Guest Post, Mysteries

Guest Post: Lucy Burdette

We are thrilled to be hosting Lucy Burdette, author of the Key West food critic mysteries! Please join us in giving her a warm welcome.

WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS

First, thank you for inviting me to be part of the Chicks today! It’s an honor to be here.

I know that there are authors who don’t read reviews, especially anything negative. I understand that, as every book feels like sending a baby out into the world. A baby that you worked on forever, drafting a plot, developing characters, polishing the writing. Criticism stings! However, I’m in the camp that reads reviews, unless they’re plain mean-spirited. I especially read mail from fans, and I’ve learned some very useful things from this. I’ll give you a couple of examples.

Some years ago, a fan wrote me about my character Hayley Snow’s love life: she did not believe there was any chemistry between Hayley and the man she was dating. She ended by saying, “I will not read any more of these books if you continue down this path.” After getting over the shock, I considered what she’d said and decided she was right. There were absolutely no sparks between Hayley and this guy. She wanted to be involved with someone—anyone—and he was a nice enough man. But she needed to move on. So we did. (Spoiler alert: Now she’s happily married to a man she met in book one, AN APPETITE FOR MURDER.)

Some comments I don’t take to heart. If you’ve read the Key West food critic mysteries, you might remember that I start each chapter with a quote having to do with food or cooking. I spend a lot of time gathering these and trying to match them to the action or mood in the chapter. Quite a few are discovered in the New York Times cooking section, where I greatly admire the food writers. But last year, a reader wrote and said she had to stop reading because the books had gotten too political. She particularly objected to the quotes from the New York Times. For that one, I had to shrug. I have political opinions for sure, but I try not to foist them on my characters—usually they’ll say what they feel like saying despite me.

One of my characters gets the most fan mail, and that is 80-something Miss Gloria, Hayley’s neighbor and good friend. One reviewer, Phil Jason, talked about her as a “poster girl” for active, insightful octogenarians. Miss Gloria and I both got a kick out of that. (The photo is of my former neighbor, Marilyn, who I considered a role model for Miss Gloria.)

Recently I wrote a post for Jungle Red Writers about keeping a series fresh over the long haul.  I got tons of comments, many of them about Miss Gloria. I’ll show you a few…

*I enjoy your books, but admit that it was Miss Gloria who drew me to them. It took me a while to ‘enjoy’ Hayley, but I do love her mother, and Lorenzo and Eric. Margo

*Unlike Margo I avoid your books where it appears Miss Gloria takes a too prominent part of the story. Many of her escapades are not believable while the rest of your series is excellent. I would prefer if your books became edgier and perhaps a bit more detail in the police procedural side. Those avenues would allow your series to change but also grow in an interesting new direction.

*Oh dear! I love Miss Gloria and find that it is refreshing to have an older character who is vibrant, active and full of good advice. I think the appeal of the Key West mysteries is that they are cozy mysteries and a darker, edgier, police work would defeat the purpose of this series. Hayley has changed and grown over the “years” but yes the other characters stay true to form.

*I agree with Margo about Miss Gloria. She shines and is a safe place for Hayley to stretch and grow. Not sure Hayley would have reached where she is in her development without Miss Gloria to impact her choices and viewpoints. Plus, Miss Gloria needs her as a cheerleader to keep the family from putting her in a home somewhere. They need each other. Victoria

So much food for thought there! When I’m writing future books, I will consider whether Miss Gloria is getting too silly, but I’ll also keep in mind what readers appreciate about her. But you know what I love most about those comments? My reading friends are talking about these characters as if they are real, exactly as they feel to me. That means I’ve done my job as a writer!

Questions for readers: Have you ever written to an author? Do you read reviews and blog comments—if so, how do they affect what you choose to read?

Clinical psychologist Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleib is the author of 25 novels, including the Key West food critic mystery series—THE MANGO MURDERS will be published by Crooked Lane Books on August 12.

Her two most recent books, A POISONOUS PALATE and A CLUE IN THE CRUMBS, were USA Today bestsellers. Crumbs also won Florida Book Award’s gold medal in popular fiction. A DISH TO DIE FOR and THE KEY LIME CRIME won bronze medals in popular fiction from the FL book awards. She’s a past president of Sisters in Crime, as well as past president of the Friends of the Key West Library.

https://lucyburdette.com

https://facebook.com/LucyBurdette

www.instagram.com/LucyBurdette

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lucy-burdette

About THE MANGO MURDERS: Food critic Hayley Snow’s employer, Key Zest, is throwing the event of the season, a lavish cocktail party catered by Janet Snow, Hayley’s mother. As Hayley boards the luxurious cruise, she anticipates a smooth sailing soiree soirée filled with shimmering cocktails, mouthwatering mango-infused delicacies, and new supporters for the e-zine. But as the boat sets sail, the festivities take a tragic turn when an explosion rocks the vessel, plunging the party guests into chaos.

In the days that follow, Hayley learns that a local culinary entrepreneur died in the explosion, and it was no accident–someone on board had a deadly agenda. With the tropical city of Key West as her backdrop, Hayley navigates a web of secrets and lies. Her investigation takes her from the shadowy corners of island politics to fierce competition between high-end event caterers and personal vendettas. With the clock ticking and the stakes higher than ever, Hayley must rely on her keen intuition to unmask a cunning culprit before they strike again.

