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Terry Shames

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Welcome to a small Texas town with no shortage of big characters.I loved the performative quality of Terry's reading in this episode. I can hear the Texas characters coming through her voice loud and clear, which made listening to her read very enjoyable.In the interview we discuss the personal inspiration for Samuel Craddock's character, as well as how the Covid-19 periods of isolation and social distancing have affected Terry's writing.This episode of It's a Mystery Podcast is sponsored by the brand new mystery novel Lark Underground.If you like your mystery novels with twists and turns and characters who spring to life you'll love this latest book from award-winning author Alexandra Amor.Reviewer Sandee said, "This story is an emotional heart-engaging roller-coaster. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. I can hardly wait for the next one."Click here to get your copy of Lark Underground today at Amazon. Available in ebook and paperback.This week's mystery authorTerry Shames writes the popular Samuel Craddock series, set in small town Texas. She won the Macavity Award for Best First Novel, and the RT Reviews award for Best Contemporary Mystery, 2016. The eighth in the series, A Risky Undertaking for Loretta Singletary came out in 2019.  MysteryPeople has twice named Terry one of the top five Texas mystery authors. Her latest short story, “Inheritance” will appear in Jewish Noir II, in  September. Terry lives in Berkeley, CA and is a member of Sisters in Crime and on the board of Mystery Writers of America.To learn more about Terry and all her books visit TerryShames.comPress play (above) to listen to the show, or read the transcript below. Remember you can also subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts. And listen on Stitcher, Android, Google Podcasts, TuneIn, and Spotify.Excerpt from A Reckoning in the Back CountryThere are a couple of cars in Gloria Hastings’s driveway, next door to Margaret Wilkins’s place. I’d like to have a word with Gloria’s husband before I go to see Margaret. Yesterday talking to him didn’t seem so urgent, but with still no news of Wilkins, I’m increasingly concerned.I rap on the door but there’s so much racket inside the house that I doubt anybody can hear me. When there’s a lull, I knock again. The door is flung open by an unseen hand. Gloria is hurrying toward me. “Kids, settle down.” She claps her hands together and two children, a boy and a girl, careen from somewhere in the room and plop onto the sofa, making motorcycle noises.“Now stop that,” she says, looking back at them. “This man is a policeman. I’d hate to have to ask him to haul you off to jail. I don’t think they have pumpkin pie there.” They giggle, but keep an eye on me.“Remember the wild bunch I told you about?”“So these are the culprits?” I say.       “Two of them anyway. My daughter’s kids. That’s Marcie, she’s six, and the four-year-old is Chris. Say hello, kids.”They both say hello, darting glances at each other and suppressing giggles. “My son’s boys are out in the woods. They pretend they’re hunting squirrels, but I don’t know what they’d do if they shot one. They’re older, but I wish they wouldn’t go out there. Snakes and goodness knows what all. They’re just like their daddy. I couldn’t keep him indoors. What am I doing? These two have taken my sense. Come on in and have some coffee.”“Your husband home?”“He’s in the back bedroom. I’ll get him.” As soon as she leaves the room, Marcie hops off the couch and stands in front of me. “Do you have a gun?” “I own a gun, but I don’t carry it. Not too many criminals around here. Have you run into any bad guys?”She shakes her head solemnly. Her brother slides off the sofa and eases over next to her, watching me as if he’s worried I’m going to grab him.Gloria comes back out followed by a short, stocky man with ice-blue eyes and a sleepy smile.

