Behind the story of Ice Cold Murder by Michele Pariza Wacek

Michele Pariza Wacek is one of those people who has always wanted to write. After what she describes as ‘a few detours’, she now writes in genres ranging from psychological thrillers to cozies. There’s also dash of romance and supernatural thrown in the mix. Ice Cold Murder is the second Charlie Kingsley Mystery.

Common themes

Michelle said she likes to explore personal challenges in her stories. “In Ice Cold Murder, I explore family secrets—particularly, how destructive they can be not just to the family, but to each person those secrets touch. Another common theme that often shows up in my books is, ‘Things are not as they seem’ (which is why I also find myself writing psychological thrillers, in addition to my cozies). 

“I also love closed-circle/locked-door mysteries, where there is a small pool of suspects trapped in a single location. In this book, nine people are stuck in a remote location during a blizzard with a dead lawyer. Since it takes place in the 1990s, there are no cell phones, and the landlines are down. Oh, and did I mention the house might be haunted?”

Oh, and speaking of haunted houses, visiting haunted houses across the United States is one of Michelle’s favorite research tools. She said, “It’s really amazing what people will share with you when you tell them you’re a fiction author researching haunted locations.”

Tragedy turned catalyst

“For myself personally, I taught myself to read at three years old because I wanted to write stories so badly. My entire life I wanted to be a writer, particularly an author, but it wasn’t until my mother was in ICU dying from cancer, and I was sitting by her bedside, before I finally decided to pursue my dreams. This series is a spin-off of my Secrets of Redemption series. Secrets of Redemption is more psychological suspense (although they’re clean, like my cozies) and the Charlie Kingsley Mysteries are cozies. Both series take place in Redemption, Wisconsin—a small town with a haunted past. They aren’t paranormal, but they do have a touch of the supernatural as well as romance.”

Persistence pays—even for characters 

“A year ago, I had no idea I would be writing a cozy mystery series starring Charlie as the main character. Charlie has been the most persistent character I’ve ever brought to life, refusing to let me ignore her or move on to other projects. When she first came into existence, she didn’t even have a name—she was simply the aunt who died and left Becca (the main character in the first three Secrets of Redemption books) her house. But being dead in a non-paranormal book didn’t stop her … she showed up in Becca’s dreams to give her advice and guide her. I then realized I needed to write Charlie’s story and share how she first came to Redemption, which became Books 4 and 5.”

Michelle said that when she finished Books 4 and 5, she assumed she would move on from Charlie. Not so. “A few months later, the idea for a whole new series starring Charlie popped into my head, and I couldn’t let it go. And that’s how the Charlie Kingsley Mysteries were born.”

Learn more about the Michelle Pariza Wacek at mpwnovels.com. Did you like this interview? If so, click here to read more Behind the Story interviews from your favorite authors.