Charred: A Whipped and Sipped Mystery by G.P. Gottlieb
Publisher: DX Varos Publishing (February 21, 2023)
Category: Cozy Mystery, Culinary Mystery
Tour Dates: February 1-28, 2023
ISBN: 978-1955065672
Available in Print and ebook,320 pages
Description Charred by G.P. Gottlieb
Alene Baron is dealing with frustrated employees, closed schools, and a homeless man who harasses customers outside the door of her café.
Then, two dead bodies turn up in the burned remains of buildings owned by the husband of Alene’s best friend and pastry chef, Ruthie. Both bodies are wearing jackets that once belonged to Ruthie and crumbled in the pockets are the café’s distinctive wrappers. At the same time, Alene’s uncle, a convicted felon, has resurfaced after disappearing for 22 years. It’s all too much for the owner of the Whipped and Sipped Café.
Praise Whipped and Sipped Mysteries Series by G.P. Gottlieb
“Readers looking for mysteries well steeped in both culinary traditions and realistic conflicts between career and family will relish this multifaceted investigative piece, which draws readers in from the start with its realistic balance of intrigue and life challenges.-D. Donovan, Midwest Book Review
“If you are looking for a slightly different take on a culinary cozy mystery, this is the debut to read.”-Carstairs Considered
“Warm and cool, sassy and savvy, GP Gottlieb has written a murder mystery that is as interesting as the family dynamic itself — exploring its alliances, intrigues and the possibility of how people can protect, surprise, and, quite literally — kill each other. A fun, delicious read!”- Marcy Heisler, theatrical lyricist
‘Gottlieb sets the stage beautifully for readers and with providing the list of characters in the beginning, you have your own little cheat sheet of sorts. And with all the twists and turns in Smothered you will be grateful to have the list so that you can keep track of everyone and check off those you believe are innocent. However, when the real killer is revealed I’m sure you will be as shocked as I was because I’m certain they weren’t even on your radar.”- Cozy Mystery Book Reviews
‘Smothered’ won the silver medal in the mystery category from the CIPA Evvy Awards.
Interview with G.P. Gottlieb, Author of ‘Charred’
TR: Please tell us something about Charred that is not in the summary. (About the book, character you particularly enjoyed writing etc.)
G.P.G: The summer of 2020 was hard for all humanity – we panicked about catching the poorly understood virus that was felling healthy young adults and forcing all of us to cower in our homes. I also had the additional pain of being unable to get anywhere near my father as he struggled during his final weeks. I recalled how disturbing it had been to have to walk around the building and wave at my 93-year-old dad until my mother could no longer push his wheelchair to the window. And I decided to set Charred during that very difficult time.
TR: I always enjoy looking at the names that authors choose to give their characters. Where do you derive the names of your characters? Are they based on real people you knew or now know in real life? How do you create names for your characters?
G.P.G: I close my eyes and imagine the character – the name usually comes to me! When our son was born, we had several names planned, but I took one look at him and said, “there’s Gabie.” It’s just like that with the characters (my other children!).
TR: Where did you get the inspiration for your cover?
G.P.G.: My publisher uses a fabulous graphic designer named Ellie, who has created all three gorgeous covers. She also designed my new website and is one of the sweetest young women I’ve ever met. Check out her website to see many more fabulous book covers: https://www.creativedigitalstudios.com (but if you hire her, please tell her that she should work on my stuff first)!
TR: Which actors would you like to see play Alene, if the book were to become a movie, play, or mini series. (you are welcome to choose actors for other characters as well)
G.P.G.: What a fun question!
Alene – Maggie Gyllenhaal
Frank – Nathan Fillion
Ruthie- Alison Brie
Benjie –Jake Gyllenhaal
Edith- Emma Thompson
Cal -John Carroll Lynch
Olly – Whitmer Thomas (comedian)
Kofi – Dewayne Perkins (comidian)
TR: What kind of messages do you try to instill in your writing?
G.P.G.: My characters have things that are important to them – eg: Ruthie tries to convey thoughtfulness, Alene wants to convey a spirit of camaraderie, and Olly just wants everyone to have fun. All three of my books boils down to counting on family and friends to get through difficult times.
TR: What draws you to this genre?
G.P.G.: I love mysteries but prefer the kind that involve a puzzle rather than disturbing or shocking details. My motto is Murder, Suspense, and Recipes: Just a Little Cozy. That’s because I enjoy both reading and writing nuanced, thought-provoking mysteries without gratuitous sex or violence.
TR: Will Alene have more to tell readers in the future?
G.P.G.: Yes, at first, I thought this would just be a trilogy, but suddenly I imagined the next story, and I think it’s going to be called POUNDED (as in pounded chicken breast, which Alene might prepare at home) – since all the titles are both cooking and murder terms).
TR: Do you have any writing projects that you are currently working on?
G.P.G: I’m working on the next Whipped and Sipped novel and also occasionally on a novel in stories that I keep setting aside. And I’m always working on essays to publish on Medium.Com or in journals – they’re observations about life, travel, family and everything under the sun (available on my website: gpgottlieb.com).
About G. P. Gottlieb
G.P. Gottlieb has been a musician, a teacher, and an administrator, but she’s happiest when she’s writing recipe-laced murder mysteries. GP Gottlieb has always experimented in the kitchen and created her own delicious vegan cookies and cakes. She is also an interviewer for the New Books in Literature podcast channel.
Gottlieb is the mother of three grown children and lives with her husband in Chicago.
Website: https://gpgottlieb.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gottliebgp
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorgottlieb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whippedsipped/
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