Fatal Facade
by Wendy Tyson

Fatal Facade (An Allison Campbell Mystery Book 4)
Cozy Mystery/Suspense
4th in Series
Henery Press (June 13, 2017)
Paperback: 278 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1635112238
E-BOOK ASIN: B06XP2QG4P

Allison Campbell accepted a dream assignment: a visit to the Italian Dolomites to help Hollywood socialite Elle Rose reinvent herself. A guest cottage on the grounds of Elle’s historic castle promises to be a much-needed respite from Allison’s harried life on the Philadelphia Main Line, and the picturesque region, with its sharp peaks, rolling pastures, and medieval churches, is the perfect spot from which to plan her upcoming wedding.

Only this idyllic retreat is anything but peaceful. There are the other visitors—an entourage of back-biting expats and Hollywood VIPs. There’s Elle’s famous rock star father, now a shadowy recluse hovering behind the castle’s closed doors. And then there’s Elle’s erratic behavior. Nothing is as it seems. After a guest plummets to her death from a cliff on the castle grounds, Allison’s trip of a lifetime turns nightmarish—but before she can journey home, Allison must catch a killer.

INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR

What initially got you interested in writing?
I was a fairly shy child with an active imagination. I found writing stories, especially about animals, was a great way to express myself and feel less isolated. As I got older and came out of my shell, I never lost that passion for writing.

What genres do you write in?
Primarily crime fiction—cozies, traditional mysteries, and thrillers.

What drew you to writing these specific genres?
A former agent suggested I write what I love to read, and I’ve long been a rabid fan of mysteries. The left brain/right brain aspect of reading and writing suspense appeals to me. I enjoy creating the characters and building a fictional world, but I also appreciate the puzzle-like challenge of plotting a crime.

Plus, I’ve been obsessed with the concept of justice since childhood. Real crime is gritty. Often the perpetrators aren’t caught and victims and their families never find justice. Crime fiction allows me to try and make sense of what’s too often a cruel world. And in my books at least, the bad people get their comeuppance. Justice is done.

How did you break into the field?

It took lot of hard work, rejection, and persistence. I started out by writing short stories. After my short fiction was eventually picked up by literary journals, I decided to try writing a novel. It took me about two years to write that first book and it (a work of contemporary women’s fiction) caught the attention of an agent but didn’t find a home with a publisher. Feeling frustrated, I switched to writing what I love—mysteries. I was determined to go the traditional route, and so I set out on a new agent search, to no avail. I wrote a second mystery, found an agent (whom I’m still with!), but it was my first mystery, Killer Image, that she sold. During this time period I graduated from law school, accepted a full-time job at a law firm, and gave birth to twins. Moral of my story: if you really want it, keep plodding away.

What do you want readers to take away from reading your works?

First and foremost, I want readers to be entertained. As with many cozy and traditional mystery authors, I pay a lot of attention to character development, setting, and world-building. I hope my readers will come for a visit and decide to stay awhile. I also want them to enjoy a good whodunit. The puzzle element is critical, and it’s always my goal to take readers on a suspenseful ride, with a mystery that’s not easily solved. And if readers walk away touched or inspired, or if they’ve learned something? Well, that would be wonderful too.

What do you find most rewarding about writing?

I love the process of writing, from experiencing that first spark of an idea to fleshing it out to editing the final product. I also relish connecting with readers. At its core, fiction is about the human condition. It should be evocative, touch on common experiences and emotions. I realized at some point that writers enter into a sort of unspoken contract with readers. We agree to spin a good story, create characters you want to care about; readers agree to invest time and suspend disbelief, at least to a point. (After all, how many murders can really occur in one small town before everyone moves away?)

What do you find most challenging about writing?

The final edits of a novel, especially the last rewrite, when you’re fine tuning language and making sure every word advances the story. It’s hard to let go!

What advice would you give to people wanting to enter the field?

First, understand why you want to enter the field. The publishing business is tough. Unlike many careers, you can work hard and be talented and it’s still no guarantee of success. But if you understand that and really want it, if you must write, then my advice is to read, study craft, be humble enough to listen and confident enough to advocate for yourself, and avoid excuses. You’ll find a million reasons not to write. Do it anyway.

What type of books do you enjoy reading?

I have pretty eclectic taste, but my favorite books are mysteries and thrillers. I also enjoy the classics, women’s fiction, general fiction, and science fiction. Anything, really, if it sounds compelling.

Is there anything else besides writing you think people would find interesting about you?

My husband and I are avid organic gardeners. A few years ago we started an urban vegetable farm on the grounds of a beautiful historic local property. The farm never fully got off the ground because of local zoning issues (very long and frustrating story), but we still “farm” our yard—a third of an acre outside Philadelphia. We produce enough on our small lot to feed ourselves, our family members, and some of the neighbors. While we were disappointed that the farm didn’t work out, it lives on as Washington Acres in my Greenhouse Mystery Series.

What are the best ways to connect with you, or find out more about your work?

I love hearing from readers! I can be contacted through my website (www.WATyson.com), Facebook (www.Facebook.com/WendyTysonAuthor), and Twitter (@WendyTyson and @WashAcresFarm).

Thanks for hosting me on your site today!

Books in the Allison Campbell Mystery Series:

• KILLER IMAGE (#1)
• DEADLY ASSETS (#2)
• DYING BRAND (#3)
• FATAL FAÇADE (#4)

About The Author

Wendy Tyson’s background in law and psychology has provided inspiration for her mysteries and thrillers. Originally from the Philadelphia area, Wendy has returned to her roots and lives there again on a micro-farm with her husband, three sons and three dogs. Wendy’s short fiction has appeared in literary journals, and she’s a contributing editor and columnist for The Big Thrill and The Thrill Begins, International Thriller Writers’ online magazines. Wendy is the author of the Allison Campbell Mystery Series and the Greenhouse Mystery Series.

Author Links

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Twitter: @WendyTyson

Purchase Links

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Tour Participants

June 13 – Cozy Up With Kathy – SPOTLIGHT

June 13 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – INTERVIEW

June 14 – Island Confidential – INTERVIEW

June 15 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 15 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

June 16 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

June 17 – Nadaness In Motion – INTERVIEW

June 18 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW

June 19 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW

June 20 – A Blue Million Books – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

June 21 – Queen of All She Reads – REVIEW

June 22 – Sleuth Cafe – SPOTLIGHT

June 23 – Books,Dreams,Life – INTERVIEW

June 24 – Lori’s Reading Corner – SPOTLIGHT

June 25 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too! – SPOTLIGHT

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