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Allison Spector will be awarding a signed copy of book with original plot outline notes (loose sheets of paper) inside and additional notes at end or in margins of story (US/Canada only) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

Character Interview for Marian Krause of Let’s Stalk Rex Jupiter!

By Allison Spector

Marian Krause is a gumshoe on a mission.  She’s hot on the trail of the infamous Rex Jupiter.  And while she’s at it, she might just uncover the identity of the dead-woman who shares her name and social security number.

Life is busy in the Evergreen Jungle, but there’s always time to answer questions from those who wish to glimpse into the moss-covered underbelly of the Pacific Northwest….

Thanks for visiting us today, Ms. Krause.  Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Yes.  I could.

Well, are you going to?

Perhaps.  But then again, perhaps not.  For you see, my dear friend, I have recently tangoed with Questionable Characters who have ensnared themselves on the Cruel Thorns of Evil.  They have stolen my good name to wear as a cloak of darkness.  At first I feared that the Red Communists were involved, but now I think I may be facing an even more formidable foe—an Author of Dubious Intent!  So as much as I’d like to disclose the details of my life, I fear I might reveal Too Much and embolden those who might prey on that weakness.

Well, you don’t have to reveal anything that might make you uncomfortable.

Thank you, ma’am.  I appreciate your understanding.  What I will say is this:  I am Marian Fitzpatrick Krause, detective extraordinaire.  I am unmoved by the dark deeds and diabolic dealings of my dubious detractors.  And I will unmask the conspiracy that has ensnared the City of Subdued Excitement.

Ah, you’re a detective!  That explains a lot (I guess.)  What kind of cases do you cover?

Glad you asked, toots!  Usually, I go in for the typical dick work—feline recovery; small property misplacements; ex-lover surveillance; street corner periodical review.  But this time—this time, I’m onto something big.  I found a dame what’s been scored by her no-goodnik lover.  I got to close to the iceberg of truth so she tried to gaslight me.  Claimed that I was already dead, and that some doppelgänger had taken my place.  She had the nerve to claim that I wasn’t ever a real private detective.  Well, I am quite corporeal.  And this this some-body is going dig up the bones of Justice!

Wow…that’s certainly some imagery.  What type of education is required to become a private detective?

Are you questioning my qualifications, ma’am?  Well, I’ll have you know that I am a veritable expert in my field.  I’ve been trained by all the best guides in the business.  As a matter of fact, I have read three hundred and forty-two detective books, thirty-four penny dreadfuls, twenty true-crime novels, and one book about private dicks that may not been represented correctly by clerk who recommended it to me.  I have also watched every film noir made between 1938 and 1959.   So there.

I have no doubt you’re well qualified, Ms. Krause.  And now you’ve got me curious.  What does a detective extraordinaire carry on them during a case?

An excellent question!  Well, like any good detective, I am always well prepared for any situation I may encounter out in the cold, cruel world.

Speaking of cold, I believe it’s essential that a detective always dresses in layers which include a moisture-wicking inner layer composed of synthetics; an outer layer of all black active-wear.  On the outside of my Ensemble of Justice, I personally don a business-casual trench-coat, and a seasonally appropriate fedora.  And of course, black boots with no heels, and excellent traction are a detective must.

On my person, I also carry my wallet, cell phone, a magnifying glass, evidence baggies, a metal whistle, zip-ties, and ‘Lil Susie, my Lady Derringer.

Have you ever had to use your gun?

No.  Susie’s a silent gal.   A real little lady.  Usually she stays by my side—seen but never heard.  But I believe she’s been feeling liberated by the Call of Justice.  If the wrong ne’er-do-well crosses her path, she might just let loose.

Have you ever worked for or investigated anyone famous?

I’d love to tell you all about it, but I’ve been advised by my legal counsel not to discuss the incident with David Suchet and the fake kidnapping at WhoDunnitCon.  It was a reasonable misunderstanding.

Um, of course…  Any vices or habits?

I am a woman of few habits except my pursuit of Justice.  And tobacco.  Justice and tobacco.

So you’re a smoker.  You know that’s no good for you right? 

I am intimately aware of my mortality.  For every drag I take, I lose 5.5 minutes of my life.  I only sacrifice 1.375 minutes of life at any given time, which is an acceptable pleasure-to-life-lost ratio.  The remaining tobacco is stored in my humidor for later.

Anyhow, do you prefer the Colombo Cigar or Sherlock Holmes Pipe?

Neither.  I only smoke organic, lose leaf, hand rolled, preservative-free tobacco smoked from a long stemmed cigarette holder.  In the dark with a single, dim light to catch the billowing smoke.

