Book Readers: Mum's Writings

Fourth Installment in Toni Day Crime Mystery Series is Released

Author & pathologist Jane Bennett Munro presents a story that most in her profession only joke about in latest fiction novel

TWIN FALLS, Idaho – Author and career pathologist Jane Bennett Munro has released the fourth installment in her award-winning Toni Day murder mystery series, “Death by Autopsy.”

The story follows pathologist and crime investigator Toni Day as she is faced with a situation that most in her field only joke about – Beulah Pritchard comes back to life on her autopsy table. To save her career and the hospital, Day sets out on an investigation uncovering a decades-old scheme and must confront a vicious and clever murderer who will do anything to keep the past under wraps.

“I was inspired to write this story after one of my friend’s daughters said ‘Ewww, you do autopsies? On dead people?’ after she found out I was a pathologist,” said Bennett Munro. “I responded back, ‘Certainly. Those live ones whine too much’ with my friend adding in ‘Besides, it would be death by autopsy.’ This story has since assumed a life of its own and after receiving encouragement by my friend, it became the topic of the fourth book of my Toni Day crime mystery series.”

“Death by Autopsy” is an award-winning novel, having received third place in best mystery by the Feathered Quill Awards, is a five-star reviewed book on Amazon, and has received critical praise.

“Readers may know in their heart of hearts that Day is too competent to cause a death, but this lively whodunit will keep them guessing until the end.” – Kirkus Review

Bennett Munro, who herself has nearly four decades in pathology experience, incorporates her own medical and forensic knowledge into her grisly descriptions of her book’s victims, offering readers a realistic and gritty story that will leave them riveted.

“Death by Autopsy”

By Jane Bennett Munro

ISBN: 978-1-4917-4479-6

Available at the iUniverse Online Bookstore, Barnes & Noble and Amazon

About the author

Jane Bennett Munro holds a medical degree from the University of California, Irvine, and is certified in anatomical and clinical pathology. A hospital-based pathologist for 39 years, Bennett Munro has some experience working in forensics. She currently resides in Twin Falls, Idaho. To learn more, please visit www.janebennettmunro.com.

Interview

Welcome to my blog Jane. Please tell my readers and I more about yourself and your books.

Q:	*Tell us about your latest work—title, genre, etc.* — *and why you wrote it?*
A:	My latest work is called The Body on the Lido Deck, and it’s the sequel to Death by Autopsy. It’s a murder mystery that takes place on a cruise ship in the Caribbean, and I got the idea for it when I was sitting up on the Lido Deck one day and it started to rain. So they closed the roof. As I watched those massive gears grind and groan to get the roof closed, it occurred to me that would be a dandy way to kill somebody and have it look like an accident.
Q:	*What draws you to your genre(s)? Why is this type of story compelling to you?*
A:	I don’t know, it just always has, starting with Nancy Drew. I like to write what I like to read.
Q:	*What is your writing process like? Do you map the whole thing out or do you just let it unfold?*
A:	I just let it unfold. I tried an outline once, but I couldn’t stick to it, it just didn’t feel right.
Q:	*What kind of research was involved?*
A:	They offered a tour of the behind the scenes areas of the ship, and I asked endless questions. Plus I Google a lot.
Q:	*How much of YOU makes it into your characters?*
A:	Quite a lot. Toni Day is based on me.
Q:	*How do you balance the need to have time to write with the needs of family, society, etc.?*
A:	Not very well, apparently. My 6^th Toni Day Mystery has been two years in the making, and still isn’t done.
Q:	*Have there been any authors in particular, that inspired your writing?*
A:	Lots. Mostly women. My absolute favorite is Dorothy Sayers, who wrote the Lord Peter Wimsey series, which takes place in England between the World Wars. I want to be her when I grow up.
Q:	*Is there a story you want to tell behind or about your work(s)?*
A:	They all contain vignettes from my own life and career, people I’ve known, loved, and hated, things that have happened to me, good and bad. I just take them a lot further in my books.
Q:	*What other projects are you currently working on or about to start?*
A:	My 6^th Toni Day Mystery will be called A Deadly Homecoming, and it takes place in Long Beach CA where both Toni and I grew up. A haunted house is involved, and that’s all I’m going to say about that.
Q:	*Could you share some of your marketing strategies? Which ones are the most effective in your opinion?*
A:	When a new book comes out, I hold a launch party. I have a book signing at our local Barnes & Noble. I participate in 3 local art festivals every year. Other than that I let iUniverse do their thing, if I can afford it.
Q:	*What would be the top five, (or 3 or 1 or however many) things you would tell aspiring authors?*
A:	Just start writing. Anything you want. Write what you know. Be yourself. Don’t try to imitate anybody else, it doesn’t work. Get involved in a local writers’ club. You can find them online. Start a blog and talk about it.