Book link: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/788437/the-mango-murders-by-lucy-burdette/

32 thoughts on “Guest Post: Lucy Burdette”

  1. I write to a lot of authors and yes I read the comments and if I remember, I go back and comment on what others say. Do what they say in the comments affect what I choose to read, no, because I read what I want to read.

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  2. I don’t usually read reviews. I know what I like. I sometimes read the blurbs about the book but if it is a series that I read and love I don’t. I love the Haley Snow series and enjoy all the characters and reading about the food. I’m surprised that she isn’t the size of a blimp, I know I would be if I had her job. LOL Love her and Miss Gloria together and solving crimes. The books would not be the same without Miss Gloria. Keep up as you are. A fan for life.

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  3. Of course, you know I’m a weekday follower of JRW, Lucy. I read and comment here, too.

    I don’t read reviews of my books unless someone says, “Hey, did you see that great review?” When picking a book for myself, what people I trust say about a book means more than reviews from strangers on Amazon or Goodreads.

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  4. I do comment on blogs like this one and occasionally JRW and I do read the comments of others. They do not often influence my choices on what to read because like Dru Ann, I read what I like. I do consider recommendations I see, but view most negative comments as someone else’s opinion only. I too am a big fan of Miss Gloria and Hayley’s mom, but I get a huge kick out of Hayley as well!

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    1. thanks for reading and thanks for the kind words! I love hearing that you read what you like–however, sometimes my favorites don’t write fast enough and I have to branch out:). that’s when reviews and recommendations come in handy.

      Ps. we love when comment at Jungle Red Writers!

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  5. I consider reviews of my books a necessary evil. I do read them all, but seldom take them to heart. After all, I am the author. I wrote my book the way I wanted it. If others like it, that’s great. It makes me happy to brighten someone’s day. If not, no big deal. As far as Amazon goes, I consider reviews a numbers game. A one-star is worth as much as a five-star to increase visibility on Amazon.

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  6. I love the list of quotes from reviews you provided, Lucy, as that goes to prove that they’re going to be all over the map–one person’s pleasure is another’s poison.

    I used to read my reviews, but no longer do. It was just too aggravating.

    Thanks so much for visiting the Chicks today, my dear! I love your Key West Food Critic mysteries!

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  7. Hi, Lucy! Thank you so much for visiting with us today. I read some of my reviews. The feedback helps me step back and consider my writing. As a reader, I take book recommendations from family, friends and colleagues. Book reviews don’t often sway me. I look forward to reading The Mango Murders. Write happy!

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  8. Lucy, thank you so much for guesting with us! We’re the ones who are honored.

    When readers write to me personally, I always respond. And thank them! I’m grateful for anyone who writes a review, too.

    Sometimes readers will write you a “gotcha” email where they try to prove they’ve caught you making a mistake in an area where they know more than you. This happened to me recently when someone complained that I used the word “nugget” a bunch of times in the first 30 pages and gold nuggets are NEVER the same size, and she should know because she prospects. I don’t know where she got the idea that I thought nuggets were all the same size! But I wrote back yes, I know, they’re like snowflakes – everyone different – and I’d actually joined Gold Prospectors of America for a year. I said it was so cool she prospected herself and asked where – and of course never heard back!

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    1. People are funny! My favorite piece of fan mail (snail) was back when I was writing the golf mysteries. A man wrote to tell me that his aunt loved my character but wanted me to know that she drank too much and would never amount to much as a professional golfer if she continued. I still have that letter!

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  9. I don’t think I’ve ever written to a novelist… although a couple of times I’ve dashed off a quick note to the author of a funny essay or news story.

    But yeah, reading reviews is not for the faint of heart! I got some super mixed reviews on one of my characters who I absolutely loved writing. She’s kinda spicy but comes around in the end. I was hoping she was a character people would love to hate, but some people really disliked her and not in a fun way!

    The most unhelpful review I ever got was this: THIS IS AN MP3 I ORDERED A BOOK I CAN’T LISTEN TO THIS!!!!

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  10. I’ve written to three authors to let them know who much their writing means to me. These days, I’m lucky enough that I can text or email writer buddies to let them know their stories rock!
    As for reviews, I avoid them like the plague. My fragile self-image as a writer needs to stay away from the wild world or reviewing.

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  11. Lucy, you have always been one of my very favorite mystery writers–and I’m a huge fan of Hayley’s (and Miss Gloria’s)! I haven’t written to an author (ones I don’t know) since I was a kid. I was so upset when they didn’t write back, ha. (Of course, when I wrote kids’ books myself I got fan letters from kids who thought I knew Mary-Kate and Ashley or Lizzie McGuire. I wrote all of them back and said the characters were really happy they loved the books. (I know, I know–but I still believe in Santa.) Do I read my reviews? Umm…yup.

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  13. Sorry I’m late to this! Thanks for being our guest, Lucy! I find it wonderful that you’re getting lots of fan mail. The fact that readers have differing opinions means that you’re making your series nuanced and immersive.

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  14. I love, love, love your books. Maybe it is because we spent a couple of months every year in the Keys for thirteen consecutive years (starting in 2003) after having been down there since 1982 on and off. I love all of your characters and can’t wait for the next book to come out. I love the houseboats and remember seeing them when visiting Key West. Forget those people that say this or that and just write or us fans. I rarely read reviews as there are so many different tastes out there. I read the summary and buy the first book and if I like it, then I just keep on keeping on. I have a good friend that I taught school with from 1997-2000. She is 91 and a real go getter, so I believe in Miss Rose and all she can do. I have contacted authors online through blogs like this and newsletter. I love it.

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