Q&A with Amanda Flower

This week, we sat down with Amanda Flower. Her Midnight Ink debut, The Final Reveille, is out now!

Midnight Ink: How long have you been writing?

AF: I’ve been writing ever since I was a child, but my first novel, Maid of Murder, was published in 2010.

MI: What influence have other authors had on your writing?

AF: They have influenced me in knowing the kind of books I wanted to write. I wanted to write cozies before I even knew what a cozy was. I just knew at an early age, I wanted to write mysteries that made people laugh.

MI: If you weren’t a writer, what would you be doing?

AF: Be a librarian, which I am.

MI: If you have a job outside of writing, what is it?

AF: Yes, I am a full time college librarian. I love it. I keep toying with the idea of leaving and writing full time, but I just can’t let go of my library life just yet.

MI: What is/are your favorite thing/s to do when you’re not writing or working?

AF: Travel. I’m headed to Prince Edward Island this summer. I’m going to totally geek out over all things Anne of Green Gables. Anne and I have a lot in common. We are kindred spirits I am sure.

MI: Who is your favorite mystery sleuth and why?

AF: Goodness, that’s a tough question. I would say Nevada Barr’s Anna Pigeon. She so resourceful and can survive in the woods, desert, or polar ice caps. I hate to camp, so I find her fascinating.

MI: Do you have a favorite murder case from a book (either yours or another author’s)?

AF: Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. I have read it several times. She was a genius. I’ve even read the play Ten Little Indians based on the book. It has a different ending. You should read it.

MI: What was your inspiration for this series?

AF: When I was in college, I worked at a living history museum one summer and thought, “Holy cow, there are a lot of ways to take someone out around here.” I was already writing Maid of Murder then, so I had already set my course to be a mystery author.

MI: How does this series compare to your past works?

AF: I’ve a very successful Amish mystery run that’s still going strong. I’ve written Amish mysteries under my name and the pen name Isabella Alan. There’s no Amish in this book, but there are plenty of quirky characters and humor, which are my specialties.

MI: Tell us about Kelsey Cambridge.

AF: Kelsey is a single mom and the Director of Barton Farm. She sees it as her life’s mission to keep the Farm open despite some serious financial challenges not to mention the dead bodies she runs into.

MI: How did you come up with Barton Farm?

AF: It is loosely based on several living history museum I have visited.

MI: Do you have a pet? Tell us about him/her.

AF: Yes, I do! I have two cats Reepicheep AKA Cheeps and Mr. Tumnus AKA Tummy. Can you tell I am a Chronicles of Narnia super fan? Cheeps and Tummy are my first editors and get lots of air time on my Facebook Page. They have their own Instagram account too. In my opinion, the Internet would crash and burn without cat photos to keep it going.

Tummy

Cheeps

MI: What food could you live off of for the rest of your life?

AF: Ice cream.

MI: Do you have a favorite recipe?

AF: Hmmm… this is assuming I can cook, which I can’t. Not too long ago, I caught a pot on fire while hard boiling eggs. I’m still in recovery over the incident.

MI: What’s your favorite part about being an Inker?

AF: I like how supportive the network of authors and the awesome books they write.

The Final Reveille is available online and in bookstores now!