Around the Fire with Cozy Mystery Author Susie Black.

Welcome to my fire, Susie. I understand your go-to beverage is black coffee, and I’ve just brewed a pot. While I pour, why don’t you introduce yourself and give us an insider’s scoop?
I am a curious student of human nature who sees each day as a gift, an opportunity, a mystery, an adventure, and a challenge. I strive to find something to laugh about every day.
 
Humor helps us get through even some of the most trying times, so laugh away, my friend. Other than reading, do you have any other hobbies?
I am a voracious reader. I read all types of mysteries but favor the same kind of stories I write-cozy mysteries. I am an avid stamp collector, sailor, jazz, oldies Rock N Roll fan, and an enthusiastic walker.
 
Who is your network or support system? This would be any groups/authors/friends/family who contributes to your writing career?
First and foremost, my very patient and supportive husband and son who
tirelessly answer my incessant questions like, “How does this sound?” or “Is this
funny, or am I the only one who’s going to laugh at the line?”
Secondly, a cabal of generous author colleagues who I call on for their opinion, knowledge, and
information. Thirdly, “the Aprils,” my trusty two super readers who read and critique my final manuscripts before I submit them to my editor.
 
I couldn't imagine not having the support of my dearly beloved, Peter. Who or what books or authors are your inspiration?
My inspirations are the interesting and quirky people I have encountered during the course of my ladies’ apparel sales career. I have a number of authors who are my inspiration: Joan Hess, Anne George, Carolyn Haines, Carl Hiaasen, Dave Barry, Nancy J. Cohen, Janet Evanovich, S.V. Date, Donald E. Westlake, and Elmore Leonard are my tops. Books that inspire me: The Axe by Donald E. Westlake, Maximum Bob by Elmore Leonard
 
Do you have any fun or outrageous talent?
I can single-sail an obstacle course without flipping the sailboat over.
 
Hmm, I'm not a sailor but I enjoy watching the colorful sails bobbing in the wind. What is your neighborhood like?
I live in a gated community in Palm Desert, CA.on a golf course with a water hazard inhabited by ducks & geese. I walk the gorgeous grounds within our community with a variety of palm trees and desert flora and fauna in a riot of colors that look like a painting. I am continuously amazed at what not only grows in this challenging climate but actually thrives.
 
It sounds lovely. I've never been to a desert but it's on my camping to-do list. Tell us about your body (sorry pun) of work. Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
Both. I write a series with continuing characters and locales, but each book can stand on its own.
 
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would that be?
Trust your gut. Don’t be afraid to fail. You can’t please everyone.
 
So true. In the same line can you share what literary success look like to you?
When a reader says, “I stayed up all night reading your book. I could not put it down.”
 
Those are the best comments. Depending on my genre, I've done tons of research. What about you? What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
Since all my books take place in the LA garment district, I go to the California Apparel Mart in downtown LA, visit stores, and talk to buyers and sellers.
 
I used to love watching Project Runway until it got so political. It made me feel like a behind the scenes fashionista. How do you select the names of your characters?
All of my characters are based on real people I knew, so I do a variation or a play on their names. For example, Mr. Newman/ Mr. Oldham; Mr. Turpin/Mr. Tyne; Mr. Arbetman/Mr. Workman(Arbetman in German means workman.)
 
If you didn’t write, what would you do for work?
Definitely a stand-up comedienne.
 
I picture Lucille Ball or Carol Burnett, though I wonder if you're more of a  Mrs. Maisel? Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?
I read every review, but I do not respond to them. The good ones I revel in. I try to learn something to improve my writing with the bad ones if they give constructive criticism.
 
How long, on average, does it take you to write a book?
Nine months-like giving birth to a baby.
 
And often as much pain. If they made a movie about your life, what would the title be, and who would play
you?
Rag Lady and Melissa Rauch (Judge on the new TV Night Court) would play me.
 
Do you have a particular object, like a piece of jewelry or a keepsake of some sort? Can you tell us what makes it unique to you?
A bookmark my son made for me in kindergarten for Mother’s Day.
 