Have you ever had any partners or sidekicks?

Marian Fitzpatrick Krause works alone.

Do you have a nemesis?

Only one.  A certain clerk at Hometown Books.  You know what you did…

Being a detective must be stressful work.  If you could have the getaway vacation of your dreams, what would it look like?

A train blows its lonely whistle as smoke billows in the distance.  I’m in a luxury cabin car with only myself, a bottle of bourbon, three sets of well-layered clothing, my formal fedora, and ‘Lil Susie.  I stare out the window, as a light snow falls on the pine.  I can tell I’m somewhere in Eastern Europe, but in this crazy-upside-world it’s hard to know my exact location.  All I know is the when—the early thirties, ten minutes before midnight…

Wow—sounds exciting.  But we’re running a little long so—

…there’s a man three doors down that’s waiting for an urgent message that will never come.  His contact’s met a cruel demise at the hands of a dastardly dame.  Except everyone’s pinning it on the ingénue what got caught up in the crossfire.  A little redhead named Minnie. It’s up to me to solve the case before things get ugly…

Nicely said.  And quite creative.  Thank you for—

…the tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife.  Some twerp with an upside-down moustache is asking a lot of questions.  I tell him to back off and let me handle the case.  But he’s edgy—trying to make a name for himself.  I backhand him with Little Susie and take a shot of bourbon.  Belgian men, I tell myself, they never quite—

Well—thanks again for the wonderful answers, Ms. Krause, but I’m afraid we’re out of time.  Any parting words of wisdom (in ten words or less)?

Huh?  Oh, right – we’re still interviewing.  Okay.  Here’s my parting advice:

Always stay off the drugs, and avoid the Red Communists.

Words to live by, Ms. Krause.  Thank you so much for visiting!

Let’s Stalk Rex Jupiter!

by Allison A. Spector

GENRE: Humor, literary fiction, with elements of magical realism

Blurb:

Trouble’s brewing in the Evergreen Jungle. When controversial author Rex Jupiter plans a visit to a Bellingham bookstore, news of his arrival attracts the attention of the mysterious Paladin, who plans on leading a mob of rioting housewives against him. But the Paladin has competition. Sleuth-extraordinaire Marian Krause has her own bone to pick with Jupiter as she scrambles to solve the death of a woman who has stolen her identity. Rex may think he has the situation under control, but when the wrath of the local Druids is incurred, pitchforks and torches may be the least of his concerns.

 

Excerpt:

“You…you saved me!” Phil stammered in disbelief. His head reeled with delirium as he stared at the wiry, tanned, vaguely mustachioed, brown-haired girl with the interconnected eyebrows, and he immediately thought of a young Frida Kahlo. Which was kind of awesome because Frida Kahlo was his favorite twentieth-century Mexican artist.

And even better, this girl was like some kind of acrobatic superhero. One who swooped to the rescue on a rope!

Spider-Frida!

The thought that such a person existed make Phil’s brain fog over with awe. Or maybe it was the blood that had rushed to his head during his rescue. Also, there was the adrenaline of the attempted-suicide-turned-love-at-first-sight. Or maybe it was just his seasonal allergies. Whatever it was, Phil just couldn’t stop wheezing.

Abbie, too, appeared a bit overwhelmed. She fought back the temptation to mutter some too-cool-for-school rejoinder like “you’re welcome, kid” or “you can let go of me now.” But none of these suited the occasion. Thus, she simply lay on the rocky riverbank in the arms of the stranger she had just saved from imminent death. They were both soaking wet and grinning—happy to be alive.

And they should have been pleased with themselves.

It was not easy to unhook oneself from a harness and travel to shore with a rather large male in tow. She was glad for the lifeguard training she had taken during her Aquatic Superhero Phase. Phil had helped, too, with his half-hearted doggy paddle.

Yup, they were a good team.

 

Author Bio and Links:

Allison Spector was born and raised in the hedonistic playground of the Jersey Shore, but finds herself oddly allergic to spray tan.  She is a proud graduate of Goucher College, and started her environmentally-focused career in Washington DC in 2005.  She moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2008, and fell in love with its beauty and people.  Allison is currently on a Midwestern Adventure and is determined to live as much life as possible—to accomplish her dreams one at a time—and to nurture her loving family, and blaze a trail of wit, whimsy, and eccentricity wherever she goes.

 

https://twitter.com/inspectorallie

http://www.allisonspector.com

Books available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lets-Stalk-Rex-Jupiter-1888-ebook/dp/B0188MUKWE/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBp5oplykVU&feature=youtu.be   (book trailer)

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