Interview with Beth Groundwater's Claire Hanover

Ann Parker here, Monday's child for the Lady Killers, heading back from Malice. While I try to deal with jetlag and catch up with a mountain of work, I'm turning the virtual podium over to mystery author Beth Groundwater and her character, Claire Hanover. Beth Groundwater’s first mystery novel, A REAL BASKET CASE, was published in March 2007 and was nominated for a Best First Novel Agatha Award. The second in the Claire Hanover gift basket designer series, TO HELL IN A HANDBASKET, will be released this month. It is set in Breckenridge, CO and opens with a death on the ski slope. As Kirkus Review said, "Groundwater's second leaves the bunny slope behind, offering some genuine black-diamond thrills." Between writing spurts, Beth defends her garden from marauding mule deer and wild rabbits and tries to avoid getting black-and-blue on the black and blue ski slopes of Colorado. Please visit her website. Now, let's see what Claire Hanover has to say ...

 

News from Summit County, Colorado
A reporter for the Summit Daily News, the local newspaper covering events in Breckenridge and other Summit County, Colorado locales, offers this extraordinary report to the readers of The Lady Killers blog:

Ina Bigjam here. I talked recently with Claire Hanover about the death of Stephanie Contino at the Breckenridge Ski Resort yesterday. Claire is a gift basket designer visiting Summit County from nearby Colorado Springs. Here’s my interview.
Claire, can you tell us what happened yesterday?
Oh, it was horrible! Poor Stephanie. She was an excellent skier.  But somehow she crashed into a tree on the ski slope and suffered a massive head injury that killed her. I can’t imagine what her parents and her brother must be going through! She was skiing with us when it happened, and I feel so guilty.
But it was an accident, right?
That’s what they say, but I don’t believe it. None of us actually saw Stephanie hit the tree. Afterward, I saw ski tracks in the snow that showed someone deliberately hit her and forced her to crash into that tree. But before I could point the tracks out to anyone, the ski patrol obliterated them with the rescue sled, so now no one believes me.
But that's awful!  How did you know Stephanie Contino?
I just met her yesterday, but she seemed like a lovely girl, poor thing. She was the sister of my daughter Judy’s boyfriend, Nick. But you know, there’s something fishy about that family, and I’m afraid Judy may be in danger, too. I wish I could just leave Breckenridge and take her with me.
Why can’t you?
You obviously haven’t met my daughter. She’s the definition of stubborn, barely listens to what I have to say, then ignores my advice and does what she wants. Three months ago, I worried that she would do something stupid in France during her spring semester art study program, like starting to smoke pot or heaven forbid, getting a tattoo or piercing. Fortunately, nothing so far!  But she’s showing all the signs of having fallen in love with Nick. She refuses to talk about leaving him, even for a short while.
What are you going to do?
I’ve got to convince Detective Silverstone of the Summit County Sheriff’s Office that Stephanie was murdered and that my Judy needs protection. Oh God, I’m scared to death that she’ll be hurt. And when one of my kids is threatened, my Mama Bear claws come out!
How did you come to be in Breckenridge?
Roger and I thought it would be a nice romantic getaway after the trouble with Enrique in Colorado Springs that almost ruined our marriage. And, it would be a chance to visit with Judy during her spring break. Since she’s gone to France, heck, since she’s gone off to college, I really miss her. Unfortunately, she invited her boyfriend and his family to come, too, so it hasn’t been the cozy family vacation that I envisioned, not at all. I wish to God they hadn’t come. Then poor Stephanie might still be alive.
What was the trouble with Enrique that you mentioned?
I don’t want to talk about it. You can read about it in Beth Groundwater’s book, A Real Basket Case, if you really want to know. Let’s just say that I’m extremely grateful Roger didn’t end up in prison.
Can you tell me a little about yourself?
My husband Roger and I live in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I have a part-time gift basket business that I run out of a workroom in our basement, and I’ll be donating a basket to the Summit Foundation fundraiser that’s coming up soon. As for skiing, Roger and I started when we were dating in college. We usually rent a place in the mountains for a week at least once each winter.
Something’s been troubling me. If you were skiing with her, why didn’t you see Stephanie’s accident?
Because I’m not in great shape. I can ski the expert slopes every now and then, but they really make my knees ache. It’s hard to keep up with the kids, and I could tell Judy was getting impatient with me. I told the girls to go ahead. God, I wish I’d been able to keep up with them! Maybe then…
At this point, Claire Hanover, who had been holding back tears throughout the interview, choked up and couldn’t continue. You can be assured that I’ll be following this story closely for the Summit Daily News. This has been Ina Bigjam, reporting.
*Note: This interview took place after the events chronicled in chapters one and two of Beth Groundwater’s mystery novel, To Hell in a Handbasket, the second in the Claire Hanover gift basket designer mystery series. For reviews, excerpts, discussion questions, and more information about the book, and to see where Beth will be signing copies this summer, please visit her website. Claire Hanover has agreed to answer questions from The Lady Killers blog readers since her interview with Ina Bigjam had to be cut short, so have at it!

