the sound of this book, it sounds very interesting. I think it will be interesting to find out what happen to the reclusive neighborhood woman.

beckyqward@gmail.com

Lisa Orchard said...

Thanks for stopping by Ashleigh! I loved Nancy Drew too! If you love/loved Nancy Drew you'll love the Super Spies! :)

Lisa Orchard said...

Thanks for stopping by Virginia and for your kind words! I really love my cover too! ;)

Lisa Orchard said...

Thanks for stopping by Library Lady! Good luck to you in the giveaway. IF you don't win, feel free to send me an e-mail and I will donate a copy for your library! My e-mail address is lisa.orchard!@hotmail.com

Lisa Orchard said...

Thanks for stopping by Becky and for your kind words! Good luck to you in the giveaway!

Vicki said...

Sounds very intriguing! I will have to look for this one!

Unknown said...

Looks very interesting, My step daughter loves reading these kinds of books.
Thanks, Court

Troublemaker0869@yahoo.com

Lisa Orchard said...

Thanks for stopping by Courtney and Vicki! I appreciate your kind words. I've gotten a lot of 5 star reviews from young readers. :)

Daniel M said...

sounds like a fun one thanks for the giveaway! - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mary Preston said...

I loving adding to my reading list. This sounds like a read that my daughter would enjoy too.

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Unknown said...

I love mysteries but I haven't been reading many lately. This sounds like just my thing.
Nice interview!
Fictitious0@gmail.com

Lisa Orchard said...

Thanks for stopping by Daniel and for your kind words! Good luck to you!

Lisa Orchard said...

Thanks for stopping by Saeed! I appreciate your kind words! Good luck!

Lisa Orchard said...

Thanks for stopping by Mary! Good luck to you on the giveaway! :)

Lisa Orchard said...

Thanks for stopping by Factor Fiction! If you love mysteries you'll definitely love the Super Spies! Good luck to you on the giveaway!

krissylu said...

I still have a ton of my Nancy Drew books :)

Lisa Orchard said...

I do too, Krissylu! Nancy Drew books are classic! Thanks for stopping by!

Mozi Esme said...

Looks like a page-turner! And I love the kids getting involved in creative book titles... :)

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

Lisa Orchard said...

Thanks for stopping by Jane! Yes, the kids have as much fun as I do picking out titles! :)

My Hyer Space said...

Enjoyed your interview. Its fun reading how authors are inspired. Sounds like a great book. agent3547at aol dot com

LAWonder said...

Thank you, Linda for your great interviews, reviews, and giveaways. Thank you, Lisa for your generosity and for your book. It seems like it will be good.

Lisa Orchard said...

Thanks for stopping by My Hyer Space and LA Wonder! I appreciate your kind words! The winner will be announced shortly! :)

Mutti said...

This sounds like another really good book to read. Winter is coming. I am stocking up on good titles and new authors. My favorites can't keep up with me! How DOES one get a beloved author published faster? Now, that is a very good question, isn't it!

Linda Weaver Clarke said...

Congratulations, Mary Preston! You are the winner of this Young Adult book. Thanks for participating in this giveaway.