What with vacation and editing, I somehow neglected to share this lovely Sunday Spotlight interview that librarian/book blogger Lesa Holstine did with me for Bad Boy Beat. Lesa is an astute reader, so her questions are always spot on. Happy to belatedly share it here:

SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT – CLEA SIMON

I met author Clea Simon years ago at a mystery conference. It’s been a few years, though, since she’s had a post here. And, every time I think of Clea Simon, I think of my friend, Sandie Herron, who loved Clea’s mysteries about cats. Simon’s latest book, Bad Boy Beat, is different. But, I’ll let Clea tell you about the book. Thank you, Clea, for taking time to answer a few questions.

Clea, It’s been a while since you’ve been here. Would you introduce yourself to readers? Tell us a little about your background, your previous books, and your career as a reporter, please.

Thanks so much for having me, Lesa! It’s been a while, but I’ve been busy. I’ve been writing mysteries for nearly 20 years now (“Mew is for Murder” came out in 2005), and I’ve now got 31 mysteries to my name (as well as three nonfiction books). I started out writing cat cozies, which I still do and love to do (my latest “witch cat of Cambridge” book is “To Conjure a Killer”). That said, in recent years, I’ve turned to darker suspense. My new “Bad Boy Beat” has been called “newspaper noir,” in that it really revels in the dark underbelly of journalism and of the historic city of Boston, where I live and which I love. Yes, I started as a journalist – I saw it as a way to write and get paid! I’ve written for everyone from Ms. magazine to the New York Times, and I’ve served as an editor for a bunch of places, most recently my hometown Boston Globe. I still do occasional op-eds (opinion pieces) and book reviews, but most of my focus these days is on my books.

Would you introduce us to Emily Kelton?

Em, as she prefers to be called, is a rookie reporter on the daily Boston Standard, and as such she’s been put on the police beat: covering (or at least checking out) anything that comes over the police scanner. This is considered a low-level post, but Em has a certain affinity for the beat – both for the cops whom she comes to know and the low-level criminals who are some of her best sources (and sometimes romantic partners). She’s got a bit of an attitude, too. That’s necessary for a job where you’re pushing your way in, asking questions of people on some of their worst days. I love Em. She’s a loyal friend and a relentless reporter, but these traits can get her in trouble – big trouble – and not just with her editor.

Would you give us the elevator pitch for Bad Boy Beat?

When rookie reporter Em Kelton covers yet another shooting of a low-level drug dealer, she becomes convinced that the killings are connected. But even as she works to uncover the big story, the streets of Boston are hiding even darker secrets that threaten not only her new job but her life.

Here’s the tough question. Tell us who your favorite author is, and why.

Phew! For a long time, I’ve said Hilary Mantel, the multiple Booker Award winner. I regularly re-read her first big novel, “A Place of Greater Safety,” which follows several bright young things in 18th century France who end up bringing about the Revolution… and their own downfall. It’s so alive and it has a dark humor that really appeals to me. But recently I’ve been on a Deanna Raybourn kick. I started with “Killers of a Certain Age” and then went on to the Veronica Speedwell historicals. I just love her! She’s whipsmart and really funny too. 

Thank you, Clea! (And, I love Deanna Raybourn’s books, too.)

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