Thursday, May 11, 2017

Much to Celebrate, More to Learn

Edith here. It's hard to believe Called to Justice launched just a month ago, so much has happened. To celebrate, I'm giving away an ARC of my contemporary mystery, Mulch Ado About Murder, to a commenter here today!


I had a flurry of launch activites, online and in person. My alter ego Maddie Day and I interviewed each other during a fun party at Jabberwocky Books, a fabulous indy bookstore near me, since Maddie's (my) When the Grits Hit the Fan came out ten days before Called to Justice released.

Me with an Indiana Cap for Grits and a Quaker bonnet for Called!
Then Amesbury's Cultural Council sponsored me as one of its Poetry Month events, with the title Poetry and Literature. I talked about Called at the Noshery, and read a couple of poems referenced in the book.


Others read related poems, and Carla Panciera, a local published poet, even read her own original work titled "Midwife in the Barn" that she wrote for me. See a full report of the event.

Alas, Delivering the Truth did not garner the Agatha Award for Best Historical Mystery at Malice Domestic, but it was a huge honor to be nominated and to stand with my fellow awesome nominees.

From left panel moderator Harriette Sackler, Nominees Catriona McPherson, Jessica Estevao, me, Meg Mims, Victoria Thompson, and Sharon Pisacreta. Photo by Robin Templeton.
But I have one more new book to celebrate this spring: Mulch Ado About Murder, my fifth Local Foods mystery releases at the end of May and is already getting some pretty nice reviews. "Wonderfully delightful mystery any cozy reader will enjoy." -The Cozy Review. There's a Goodreads giveaway open until midnight tonight to win a ARC of the book, too!


Remember, you can also win an ARC of this book by commenting here today!

Two new short stories featuring my 1888 Quaker midwife Rose Carroll have appeared in print! "The Tragic Death of Miss Edna Fogg" came out in Mystery Most Historical, released at Malice a couple of weeks ago. It's a great collection of historical mysteries from many eras. My story features the unfortunate death of a woman suffrage activist, and Rose's pursuit of the killer.



And my short "Murder in the Summer Kitchen" just released in Murder Among Friends, an anthology of stories all inspired by John Greenleaf Whittier. In my story, a man is shot in Whittier's summer kitchen, an apparent case of mistaken identity. Rose is brave enough to track down the murderer in his second attempt to knock off the famous poet and abolitionist.



To celebrate the release, the editor and some of the authors gathered at the Whittier birthplace in Haverhill, MA.
From left, contributors Susan Olkesiw, me, editor Dave Goudsward (kneeling), Tim Coco, Gregory Norris, and Judi Calhoun.

We read from our stories, met fans, and toured the house. Whittier's boots were on display, as was his quilt and his sister's clothing.





I was entranced by the small scullery, and even got to see the room where Whittier was born in 1807.



Ideas are already percolating on how to incorporate some of these details in Quaker Midwife Mystery #4, soon to be started.

Readers, what fun historical bit have you learned lately? Do you like touring home museums or other places where real times from past times are displayed?

Remember, you can also win an ARC of Mulch Ado About Murder, my fifth Local Foods mystery, by commenting here today!





10 comments:

Robin Coxon said...

Good morning to you. I have no historical tidbit to share but love your posts as they provide me with things I might never have a chance to see or learn about. We live approximately 45 minutes from President Garfield's home in Mentor, OH, but sad to say I have never visited. Recently they had a showing of his wife's dresses and intended to go to see them but family times comes first. Your covers are so enticing and I am hoping my family will bless me with several books for Mother's Day. Keep on writing your lovely books and I'll keep on reading them. robeader53(at)yahoo(dot)com

Laurie I said...

Recently I've learned all about coaching inns; their purpose and how they functioned. I found it all very interesting. And, I love touring home museums. We toured the Margaret Mitchell house, author of Gone With the Wind, in Atlanta, and I found out so many fascinating tidbits about her life. I've also visited old cabins and plantation homes.
Great pictures. That is a tiny scullery!
Lauigl(at)carolina(dot)rr(dot)com

Daniele K said...

I cannot think of any tidbits off hand. I love museums and historical sites. Dmskrug3 at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

Good books

Erica said...

I so enjoy your books and can't wait till Quaker Midwife#3 comes out.
Not so happy about Erica getting murdered in Indiana and not having my "sweet personality"!!
;-)

rhondabee said...

I love touring historical sites, I am fascinated by places like Colonial Williamsburg and also antebellum homes in the South.

diannekc said...

I enjoy visiting historical sites. My parents always planned our vacations around historical places to visit. I especially like visiting homes of famous people and antebellum homes.
diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

Grace Koshida said...

I enjoy visiting historical sites especially when I am travelling. I love to hike and was able to visit the summer home and guest cottages of former Canadian Prime Minister Mackenzie King in nearby Gatineau Park (Quebec). I visited 2 Louisiana plantations last year while in New Orleans. And I was really intrigued by seeing the remnants of the oldest Viking settlement in Reyjkavik, Iceland (871 AD). I have an eARC of Mulch Ado About Murder to review but would love to get a print copy.
grace dot koshida at gmail dot com

holdenj said...

You do wear many hats! I really enjoy historical sites and a few years ago, we went with our kids to the Living History Farm in Dec Moines. A lot of fun! Thanks for your giveaway offer!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Edith Maxwell said...

J Holden, you are the randomly selected winner! Congratulations, and watch your email.

I wish I had a book for all of you dear commenters. Thanks for stopping by the blog! I'm here the second Thursday of every month, and of course on Facebook and over at the WickedCozyAuthors.com most weekdays.