Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!
I am thrilled to welcome Ada Madison (Camille Minichino) to Escape With Dollycas today!!
I love Dollycas’s idea of ESCAPE! So many meanings, so many twists to discuss.
Last time I visited here, I talked about 2 things that keep me from escaping into a book: when authors give Wikipedia-type descriptions of places, signaling that they’ve never been to the location; and when they name characters after their relatives or friends, taking the reader out of the story to note, “How cute, she’s giving a nod to her cousin Chucky.”
For me as an author, the best way to escape is to break the rules. I’m such a wimp, an utter rule-keeper in real life, that writing a character who breaks the rules is true escape. Here are a couple of real-life instances that have inspired me to have my characters break a rule or two, including Sophie Knowles in A Function of Murder.
Case #1. Trespass!
One time I showed up to teach a writing class that was to be held on the property of a county park. The class was scheduled for ten o’clock. I showed up about 15 minutes early and found a couple of students waiting outside an impressive fence with a chain, a serious padlock, and a large, forbidding No Trespassing sign.
No problem; we were early. We chatted on; more students came. Minutes passed. No one showed up to let us in. A couple of delivery people came by in trucks and left when they realized there was no entry. We made a few calls with our cells—first to my contact at the school, who suggested I call the park police, who suggested I call the city police, who suggested I call my contact at the school, and so on.
The boring part of the story is that eventually someone came to let us in.
The interesting part happened while we were waiting.
A young woman pulled up in a low red sports car. She got out and addressed us. “I have to get in there,” she said. “I was at a wedding in the park last night and I left my purse.”
We shrugged and explained that there was nothing we could do until someone came with a key for the padlock.
She grunted, and thought a minute. The next thing we knew, she was scaling the fence, her long hair flying in the breeze. She plopped down on the other side and walked into the park. About 5 minutes later, she approached the fence again, from the inside, and climbed out.
In her hands were a purse, a pair of glittery sling backs, and a bra.
She gave us a wink, got in her car and drove off.
My writing students and I got a lot of mileage of the incident, creating many colorful back stories. We all agreed, however, that the most impressive thing was the young woman’s willingness to disregard the No Trespassing sign and its warning of a heavy fine.
For me, the physical difficulty of scaling a fence pales in comparison to the mental and psychological difficulty of disobeying a sign.
Maybe that’s why I write fiction—to break laws vicariously!
Would you have climbed that fence?
Case #2. Disregard This Announcement!
Waiting for a train in an underground San Francisco transit station, I sat next to two 20-something women slurping cold coffee drinks from a Starbucks cup. Between them was a bag of Mrs. Field’s cookie bites. They were happy snackers, chatting away, in English (you’ll see why that’s important in a minute).
Let’s give them the benefit of the doubt and say there were first-timers on BART and didn’t know the rules: NO food or drink allowed in BART stations or on trains.
Then it’s a good thing there are signs with the information repeated in a scrolling message overhead.
Let’s give them another chance and say they didn’t lift their heads to read the message.
Then it’s a good thing a loud warning announcement came over the PA system, every 2 minutes or so, interrupting their conversation: Eating or drinking in a BART station can result in a fine of up to $250.
Wow! $250. I started to get nervous for the girls. I looked over and one caught my eye and gave me a friendly, relaxed smile. In other words, fully aware of the rules they were breaking, what the girls weren’t breaking was a sweat.
I scooted away from them, lest the BART police think I was with these lawbreakers.
I’ll jump ahead to the end of the story: Nothing bad happened to the young women, who carried their food and drink onto a train. As far as I know they reached their destination, escaping any punishment.
I’m not sure how hungry or thirsty I’d have to be to take food or drink down to the BART station. Starving? Dehydrated? Even at an age when I could easily claim exigent senior citizen circumstances, I couldn’t do it.
I’m envious. It’s not about the BART rule, or the No Trespassing rule in Case #1; it’s about any rule. I just can’t break them. (Note that I’m holding a slide RULE in the photo.)
Criticism is levied against cozy mysteries because their amateur sleuths often do foolish things, unlawful even, while investigating murders.
But isn’t that what fiction is for? Someone has to live an exciting rule-breaking life for us.
Do you follow even the smallest rule, or would you make a good amateur sleuth?
Excellent post! I am just like you! Thank you so much for visiting today!!
