/ en-US Sun, 12 Dec 2021 09:54:52 -0800 60 / 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg /author_blog_posts/22018886-anne-rice Sun, 12 Dec 2021 09:54:52 -0800 /author_blog_posts/22018886-anne-rice
posted by Jen Pitts on December, 12 ]]> /author_blog_posts/21861468-the-cozy-sleuth-podcast Wed, 27 Oct 2021 12:02:14 -0700 /author_blog_posts/21861468-the-cozy-sleuth-podcast


posted by Jen Pitts on October, 27 ]]> /author_blog_posts/21726518-happy-birthday-agatha-christie Wed, 15 Sep 2021 06:18:14 -0700 /author_blog_posts/21726518-happy-birthday-agatha-christie
Everyone is a potential murderer—in everyone there arises from time to time the wish to kill � though not the will to kill.
Hercule Poirot in Curtain by Agatha Christie

I wish I could recall the first Agatha Christie novel I read. I do remember how I devoured her books starting in the fifth grade. The fun, but tame Nancy Drew books fell to the wayside as I read the Hercule Poirot and Jane Marple books with their inventive plots and insight into human nature.
I’ll read just about any mystery book, but the ones that tell personal stories are my favorite. What I mean is serial killers don’t interest me. Killing for the sake of killing doesn’t make for a compelling story. I want to read about people who decide they have no other choice but to commit murder.
As I began writing my own mysteries, I thought long and hard about the books I love. Agatha Christie’s books topped the list. Most, if not all, of her stories are about the personal reasons that made the murderer feel she or he had no other choice. This line from the book Curtain has stayed with me:
Everyone is a potential murderer � in everyone there arises from time to time the wish to kill � though not the will to kill.
Hercule Poirot, the famous Belgian detective, says this sentence in the book, Curtain. To me, it sums up my fascination with murder mysteries. What drives someone to kill? What is the tipping point that made a person decide that murder was the best option? What makes a person go from potential murder to an actual one?

When I write a book, I start with why the murderer has killed. I don't always know who the victim is or even who the killer is, but I begin with their motivations. The point of a mystery novel is to find out who the killer is, but for me it’s just as important to discover why. Human nature is fascinating and as a mystery writer, I get to explore the dark side of it. But also the good side when the killer is revealed, and all is right for the surviving characters.
Agatha Christie’s one line in Curtain sums up my fascination with mysteries and sent me down the path to being a mystery author. I’m not a potential murderer � I have the wish and the will to kill, but only as a writer.

Jen Pitts
Author of The French Quarter Mysteries

posted by Jen Pitts on September, 15 ]]> /author_blog_posts/21466825-a-deadly-check-in-is-here Wed, 30 Jun 2021 11:30:00 -0700 /author_blog_posts/21466825-a-deadly-check-in-is-here
In the latest installment of The French Quarter Mysteries, Samantha finds herself dealing with a surprise family reunion, ghosts, and murder.

Available in ebook, paperback, and in KindleUnlimited.



Let me know what you think of Sammy's next adventure in New Orleans!

Jen

posted by Jen Pitts on June, 30 ]]> /author_blog_posts/21326215-a-deadly-check-in-is-available-for-pre-order Fri, 21 May 2021 07:04:22 -0700 /author_blog_posts/21326215-a-deadly-check-in-is-available-for-pre-order
A Deadly Check-In finds Samantha dealing with a surprise family reunion, ghosts, and murder.

Available on June 30th in ebook, paperback, hardback and in KindleUnlimited.





posted by Jen Pitts on May, 21 ]]> /author_blog_posts/21108456-the-key-to-murder-free-in-amazon-prime-reading Tue, 23 Mar 2021 09:54:29 -0700 /author_blog_posts/21108456-the-key-to-murder-free-in-amazon-prime-reading


Amazon Prime members can download The Key to Murder for free now though June 21, 2021.

Enjoy!
Jen

posted by Jen Pitts on March, 23 ]]> /author_blog_posts/20837229-a-french-quarter-mystery-prequel-available-now---free Tue, 12 Jan 2021 06:57:00 -0800 /author_blog_posts/20837229-a-french-quarter-mystery-prequel-available-now---free


Samantha Richardson loves mysteries, but she never expected to find one in a cafe in the French Quarter. Looking to escape the rain and get a second wind before continuing her apartment search, she stumbles upon Artistic Coffee & Creations. While drinking coffee and eating freshly baked scones, Samantha chats with the owner and learns about The Mystery Painting. Can she solve the mystery and find an apartment all in one day in New Orleans?

posted by Jen Pitts on January, 12 ]]> /author_blog_posts/20523352-the-gates-to-the-afterlife-comes-out-on-halloween Tue, 27 Oct 2020 06:21:07 -0700 /author_blog_posts/20523352-the-gates-to-the-afterlife-comes-out-on-halloween
The Gates to the Afterlife is the second book in the The French Quarter Mysteries featuring West Coast transplant Samantha Richardson. Join Sammy as she explores the Big Easy by solving the mysteries of the past and present in this new modern, cozy mystery series.

/book/show/5...

Available in e-book, paperback, and KindleUnlimited on Halloween!

posted by Jen Pitts on October, 27 ]]> /author_blog_posts/20340785-the-next-book-in-the-french-quarter-mystery-series-is-available-for-pre- Sat, 12 Sep 2020 08:35:00 -0700 /author_blog_posts/20340785-the-next-book-in-the-french-quarter-mystery-series-is-available-for-pre-
The e-book can be pre-ordered now and the paperback will be available on October 31st.

This book is a continuation of Sammy's journey in her new hometown, New Orleans. Join her as she learns about the famous Voodoo queen all while trying to prove one of her friend's innocence in a murder.



posted by Jen Pitts on September, 12 ]]> /author_blog_posts/19941075-the-key-to-murder-is-available-as-an-audiobook Wed, 03 Jun 2020 15:34:58 -0700 /author_blog_posts/19941075-the-key-to-murder-is-available-as-an-audiobook
Listen to Samantha as she explores the French Quarter of New Orleans. You'll meet her new neighbors, some friendly, some not so much.

Available on Audible.com and Amazon.com!

I hope you enjoy it!

Mysteriously yours,
Jen





posted by Jen Pitts on June, 03 ]]>