The Sinister Sitcom Caper
by Sally Carpenter
…a good combination of humor and mystery, a fun read. ~Christa Reads and Writes
…good interaction between the characters and have to admit that Joseph was a hoot and kept me in stitches. ~Storeybook Reviews
Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Cozy Cat Press (December 3, 2013)
File Size: 571 KB
Print Length: 212 pages
ASIN: B00H3KTDVM
ISBN-13: 978-1939816238
Synopsis:
Sandy Fairfax, former teen idol and star of the ‘70s hit TV show “Buddy Brave, Boy Sleuth,” is now a middle-aged recovering alcoholic who realizes that making a comeback can be murder. He’s the guest star on “Off-Kelter,” a corny family situation comedy, and the lowest rated TV show of the 1993 fall season. Before rehearsals barely begin one of the actors drops dead at Sandy’s feet. He investigates, enlisting the aid of two of his new cast mates: a dwarf and an animal actor. During his snooping, we meet Sandy’s ex, his parents and his teenage son, all with their own “situations” going on. During rehearsals Sandy also encounters a beautiful choreographer—could this be love? Will Sandy solve the murder before the Friday night taping of “Off-Kelter” or will the elusive killer cancel our hero before the final credits? This book was inspired by the author’s experience working as a tour guide/page at Paramount Pictures in Hollywood.
Excerpt:
The culprit had lashed me to a sturdy wooden chair with no armrests and a back of horizontal slats. My wrists were tied together behind the chair back; each ankle was bound to a chair leg and a rope across my chest held me in. I tugged on the ropes but they didn’t give. I tried to scoot across the floor but the chair was too heavy to budge. My fingers couldn’t undo the tight knots on my wrists. Whoever did this knew what he was doing.
I studied my surroundings. I was inside an empty soundstage, dimly lit by a single work light. The cavernous room had no set, which meant nobody was using the stage. I might have to wait hours—or days—before someone found me. Maybe my assailant planned to return to finish me off, in which case I needed to escape immediately.
In the corner something moved; was it a rat? I was so dazed from the conk on the head that I was hearing noises; I thought I heard a dog barking. Wait a minute—I did hear a dog barking. Maybe the dog had a person with him who could help. Or maybe my assailant had a pit bull that would finish me off. I could see the headlines: MANACLED MUSICIAN MAULED BY RABID MUTT.
I shouted, “Hey! Is someone out there? Help me!”
Scruffy trotted into view, dragging his leash on the ground. He must have slipped away from Frances. For the first time this week I was ecstatic to see the mangy cur.
“Scruffy! Come here, boy! Over here!”
The critter sat on his haunches before me, his fat tongue lolling out of his mouth as he panted.
“Scruffy! You remember me, don’t you, boy? The man on the show you like to kiss?”
The canine wagged his tail and gave a couple of friendly yaps. As a trained animal actor, maybe he could carry a message for me.
“Scruffy! Listen to me! Go get help! Fetch Frances! Bring your trainer here! Go on, boy! Go! Get Frances!”
The ditzy dog merely stared at me and barked. I repeated the command but he didn’t move. What rotten luck. Just when I needed Lassie to save the day, I was stuck with Scooby-Doo. Then Scruffy recognized me. He jumped up on my lap and started licking my face. The confused cur thought we were filming the show. With my hands tied I couldn’t push him off. I turned my face away from his slobbering tongue and he slurped my ear with gusto.
“Scruffy! Get off! Bad dog! Get down!”
The dog sat in my lap and barked happily in my face. I nearly died of asphyxiation from his doggie breath.
About The Author
Sally Carpenter is native Hoosier now living in Moorpark, Calif.
She has a master’s degree in theater from Indiana State University. While in school her plays “Star Collector” and “Common Ground” were finalists in the American College Theater Festival One-Act Playwrighting Competition. “Common Ground” also earned a college creative writing award and “Star Collector” was produced in New York City.
Carpenter also has a master’s degree in theology and a black belt in tae kwon do.
She’s worked as an actress, freelance writer, college writing instructor, theater critic, jail chaplain, and tour guide/page for a major movie studio. She’s now employed at a community newspaper.
