AN INTERVIEW WITH ANTIQUES SHOP OWNER AND AMATEUR SLEUTH ARABELLA CARPENTER

Today we sit down with Arabella Carpenter, amateur sleuth of the Glass Dolphin Mysteries by author Judy Penz Sheluk.

What was your life like before your author started pulling your strings?

I was recently divorced and getting ready to open my own antiques shop, the Glass Dolphin, on Lount’s Landing’s historic Main Street. Everything was going according to plan. Then Judy came along and the next thing you know, this big city developer is coming to town with plans to build a mega-box store. Can you imagine how upset all the indie shops on Main Street felt about that? I don’t know what Judy was thinking, bringing that man into our lives. Of course, murder ensued, and I found myself playing amateur sleuth.

What’s the one trait you like most about yourself?

I like to say authenticity matters, and it does, and not just in antiques. People should be authentic and honest. I’m proud to say that I have both of those qualities.

What do you like least about yourself?

Okay, I can be a bit irascible, is that what you wanted to hear? But it’s just because I’m passionate about things I believe in.

What is the strangest thing your author has had you do or had happen to you?

Oh my gosh, where do I start? Beyond mixing me up in multiple murders, I’d have to say she keeps throwing me into situations with my ex-husband, Levon Larroquette. Those indigo eyes of his should be illegal.

Do you argue with your author? If so, what do you argue about?

I’ve told her, on occasion, that I wouldn’t react a certain way, especially when it comes to Levon. So far, she’s listened to me.

What is your greatest fear?

Knowing Judy, she’ll have me accused of murder one of these days.

What makes you happy?

Good friends. A great antique find. The Hanged Man’s Noose’s Full Noose Nachos (to die for!).

If you could rewrite a part of your story, what would it be? Why?

I’d have tried to make it with Levon. As much as we both hate to admit it, we’re meant for each other.

Of the other characters in your book, which one bugs you the most? Why?

Kerri St. Amour. She’s the editor of Inside the Landing and I know she’s the venom behind that anonymous blog, Outside the Landing. She’s always muckraking, that one.

Of the other characters in your book, which one would you love to trade places with? Why?

Sometimes I envy my best friend and business partner, Emily Garland. She’s confident and so tech savvy, and she’s in such great shape. She runs every day; she’s even run the Toronto Marathon. That’s 26.2 miles; can you imagine? But I think I’d really rather stay being me.

Tell us a little something about your author. Where can readers find her website/blog?

Judy’s website is www.judypenzsheluk.com. She just did this complete overhaul to it, and it looks amazing. Though I have to say, there are no pictures of me on there. Pictures of her dog, Gibbs, a 2-1/2 year old Golden Retriever, he’s there. Not sure what to make of that.

What's next for you?

Judy’s hard at work on the third book in the series, but she’s superstitious about saying too much about it. She’s also working on the sequel to Skeletons in the Attic, her Marketville Mystery series. I have a small role in Skeletons and she’s brought me back for the sequel. I’m the only one of Judy’s characters who is in both her series. Take that, Gibbs!

A Hole in One

A Glass Dolphin Mystery, book 2

Hoping to promote the Glass Dolphin antiques shop, co-owners Arabella Carpenter and Emily Garland agree to sponsor a hole in one contest at a charity golf tournament. The publicity turns out to be anything but positive, however, when Arabella’s errant tee shot lands in the woods next to a corpse.

They soon learn that the victim is closely related to Arabella’s ex-husband, Levon Larroquette, who had been acting as the Course Marshal. With means, opportunity, and more than enough motive, he soon becomes the police department’s prime suspect, leaving Arabella and Emily determined to clear his name—even if they’re not entirely convinced of Levon’s innocence.

Dogged by incriminating online posts from an anonymous blogger, they track down leads from Emily’s ex-fiancé (and the woman he left Emily for), an Elvis impersonator, and a retired antiques mall vendor with a secret of her own.

All trails lead to a mysterious cult that may have something to do with the murder. Can Arabella and Emily identify the killer before the murderer comes after them?

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