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Interview with Michele Pariza Wacek

Today I am pleased to host author Michele Pariza Wacek on the blog today and share the recent chat we had about her writing and her new book The Mysterious Case of the Missing Ghost. Thank you for joining me today, Michele.


Thank you for hosting me on your blog today, Val. I'm delighted to have this chance to tell your readers about The Mysterious Case of the Missing Ghost.

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What inspired you to write your book?


The Mysterious Case of the Missing Ghost is the third book in my new romcom cozy mystery series, The Redemption Detective Agency. This particular series is a spin off from The Charlie Kingsley Mysteries, which is the first cozy mystery series I ever wrote. The mysteries in those books are far twistier, and while it still has quirky characters, pet, tea/baking and humor, it’s more of a “mystery first” cozy mystery series. I wanted to try my hand at writing something lighter, funnier and with a stronger romantic angle, and thus The Redemption Detective Agency was born.


Who is your favourite character in your book and why?


Emily, because she’s a fish out of water amateur sleuth, and she’s had to reinvent herself after losing everything. I feel like that’s something we can all relate to, hitting rock bottom and having to start over, even though you never really wanted to.


What was the first story you had published?


The Stolen Twin was the first book I published. It’s a psychological thriller and I wrote it about fifteen years before I finally got the courage to hit publish.


Do you have another story planned or in progress? When can we expect to see that?


I’m going to be writing a Christmas crossover cozy mystery. It’s two novellas, one from The Charlie Kingsley Mysteries and the second from The Redemption Detective Agency, and they both take place during the same Christmas season. That will be out in November, 2025.


Who is your favourite author?


That’s a good question. It depends on the day and my mood. A few of my favorites include Ruth Ware, Elizabeth George, Louise Penny and Freida McFadden.


What do you like to do when you’re not planning or writing your next book?


Read! I love reading, I would read more but my book writing gets in the way. I also like to take walks, watch football and competition cooking shows, and play with my dog.


When did you know you wanted to write novels?


When I was three years old, I taught myself to read because I wanted to write stories so badly, so basically I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to write stories.


Do you write novels in other genres?


Yes, I also write psychological thrillers.

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What do you like most about being an author?


My readers. I’m so grateful they show up and read my work. They make it all worthwhile.


Do you have a specific routine for writing?  Is there a special place or particular tool you use?


I don’t really have a specific routine, although I’m trying to get better at that. I have a word count I want to hit each day that I’m writing, and it’s normally later in the day before I finally get my butt in seat and fingers on keyboard.


What advice do you have for other writers?


Write a lot and read a lot (which I know is the same advice Stephen King gave, but as he is the master it’s probably a good idea to listen to him). Also if you want to be a published author, then be a published author. Hit publish on your book. Don’t be like me and keep procrastinating the way I did. I believe there’s no mistake you can’t come back from, you just need to do it.


If your book were to be made into an Audiobook, who would you choose to read it?


My books ARE in audio, and the wonderful Kristin James narrates my cozy mysteries. January LaVoy narrates my psych thrillers.


If your book were to be made into a movie, who would you like to play main character’s name?


That’s a good question. Who would be perfect would be like a young Sandra Bullock or Meg Ryan or maybe even Katherine Heigl. That sort of energy. I’m not sure which actress today would best capture that. I’m not hip enough for that. (lol)


The Blurb


Emily Hildebrandt is learning to settle into some of the very strange cases that come through The Redemption Detective Agency’s door.


Like Aunt Tilde’s friend Ruth who claims she’s lost a ghost.How does one lose a ghost?


Apparently when the ghost decides to walk out the door.But, to make matters more complicated, it’s not just any ghost but the ghost of Ruth’s dead husband. Who was murdered decades ago under very suspicious circumstances.


Emily has no choice but to go back in time and figure out what really happened to Ruth’s husband, in order for everyone to rest in peace.

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The Author


A USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author, Michele taught herself to read at 3 years old because she wanted to write stories so badly. It took some time (and some detours) but now she does spend much of her time writing stories. Mystery stories, to be exact. They're clean and twisty, and range from psychological thrillers to cozies, with a dash of romance and supernatural thrown into the mix.


Michele grew up in Wisconsin, (hence why all her books take place there), and currently lives there after spending nearly 30 years living in the mountains of Prescott, Arizona, with her husband and southern squirrel hunter Cassie.


When she's not writing, she's usually reading, hanging out with her dog, or watching the Food Network and imagining she's an awesome cook. (Spoiler alert, she's not. Luckily for the whole family, Mr. PW is in charge of the cooking.)


The Links


Website: MPWNovels.com






© Val Penny
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