A VISIT WITH AUTHOR, MARILYN MEREDITH
Avoiding the Jessica Fletcher Syndrome
In both my series, murder does happen in small towns. And yes, I’ve thought about the Jessica Fletcher syndrome.
In the Rocky Bluff P.D. series, the small town is near larger towns and the murders that happen seem possible —plus it’s a Southern California beach town.
Bear Creek, the small town in the Deputy Tempe Crabtree series, is more of a village than a town. However, the area Tempe patrols is large, taking in the mountains, campgrounds, and she’s often called to the nearby Bear Creek Indian Reservation.
In an earlier book, Calling the Dead, Tempe traveled to other towns in California to learn more about a suspect. In Kindred Spirits, she visited Crescent City to learn more about a victim, and Santa Barbara to find out about a suspect.
Because Tempe is a Tulare County deputy, once she was asked to help out with a murder that happened in a nearby city because the victim had ties to the reservation.
To be perfectly honest, Bear Creek is based on the area where I live, and the entire time I’ve lived here there have only been two murders. The nearby Indian reservation has had a few more.
In the latest, River Spirits, outsiders cause all the problems.
I have no idea what will happen in the next book, but it’s possible she may go elsewhere and help with a crime. It will depend upon what ideas pop into my head.
Since Jessica Fletcher was a writer who solved crimes and my heroine is in law enforcement, I don’t think I’ll have to worry about anyone thinking they may be in jeopardy if they know Tempe.
Marilyn
About the new novel, River Spirits:
While filming a movie on the Bear Creek Indian Reservation, the film crew trespasses on sacred ground, threats are made against the female stars, a the Hairy Man finds a missing woman, an actor is murdered, and Deputy Tempe Crabtree has no idea who is guilty. Once again, the elusive and legendary Hairy Man plays an important role in this newest Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery.
About Marilyn:
Marilyn Meredith is the author of over thirty-five published novels, including the award winning Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series, the latest River Spirits from Mundania Press. Marilyn is a member of three chapters of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and on the board of the Public Safety Writers of America. She lives in the foothills of the Sierra. Visit her at http://fictionforyou.com and her blog at http://marilymeredith.blogspot.com/
Contest: The winner will be the person who comments on the most blog posts during the tour.
He or she can either have a character in my next book named after them, or choose an earlier book in the Deputy Tempe Crabtree series—either a paper book or e-book.
I’m heading over to P. J. Nunn’s to talk about promotion.
http://bookbrowsing.wordpress.com/
John M. Wills 
Thank you for hosting me today. I enjoyed stopping by.
You’ll never fall victim to that or any other formula. Your books continue to be interesting because you always have fresh story lines.
I agree, Lorna, not only fresh story lines, but great story lines.
Thank you, both Larry and Lorna, and John.
My pleasure, Marilyn.
What is the Jessica Fletcher syndrome?
Thanks for asking, Tony. The Jessica Fletcher syndrome is the condition of a place or person that seems to attract a large number of murders without having an active part in that crime.
From the TV-show “Murder She Wrote” where every week a close friend or relative of Jessica Fletcher is either murdered or suspected of murder. Suspension of disbelief is stretched to the limit.
I think he killed them all.
Nah, he just suffers from Jessica Fletcher Syndrome.
Thanks for the great explanation, John. Also problematic when a large number of murders happens in a small town as per the town Jessica Fletcher lived in, Cabot Cove, I think.
You’re welcome.
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John M. Wills
http://Www.johnmwills.com
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I appreciate Tony asking the question because I didn’t know what the Jessica Fletcher syndrome was either – and I even worked at Universal Studios when the Murder She Wrote TV series was being filmed!
Hi, Ann. Thanks for your comment.