Ellen here, so happy to welcome my friend Shari Randall, a wonderful author – and occasional convention roomie! Shari writes the delightful Ice Cream Shop Mysteries. Today, she’s talking about what lies beneath the masks people present to the world. A perfect way to kick off the Halloween season!
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Ellen, Many thanks for inviting me to visit. You and the Chicks are some of my favorite people!
Behind the Masks
On a recent visit to the Art Institute of Chicago, I stumbled upon a harrowing work of art: the Ivan Albright painting used in the classic 1945 film The Picture of Dorian Gray. If you’ve seen it, you know the shock of coming upon this macabre work of art. Most of us know the Oscar Wilde story. Dorian is a beautiful young man about town who never seems to age for the simple reason that he’s traded his soul for eternal youth. His unsullied outward appearance hides a corrupt and depraved personality, and the cursed portrait in his attic shows the ravages of the evil in his soul. The true Dorian is hidden until the end of the movie, that is, when this truly disturbing portrait is unveiled. Perfect viewing for Halloween! (I won’t add an image of the painting because I don’t want to ruin your breakfast.)
So, Meri, what are you saying? Do you have a cursed portrait in your attic?
No cursed portrait, just lots of holiday decorations. But as we approach Halloween, I’ve been thinking about this painting, and about masks.
This idea of the contrast between the face that we present to the world and our true selves is one that every mystery writer plays with when writing our novels. After all, the successful villain doesn’t walk around with his intentions written on his face. As the Chicks know, our murderers must wear masks of respectability, innocence, even lovability, and keep their dark intentions under wraps.
In my latest Ice Cream Shop Mystery, Fatal Fudge Swirl, I had a delightful time creating some of my most complicated and devious characters, and then creating their masks. The affable celebrity chef – does his handsome face hide ruthless ambition? The always overlooked stepbrother – do his witty quips hide more than a broken heart? The television star, America’s sweetheart – is the sweetness an act? Does the teenage artist’s rebellion hide pain – or poison? The saintly philanthropist – how far will she go to achieve her goals?
I had a wonderful time setting Fatal Fudge Swirl at Halloween, with a Halloween-themed wedding as icing on the ice cream cake. I hope you’ll check it out and enjoy your visit to the bucolic village of Penniman, Connecticut. The leaves are blazing with fall color, the harvest festival is in full swing, and amateur sleuth Riley Rhodes has whipped up a batch of the most delicious pumpkin spice ice cream. But take care – things may not be as they appear.
Readers, have you ever seen The Picture of Dorian Gray? (Fun fact: it starred future Murder, She Wrote star Angela Lansbury.) Do you enjoy horror movies?
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BIO: Meri Allen is the pen name of Shari Randall, the author of the Agatha Award-winning Lobster Shack Mystery series. She enjoys sharing her love of beautiful – and mysterious – New England through her books.
SYNOPSIS: A movie production company brings drama — and murder — to the charming village of Penniman, Connecticut, forcing amateu sleuth Riley Rhodes to scoop out the suspects. The former CIA librarian is loving her fresh start as manager of the Udderly Delicious Ice Cream shop and is busy preparing for the crowds pouring into the village for the annual Halloween Happening. Everyone is buzzing with excitement. Former teen heartthrob Cooper Collins is overseeing production of a romantic comedy that’s filming in town, and his domineering socialite mother, Diantha, is planning her lavish Halloween-themed wedding at the Inn on the Green. Diantha’s fiance has run the inn for years, ably aided by his recent ex-wife, Mary Ann Dumas. Mary Ann turns to Riley when the bride-to-be requests a spooky ice cream wedding cake. But the celebration takes a frightful turn when Diantha is found dead and suspicion falls on Mary Ann. The cast of potential suspects is long and each had a chilling motive to kill the vicious heiress. Can Riley unmask the killer before another guest ends up on ice?
CLICK HERE to check out Fatal Fudge Swirl!
Chicks on the Case 
I don’t think I’ve seen it since the early 1980’s. I need to try to find the movie so that I can watch it again. I never would have guessed that Angela Lansbury was in it. That’s how long it has been.
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I’ll watch anything with Angela Lansbury. She’s so versatile and owns every role!
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I watched it in my teens. I need to watch it now and I would appreciate it much more. Angela Lansbury makes it even more enticing.
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Good morning! (Meri here – I’m coming up as Anonymous!) I saw it ages ago and wonder if it would still shock the same way?
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I’ll watch anything with Angela Lansbury! xo Meri
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Thanks for stopping by! Yes, Angela Lansbury is at the top of my must watch list! Meri
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Hi, Meri! I’ve started the book but never finished it. I’ll have to track the film down. I love watching Angela Lansbury early in her career. Cheers!