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If you comment on Beth Groundwater’s guest blog post here, or comment on her blog during the tour, you will be entered into a drawing for an autographed set of both books in the Claire Hanover gift basket designer mystery series: A REAL BASKET CASE and TO HELL IN A HANDBASKET. Good luck!

Comments

[Sheila Deeth]

I hope Claire's being careful who she talks to. Seems like she's taking an awful risk telling so much to this reporter, and after all the trouble she's just been through. She sounds a wonderful woman - just hope she's okay. (I guess I'll have to read to find out.)

[Dani Greer]

Great post and angle. Oh, you kids are getting more clever all the time! Will make the BBT class come over here and comment and go tweet about you!

xoxox

Dani
http://twitter.com/blogbooktours

[Jean Henry Mead]

Intriguing story. Can't wait to read the series.

[Karen Brees]

I like the interview angle. Puts the reader right into the story.

[Gayle Carline]

What a fun read, Beth! I can tell from the voice that I want to pick up this book.

Gayle
http://gaylecarline.blogspot.com

[Philip McCormac]

It all sounds so real I forgot for a moment I was reading fiction.
I need to know what happens next.

[Mandy]

I'd love to know how Roger feels about Claire going after another killer.

Is he cheering you on, Claire?

[KarenWalker]

I love the idea of interviewing the character. Makes me want to get the book and read it! Great job.
Karen Walker
http://www.karenfollowingthewhispers.blogspot.com

[K. A. Laity]

Terrific and fun idea! I love getting a little more out of a character than they may have intended.

Kate
http://katewombat.blogspot.com

[Jina Bacarr]

What a fun, intriguing way to start my day!! I so enjoyed reading Claire's interview over my morning coffee. I feel like I know her already...and definitely want to know more about her and what happens next.

Great job, Beth!
Jina
http://tinyurl.com/BerlinSexDiary

[Elizabeth Spann Craig]

Love the clever idea for the book summary and the teaser at the end of the interview. The way she was murdered was pretty cool, too.

Elizabeth
http://mysterywritingismurder.blogspot.com/

[Beth Groundwater]

Philip asked: "I'd love to know how Roger feels about Claire going after another killer. Is he cheering you on, Claire?"

Roger's never been too keen about me getting involved in murder investigations, which I fear this may turn into. He was so worried about my safety when I did some snooping to find clues about who really killed Enrique. I'm sure he'll try to talk me out of looking into Stephanie's "accident," hoping to protect me, but I'm more worried about protecting Judy!

I know Roger's going to want some of that one-on-one time we had hoped to have on this vacation, and I do, too. I know we need it.

[Deb Buckingham]

I am so anxious to read this book...The first one was fabulous!

[Enid Wilson]

Very interesting post. Claire sounds a bit hyper to me. I wonder how she fares during police interview...

http://steamyfantasy.blogspot.com

[Dani Greer]

I want to ask Claire if the apartment building in the first novel is on Boulder St. When I visit my parents in COS, and I drive past that dump, it just SO fits the description!

