BOOK REVIEW/INTERVIEW: Drive Bye by Amy Saunders

SYNOPSIS

Belinda’s recent blunders have come back to bite her – and Bennett – in the monster cupcake. But they’re not the only ones with problems. 

A car crash uncovers the body of an unlikely murder victim. But the more they learn about her, the more the answer to her death seems to lie in issues that reach far beyond Portside. 

As the truth comes out, and Belinda’s personal life teeters on the breaking point, she takes life by the maraschino cherries, and finds help in very unexpected places.

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REVIEW

Ms. Saunders scored points with me on this one before I ever clicked to 'turn the page' on this one.  I love punny titles chock full of "double entendre".  Add to that the fact that this is a "team cozy mystery" (Book 3 of the "Belinda and Bennett Mysteries") in the style of Agatha Christie (I loved her Tommy and Tuppence) and my reading engines were revving already.

So, imagine the scene.  You are trying to run a cupcake truck business.  You are fighting with your 'boyfriend'/partner over something on which he took the fall for you.  Your grandmother wants you to break up because the man is from the proverbial 'wrong side of the tracks'.  You come upon a fatal car accident on your way home from a wedding.  And you get asked to help solve the murder.  (I must have been absent the day they had the 'how to have an exciting life' class.)

But this is why I read books like "Drive Bye".  The writing flows beautifully and guides readers through numerous twists and turns with ease.

Stay tuned because Book 4 - "Overkill" is due out soon!

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AUTHOR INFORMATION

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Amy Saunders is a mystery lover with a soft spot for humor and romance–and the ocean. She lives in Massachusetts, and loves to bake and watch movies. She’s the author of one mystery series and three standalone mysteries. Learn more about Amy and her books at her website.

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INTERVIEW

1.  What is a 'house stalker"? (from your FB B&B page)

Well, basically I made up that term to describe what happens when I find a house to use as inspiration for someone in my books. I'll drive by it a hundred times, take TMZ stealth photos, that sort of thing. If you didn't know that I'm simply trying to commit images to memory to put in my books later, you might think I'm up to no good. 

2.  Do you prefer writing series books or standalones?

Now that I'm working on a series, I have to say series books. There was a time I only wanted to write standalones because I worried a series would bore me. But the opposite has been true. I'm relieved I don't have to say goodbye to my characters or setting just yet.

3.  When did the writing bug bite?

Pretty much in elementary school, but I got serious about it in my early teens. I wrote anything and everything from stories to plays. But it was the stories I always loved the most and wound up sticking with.

4.  Describe your 'ideal' writing day/setting.

Hmm...sunny and beautiful out. (I know it doesn't make sense, but I work better when it's nice out.) I have a photo on Pinterest of this ginormous porch swing - the size of a twin bed, no joke - with this fluffy cushion. I would want that looking out on the ocean so I can plop down with my laptop for the afternoon and enjoy the sea breeze while I write.

5.  Who are your writing influences and why?

As I was thinking about this question, I realized there's quite a few, really starting with L.M. Montgomery and Louisa May Alcott, whose styles I copied when I was about 10 or 11. In my teens, I read everything by Sherry Garland and Ann Rinaldi. I owe both authors for making me want to pursue writing myself.

When I got older, I read Agatha Christie books because my mom did. I was amazed at Christie's whodunnit skills, and though it was a long time before I attempted mystery writing myself, I know reading her books left me wanting to. There was also a series of medieval mysteries at my library by C.L. Grace that I devoured, and several adventure romance standalones by Madeleine Brent that affected the relationship aspect of my writing later on. Then there's Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen, which has influenced the romance side of my stories. In more recent history, I'm obsessed with the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan. I love his writing style.

6.  If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

Hawaii. I got to go there twice and it was the first place I felt I could live. The weather's gorgeous and I love that you're never too far from the coast. Plus, I like the casual lifestyle.

7.  What is your favorite color?

Blue. Specifically lighter, heathery blues, though I'm drawn to almost any shade.

8.  What's at the top of your TBR list?

Right now, book two of the Selection series by Kiera Cass, which I just got around to starting, and book two of The Blackwell Pages by K.L. Armstrong and M.A. Marr. I also just started Rhys Bowen's Molly Murphy series, so that's at the top. I always have more samples on my Kindle than time to read them!

9.  What's your favorite type of food?

Almost any type of comfort food with pasta around the top of the list.

10.  Say your books are made into movies.  Would you want to write the script, or .....?

I would love to do screenwriting, but since I have zero experience, I'd probably just want to work closely with someone who knows what they're doing!

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(Disclaimer:  I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  No other compensation was offered, requested, or received.  My opinions are my own.)