Interview with Bonnie Hardy, Author of A Very Tidy Death

by kali

in Author Interviews, eBook, News

20 Feb 2024

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write A Very Tidy Death?

I began my life as a tidier at the age of eight. When bored at home I began to reorganize my closet. Then my drawers. And then my life.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of A Very Tidy Death, what would they be?

Every book, all ten that I’ve so far published, has a song. But I rarely know what that song will be until I begin writing. My protagonist in the Lily Rock Mystery series plays, of all things, an autoharp. She’s in a band called Sweet Four O’Clock. The band covers old-time fiddle tunes, classic country, and some 60’s and 70’s favorites. In the case of A Very Tidy Death, the song is a John Denver tune called “For Baby (For Bobby)”.

When I include the song in each book, it’s for emotional reasons (character arc) and to move the plot forward. I name the song but do not write lyrics for copyright reasons. In the case of A Very Tidy Death, my protagonist and her sister are navigating the birth of sister Sage’s new baby. When the baby Star responds to them singing and playing together, they know she, the baby, is going to be “part of the band.”

This is a pivotal moment that will lead the reader toward important future decisions made by my main character, Olivia Greer.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I read all kinds of mysteries. I especially love to write cozies.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Moonflowers Murders by Anthony Horowitz and Return of the Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The first person narratives of the contestants in the Time to Tidy contest.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I have no time for quirky. I write five days a week from 7:30-11:30. After lunch, I do admin work for indie publishing. I also do admin work while my husband watches sports on TV on the weekends. Quirky is for my characters. There’s plenty to go around!

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Don’t put it down; put it away.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

How they feel about the characters and themselves.

Bonnie Hardy is the author of the new book A Very Tidy Death

Connect with Bonnie Hardy

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