About This Author
Camille Minichino, a retired physicist turned writer, has published 17 mysteries in three series: The Periodic Table Mysteries,
A Function of Murder
(Professor Sophie Knowles Mystery)
3rd in Series
Cozy Mystery
A Berkley Prime Crime Mystery
The Berkley Publishing Group (December 31, 2012)
Published by The Penguin Group
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0425251751
E-Book File Size: 613 KB
ASIN: B0095ZMIEM
Cover Illustration by Lisa French
Cover Design by Lesley Worrell
Math Professor Sophie Knowles is looking forward to some time off as this year’s class graduates, but things do not go as planned. The graduates are complaining about the mayor who gave the commencement address, one student is upset about her grade and vents on social media, and just when she is about to escape all of the drama to take a stroll with her helicopter pilot boyfriend things go horribly wrong. They are interrupted by the mayor himself as he falls into the fountain with a knife in his back. Sophie is shocked to find out the mayor was seeking her out for help before he was killed. Solving this murder in’t going to be easy but Sophie is ready to show her work as she tries delve into all the scandal and corruption that seems to connect to the mayor and find out how she fits into this criminal equation.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Sophie is such a fun protagonist. She really doesn’t want to get all wrapped up in a murder investigation but she just can’t help herself. Her boyfriend does his best to keep her safe but they can’t be together 24/7. Thankfully she has a great relationship with Detective Virgil Mitchell. The killer really surprised me. I figured it out at the same time Sophie did. It was a puzzler with quite a suspenseful ending.
The subplot of the student that is unhappy with her grades was wonderful. I am sure teachers near and far deal with this problem. With social media the student can take their issue to the masses making resolution difficult especially when “friends” take the problem to a whole new level.
Ada Madison has written three marvelous main characters, surrounded them with a group of very interesting individuals in a setting ripe for mystery. Add it all together and A Function of Murder
Camille has made the giveaway today SPECTACULAR!!
In addition to the 2 books I am giving away
thanks to the wonderful people at Berkley Prime Crime –
She is giving away 3 additional copies with bookmarks and rulers!!!
THAT’S A TOTAL OF 5 COPIES!!!
U.S. AND CANADA ONLY
To enter you must leave a comment below
answering Camille’s question:
Do you follow even the smallest rule, or would you make a good amateur sleuth?
Plus fill out the entry form found here!
Winners will be chosen by Random.org
Winners will be notified by email and
will be posted in the sidebar of this blog.
Entries without a comment will be disqualified!
Contest Will End January 23 at 11:59 p.m. CST
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
I absolutely have to follow every rule, or I break out into a cold sweat looking around for the rule police to get me! kuzlin(at)aol(dot)com
I am another rule follower! Love the first book in this series!!! Dee
I think now I have read so many cozy mysteries that I would make a great woman sleuth. It would be so much fun. Would love to win !
I am another rule follower!
i think rules are guidelines, not meant to be a prison…
I try to slide out of rules whenever possible. I once worked for a governmental agency with ridiculous rules that didn’t work for most of us…our motto was: ask for forgiveness, not permission.
Loved your interview!
I am not always the first one to break the rule, but I’m not the last either. Some rules are so ridiculous, I don’t know how anyone could follow them. About being a sleuth, I would like to think I can be pretty good at that, since I love mysteries and thrillers so much.
I follow most rules…. but if I really need something (say my purse in the park or to gather evidence) I would break a rule.
I have to say i am a rule follower. Guess that is one reason I love cozies!
Thanks for sharing your wonderful readers, Lori! I’m glad to see there are some like me and a few who are a bit more on the edge! I think we would all make great sleuths — in fact we are, aren’t we? Going along on the adventures of so many cozies that are presented on the Dollycas blog. (But it’s nice to do the sleuthing in my nightgown!)
Depends on what the rule is, if it’s reasonable I will usually follow it. For the most part I try and set rules for myself in day to day life, otherwise I just don’t get anything done in a day 🙂 The sleuth life probably wouldn’t be for me, but I do enjoy sleuthing along with a character in a book! Really enjoyed reading this post, and your book sounds great. Thanks to everyone!
So THAT’S why I don’t get anything done in a day! Thanks for the tip, Sarah!
I would make a good sleuth, I follow the rules unless there is a legal way to get around them, and 9 times out of 10 there’s a way.
Very creative, Peggy.
I’m like the lady in the author’s story. For a glittery purse and my bra I would have climbed the fence. I do have the guts to be a amateur sleuth. What fun!
We have to meet, lemon123!
I would say that Im a rule follower, =) but being a amateur sleuth sounds like so much fun! =)
I know I am a ruler follower! Like to get it right the first time and by doing the project right. I hanks for the chance to win it. although i t would be fun to be a sleuth. 🙂
I’m a rule follower–and one that gets annoyed at people that don’t follow the rules. Maybe that’s why I enjoy golf so much because we are expected to follow the rules at all times.
Wish you were my boss, suekey12!
I just do not follow all the rules, only the ones that will not hinder me from getting what I want… or the ones that I am legally obliged to follow lol
Thanks for the giveaway =]
Impressive, Ana!
I would make a great detective because I like to keep digging until I find the answer.
As long as the rules are not laws I try to ignore as many rules as i can
I love the spirit of these readers, picking and choosing among the rules (except for golf!) and finding a way to make the rules work for them.
