Rocky Bluff Beach
F.M. Meredith is the author more than forty published novels; Not As We Knew It is the latest in the Rocky Bluff P.D. series. As Marilyn Meredith, she writes the award-winning Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series, the latest, End of the Trail. She taught writing for Writers Digest Schools for ten years, was an instructor at the prestigious Maui Writers Retreat, and has taught at many writers’ conferences. For more than twenty years she lived in a beach town much like Rocky Bluff. Learn more about her and her books at her website and blog.
Compelled to Write Something, Knowing it Won’t Be Popular
That was the situation I found myself in when I wanted to write my next Rocky Bluff P.D. mystery. Because this series is set in more-or-less real time, I felt I needed to add something about the Corona virus. I’d read a lot from other writers that they would not be including what was going on, and from readers that they didn’t want to read a book with the virus in it.
So what was I to do? I wrote the book I felt I had to write. After all, my characters live in the real world—the world I’ve created for them. How could I ignore something all of us are experiencing in one way or another?
The Rocky Bluff P.D. mystery series is as much about the families of the police officers as it is about any crimes they must solve. And to be perfectly honest, I had fun figuring out what each person might be facing as well as their opinions about the virus. After all, in my own family many diverse opinions were being expressed.
To find out how police departments were handing the mask situation, I talked to a grandson who is a police officer. And as for civilians in the story, I had plenty of experience of my own.
Something else that was going on during the time I was writing the book was the not-always-so-peaceful demonstrators who invaded towns. And yes, I thought this could make for an exciting plot twist, and once again I consulted my police officer grandson.
For anyone who might think the story is political, believe me, it’s not. What I’ve tried to do, as I’ve done in all the books in the series, is show what life is like for those in law enforcement and their families. To make this latest one real, I didn’t see how I could ignore what is going on in the world today, and what the characters might be experiencing.
Besides what I’ve shared already, the plot of Not As We Knew It has a lot more going on, including a missing woman and a deadly house fire. And for those of you who’ve never read a Rocky Bluff P.D. mystery, the setting is a small beach town between Ventura and Santa Barbara.
Fortunately, it has received good reviews.
I’ve come to know these characters so well since I’ve written so many books about them, they seem real to me. I hope that my readers feel the same.
A Rocky Bluff P.D. Mystery, Book 16
The challenges come one after another for the Rocky Bluff P.D. to handle, from a missing woman to a house fire.
Detective Doug Milligan is faced with new and unusual problems to solve, some on the job and others related to his family.
Gordon Butler isn’t too happy with the fact his wife was chosen to train the latest new hire.
With the department short-handed, Chief Chandra Butler must make some brave decisions in order to protect the town of Rocky Bluff. Her romance with the mayor, which had been put on hold, is refreshed when she seeks his help.
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7 comments:
Thank you so much for hosting me once again. It's a delight to visit with you always.
And it's always a delight to have you come visit, Marilyn!
This book is at the top of my TBR list. Thanks for the insight, Marilyn.
How are the Chief Chandra Butler and Officer Butler related? Ex or wife? The storyline is timely.
Wondering if you spoke to people leaning left who distrust police officers? Beta readers? I am retired PD and know how scary it is to work in riotous conditions. However, working and living in communities that don't look like me has broaden my prospective.
Looking forward to reading your book, Lynn
They ARE real! Every time I start anew one, I'm anxious to see what they are up to. And I liked including the current situations in this one.
Thonie, thanks for stopping by. I wasn't sure about doing this--but could think of no way to avoid it and be true to the series.
Lynn, this is all from the POV of the police officers and their families--and of course they do run into those who aren't happy with the police. But you have given me some thoughts about the book I'm working on now. And Chief Chandra Taylor and Officer Butler are not related. I must've made a mistake while writing this.
Lorna, thanks, I'm glad you feel like my characters are real too.
I read the book. Marilyn did a good job of showing diverse points of view on current issues.
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