Molly MacRae, Guest Blogger

I always enjoy introducing authors to readers, but today it's even nicer. Molly MacRae is not only a mystery author, she's a fellow librarian. And, for twenty years she managed an independent bookstore. What's any better than author, librarian, and bookstore manager?

Molly MacRae has written short stories, two previous mysteries as well as mystery dinner plays. Now, she's launching The Haunted Yarn Shop mystery series with Last Wool and Testament. It's a pleasure to welcome Molly MacRae as guest blogger today. Thank you, Molly.

Putting the Woo-Woo in the Wool

Knitting, weaving, a cat, chocolate, crocheting, more chocolate, and a . . . ghost? When an editor at Penguin asked if I could write a cozy mystery series – maybe with a ghost – I said sure. I mean, given that chance, who wouldn’t? I did wonder, though. Ghosts? Me? Could such a creature be lurking in the dusty corners of my mind? Apparently yes, because from somewhere out of my head, the ghost in Last Wool and Testament materialized. Who knew being haunted could be so much fun?

Maybe “fun” isn’t the right word, though. This ghost isn’t exactly the life of the party. She’s depressed and she looks like . . . that is she’s . . .  Well, she isn’t easy to describe. I’d ask her speak for herself, but it takes her awhile to warm up to people.

Ghost: Oh sure. Ignore the ghost in the room.

Me: I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were here. Did you want to participate in the blog?

Ghost: It’s very sad when your friends make fun of you.

Me: I wasn’t making fun of you.

G: Yes you were. You said I don’t warm up to people. Of course I don’t. I’m stone cold dead.

M: I didn’t mean . . . Let’s start again. Would you like to introduce yourself to the readers?

G: No. I’ll just sit in the corner and moan.

M: Um, okay. (She does that a lot, bless her heart. I’ve never known anyone who could make herself look so much like a heap of dank, dingy rags as this ghost. Maybe if we tiptoe over this way she won’t notice.)

G: Yes I will. Just because I’m dead doesn’t mean I’m dead to the world.

M: Sorry.

G: Or that my manners died with me. They aren’t even ailing, as yours seem to be. You didn’t even tell the readers that I’m the main character in your book.

M: But that’s because you aren’t. Kath is.

G: Hmph. At least I’m more interesting than Aramis or TTFN.

M: Her name is Ardis and the group is TGIF – Thank Goodness It’s Fiber.

G: I thought it was Take Time for Noodles.

M: You’re being silly. They could’ve named themselves Take Time for Needlework, though.

G: Or Take Time for Napping or Nitting.

M: Knitting starts with a k.

G: I was talking about nits.

M: Now who’s being rude? I think we should thank the readers for stopping by, invite them to visit you in LAST WOOL AND TESTAMENT, and wrap this up.

G: Only if I can be the one to sign us off. I’ll do it the way Walter Cronkite always did it. You give me my cue, okay?

M: (Pretty much all she knows about modern life she learned from steeping what’s left of her brains in endless television. Whatever you do, don’t ask her about Gunsmoke or Law & Order.)

G: GIVE ME MY CUE!

M: Okayokay. Cue.

G: Beam us up, Scottie.

M: Oh for . . .

G: We’re beamed up. Stop talking.

M: And that’s the way it is for Kath Rutledge who inherited her grandmother’s yarn shop in Blue Plum, Tennessee. Thanks for stopping by and if you see Kath, wish her luck with her new “situation.” She’s going to need it. 

Thank you, Molly! I hope readers stop by tomorrow when I review Molly's Last Wool and Testament. 

Molly MacRae's website is www.mollymacrae.com

Last Wool and Testament by Molly MacRae. Obsidian. 2012. ISBN 9780451237828 (paperback), 337p.