Her initial book in the Sandy Fairfax Teen Idol series, “The Baffled Beatlemaniac Caper,” was a 2012 Eureka! Award finalist for best first mystery novel.Her short story, “Dark Nights at the Deluxe Drive-in,” appears in the anthology “Last Exit to Murder.”
“Faster Than a Speeding Bullet” was published in the “Plan B: Vol. 2” e-book anthology.
Her short story “The Pie-eyed Spy” appeared in the Nov. 23, 2013, issue of Kings River Life ezine.
She blogs at http://sandyfairfaxauthor.com.
She’s a member of Sisters in Crime/Los Angeles chapter. Contact her at Facebook or scwriter@earthlink.net.
Links: (blog) http://sandyfairfaxauthor.com
(Facebook) https://www.facebook.com/sally.carpenter.54
(Goodreads) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19140606-the-sinister-sitcom-caper?from_search=true
(Amazon) http://www.amazon.com/Sinister-Sitcom-Caper-Fairfax-Mystery/dp/1939816238/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1387385966&sr=1-1&keywords=sinister+sitcom+caper
Interview:
What is your favorite genre to read/write?
I like to read and write comedies and mysteries, preferably both together. I don’t like gritty crime stories—I want to be entertained. There’s too much evil in the world already so why not add a spark of light to the darkness? I’m pleased when a reader says my books are “fun” and “funny.” I like to put a smile on the reader’s face. I also enjoy reading about pop stars and The Beatles, the inspiration behind my first book (“The Baffled Beatlemaniac Caper”). I wished I liked reading cozy mysteries more, but too many of them are too light on the mystery. The sleuth doesn’t deduce and just stumbles along until the criminal confesses. I like a mystery that’s intellectually as well as emotionally satisfying.
If you could sum your main character into five words, what would they be?
Good-hearted, egotistical, persistent, smart, cute.
What is your favorite Quote?
“If it is well written and to the point, that is what I wanted; if it is poorly done and mediocre, that is the best I could do.” (2 Maccabees 15:38)
Who is your favorite author and why?
Of course Arthur Conan Doyle and the Sherlock Holmes stories for providing the template on how to write a good mystery. Rod Serling—his dialogue and story twists and compassion are just wonderful. Robert Levinson and William Link for their mystery plays and TV shows, especially “Columbo” which inspired my own writing.
Do you have a favorite comment or question from a reader?
Readers ask where I get my ideas. I base my stories on my own experiences, only making them more interesting.
What is the best book that you've read recently?
“Girl Sleuth on the Couch: The Mystery of Nancy Drew” by Betsy Caprio. A Jungian psychologist examines the character of Nancy Drew and discusses the elements that make the books so appealing. I try to incorporate these ideas into my books.
Use no more than two sentences. Why should we read your book?
You’ll have a lot of fun and some chuckles learning about how a sitcom is produced and trying to unravel the mystery along with the sleuth.
When you were little, what did you want to be when you “grew up”?
The star of my own TV show. That never happened so I write about a character who was the star of his own network TV show, “Buddy Brave, Boy Sleuth,” which ran from 1975 to 1979.
Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?
My first book went out of print last year, so I’m going to re-issue it on Kindle soon. The next new project is the third book in the Sandy Fairfax Teen Idol series, “The Cunning Cruise Ship Caper.” I want to keep the series going for as long as readers want more. I also have an old action/adventure/sci fi/romance novel that I never sold. I want to dust it off, revise it and get it published as well.
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
February 17 – Chloe Gets a Clue – Interview
February 17 – Christa Reads and Writes – Review
February 18 –StoreyBook Reviews - Review
February 19 – Kelly P’s Blog – Interview
February 20 –Queen of All She Reads – Review – Guest Post – Giveaway
February 21 –rantin’ ravin’ and reading – Review – Guest Post
February 22 –off
February 23 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Interview
February 24 – Books-n-Kisses – Review
February 25 – Omnimystery News – Interview
February 26 – readalot blog – Review
February 27 – Community Bookstop – Review – Giveaway
February 28 – Read Your Writes – Spotlight
March 1 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – Review
March 2 –off
March 3 –Brooke Blogs – Review
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