M. M. Gornell Revisited

Madeline (M.M.) Gornell has three published mystery novels—PSWA awarding winning Uncle Si’s Secret (2008), Death of a Perfect Man (2009), and Reticence of Ravens (2010). Her first Route 66 mystery, Reticence of Ravens, is a 2011 Eric Hoffer Fiction finalist and Honorary Mention winner, the da Vinci Eye finalist, and a Montaigne Medalist finalist.She continues to be inspired by historic Route 66, and has recently completed Lies of Convenience, a tale that fictionally connects murder, truths untold, and Chicago’s Lake Michigan with California’s high desert on the opposite end of The Mother Road. Madeline is also a potter with a fondness for stoneware and reduction firing. She lives with her husband and assorted canines in the Mojave Desert in a town on internationally revered Route 66.

Madeline will be among those featured in the forthcoming book, The Mystery Writers, scheduled for release in March 2012.

Why mystery novels, Madeline?

I can’t imagine writing anything but a mystery. I grew up with Agatha Christie, Margery Allingham, Dorothy L. Sayers, Martha Grimes, Marion Chesney (M.C. Beaton), etc. So my brain is not only steeped in mysterious doings—but Brits and British mystery traditions have a most special place in my heart and imagination. Indeed, I’ve gone on-and-on ad nausea about P.D. James in interviews and blogs. She continues to be my inspiration and guiding light. To experience England through her character’s eyes is a most marvelous treat and adventure.

For me, murder mysteries are unique in that the underlying pinning for the story is solving who done it, which in turn provides much of the impetus for the protagonist’s emotions, activities, and interactions—while simultaneously offering the reader a tricky puzzle to solve. But, solving the murder and bringing the bad guys and gals to some kind of justice is not the whole story. For me, the sense of place (especially enjoyable in British locals), the layers of back stories, the human emotions exposed, the characters’ psychological or emotional advancement—these are the key ingredients in a good mystery—and why I love them!

What's so fascinating about Route 66 that you use it as a backdrop for your novels?

When my husband and I moved back to California from a twenty plus year stay in Puget Sound, somehow, we ended up in a small town in California’s Mojave Desert on Route 66. I am continually fascinated by the sights, sounds, weather, history, terrain, ruins—and so much more—in the Mojave. Interestingly, I was born and raised in Chicago—where Route 66 starts. So, I’ve got both ends of The Mother Road covered.

And my imagination is captured by thoughts of those who have come before me—what challenges they must have had! Reticence of Ravens, my latest published novel, and Lies of Convenience, due out soon, are both set in fictional towns on Route 66; and their inspiration comes from my immediate area.

Tell us about your latest release.

Here’s the book jacket synopsis for Reticence of Ravens which I think not only gives you a feel for the story, but also the Mojave.

“Time and events have turned Hubert James Champion III into a morose man trying for the last year to escape into California’s Mojave Desert—somewhere a little north of Route 66 on the way to Arizona. No longer a practicing psychologist and FBI collaborator, Hugh now owns Joey’s mini-mart, a half-defunct gas station with no gas, no supplies, and little food for customers. Opening hours variable.

He has become a man hiding out from the world, and himself—trying to seek redemption among the creosote and Palo Verde trees. His main companions these days are an aged desert dog, and the unkindness of sometimes raucous, but usually reticent ravens.

But Hugh soon senses that he can’t escape—especially when a “special” young woman with red Medusa-like hair, and covered in her father’s blood is brought to him one Sunday evening. Turner Jackson has been murdered, and LoraLee Jackson is the main suspect. In quick order Hugh is drawn into proving LoraLee’s innocence by both locals and unwanted East Coast intruders. Add the sudden appearance of LoraLee’s previously unknown brother, a bulldog FBI agent with an agenda of his own, and Hugh’s cousin Della’s love-sick ex-husband—not to mention multiple shootings, exploding drug-labs, and most importantly, Hugh’s past demons rearing their ugly heads once again.

No, Hugh cannot escape having to find a murderer—or his own past.

Have any of your characters shared your pottery avocation?

In my second novel Death of a Perfect Man, the protagonist, Jada Beaudine, and the first murder victim are potters. Several suspects are too.

Advice to aspiring mystery novelists.

I think every author is unique, so I don’t have any “rule type” advice. Just never, never, never give up!

Thanks, Madeline.

You can visit Madeline at her website: http://www.mmgornell.com
and her blog site: http://www/mmgornell.wordpress.com or email her directly at
mmgornell@earthlink.net