by: Jodi Linton
Series: Southwest Exposure Mystery
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release Date: October 5, 2020
Amazon | Paperback | Goodreads
Welcome to Bushwhack, New Mexico: home to tourists, the great outdoors, and murder…
Tourist season has hit Bushwhack and Andie Sullivan—owner of Sullivan’s Adventure Company—is ready for her town to fill up with city slickers, snotty teens, and the dollars she needs to keep her business afloat after her messy divorce from Bucky Gunn—local celebrity rafting guide and Sullivan’s main competition. With all her guided tours booked, it finally seems lady luck is on her side.
But then Bucky is found dead. Not great.
And she’s the prime murder suspect. Double not great.
Being framed for murder sucks worse than a rabid chipmunk bite. Andie’s determined to clear her name, and this time her survival training skills won’t be used to fetch an ice pack. But how long can she stay one step ahead of a killer before she becomes the final victim?
I’m great and feeling excited about the release of THE KILLER OUTDOORS.
That’s good. Congratulations by the way. You started your writing career out as a romance writer. Now, you’re writing cozy mysteries. Why the switch?
Actually, my first series was a funny, mystery with romance. Back in 2014, I sold The Deputy Laney Briggs Series through my agent to a romance publisher and before the series was published it had the romance upped. From there, I wrote them another romance though it was billed as a romantic suspense since it had a case at the core of its plot. I’ve always loved mystery books: cozy mysteries, thrillers, and psychological thrillers. It was natural to make the switch. I enjoy writing cases, with strong heroines solving the clues.
Please tell me about The Killer Outdoors and what readers can expect from it and the rest of your Southwest Exposure Mysteries series.
THE KILLER OUTDOORS is set in Bushwhack, New Mexico. Andie Sullivan, the sleuth, owns an adventure tour company with her brother. Readers should expect a humorous read with thrills set in the mountains. And if they know anything about parachute cord they’ll really dig the book. At its core, the Southwest Exposure Mysteries Series is fun with large over-the-top cases. As it progresses readers will start to unearth backstories on certain characters and get to follow Andie as she solves cases in her hometown. Also, each book focuses on a different outdoorsy adventure. THE KILLER OUTDOORS involves rafting. THE HIKER’S GUIDE TO MURDER (Book 2 out January 6) is about hiking and RAIDERS OF THE CAMPSITE ( Book 3 out March 17) deals with campsites. With each following book focusing on a new outdoor adventure and murder of course.
Can you tell me a little about Andie and some of the secondary characters in the series?
Andie is thirty-seven and owns Sullivan Adventure Company with her brother in Bushwhack, New Mexico. She’s divorced. Her ex-husband used to be a rafting guide for her company. As to secondary characters: there is Sheriff Zac Mars (who she babysit in high school when he was in middle school), her brother Kyle, and Vivian Allen, her crime-solving buddy.
How did you go about creating your characters? Did you have any inspirations?
Sometimes my characters pop into my head out of thin air. Other times, I have a direction or inspiration for them. As with THE KILLER OUTDOORS, my inspiration was New Mexico. The state is a favorite vacation spot for my family, particularly the mountain region so I knew I had to write a series there.
When you sat down to write The Killer Outdoors, did you already know who the killer was and why they did it, or were you taken by surprise?
I did and I didn’t. I have a few twists in this book, and they caught me off guard and I hope they catch the readers off guard as well.
Can you tell me a fun fact or two about The Killer Outdoors?
There’s a chipmunk village that tourists can go feed the chipmunks nuts. And yes. My family went to a chipmunk village in real life.
Oh my gosh! I LOVE that!!! If Andie was a real person and I could sit down and talk with her, what do you think she would say about you?
Hmm…that I drink too much creamer with my coffee and talk to my cats like they’re real people when I write.
Hey! I think everyone talks to their cats. Jodi, congratulations again. Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions for me.
Purchase The Killer Outdoors from:
The Southwest Exposure Mystery Series:
The Hiker’s Guide to Murder releases January 6, 2021
Raiders of the Campsite releases March 17, 2021
Hey Y’all,
I’m just a girl from Texas, minus the big hair…and oh, yeah, a horse. My crew consists of two kiddos, one which inherited my makeup addiction, and a husband still living out his garage band dreams, but in our closet next to my shoe collection.
I love to hang out with my readers, discussing books, recipes and just everyday shenanigans. I got started in the romance community, which you might know a few of my books from there. Now, I’m all about the cozies…and the coffee. Yeah, can’t forget that.
I’d love for you to come join my reader group, Jodi’s Book Corner or come like me on Facebook to discover my books. And chat. Naturally.
Places to find Jodi Linton:
Website | Facebook | Facebook Reader Group | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram | Amazon Author Page | Newsletter
You can follow The Killer Outdoors Blog Tour here.
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Sounds like a great cozy.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the interview and learning more about your book.
ReplyDeleteReally neat, great to come across this!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed the interview, Janine. Thank you for having me on your blog. I had fun doing the interview.
ReplyDelete