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Holiday, 1996
Volume 1, No. 3 The Nuns, Mothers and Others are four mystery writers banding together for companionship, which we tell ourselves is better than fame and fortune. One of us writes of an ex-Nun, who's shortly to become a Mother. wo write about Mothers, as well as Others. And one is Other only, but these things are subject to change. Now you know. We will be busy during the coming season as we all have families and enjoy the holiday traditions that bring us closer together. We all have deadlines, too. In this temporary chaos of frenzy, frivolity, and family, we find ourselves wondering how our characters cope with the holidays. We thought you might enjoy having a peek at the holiday traditions of our various sleuths. And since this is the time of year we make a special effort to get in touch with the people who are important in our lives, we wanted to extend our holiday greetings to the book sellers and readers who've given us such encouragement and support.
Lora Roberts Liz Sullivan, a freelance writer living in Palo Alto, California, doesn't celebrate our standard materialist Christmas. While living in her VW bus, she concentrated more on survival than on holidays. However, since achieving the safe haven of her own little cottage, she looks forward to decorating a Christmas tree with snowflakes cut from paper and strings of popcorn and cranberries. Liz doesn't spend money for her gifts, because it's in short supply. She makes things for her friends: little jars of homemade jam and pickles; weekly deliveries of homegrown salad greens; a day of garden work. Since her less-than-cozy family is in Colorado, Liz has a good excuse not to travel home for Christmas; too snowy to drive, too expensive to fly. But her sister may show up in San Francisco on her way to Hawaii for Christmas, putting a crimp in Liz's low-key but heartfelt celebration of the holidays. Lora Roberts' fourth Liz Sullivan book is Murder Bone By Bone.
Valerie Wolzien Susan Henshaw adores Christmas. And she believes the holiday is a time for celebrating relationships. She bakes (in We Wish You a Merry Murder) cookies which are traditional in my home. And she still has time to comb the stores for "that perfect gift" for family members, then entertain her friends in a style to make Martha Stewart proud. (And Martha doesn't have to deal with murdered caterers as in 'Tis The Season To Be Murdered!) As a single mother running her own business, Josie Pigeon's Christmas traditions are definitely different. And they'll be described in the third Island Contracting mystery—due out December 1998. Elected For Death, the latest Susan Henshaw book, is a fall release. Permit For Murder (the second Josie Pigeon mystery) will be published May '97.
Jonnie Jacobs Kate experiences the holidays through the eyes of her young daughter, who is captivated by the magic and wonder. Letters to Santa, gingerbread houses with gumdrops and sprinkles, popcorn chains, The Nutcracker (followed by ice cream), Frosty, Rudolph, the Grinch. And presents under the tree—although Kate tries to stress giving over getting. At school Anna is learning the traditions of Chanukah and Kwanzaa as well. Kali takes a more cynical view. She's irked by seasonal decorations that appear in October, by the incessant barrage of Christmas carols and the countdown of shopping days. She's none too fond of office parties, gag gifts, and the need to shop for a fancy dress. But every year at the last minute, she wishes she'd done more in the spirit of the holiday. Murder Among Friends (the second Kate Austen book) is just out in paperback. Evidence of Guilt (the second Kali O'Brien book) will be out in March.
Lee Harris The Christmases Chris Bennett celebrated at St. Stephen's Convent began with the celebration of Advent. An Advent wreath is hung in the chapel and whenever the nuns go in for prayers, the four candles are lighted. The nuns buy and decorate a Christmas tree, which is a treat because it's a "house trip." Some sisters bake cookies and cakes which are then beautifully packaged and given as gifts to families and friends. The nuns decorate the chapel. Real evergreen branches are used on the altar, and a stable with all the figurines is placed on it. The Three Kings are added to the manger scene on Little Christmas, January 6. On Christmas Eve the sisters go to midnight mass and on Christmas Day many of them visit friends or families. The Christmas season is the happiest time at St. Stephen's. --With thanks to Ana M. Soler. Look for the next Christine Bennett mystery, The Valentine's Day Murder, coming in February 1997.
Lee Harris ~ Jonnie Jacobs ~ Lora Roberts ~ Valerie Wolzien ©2005-06 by Lee Harris, Jonnie Jacobs, Lora Roberts and Valerie Wolzien. |
