Interview with Rosalind Barden, Author of The South Seas Shenanigans (A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery)

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The South Seas Shenanigans (A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery)?

During the first three “Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery” books, Sparky went through big changes in a short period of time, from the summer of 1932 to the start of the school year. The series begins with eleven-year-old, homeless, orphaned Sparky accused of murder and on the run. By the third book, she’s the ward of wealthy, though reclusive former silent mega-star Tootsie. Sparky lives in her Bunker Hill mansion in downtown Los Angeles, where Tootsie’s mysterious assistant Gilbert fusses over her and worries she doesn’t have enough to eat, despite the endless pastries he gives her. Sure this is great, but the big catch is they send her back to school. Sparky is embarrassed that she’s behind every other kid her age because she’s missed so much school. Her bossy friend Bobby tutors her and assures her she’s smart, but she doesn’t believe him. She still feels more comfortable hanging around her mobster buddies from her street kid days. Then the crooks skip town for new criminal adventures without her. Sparky’s world has turned upside down and inside out, and it’s too much for her. As Sparky does, she gets an idea and jumps in feet first. Stowing away across the Pacific seems like a solid plan, so off she goes. The problem is, her plan doesn’t quite work out as she expected. I like to put Sparky’s character through the ringer, and she’s always happy to go along.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The South Seas Shenanigans (A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery), what would they be?

Because the “Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery” series takes place in the 1930s, the music must be vintage! Music by Cab Calloway comes to mind, especially for the down-on-their-luck silent screen actors. I’m a hopeless Cab Calloway fan, so I must include him! The music I chose for “The South Seas Shenanigans” trailer is “Stumbling Down the Boulevard” by the Fly Guy Five from Canva Pro. The music has a vintage, but ridiculous quality that fits the situation on the stranded ship with the angry movie actors and stowaway Sparky. As far as a theme song for Sparky, Jelly Roll Morton’s “Black Bottom Stomp” is a nice pick. It’s fast, upbeat and keeps going, exactly like Sparky.

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

I read all types of books: fiction, non-fiction, all genres. I am constantly reading. For non-fiction, I am drawn to survival and adventure books. An example is “Island of the Lost” by Joan Druett. It’s a true story of two shipwrecks in the 1800s on different sides of the same remote island. Neither group knew of the other. One of the castaway groups survives, and the other largely doesn’t, all because of completely different leadership styles (one democratic, the other top-down, I’m the boss and you’re not). It’s a fascinating read. I am currently focused on mystery writing, but I also contribute short stories to the humorous horror “Strangely Funny” anthology series. I have many other projects planned, some mystery, some not. My writing is as eclectic as my reading!

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

My TBR pile is too large to list here, and I have the habit of reading different books and listening to different audiobooks at the same time! A new addition to my pile is “The Erstwhile Tyler Kyle,” a darkly humorous horror-mystery by indie author Steve Hugh Westenra. I am nearly done listening to vintage mystery “The Man in Lower Ten” by Mary Roberts Rinehart through the Libby library app. I’m loving both of these books! Also on my Libby app is the non-fiction book, “When Elephants Weep,” by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson. It is a difficult, sad read for animal lovers, like me, but an important read. I had to pause in my reading because parts of it are too heartbreaking. I recently finished “The Body in the Fjord,” a “Faith Fairchild Mystery” by Katherine Hall Page. Scenic Norwegian travel and a body count at the same time—fantastic! Today, I added a recommendation from one of my readers, “Comedy Can Be Deadly, a “Bucket List Mystery” by Ryan Rivers. I’m looking forward to reading it!

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The girls’ dance troupe scene! I loved bringing back Sparky’s twelve-year-old nemesis Petunia from book two, “The Cannibal Caper,” and having Petunia draft stunned Sparky into the role of lead dancer. Sparky always figures something out on the fly to get by, and she does here. In the process, we discover more about Sparky’s deceased mom and Sparky’s life before she became homeless. The scene is funny and bittersweet at the same time.

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

I don’t write in sequence. I write scenes, and, eventually, the story reveals itself. Of course, the characters have plenty to say about what they want to do.

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

People will get mad at you anyway, so you might as well jump in and follow your dreams.

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

Everybody’s got a story. Some sad, some funny. But it’s always interesting, and there’s surely a new adventure around the corner.

Readers can sign up for my Readers Club newsletter and I’ll be delighted to send a fun set of short stories! I also send an annual Christmas short story that is exclusive to my Readers Club, plus, I have giveaways, and the Readers Club is the first to receive news about my books. I’d love to have you join! Here’s the link: https://rosalindbarden.com/join-readers-club/

Rosalind Barden is the author of the new book The South Seas Shenanigans (A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery)

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