Behind the story of Burned – Death Plays with Matches

Sarah Hualde was raised on Mary Higgins Clark, Diane Mott Davidson, and Remington Steele. Her grandmother shared True Crime stories with her as they plotted how to get away with the perfect murder. It’s no surprise that Sarah became an award-winning spinner of suspenseful tales brimming with quirky characters. Burned—Death Plays with Matches is her sixth Paranormal Penny Mystery.

Behind the story of Burned—Death Plays with Matches

“Although my stories are all written to create a momentary escape for my readers, I do find a theme that keeps popping up. I never notice I’ve written it into my plots until I step away and finish edits. It’s easiest to spot in Penny’s stories.

“I believe that each of us- humans- has a gift and a purpose. Something that only we can add to the world. And that sometimes, in fact, most of the time, these gifts don’t look shiny and happy from the outside. Sometimes they’re a bit heavy and even a little dark–but discovering these gifts and using them unabashedly is what makes them shine. 

“I’ve watched people I love to use these supposedly backward gifts as common ground to encourage those around them. From dyslexia to depression, MS and OCD, there are wonderful people out there harnessing their “disabilities” and turning them into superpowers. 

“When I used to burrow myself away during my bouts of extreme depression, the darkness seemed to grow fangs. However, now that I’ve embarrassed that part of myself, I can share it and use it to lift up those around me. Its bite is far less potent than it used to be and the world isn’t as frightening. In each of her stories, Penny battles the same challenge. One we all face in our own way—do I risk using my gift, or do I hide it away and hope for the best?”

Not your typical paranormal cozy

Sarah said she wanted to write something different, something paranormal, but veer away from what she calls ‘the typical witchy story’. “That’s where the death omens came into play. I love the thought of spotting disaster but not being able to do much to stop it. The real twist that gives Paranormal Penny Mysteries a spark in my heart is the use of music and lyrics as clues to unravel the mystery.”

In Burned—Death Plays with Matches, Sarah used songs that reminded her of people she loves or moments she loved in life. “There’s Elvis for my mother-in-law- whom I love and admire. And then the classic tune Teen Angel, which reminds me of driving day getaways with my family as a preteen.”

Adult minds, but little ears

“My cozies will always be clean,” Sarah said. “I do my utmost to keep them as PG as possible so that any reader can enjoy them.My kiddos and I love listening to audiobooks. Finding some that we could both enjoy and that didn’t dumb down real-life or fill our house with jarring scenes or language was extremely difficult. As they grew, we, of course, could branch out. But the in-between was hard. I write with adult minds and little ears in mind.”

Sarah added that even though she writes about murder, she strives to keep the crimes cozy and the main characters quirky and light.

With that in mind, Sarah said that this particular Penny story is ‌heavier on the emotions than the others. “Though necessary to complete her story, it was difficult to put Penny through this part of her timeline. (I have been known to cry and laugh aloud as I write my stories.) And even though I love writing mysteries, I hate killing off characters. Especially when they carry a special place in my heart. No spoilers… but it’s kind of Penny’s lot in life.”

Oh, beans! Coffee, that is

“In book 1 of the Paranormal Penny Mystery Series, Penny has a job as a coffee roaster. Being a lover of all things coffee, I dove into researching how to roast my own coffee beans. I tracked down beans and the family farms they come from and how different beans from different locals have distinct flavors all their own.”

Sarah also learned how to roast beans on the stovetop with a cast-iron skillet and a roaster that resembles a Jiffy Pop popcorn pan. “Roasting my very first batch was mind-blowing. I’d been missing out on so much flavor. So far, my favorite green beans come from Guatemala. I roast them just like Penny likes, too. I keep them roasting right up to the beginning of the second crack. This gives the beans a strong robust flavor without a bitter burnt after taste. 

“I loved learning how to roast beans so much you can often spot me toting a free batch of beans to a friend’s house for a coffee chat.”

Learn more about Sarah Hualde and Burned—Death Plays with Matches at www.sarahhualde.com. Did you like this interview? If so, click here to read more Behind the Story interviews from your favorite authors.