FIVE QUESTIONS ... with K. L. Murphy

Welcome to FIVE QUESTIONS. In this feature on my blog, you'll learn about new and exciting books from the author's themselves. You'll hear about the book, their characters, the inspiration behind the book, and other insider details. All through five simple questions.

Today, we are hearing from K. L. Murphy about her new novel THE MURDERER'S GIRL, available now.

What makes your protagonist unique?

Detective Callie Forde is a single woman in a small town, following in the footsteps of her retired father. What makes her unique is that her father’s retirement was the result of a shooting which left him paralyzed from the waist down. Their relationship is a particular focus in the series and her father’s legacy as a detective and his subsequent mental and physical difficulties informs Callie’s methods, thoughts, and emotions. For this second installment in the series, I use flashbacks to introduce pivotal scenes between Callie’s parents. The reader learns more about both her father and mother in this outing.

What was the inspiration behind the book?

In a way, this book is inspired by the sheer popularity of true crime podcasts, television crime reenactments, and shows like Dateline and 48 Hours. It’s also a bit inspired by the way “news” goes viral and the challenges we all face in searching out truth versus fiction.

Which is your favorite minor character and why?

Gordon Little gets almost equal billing in this story and I absolutely loved writing him. He opens the book, sitting in a bar and thinking about chicken wings. This may sound strange, but that scene practically wrote itself; it was so fully formed in my mind. Gordon is a podcaster trying to prove himself. He’s young, impulsive, complex, and yet simple. I loved the way he grew as a character from the beginning of the book to the end. I hope readers love him as much as I do.

What was the biggest challenge (research, literary, psychological, and logistical) in bringing this book to life?

Honestly, the biggest challenge was time. Normally, I’m able to be somewhat consistent in my writing process, but with this book, I had feverish writing periods followed by stretches where my attention was needed elsewhere. This definitely made deadlines trickier. I call this book my survivor and I’m very excited to share it with readers.

Of all the books out there, why should readers choose this one? (What makes your book stand out from the rest?)

It’s true that there are more mysteries out there than anyone could possibly read, however, I believe this book gives readers a detective with real emotions, doubts, and challenges. This series isn’t about how many twists I could write (although there are a few!), but it is about a young woman who idolizes her father, who appreciates the small town where she lives, and who wants to be the best detective she can be. While her job may not be the one most of us have, I hope readers will recognize some of themselves in Callie Forde.

THE MURDEERER'S GIRL is available now, and can be purchased at the following retailers.

Amazon