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Hi JC! I finally figured out how to replay as myself *head smack* Thanks for stopping by! Angela Lansbury is a musst watch for me too.
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Yay! Honestly, none of us can figure out why this keeps happening–sporadically, with no rhyme or reason. WordPress has been no help. They’re “fixing” bugs. Sorry for the initial “anon,” Meri, sigh.
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The eternal inscrutability of the internet. I switched browsers – maybe that’s the trick?
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Ahhh…thanks for the advice, Meri!
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I saw the movie a long time ago and of course I read the story when I was in college (English major here).
Not a big fan of horror movies – or books.
Congrats Shari/Meri!
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Thanks, Liz! I have to admit I have a hard time reading horror. I started Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot in high school and I got so creeped out I STILL haven’t finished it!
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I haven’t actually seen the film, but I loved the book! Which is a “duh,” given how much I adore Oscar Wilde. And I’m guessing he knew some creepy dandies about town who inspired the story….
Thanks so much for visiting the Chicks today, Shari, and I love the cover of “Fatal Fudge Swirl”!
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Thanks so much, Leslie! I’m also a fan of Oscar Wilde. Whenever people ask the “who which three writers living or dead would you like to invite for dinner” he’s on my list.
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He’d for sure be on my list! Ha!
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I’ve never watched the movie but have read the book. I’m not a huge horror film fan (though I have been dragged to a few scary movies).
Thanks for being on the Chicks, Shari/Meri! I love your list of the devious characters in Fatal Fudge Swirl!
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Hi Jen, thank you! Congratulations again on a job well done with SINC National! What will you do with all your spare time?
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Ha! Actually, people have already been approaching me for other tasks… 😉
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You’ve given me a great idea for a Holmes story, Meri! A pretty young man turns up in Baker Street and tells Holmes someone has stolen a picture from his attic…
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Ooo, yes please!
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LOL! Write it!
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I’ve never seen the movie or read the book–mostly because I saw a terrifying Dark Shadows episode based on Dorian Gray. I was watching at a friend’s house and she LOVED Dark Shadows. I don’t know how old I was at the time, but I’ve never recovered. I had no idea DS was supposed to be funny. Anyway, we’re so happy you’re here, Meri! Your new book sounds amazing–the perfect New England Halloween read!
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OMG Dark Shadows! A friend and I used to watch together – we were terrified. Now I see the cheesy sets (the walls move!) and the “special” effects and giggle.
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PS to Meri: We Chicks have NO idea what you mean about masks hiding true intentions/personalities.
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LOL!!
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Shari, thanks so much for guesting! I haven’t seen the movie in years. Right now, I have my own personal Picture of Ellen Byron. It’s called a mirror.
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Ellen, you kill me!
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I’ve never seen the movie or read the original story. I should do that at some point.
I have a fascination with horror movies. There are some I definitely enjoy. But there are others that don’t interest me in the slightest.
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Mark, you are braver than I am. Scary stuff, especially the slasher stuff? Nope.
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Ooooo! YES!! Love the movie and often bring it up when talking about public versus private personas. (Or is it personae?) As for horror movies in general, I’m too much of a fraidy cat to partake (although I do read King, so I guess I’m contradicting myself!)
Congrats on the latest! It sounds like a treat to read!!
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Hi Kathleen! There’s a lot going on in that movie that I didn’t get when I saw it as a kid. Definitely need a rewatch. (and sorry, my Latin is rusty to non existent, so I can’t help with personae?)
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Meri, I miss your Shari Randall Lobster Shack Mysteries but have your new ones but have yet to read then, so it is now on my TBR list soon. In my youth I loved horror books and movies. I remember reading The Exorcist. It was one of the few books that I had to put down for a while as it scared me so. I read them all–Stephen King, Anne Rice, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, Edgar Allen Poe, and so many more. But now since I am older, I just can’t read or watch them as they invade my dreams. I loved and still love “The Portrait of Dorian Gray” the movie. I never read the book.
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Madeleine, you made my day! I hope to bring back my Lobster Shack crew at some point. Keep your fingers crossed for me. I’m with you about scary stuff – I have a hard enough time getting to sleep these days without Freddie Krueger invading my dreams.
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Meri/Shari, I will keep my fingers crossed for the return of the Lobster Schack series. Many months ago, my husband had a scary movie on called “Jeepers Creepers.” I tried to get him to change it and he would not, and I stupidly sat there and watched it. He really did not as he was on his laptop. I should have changed the channel, but he gets mad if I don’t ask first. Now I can’t get it out of my mind, and it was scary as you know what. If I hear that old song by the same title, this movie comes to mind. It also just pops up and in my mind’s eye, I see that awful end of the movie… Yuck!
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Thank you for the warning – I will avoid that movie!!
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