Susan M. Boyer is the USA Today bestselling author of the Liz Talbot mystery series and the winner of the 2012 Agatha Award for Best First Novel. Her latest novel in the series is Lowcountry Bordello, in which PI Liz Talbot investigates when her bridesmaid finds a body in a historic Charleston bordello.
The book came about when Boyer was asked by her agent for upcoming titles in the series, had none, and looked up words in the dictionary starting with “bo.” Boyer said, “The title was the spark for the story.”
Boyer said, “I’m not one of the authors making arguments or addressing issues. My goal is simply to entertain. If I can give my readers a virtual vacation to the South Carolina Lowcountry, a puzzle to figure out, and a laugh or two, I’m happy.”
In fact, for her writing, Boyer is able to indulge her favorite things. She loves beaches, Southern food, and small towns where everyone knows everyone and everyone has crazy relatives. You’ll find all of the above in her novels. Boyer said, “My novels are traditional mysteries with a romantic sub-plot and a light paranormal element. While I don’t consider them cozies, some readers do. There are cozy elements in every book. However, Liz Talbot is a licensed private investigator as opposed to an amateur sleuth, and there are some darker elements in the books as well.”
Double Trouble Contest Code for Susan M. Boyer: #LCBoil
“When I first started writing Lowcountry Bordello,” Boyer said, “I wanted to use a historic home South of Broad in Charleston. I know, because readers write and tell me, that they sometimes drive by places I mention in my books. My cousin lived in a beautiful Charleston single house not far from White Point Gardens. She thought it would be great fun to have her home ‘star’ as the bordello. Unfortunately, after the book was written, but before it was published, my cousin sold her home. I had to put an author’s note in the book advising readers not to drive by looking for the floozies. To the best of my knowledge, this particular house has never been a bordello.”
Learn more about Lowcountry Bordello and Susan M. Boyer on her website at susanmboyerbooks.com.
This one sounds just wonderful,.Would love to read and review and loved the book with the crab on the cover also. Love crabs especially dungeness crab with mayo is so good so that is why the cover on that one caught my eye but then the description of this one sounds so good also
I love to read stories that take place in and around Charleston – then when I visit there I try to find the locations.
I could use a virtual vacation! I am going to have to add these to my TBR list
This book sounds wonderful. I’m from a very small Southern town and miss living there now. I can’t wait to jump into this series. I love that it’s a bit dark with paranormal elements. That gives it a better flavor, to me.
Hi, Terry: Thanks for featuring Susan Boyer. She’s a wonderful writer and an even better person. We are practically neighbors (we both live in the Upstate region of SC), although I’ve only “spoken” to her via email a couple of times. Susan agreed to write a blurb for my first mystery, but time and circumstance (my fault!) got in the way of that. Looking forward to “Bordello!”
–Michael
Thanks Michael. Maybe at some point you’ll get to meet in person. That’s always fun!
Hey, Michael! (*waves wildly*)
Thank you so much for your kind words! It’s lovely to hear from you, I do hope we have the opportunity to meet in person soon.
Susan