Welcome to a small Texas town with no shortage of big characters. I loved the performative quality of Terry's reading in this episode. I can hear the Texas characters coming through her voice loud and clear, which made listening to her read very enjoyable. In the interview we discuss the personal inspiration for Samuel Craddock's character, as well as how the Covid-19 periods of isolation and social distancing have affected Terry's writing. This episode of It's a Mystery Podcast is sponsored by the brand new mystery novel Lark Underground. If you like your mystery novels with twists and turns and characters who spring to life you'll love this latest book from award-winning author Alexandra Amor. Reviewer Sandee said, "This story is an emotional heart-engaging roller-coaster. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. I can hardly wait for the next one." Click here to get your copy of Lark Underground today at Amazon. Available in ebook and paperback. This week's mystery author Terry Shames writes the popular Samuel Craddock series, set in small town Texas. She won the Macavity Award for Best First Novel, and the RT Reviews award for Best Contemporary Mystery, 2016.  The eighth in the series, A Risky Undertaking for Loretta Singletary came out in 2019. MysteryPeople has twice named Terry one of the top five Texas mystery authors. Her latest short story, “Inheritance” will appear in Jewish Noir II, in  September. Terry lives in Berkeley, CA and is a member of Sisters in Crime and on the board of Mystery Writers of America. To learn more about Terry and all her books visit <a href="http://TerryShames.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TerryShames.com</a> Press play (above) to listen to the show, or read the transcript below. Remember you can also subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts. And listen on Stitcher, Android, Google Podcasts, TuneIn, and Spotify. Excerpt from A Reckoning in the Back Country There are a couple of cars in Gloria Hastings’s driveway, next door to Margaret Wilkins’s place. I’d like to have a word with Gloria’s husband before I go to see Margaret. Yesterday talking to him didn’t seem so urgent, but with still no news of Wilkins, I’m increasingly concerned. I rap on the door but there’s so much racket inside the house that I doubt anybody can hear me. When there’s a lull, I knock again. The door is flung open by an unseen hand. Gloria is hurrying toward me. “Kids, settle down.” She claps her hands together and two children, a boy and a girl, careen from somewhere in the room and plop onto the sofa, making motorcycle noises. “Now stop that,” she says, looking back at them. “This man is a policeman. I’d hate to have to ask him to haul you off to jail. I don’t think they have pumpkin pie there.”  They giggle, but keep an eye on me. “Remember the wild bunch I told you about?” “So these are the culprits?” I say.        “Two of them anyway. My daughter’s kids. That’s Marcie, she’s six, and the four-year-old is Chris. Say hello, kids.” They both say hello, darting glances at each other and suppressing giggles.  “My son’s boys are out in the woods. They pretend they’re hunting squirrels, but I don’t know what they’d do if they shot one. They’re older, but I wish they wouldn’t go out there. Snakes and goodness knows what all. They’re just like their daddy. I couldn’t keep him indoors. What am I doing? These two have taken my sense. Come on in and have some coffee.” “Your husband home?” “He’s in the back bedroom. I’ll get him.”  As soon as she leaves the room, Marcie hops off the couch and stands in front of me. “Do you have a gun?”  “I own a gun, but I don’t carry it. Not too many criminals around here. Have you run into any bad guys?” She shakes her head solemnly. Her brother slides off the sofa and eases over next to her, watching me as if he’s worried I’m going to grab him. Gloria comes back out followed by a short, stocky man with ice-blue eyes and a sleepy smile.

Mysteries in Small Town Texas with Terry Shames

In which Terry discusses her Samuel Craddock series.

Episode #55: Open & Shut w/ Terry Shames

Terry Shames writes the award-winning, critically acclaimed Samuel Craddock series, set in the fictitious town of Jarrett Creek, Texas. The books have been finalists for numerous awards, including The Strand Critics Award, The Lefty Award, and the Macavity Award. A Killing at Cotton Hill won the Macavity for Best First Mystery, 2013. The Necessary Murder of Nonie Blake won the RT Reviews Critics Award for Best Contemporary Mystery of 2016.The latest in the series, A RISKY UNDERTAKING FOR LORETTA SINGLETARY came out in April.Matt Coyle is the award-winning author of the Rick Cahill crime novels.

Terry Shames writes the award-winning, critically acclaimed Samuel Craddock series, set in the fictitious town of Jarrett Creek, Texas. The books have been finalists for numerous awards, including The Strand Critics Award, The Lefty Award, and the Macavity Award. A Killing at Cotton Hill won the Macavity for Best First Mystery, 2013. The Necessary Murder of Nonie Blake won the RT Reviews Critics Award for Best Contemporary Mystery of 2016. The latest in the series, A RISKY UNDERTAKING FOR LORETTA SINGLETARY came out in April. Matt Coyle is the award-winning author of the Rick Cahill crime novels.

Terry Shames sits down at the Corner.

Bryan Gruley

Scott Von Doviak

Our final episode of 2018 (and last before a bit of a hiatus) brings you authors Bryan Gruley, Terry Shames and Scott Von Doviak. Plus, some of our favorite books of 2018 and favorite picks from the Malmons. All music is used by permission under the creative commons license. Music in this episode includes:Real Swing Shet by Menage QuadSwing 39 by Latche SwingUbiquitous by Diamond OrtizGizmo by Podington BearJazz In Paris by Media Right ProductionsBuddy Guy by Podington BearOnce by Silent PartnerRunning Through the Aisles by The Barr BrothersMr Trumpet by Ketsa Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our final episode of 2018 (and last before a bit of a hiatus) brings you authors Bryan Gruley, Terry Shames and Scott Von Doviak. Plus, some of our favorite books of 2018 and favorite picks from the Malmons. All music is used by permission under the creative commons license. Music in this episode includes:Real Swing Shet by Menage QuadSwing 39 by Latche SwingUbiquitous by Diamond OrtizGizmo by Podington BearJazz In Paris by Media Right ProductionsBuddy Guy by Podington BearOnce by Silent PartnerRunning Through the Aisles by The Barr BrothersMr Trumpet by Ketsa Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

Bryan Gruley, Terry Shames, Scott Von Doviak