Interview with Cozy Mystery Writer Jill Piscitello

​Welcome to A Matter of Inquiry!
 
This week’s guest author is cozy mystery writer Jill Piscitello, author of A SOUR NOTE (A Music Box Mystery).
 
Good morning, Jill! Before we get to the interview questions, please tell readers a bit about your background.

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About the Author:
 
Jill Piscitello is a teacher, author, and an avid fan of multiple literary genres. Although she divides her reading hours among several books at a time, a lighthearted story offering an escape from the real world can always be found on her nightstand.
 
A native of New England, Jill lives with her family and three well-loved cats. When not planning lessons or reading and writing, she can be found spending time with her family, trying out new restaurants, traveling, and going on light hikes.
 
 Something unique/unusual that isn't in your regular bio: “I’m not a fan of learning new technology, but somehow managed to create my website (https://jillpiscitello.com/ ) and another I share with fellow mystery authors (https://readingbetweenthecrimes.wordpress.com/). Anyone who knows me would find this fact impossible to believe. The oddest part is the enjoyment I find in learning new features.”
 
Author Contacts:
 
Website ~ Twitter  ~ Facebook ~  Instagram  ~ Amazon ~ GoodReads ~ BookBub

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INTERVIEW:
 
JLB: What book/author/ or other person has influenced your writing the most? In what way?
JP: My mother and daughter have influenced my writing career the most. My mother loved to write and dreamed of publishing a novel. I wrote compulsively as a child, and she was always willing to read and critique regardless of how busy she was. Before learning to spell, my daughter was dictating stories for me to write on her behalf. By elementary school, her books were worthy of sitting on a store shelf. In my spare time, I wrote but firmly believed getting published was a most impractical goal. At some point, I realized the importance of ensuring my daughter didn’t share that same idea. I’m still learning the ropes, but I took a risk and had the pleasure of working with two excellent publishers. Today, I have the pleasure of reading my daughter’s published articles.
 
JLB: How important do you think writing and reading are in today’s world?
JP: Reading and writing are of utmost importance. Regardless of one’s preferred genre, we could all use a little escape from the daily news.
 
JLB: Where do you go to find a new book to read? A friend, google search, browsing a brick-and-mortar bookstore?
JP: I usually choose my next book according to friend and family recommendations. But if I come across a used bookstore during my travels, I’ll get lost for hours and leave with stacks of books. Proprietors of such bookstores are often invaluable resources for excellent reads.
 
JLB: What book setting/location have you never forgotten?
JP: Manderley, the country house in Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca, took on a life of its own and almost became a character.
 
JLB: Are you a speed reader or do you settle in and savor a book?
JP: Speed reading only appeals to me if the material is required. When reading for pleasure, I prefer not to rush.
 
JLB: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
JP: I’m currently working on the sequel to A Sour Note.
 
JLB: Which of the trivia questions did you choose to answer?
JP:  See below.

• Ebook or print? Both. I love the feel of a book in my hands—especially at the beach or by a pool. But when sharing space with family members who prefer to watch television in a dimly lit room at night, ebooks are far more practical.
• Most watched tv show: If we’re talking about my most watched show of all time, The Brady Bunch wins the top spot.
• Favorite accessory: Handbags. There’s nothing quite like finding that perfect bag, emptying an old one, and filling all of the new compartments.
• Something unique in your closet: I keep a vision board in my closet. Little by little, goals are attained, and new ones are added.
• Are you a beach lover or a snow skier? Beach, beach, beach! I loathe the cold and have no desire to step foot on a ski slope in this lifetime. But sitting with my toes dipped in the ocean on a scorcher of a day for hours on end is one of my favorite things to do.

 
JLB: A pleasure to chat with you, Jill. Before we wind this up, please show us your featured book

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A SOUR NOTE (A Music Box Mystery)
Genre: cozy mystery
Rating: PG
 
On the heels of a public, broken engagement, Maeve Cleary returns to her childhood home in Hampton Beach, NH. When a dead body turns up behind her mother’s music school, three old friends land on the suspect list. Licking her wounds soon takes a back seat to outrunning the paparazzi who spin into a frenzy, casting her in a cloud of suspicion. Maeve juggles her high school sweetheart, a cousin with a touch of clairvoyance, a no-nonsense detective, and an apologetic, two-timing ex-fiancé. Will the negative publicity impact business at the Music Box— the very place she’d hoped to make a fresh start?
 
Purchase Links:
Amazon ~ Kobo ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Google Books ~ Walmart ~ BooksAMillion ~ Indie Bound

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Read an Excerpt in the Book Spotlight on my Ally Shield's blog: 
allyshields.com/blog/book-spotlight-excerpt-a-sour-note-by-jill-piscitello

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