I use rules as guidelines and try to follow them (usually if they are actual laws) however I have been known to break the rules too so I believe I would be a good amateur sleuth in my opinion- I’ve always been fascinated by forensics and love mysteries
Considering I was once a police officer, I pretty much follow the rules. I can, however, be sneaky when need be and will break rules if I think they need to be broken (mainly to help an animal)!
Whoa! Who knew an ex-LLEA was tuned in!
I am a rule follower, just the thought of getting caught doing something wrong has me shaking in my boots!
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
The biggest rule that can NOT be broken and I have followed it to a “t” all my life – is to “Never take the tag off of your mattress under penalty of law”! LOL. yvonne@triad.rr.com
I am usually a rule follower, though I have taken food and drink on the bus, and occasionally sneak a bottle of water into movie theaters (have you seen how much they charge, JUST for water?!).
I must admit to sneaking (good) candy into theaters — even more outrageous charges than for water, which at least isn’t junk!
I follow rules but occasionally avoid silly ones.
I am a rule follower. although there are exceptions. major ones.
I am like most. I follow the big rules, but sometimes break ones like movie theatre food rules 🙂 Or speeding just a tiny bit.
I can be a rule bender at times. LOL. Blessings, Susan Fryman
I follow the rules. I just know I would get in trouble if I didn’t. This is a great series by my favorite cozy mystery author.
I try to follow even the smallest rule! 🙂
thanks for a super giveaway!
I have such a hard time NOT following rules! To this day I still think the “rule police” will jump out and get me if I don’t follow each one, no matter how little!
I always follow rules absolutely. Otherwise I would feel so guilty. Thanks for the giveaway.
Thanks for all these observations (and some confessions!) . . . it’s always so interesting to hear how people view the rules that are all around us.
I would follow ever rule. Things seem easier that way.
Most rules I follow but the insignificant little one’s that usually make no sense in the first place – not so much! I’d love to be a sleuth but I’m not observant enough.
I would like to say I would be a sleuth but I am not very good at figuring out puzzles. So I would probably be the rule follower. Thank you for the chance to win
I usually follow the rules. They are usually made for a good reason.
I’ll admit to driving 5 miles over the speed limit. I could not climb a fence but I have taken sugar-free candy into a movie theater (they do not sell any there).
I’m pretty good at not so much breaking the rules but pushing them a bit. I think I’d make a good cozy mystery sleuth because I’m pretty good at bumbling things up!
I can break rules but would not make a good cozy mystery sleuth because I would get caught and why trying to get out of trouble woulf forget the clue I had found
Would probably follow most of the rules but on occasion break the odd one, and hopefully not get caught in the process. And there is absolutely no way, I’d be climbing over a fence. So, I may be an OK amateur sleuth.
I am a rule follower – most of the time .But I may break a rule if I feel it has to be done to find the answer
I pretty much follow the rules. I would love untangling a mystery but I don’t know if I am brave enough to be a slueth.
I mostly follow rules but sometimes while hiking I’ll see a no tresspassing sign and ignore it since I’m in the middle of nowhere!
I am a rule follower. I would make a terrible sleuth. I am not that good anymore at noticing small details and my memory is pretty bad these days.
I’ll break rules when it’s necessary. I like coloring outside the lines:)
laura thomas
im a chicken that always follows the rules so I wouldnt be a good sleuth at all- but love reading about them!
I wouldnt say that I break rules..I more just like to bend them. 🙂
Cynthia Wong
i’m still having issues commenting on your blog……..
i hope you can accept the following as my entry to your giveaway for A Function for Murder:
i’ve always been such a rule-follower, more out of fear of getting in trouble!!! LOL!!!!!
thank you,
Cynthia
I am pretty much a rule follower. More so now than I was when I was younger.
I’m going in the opposite direction of some of you — finding it easier to break a rule (as long as no on is harmed!) as I get older (and the cops get younger LOL).
I’m a rule follower too… but if I had someone to break the rules for me (or drag me into participating), then I might make a good sleuth. 🙂
While I do follow the rules, I do find that most can be “bent” without actually breaking them 🙂 I think I would make a good amateur sleuth!
I follow almost all the rules…can’t think of any that I consciously break other than the typical, speeding or backing out of your driveway.
Fun guest post! I do follow most rules. I remember a short No Exit alley at the back of my children’s school. Lots of parents used it but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. 🙂 (I do speed a little sometimes though but only about 3-5 miles over.) Thanks so much for sharing in giveaway!
It’s been such fun to check back here and see who is naughty and who is nice :=)
(A No Exit sign would do it for me Martha!)
I’m crazy about following rules. I can’t handle it if I don’t. Once I got 10 extra dollars from the bank by accident, and when I noticed I drove back to the bank to give it to them. I guess I’m strange like that.