Sunday, May 20, 2018

Q & A with Karen Katchur, author of River Bodies

I would like to start out by thanking Karen Katchur for taking time to chat with me and answer some questions for my readers here at Books and Wine are Lovely!  Let's get started:

1.  When writing your latest book, River Bodies, was this “insidious evil” based on a true story or was this something you came up with on your own?  If this was self-created, I always wonder how authors come up with these evil plots on their own?  Does it just pop into your head one day?

Well, geez, if I say my evil plots are all self-created I’m not sure my husband would be able to sleep at night! ☺ The ideas for my stories come from either a personal experience or from something I’ve read, seen, or heard that sparked my interest.

River Bodies happens to be a combination of the two. It isn’t based on a true story, but it’s not entirely self-created either. When I was growing up, I remember hearing about a body that had been pulled from the Delaware River. Now, this isn’t necessarily unusual for the area. However, what was unusual was that the victim had sustained injuries similar to how a hunter field dresses a deer. Years later I heard of another case where a mother and daughter were found with similar injuries. It got me thinking and wondering what the motive was behind this specific type of crime. From there, the story behind River Bodies started to take shape. I wanted to explore how violence effects the lives of the characters involved and how it impacts their relationships and families.


2.  When you aren’t reading or writing, what do you like to do for fun?

I’m pretty low key. I love hanging out with my husband and our two girls whether we’re playing tennis, sitting by the pool, or running errands. Whatever it is we’re doing, they always make me laugh. The same goes with my girlfriends.


3.  If you were given a free voucher to fly (although with planes these days, I’m a little nervous) anywhere for 2 weeks where would you go?  Any particular reason?

Fly me to Baia delle Zagare, Puglia in Italy. All the beaches in Italy look absolutely breathtaking. I’m a beach person, so yeah, plop me down there but be warned, I may never leave.  

4.  What made you decide that you wanted to be a writer?  Has it always been a passion or is it something that you just fell into one day?

I can’t say writing has always been a passion, but it has always been a part of my life. I just didn’t know it! I thought everybody walked around with stories in their heads. I got the idea of writing a book after my second daughter was born. I was home raising my two girls and I’m not ashamed to admit that I was bored. It felt like my brain was oozing out of my ears. I needed something more than diapers and bottles to fill my days. I happened to catch an episode of Oprah one afternoon. They were discussing a book, While I Was Gone, by Sue Miller. The audience was divided about the main character’s actions to the point where a heated argument had broken out. I was riveted. I wanted to write a character that people talked about. At night after my girls were asleep, I started writing. I was hooked.

5.  Do you have a new book in the works?  Are there any details that you can share with your fans/readers?

Yes! River Bodies is the first book in the Northampton County series, and I’m currently working on book two with a working title, Cold Bones. Detective Parker Reed is back with a new partner, Geena Brassard. The story is set against the landscape of a missing person cold case, where three childhood friends reunite to confront their past and expose their secrets. It has a Stranger Things vibe as the chapters alternate from the 1980’s to present day. But rather than having a science fiction element, the monster in Cold Bones is human and he’s very real.

If that doesn't make you want to read River Bodies ( and Cold Bones ) then I don't know what will!

Karen Katchur 
About the Author 
Karen Katchur is an award-winning suspense novelist with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and a master's degree in Education. She lives in Eastern Pennsylvania with her husband and two children.
 
 Link to Pre-Order 

No comments:

Post a Comment