FEATURED CHARACTER: JANET FINSILVER'S KELLY JACKSON

ABOUT THE BOOK

There's a corpse among the chanterelles!

Redwood Cove Bed and Breakfast manager Kelly Jackson is hosting a cooking class during the week of the Mushroom Festival to attract guests, not drama. But soon after she finishes foraging for an edible mushroom species on sacred Native American land, a local newspaper reporter gets shot dead at the same site. With suspicions spreading like fungi in the quaint Northern Californian community over the culprit's identity, Kelly and a savvy gang of sleuthing seniors known as the "Silver Sentinels" must uncover the truth about the secluded property before a tricky killer prepares another lethal surprise . . .

Book Details:

Title: Murder at the Mushroom Festival

Author’s name: Janet Finsilver

Character’s full name: Kelly Jackson

Genre: Cozy Murder Mystery

Series: Kelly Jackson Mystery, 4th in series
Publisher: Lyrical Underground (April 17, 2018)

On tour with: Great Escapes Book Tours

ABOUT THE CHARACTER

Kelly Jackson was raised on a Wyoming cattle and horse ranch. During the summer months it operates as a dude ranch. She has two brothers and a sister. They live and work on the ranch along with her mother, father, grandfather, and her brother-in-law. Kelly decided to leave home and explore different careers. She currently works for Resorts International and was recently hired to manage Redwood Cove Bed and Breakfast. She loves animals and horseback riding.

INTERVIEW WITH JANET FINSILVER'S KELLY JACKSON

Tell the truth, Kelly. What do you think of your fellow characters?
I think they are wonderful! Helen Rogers and her son Tommy live on the grounds. She bakes wonderful food for the guests’ breakfasts and assists in numerous ways. Ten-year-old Tommy is a bundle of energy. Fred, his basset hound, puts a smile on my face numerous times a day. The crime-solving group of senior citizens, the Silver Sentinels, is dedicated to helping their community. They are a very smart, savvy group. I’m enjoying getting to know Scott Thompson, a fellow Resorts International, employee, better. He’s kind, considerate, and always willing to help.

If you had a free day with no responsibilities and your only mission was to enjoy yourself, what would you do?
Go horseback riding! That question was easy!



What's the worst thing that's happened in your life?
A divorce. A difficult, painful divorce. My husband and my best friend fell in love with each other. To be betrayed by the two people I loved and cared for the most outside of my family was devastating. I learned to be careful where my heart is concerned.



I'll bet. What are you most afraid of?
Snakes. I know, I know. A Wyoming cowgirl scared of snakes. It’s true. I have a really hard time when I have to deal with them in the barn or the pasture.



What’s the best and worst traits Janet has given you?
Caring, compassion, and loyalty to my friends and family are the best traits. The worst is this darn red hair that goes completely frizzy on me in the fog or when I’m near the ocean.

Speaking of worst, what’s Janet’s worst habit?
Collecting paper. I know part of it goes with the job. She’s always cutting out articles that give her ideas for her books. BUT it does make for a messy office at times.



How do you feel about your life right now?
I LOVE my life right now as the new manager of Redwood Cove Bed and Breakfast. It’s filled with wonderful people, it’s a fun job, and I live in a beautiful place.

Is there anything you would like to change?
Well, Scott Thompson, a fellow employee for Resorts International is a really nice guy. I feel an attraction to him, but my divorce hurt so much I’m not ready to trust again. I’d like to get over that.

What aspect of Janet’s writing style do you like best?
She thinks up some unique plots, often incorporating aspects of the surrounding area that are unusual. In addition, a lot of readers have commented on how her descriptions have them feeling like they are in Redwood Cove.

Describe the town.
Redwood Cove, California, is a vacation destination for many people. It’s on the northern coast with dramatic views of the Pacific Ocean. Lush redwood forests provide scenic hiking opportunities. The town has worked hard to keep its charm from the early days. There are boardwalks instead of sidewalks. Many of the buildings were built in the 1800s and have been beautifully preserved. Gourmet restaurants are in abundance.

Sounds wonderful. Describe an average day in your life.
I get up early and help Helen Rogers, the inn’s baker and assistant, prepare the breakfast baskets for the guests at the inn. She bakes amazing pastries the day before. We assemble a fruit salad in the morning and take them to the rooms. After that there are orders to fill and ongoing upkeep of the inn. It was built in the 1800s, so there’s always something that needs looking after. Being new to the area, I’m trying to learn as much as I can about the different events in the area so I can share them with my guests.

What makes you stand out from any other characters in your genre?
Well, as I mentioned earlier, I’m a Wyoming cowgirl raised on a cattle and horse ranch. My author weaves this background in throughout the books. She puts in similes and metaphors as well as references to what my life was like on the ranch . . . and why I sometimes act the way I do.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Janet Finsilver is the USA TODAY best-selling author of the Kelly Jackson mystery series. She and her husband reside in the San Francisco Bay Area. She worked in education for many years as a teacher, a program administrator, and a workshop presenter. Janet loves animals and has two dogs—Kylie and Ellie. Janet has ridden western style since she was a child and was a member of the National Ski Patrol. One of the highlights of her life was touching whales in the San Ignacio Lagoon. Her debut mystery, Murder at Redwood Cove, released in October 2015. Murder at the Mansion and Murder at the Fortune Teller’s Table followed. Murder at the Mushroom Festival was released in April 2018.




Connect with Janet:
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Buy the book: 
Amazon   |  Barnes & Noble 

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