Crafting an Enjoyable Whodunit: A Conversation with Debra Goldstein
Debra Goldstein is a short story writer and the author of the Sarah Blair mystery series. It was a treat to be able to talk with Debra about her journey to her writing career, her interest in mystery writing, and, of course, her latest release (Five Belles Too Many):
Bradley Sides: First of all, thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions for us over at the AWC. Before we get into your latest novel, Five Belles Too Many, do you mind talking about your journey to becoming a writer? When did you know you were going to write books?
Debra Goldstein: As a child, I enjoyed writing/telling stories and creating plays for my friends to act out. In college, I toyed with the idea of becoming a journalist or a writer, so one of my majors was English. I deliberately graduated a term early and two days later went to New York with two goals: obtain a job in publishing and get on Jeopardy. While I job hunted by day, I typed law school applications at night. I was lucky to achieve my goals but decided I didn’t want to be at the bottom of publishing so in the fall I went to law school. Throughout law school and during my career as a litigator and judge, I wrote boring briefs and decisions, any skit needed for a party or organizational project, and talked about writing. Finally, after being challenged to write or stop talking about it, I wrote Maze in Blue, a mystery set on the University of Michigan’s campus in the 1970’s. It was published by a small press in 2011 and received a 2012 IPPY award.
For the next few years, I tried to keep my writing and judicial careers separate. Just before my second book, Should Have Played Poker: a Carrie Martin and the Mah Jongg Players Mystery, was set to be released, an attorney and his client appeared before me. At the end of each hearing, I’d ask, “Is there anything more?” and the well-trained lawyers would answer “No, your honor,” before I did a standard closing. On this particular day, the attorney did what he was supposed to do, but his client said, “Yes, your honor. There is one more thing.”
I glanced at the attorney to give him time to control his client, but he put his hands up in the air indicating that was an impossibility. So, I asked the client, “What is it, sir?”
When he replied, “No matter how you rule, I’m going to buy your book,” I knew it was time to decide between my passion for writing and my lifetime appointment. I chose passion. Oh, and he probably didn’t buy the book because I ruled against him.
BS: Reading is a big part of so many writers’ lives. Is this true for you?
DG: Yes, I have always been an avid reader. I don’t read quite as much since I began writing, but I try to take a month off between my books to catch up on my pleasure reading.
BS: Five Belles Too Many is the fifth novel of your Sarah Blair Mystery. For readers who aren’t familiar with the series, what’s it about?
DG: Sarah Blair was married at eighteen, divorced at twenty-eight. The only thing she got out of the marriage was her Siamese cat, RahRah. In One Taste Too Many, she is finding herself and wishing she were as goal oriented as her twin sister, Chef Emily. When Sarah’s ex-husband is murdered by what appears to be a taste of Emily’s award-winning rhubarb crisp, Sarah must find the true killer or take her sister’s place in a food exhibition. For a woman who is more afraid of the kitchen than murder, Sarah has incentive to clear her sister’s name. As the series evolves, so does the amateur sleuthing and the character of Sarah. The series is meant to be light – a beach, bedside, or airplane read – and fun, but with a whodunit that will always keep the reader guessing.
Woman’s World Magazine picked One Taste Too Many as a cozy book of the week. Two Bites Too Many, Three Treats Too Many, and Four Cuts Too Many were all Silver Falchion finalists. I am excited about newly released Five Belles Too Many because it is one of my favorite books in the series. In Five Belles, Sarah is forced to be her mother’s chaperone when her mother is one of five finalists in a reality TV competition to win the perfect Southern wedding. To make matters worse, the contestants and chaperones must stay at a bed and breakfast run by Sarah’s greatest nemesis, Jane. When the television show’s producer is found dead, with Jane crouched over the body, Sarah must either help her nemesis or chance more of the cast and crew being permanently eliminated.
BS: What draws you to mystery writing?
DG: I’m drawn to mystery writing by the challenge of crafting an enjoyable whodunit.
BS: I’m interested in the approach to writing when working with a series. Does the story tend to unfold as you get to each novel? Or do you already have most of the series planned out—and use that outline to shape each book?
DG: Although I have a one paragraph premise for each book, I’m a pantser so the story unfolds as I write. Usually, once I start a book, I have an idea where it will go, but I can’t force it. I need to listen to the characters to get each book right.
BS: I’m drawn to books that are set in and work around the culinary world. For you, is this a world you are already familiar with, or did you have to do a lot of research to make sure you were getting the feeling right?
DG: I am as clueless in the kitchen as Sarah. Takeout and her recipes that include pre-made ingredients, like Jell-O in a Can and Spinach Pie made with Stouffers frozen spinach souffle, are the limits of my cooking ability. Because we eat out a lot and I have several friends who are chefs in Birmingham, Alabama (quite a foody town), I let them teach me about their kitchens, utensils, and the interaction of those who work in a restaurant. My lack of knowledge gave them a lot of laughs and their patience enabled me, I hope, to get the feeling of the culinary world right.
BS: Before I let you go, can you tell us what you are working on next? Another Sarah Blair Mystery novel?
DG: I write long and short. Consequently, I’m working on several short stories – three of which are scheduled for publication in 2022. My long work in progress is a suspense novel rather than a Sarah Blair cozy mystery.
BS: Thank you again, Debra, for your time, and congratulations on the release of Five Belles Too Many!
Judge Debra H. Goldstein writes Kensington’s Sarah Blair mystery series (Five Belles Too Many, Four Cuts Too Many, Three Treats Too Many, Two Bites Too Many, and One Taste Too Many). Her short stories, which have been named Agatha, Anthony, and Derringer finalists, have appeared in numerous periodicals and anthologies including Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Black Cat Mystery Magazine, Mystery Weekly, Malice Domestic Murder Most Edible, Masthead, Murder by the Glass, and Jukes & Tonks. Debra served on the national boards of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America and was president of the Guppy and SEMWA chapters. Find out more about Debra at https://www.DebraHGoldstein.com .