We adore Nancy Cole Silverman and we double-adore having her on Chicks on the Blog. Today, the award-winning, multi-series writing author talks about old passions and new beginnings. Take it away, Nancy!
I used to have a great aunt who, at 66, decided to go back to nursing school because she wanted to be a travel nurse and, at 70, build a harp because she wanted to learn to play and couldn’t find a harp for sale at her local music store. She was an inspiration to me. And when I turned 73, I decided I’d go back and take up the flute, which I hadn’t played since I was 13.
I’ve been playing or trying to play for six months. And let me say, this is not an easy thing. I go for lessons at the local music store and sit with a group of 4th graders who wait outside the music teacher’s door for my lesson. In my mind, I see a Norman Rockwell picture, with me proudly holding my flute, lined up with a dozen young protégées, wondering what’s wrong with her? I’ve gone from sounding like an elephant in heat in the Serengeti to one of my dog’s squeaky toys. And while I’ll never be a threat to the first chair flute of the LA Philharmonic, I believe it’s important to try new things as we get older. It keeps the cobwebs from forming.
This may be one of the reasons why, as I sat down to write Murder on the Med, the third book in my Kat Lawson mysteries, I found my tone to be different. I wanted a somewhat lighter approach with this book, a chance to take Kat on a well-earned vacation. Kat works undercover as a reporter for a travel publication, and she’s just come off of a very successful assignment. It seemed only natural that she should also be assigned to cover a regular travel feature, something purely recreational. A bonus for all her hard work.
I love cruising, and as I shopped around for ideas on the internet, I landed on the motherload. A retirement condominium complex at sea, a luxury yacht designed for seniors wishing to spend their idle years sailing into the sunset. What could be more perfect, and how much trouble could a bunch of retired senior citizens get into?
Murder on the Med was a delight to write. And like all of my books, it’s centered around a true story; the theft of a Geneva Freeport and the disappearance of one of the world’s most extensive collections of art and artifacts from the ancient world. A story about greed, larceny, and murder on the high seas with a complex group of geriatric seniors who fancy themselves modern-day pirates.
Dear readers: Is there something from days of yore you’d like to try again? Are you hankering to blaze trails with any new hobbies? Do you have suggestions for pastimes for *us* to explore? Do tell!
About Nancy Cole Silverman:
Nancy Cole Silverman spent nearly twenty-five years in news and talk radio before retiring to write fiction. Silverman’s award-winning short stories and crime-focused novels, the Carol Childs and Misty Dawn Mysteries (Henry Press), are based in Los Angeles, while her newest series, the Kat Lawson Mysteries (Level Best Books), takes a more international approach. Kat Lawson, a former investigative reporter has gone undercover for the FBI as a feature writer for a
travel publication. Expect lots of international intrigue, vivid descriptions of small European villages, great food, lost archives, and non-stop action. Silverman lives in Los Angeles with her husband and thoroughly pampered standard poodle, Paris.
About Murder on the Med:
A travel feature turns into a deadly investigation for Kat Lawson when she discovers a missing passenger, presumed overboard, may have been used as a mule to smuggle ancient artifacts aboard Athena, a luxury cruise ship designed for retired seniors at sea. Kat Lawson has got a plumb assignment, or so she thinks. Travel International has rewarded her
with a vacation cruise along the Amalfi Coast to report on a new floating senior retirement center. After working undercover as a travel reporter for the FBI and barely escaping her last assignment with her life, Kat’s job is to relax, take notes, shoot pictures, and report back on an extravagant cruise from Napes to Positano. What could go wrong?
But once aboard, Kat quickly learns it’s not all smooth sailing. Kat finds a handbag for Dede Drummerhausen, the woman who owns the suite where Kat is staying, and hidden inside is a gold coin. Rumors abound. Passengers and some of their possessions have gone missing. The residents are restless, and some on board are suspicious of a travel reporter who might uncover their secret mission. When Athena’s captain discovers Kat snooping below deck, she soon realizes, like the antiquities hidden onboard, that she’s been kidnapped and that her job and her life are in danger.
Chicks on the Case 
Kudos on the flute, Nancy! I played violin well into adulthood, letting up only about 10-12 years ago. But I got rusty fast! My daughter took it up for her pandemic project and goads me into playing. I hope I don’t get so I can’t play at all!
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I look at it this way, no one ever has to hear me play; except maybe my dog. But it’s so much fun and I love going for lessons. Keeps me young.
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The good news is that nobody but my dog has to hear me practice. It’s great fun. I forgot how much I enjoyed it. Take out the violin, maybe one day we’ll jam! A girl can dream, right?
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It’s a date!
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Hi Nancy! So happy that you’re visiting us today. Miss you. Congratulations on your latest–and of course on your series. What a fascinating premise.
And I played the flute in my youth and know that it’s not easy–am very impressed at what you’re doing! The image of you as a Rockwell painting with the little kiddos is so funny and wonderful too.
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Gosh darn it, another bestie who played flute! (see my comment below, ha).
