A Mysterious Interview with Christina Hoag

The Third Black Beacon Book of Mystery is out now 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 Christina,

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?

I’ve been fascinated lately with art crime/fraud so I wanted to write something in that world. The motel in the story is based on a real motel where my son worked and the dog is his dog, Zoe, who I often end up looking after. So the elements all weirdly blended together to come up with "Take Care of Zozo For Me".

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?

People love puzzles, and I would also say readers love the suspense in the journey to solve the mystery. At least, that’s why I love to read them.

Do you have a favourite fictional detective?

Arthur Upfield’s D.I. Napoleon Bonaparte. You’re probably scratching your head at that one. Upfield was Australia’s first crime writer in the 1930s-1940s. His “Bony” character is a half Aboriginal policeman in the Queensland Police Force and battles racism as well as solving murders. I also love the “Bangkok” series by John Burdett featuring Thai detective Sonchai Jitpleecheep, and the Swedish Kurt Wallender series by Henning Mankell.

Is this the first mystery your protagonist has solved?

This is a first for these characters. I do have two other “detectives” – one a cop in Los Angeles, the other an amateur sleuth in New York City – who are featured in a couple of short stories each.

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

My other passion is travel and my home is filled with artwork from all over the world. So I’d say having an exotic souvenir collection or maybe solving mysteries in different places around the globe.

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

I’m a morning writer. I like to get going straight after breakfast when I’m freshest. I find my creativity gets sapped as the day progresses and the boring bits of life must be dealt with. I usually peter out at midday.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on a thriller screenplay at the moment. I’ve been on a run of short stories as well. I have two novels that I really have to finish once I’m done with the screenplay.

Where can we find you online?

All of the usual social media suspects, as well as my website: christinahoag.com

Thanks for playing along!

Thanks for having me!