BooksChatter: ℚ The Right Wrong Thing: Dot Meyerhoff Mysteries [2]

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Ellen Kirschman to talk about The Right Wrong Thing (6 October 2015, Oceanview Publishing, 256pages) a Crime Mystery, book two in the Dot Meyerhoff Mysteries series.

"Highly satisfying....Kirschman...perceptively treats complex racial, feminist, person and political issues while providing intimate knowledge of cops' shop procedure...neatly balances Dot's psychological expertise with her warmhearted humanity...." Publishers Weekly.

"Kirschman has proven yet again to be a brilliant author whose deadpan comedic delivery brightens the pages and her visionary detail paints a picture like you are right there.... I was engrossed by every word, at the edge of my seat for each chapter ahead, and impatiently awaited the big solution to the who-dun-it." esotericfox.

Author Q&A | Synopsis | Trailer | Teaser | The Series | About the Author | Giveaway & Tour Stops

A very warm welcome to Ellen Kirschman; thank you for joining us on BooksChatter.

What was the inspiration for The Right Wrong Thing?

"I have been a police psychologist for thirty years. The inspiration for this book came from a client I treated who was suffering from post-traumatic stress after she shot a teenager who was robbing someone at gunpoint. It was a totally justified shooting but that did not lessen my client's symptoms or relieve her of the remorse she felt for taking a young person's life.

As a woman, my client had battled to gain acceptance with her male colleagues. After the shooting, the same men who had rejected her now called her a hero. The idea that only after killing someone did she deserve their approval appalled her and complicated her recovery."

How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

"My protagonist, Dr. Dot Meyerhoff, and I share professions, although Dot has skills I never developed: breaking and entering, assault with a deadly weapon, and some imaginative undercover work.

Dot is thinner and younger than I am and has a lot more guts. I never investigated crimes nor did I take risks with my life or my career to help a client.

What we share is determination, persistence, a sense of humor, and a heart that's been broken. We also share a man. My husband, Steve, has allowed me to plagiarize his life to create Frank, Dot's love interest. It drives him crazy that Dot can't make up her mind whether to jump into the relationship or run away."

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for The Right Wrong Thing - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"I love the cover of my book and so does everyone who sees it. But it did go through some changes to accurately represent the book.

In the first version of the cover, the "O" in the word "wrong" was filled with blood and there were blood splatters everywhere. I don't like graphic violence. Any violence in my books happens "off-screen." I didn't want to turn off prospective readers who were looking for a book without violence nor did I want to disappoint readers who relish bloodshed.

The second version eliminated the bloody "O" but kept the splatters.

The third version removed all the splatters and inserted the blast of glass you see today."

Why should we read The Right Wrong Thing and what sets it apart from the rest?

"I don't know of other police novels told from the point of view of a police psychologist, not a cop.

I am inspired by the men and women of law enforcement to write stories that reveal the emotional challenges they and their families face. I hope my readers learn something new from my books about police work and police psychology."

Can you tell us something quirky about The Right Wrong Thing, its story and characters?

"My protagonist, Dot Meyerhoff, is named after my mother, Dorothy Kirschman, known as Dot, and my maternal grandmother, Rose Meyerhoff. I never knew my grandmother, who died before I was born. My mother lived to see the publication of my first book, I Love a Cop: What Police Families Need to Know but unfortunately died before I turned to writing mysteries."

Who would you recommend The Right Wrong Thing to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"As I said, my books contain no graphic violence or sex, although there is a bit of romance. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes a good mystery, quirky characters, and a behind-the-scenes look at a world they may only think they know."

If you could / wished to turn The Right Wrong Thing and the Dot Meyerhoff Mysteries into a movie, who would be your dream team?

"Dot (and I) are definitely more Judi Dench than Julia Roberts, so the actress who gets to play Dot can't be a babe. Or very young. Dot is turning fifty, and one of the things I like about her is that she is mature and complicated with a lot of baggage.

Sometimes I model my characters after politicians or public figures. For example, former Attorney General of the United States, Janet Reno was the physical model for Chief Jacqueline Reagon. And Captain Jay Pence resembles an unnamed politician I despise."

Hum... Julia Roberts is 48 years old now ... I might make a case for her... she is a good actress and does scrub down quite well... just putting it out there, next to a 50ish Dame Dench ... ;-)

What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?

"I'm an inveterate reader with a taste for literary mysteries and a hybrid writer, going between non-fiction and fiction. I started with non-fiction and turned to novels thinking they would be easier. They're not. Creating a fictional dream is far harder than reporting on reality."

What is your writing process?

"I write when I can, but not every day. I started out as a "pantser", writing without an outline. These days I use sketchy outlines and at least know "who dunnit" and why before I begin.

I work on a computer. I would have written nothing if I had to write in longhand. I have an office at home but sometimes escape to the library for a change of scene.

When I'm writing, I get totally lost in time. I'm so stiff when I stand up that I can't move. My husband insisted I get a timer and move every twenty minutes. I finally got one that howls like a wolf."

What is in store next?

"I'm working on a third Dot Meyerhoff mystery about a cop who is assigned to investigate Internet crimes against children. This is one of the toughest assignments in law enforcement, tough on the investigator and on his family.

I may, emphasis on may, also be writing a second edition of I Love a Cop. This are tough times to be a cop and the new edition would include dealing with the rising tide of negative public opinion and criticism toward law enforcement."

And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?

"I don't have a pet. Wish I did. I have put down so many animals that neither my husband nor I can bear doing it again.

We do love to cook , eat out and travel. We both volunteer at the First Responders Support Network for first responders with post traumatic stress injuries. I volunteer as psychologist and facilitate four retreats a year. My husband cooks for the family retreats.

I am a devotee of water wiggling (aka water aerobics). My classmates are eager mystery readers and so supportive of my books I call them my Naked Women's Fan Club."