Aww. I have a pin made from sunflower seeds from my son. What is your favorite mug drink that black coffee?
A mug that my wise guy nana gave me when I started selling ladies’ swimwear. The mug says: “Things Could be Worse: We Could be Trying on Swimsuits.”
 
Years ago, a commercial talked about a “Kodak Moment.” It’s a moment in time you catch in a picture. One you never want to forget. What is yours?
The moment my newborn son was put into my arms for the first time.
 
Again, aww. If you could only choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what would it be?
People, by Barbra Streisand.
 
Now that song is running through my head. Who is the most interesting person you’ve met and talked with?
Best-selling Author Harlen Coben.
 
Susie, thank you for spending time with me Around the Fire. You are always a fun guest. Before heading out into that lovely community, will you leave a little information about your newest release? Oh, and watch out for the geese. They can be a little touchy.

Death by Cutting Table 
by
Susie Black
The Wild Rose Press, Inc. (August 2, 2023)
Cozy Mystery
Amateur Sleuths

Butch Oldham didn’t have an honest bone in his body. So, the question wasn’t who wanted him
dead. The question was, who didn’t. Mermaid Swimwear sales exec Holly Schlivnik finds
colleague Queenie Levine standing over Mermaid CEO Butch Oldham’s bloody corpse nailed to
a fabric cutting table with a big honkin’ pair of cutting shears plunged deep into his chest. When
the cops discover Queenie’s blood-soaked sweater, learn about her stormy relationship with the
victim, and her public threats to make Butch pay for destroying Mermaid Swimwear by stealing
it blind, Holly’s colleague shoots to the top of the suspect list. When Queenie is arrested, the
wise-cracking, irreverent amateur sleuth jumps into action to flesh out the real killer. But the trail
has more twists and turns than a slinky, and nothing turns out the way Holly thinks it will as she
tangles with a clever killer hellbent for revenge.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C62HRJXM
Barnes & Noble: Death by Cutting Table by Susie Black | eBook | Barnes & Noble®
(barnesandnoble.com)

What others are saying.
Holy guacamole, Susie Black does it again in Death by Cutting Table. I enjoyed reading the
fourth entry in the Holly Swimsuit mystery series, and Black offers another hilarious murder
story starring Holly Schlivnik, her Yenta buddies, and best friend, Queenie Levine. Holly
describes herself as a nosy parker who cannot fake sincerity, and she is correct. When her friend
Queenie comes under suspicion for the latest murder (the CEO of their company), Holly springs
into action again with her own investigation. CEO Butch Oldham has bankrupted his company,
stolen his job from a friend, and dumped his wife … for starters. There is no shortage of suspects
for an overbearing detective pursuing Oldham’s killer, along with helpers that are “uniformed
versions of Starsky and Hutch.”
As with her other Holly Swimsuit books, Susie Black keeps the reader guessing until the end.
I love the characters, probably the most vital component of this series, but the descriptions of the
fashion industry and all that goes with it make marvelous stories by themselves. This is a strong
recommendation for all the Holly Swimsuit books, but Death by Cutting Table may be the best in
the series.
I’m looking forward to the next one (or two or three).

Link to series. ​www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BMNSR2M2

More about the author.
COZY MYSTERY STORYTELLER​ Susie Black
Named Best US Author of the Year by N. N. Lights Book Heaven, award-winning cozy
mystery author Susie Black was born in the Big Apple but now calls sunny Southern California
home. Like the protagonist in her Holly Swimsuit Mystery Series, Susie is a successful apparel
sales executive. Susie began telling stories as soon as she learned to talk. Now she’s telling all
the stories from her garment industry experiences in humorous mysteries.
She reads, writes, and speaks Spanish, albeit with an accent that sounds like Mildred
from Michigan went on a Mexican vacation and is trying to fit in with the locals. Since life
without pizza and ice cream as her core food groups wouldn’t be worth living, she’s a dedicated
walker to keep her girlish figure. A voracious reader, she’s also an avid stamp collector. Susie
lives with a highly intelligent man and has one incredibly brainy but smart-aleck adult son who
inexplicably blames his sarcasm on an inherited genetic defect.
Looking for more? Contact Susie at:
Website: www.authorsusieblack.com
E-mail: [email protected]