Dani
http://twitter.com/blogbooktours

[K.B. Keilbach]

Very innovative and informative interview. Can't wait to see what Claire does next.

Kimberly
http://kbkeilbach.blogspot.com

[Elle Parker]

Interesting concept, it's a cool way to bring a reader into the story

Elle Parker
http://elleparkerbooks.blogspot.com/

[Jane Kennedy Sutton]

I really enjoyed the post. What a clever way to make your characters come alive!

Jane Kennedy Sutton
http://janekennedysutton.blogspot.com/

[Patricia Stoltey]

Great interview, Ina. You did a good job of getting information without invading Claire's privacy.

Pat
http://www.patriciastoltey.blogspot.com

[Jennifer Taggart, TheSmartMama]

Great idea to involve and intrigue the readers! Though I think Claire gave up a little bit too much to the reporters. . .

[NA Sharpe]

Love the interview idea - totally immerses you in the story. Now I want more... Definitely need to check this book out! GREAT job!!!

NA Sharpe
http://nancysharpe.blogspot.com

[Jen Forbus]

This interview definitely sounds like Claire! Cute. Very cute!

[Beth Groundwater]

This is an answer to Dani's question about the apartment building mentioned in A REAL BASKET CASE where I tried out my breaking and entering skills to look for clues. I don't want to insult any people who currently live in that apartment building, because author Beth Groundwater wasn't very kind in her description of it. There's more than one building that fits the general description, as does the one you mentioned, but I'm not going to say if you nailed it. Sorry!

Now, where is Judy? It's about time for dinner and she's not home yet.
- Claire

[Linda Reilly]

Claire, I only read about your first venture into the world of mayhem and murder last week, so I'm behind the times! (Oh, but how brave you were to endure hiding under that drug dealer's bed with the spiders and other...unmentionables!) I can't wait to read about your next crime-solving adventure ~

[Alan Chin]

You certainly captured my attention and held it. Very intriguing. I love the idea of the interview. Not something I see often.

Best of luck with it,

Alan Chin
http://alanchin.net

[Heidi M. Thomas]

Beth, wonderfully entertaining post. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it does make me want to read the book! Good job.

Heidi
www.heidimthomas.com

[Alexis Grant]

Very clever! Keep it up!

[Beth Groundwater]

Thanks for the compliments, folks! As you can tell, Claire and I are good friends and I enjoy writing her stories. :)
- Beth

[Holly Y]

Oh Claire! I've read about ski accidents all my life. Who would have thought one of them could be murder! Please very careful. I see a dangerous ride down the slopes in your immediate future!
Holly Y

[Ann]

Well, Beth, uh, Claire ... you've got a whole lot of folks intrigued by your latest adventure! All I'll say is, be careful in your sleuthing! ;-)

[Dr.Mani]

Fantastic idea! Interviews with characters in one's fiction novel... cool. You presented this interview in a VERY captivating style, too. Well done, Beth :-)

All success
Dr.Mani
http://ThinkWriteRetire.com/blog.htm

[Donna S]

Great interview. I cant wait to read more of Claire's story.

[Ann]

Thanks for dropping in Beth/Claire. A very interesting post indeed!

[Ketutar]

It is very kind of you to answer questions, Claire :-)

I can understand that Judy doesn't want to leave her boyfriend now, especially as his sister just died... and you believe she was killed. Even more horrible.
You could though try that angle to get her out of there, perhaps Stephanie's family would like to mourn alone? Girlfriends and boyfriends aren't much of help in that situation sometimes.

You said that you couldn't keep up with the girls, was Judy there to see what happened with Stephanie?

Also, I do hope Judy got back home on Monday... and Tuesday too... and today as well. I truly hope she'll be safe. Of course, one cannot protect one's children but one sure tries and worries... the rest of their lives. So you have all my sympathy :-)

Hugs,
Ket

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