A Mysterious Interview with Robert Petyo

 The Third Black Beacon Book of Mystery will be released on the 18th of April (but the Kindle version is available for pre-order today at just $0.99 instead of $3.99) and to celebrate this new volume of detective mysteries guaranteed to put your little grey cells to work, we’re interviewing the contributing authors. Do you dare peer into their devious minds, where criminal masterminds battle brilliant sleuths, private eyes, and police detectives? Settle down in your favourite armchair and get ready to pit your wits against the finest voices penning mystery puzzles today!

Hi Edward,

It’s always tricky interviewing a mystery writer about a particular story because we don’t want to give anything away, but can you tell us (carefully) where the idea for your story came from? 

There is a small town my wife and I occasionally stop at during the ninety-minute drive to our grandson’s house. It’s very similar to the town described in my story. One day when we stopped for lunch I stepped outside the back door and saw the slope behind the building. What if a body was found there? Being a mystery writer, my imagination often finds bodies. The story came from that.

There are several sub-genres of mystery fiction, but the stories in this anthology are traditional fair-play mysteries in which the reader can try to solve the puzzle before all is revealed. What makes this kind of mystery so timeless?

Puzzles will always be popular. Mystery stories. Crossword puzzles. Jigsaw puzzles. All kinds of puzzles.

Do you have a favourite fictional detective?

Without a doubt, my favorite is Sherlock Holmes who I started reading in grade school. He drew me into mysteries, leading me to Agatha Christie, Ellery Queen and others. 

Is this the first mystery your protagonist has solved?

Yes. This is the amateur detective’s first case.

If you were a detective, private investigator, or amateur sleuth, what would be your trademark quirk?

That’s a tough one. Probably the hint of OCD I have in my life. Same breakfast every morning. Same routine brushing my teeth. Every book replaced in the same spot. Same pens always in my pocket.

Do you have a writing routine or particular requirements for a writing session?

My computer is set up in the lower level of my home and is where I do all of my writing at different times during the day. I never write anywhere else. However, my mind is on my writing throughout the day and night.

What are you working on now?

Two short stories; one a mystery, and one horror. And a novel about a retired police detective who lives on a cruise ship (a cruise is my idea of the perfect vacation). But I’ve been struggling for more than a year with this and doubt that I will ever finish it.

Where can we find you online?

Facebook and X at Robertpetyo

Thanks for playing along!