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You too? We need to form a flute ensemble… if nothing else we can hold the flute and play a little Dubusy in the background.
Bing Videos
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The mental picture of me with my flute amid all the school kids always brings a smile to my face. The sound…not so much. But as a fellow flutest you know how difficult it it. But i do enjoy it.
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Nancy, thanks so much for joining us on Chicks today–and what a fabulous post! MURDER ON THE MED sounds amazing–on my TBR list!–and love that you’ve taken up the flute again. I wanted to play flute in band like my friends as a kid, but got stuck with my sister’s (beautiful) old clarinet. I used to be a competitive ice dancer, and I recently had big plans of taking up skating again. I even my had my old custom skates refurbished (at the same place I’d gone as a teen). But then they closed all the rinks for the pandemic, and afterward…my “new” skates didn’t fit again! Sigh. Lately, I’ve taken up French again (phrases just starting popping out on occasion, so I went with it), and I’m also trying to learn Irish, which is HARD. I found a teacher and group I like via Instagram. Gra mor (sorry, can’t create the accents here), Lisa
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Irish! That’s no easy. But what fun. It all keeps us you. As for me, I’ll take an Irish coffee and toast you.
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Slainte!
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Your Aunt’s can-do attitude is an inspiration at any age. Thanks for this fun post, Nancy.
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She was an amazing woman, and inspirational to me. You never know how you might impress someone. Keeps us all on our toes.
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Thanks for your post, Nancy. Your book sounds interesting and I’ll put it on my TBR list.
I wrote my first novel when I was 65. Now, ten novels later, I’m still going strong. Never let anyone tell you that you can’t live your dreams!
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Never to old. That’s my motto. Keep writing.
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Congratulations on the new book, Nancy, and best of luck with the flute lessons! During my youth, I did some acting in school productions and had a lot of fun. The last few months, I’ve been thinking about joining a local community theater group. Don’t know if I have the guts for a speaking role, but I could always help out in the wings!
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I bet you’d do great, JC! My husband is shy and unassuming, so when he accepted an invitation to be Elwood in a Blues Brothers cover band, all our friends and family were stunned. But he says as soon as he puts on the sunglasses, hat, and the white socks, he’s Elwood and not nervous at all. Plus, he learned to play harmonica!
I’m proud of you for picking up that flute again, Nancy. I still dust off my tap shoes and do the clickedy-clack every so often, but I’m beginning to let go of the idea I’ll dance on Broadway ….
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Dance away! It keeps us young. Dust off those shoes.
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You never know when you open yourself up for opportunities what might come your way. I’ll look for your name on the marquee.
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Congratulations on the new book, which is immediately going on my TBR! I think it’s terrific that you’ve taken up the flute again and I wish you many hours of happily creating and exploring new music.
In the last couple years I’ve begun teaching myself watercolor painting, which I love. And my husband and I spent 5 days in Quebec during the last week—while we were there we ordered French textbooks and workbooks to start learning (and re-learning, in my case) French. We’re looking forward to the adventure!
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I used to think when I was young and foolish, that when I finished school I’d never pick up a text book again. How glad I am that I don’t feel that way anymore.
As that old axiom says, the sky’s the limit. Think it and you can do it.
Enjoy your pursuits.
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I agree! And merci!
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I’ve thought about picking up my clarinet again–which I played fairly seriously through college–but it needs an entire set of new pads, and I think the repair would cost more than the instrument is worth. So it continues to sit in my closet…
Thanks for visiting the Chicks, and congrats on the new book–it looks so fun!
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This latest book in the series was a fun one to write. And the idea of a retirement center on ship is very appealing to me.
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Congrats on another fun book.
Every so often, I think about picking up my guitar again. But I really don’t have time to try anything new right now. Work and my blog keep me too busy.
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And I’m the better for your busy blog. But I do hope you don’t get rid of the guitar. You never know…
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I have no intention of getting rid of my guitar. Some day, I hope to pick it up again.
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Thanks for being on the blog, Nancy! Love that cover, and congrats on picking up the flute again. (My younger kiddo plays the flute!) I haven’t found anything that I want to pick up again, though I’d enjoy going horseback riding once more.
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Oh, don’t get me started on horses. I love them. I’ve had two and if I hadn’t finally been throw off, I’d never be the writer I am today. Long story!
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Congrats on the book, Nancy. My grandmother offered me the choice of flute or violin when I was a kid. I chose violin. It’s still under my bed. Every once in a while, I think about taking it out but it probably needs a good tuning and I’m not good enough for that. What I really should have taken was viola.
I played piano for years as well, but haven’t because the piano needs a good tuning, too.
I keep thinking I’ll get back to my counted-cross-stitch, but something always comes up.
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I sense it, either the violin or the cross-stitching, is calling. You’ve time.
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Hi Nancy! Loved the post – and the book! When it comes to travel, I want to do it the way you and Bruce do, lol. I’ve been watching PBS so much that now I want to take a river cruise!
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I know it’s in your future. You deserve it.
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