When inspiration hits, you have to go with it. You can’t . . . at least I can’t . . . dream up a crime with all its ramifications and then worry how it will sell. Every story, every book has its own organic . . . what’s the word I want here? . . . presence. That’s it, its presence. Just tell the story. It will naturally take the form it’s supposed to take.
This first book in the Zodiac Mysteries, The Madness of Mercury, was inspired by the Jim Jones years in San Francisco. If the name doesn’t ring a bell, he was the preacher who opened day camps, housing for the homeless and soup kitchens for the poor. He accomplished a lot of good works. He was also insane and killed at least 900 people and maybe more in the jungles of Guiana with guns and poison Kool-Aid. Granted, Jones’ terrible deeds were unique, but history abounds with people who use religion as a control device, who use the faith of others to gain power and wealth.
So that was the basis of the first Zodiac Mystery. Selling it was another thing altogether. Thanks to my agent, my book made the rounds but no one would touch it!
“It’s a cozy,” some said. She’s an amateur sleuth, an astrologer for heaven’s sake, but we can’t possibly have an urban setting. We only want super cozy village stories. And sorry, “The religious cult thing . . . well, it’s something we can’t possibly touch. That wouldn’t work for our imprint.” Another said, “We’ll pass. Sorry, the astrology is just too complicated for our readers. They wouldn’t get it.” What? Why not? They can read, can’t they?
I thought of all the wonderful books I’ve read recently, with amateur sleuths, not hampered by publishers’ concerns. There’s that fabulous book about an unemployed alcoholic woman who rides the train into London every day. A dark, frightening, cringe-worthy thriller. I loved it. Didn’t matter. No one was interested in an amateur sleuth who takes on a religious cult. But here’s the point of my rant: Who says every book needs to fit into a proscribed little niche? Where is that written?
Well, thanks to Midnight Ink, the Zodiac Mysteries found its first home. And now, with gorgeous new covers, Suspense Publishing has picked up the series. You can meet Julia Bonatti, San Francisco astrologer, in the first book of the Zodiac series – The Madness of Mercury. Her adventures will continue in All Signs Point to Murder, Tail of the Dragon and more books to come. I hope my readers will enjoy this first offering and find future ones just as exciting!
About The Madness of Mercury
San Francisco astrologer Julia Bonatti never thought murder would be part of her practice. But when a disastrous Mercury retrograde period hits, her life and practice is turned upside down, along with that of many of her colleagues who practice in the city. San Francisco has fallen under the spell of the Prophet’s Tabernacle, a religious cult that has descended upon the city. Reverend Roy, a Mercury-ruled, silver-tongued preacher offers a message of love and charity to the less fortunate, but Julia soon learns that the Reverend’s charity doesn’t extend to anyone who stands in his way. The Reverend is waging war on sin as he perceives it, targeting psychics, Wiccans, mediums, astrologers, gays, and anyone else he considers an abomination unto the Lord.
Driven from her apartment, Julia seeks shelter with her client and friend, Dorothy. Dorothy has separated from her spouse and is caring for her two elderly aunts at their home on Telegraph Hill. Dorothy’s aunt, Evandra, appears stricken with dementia and her other aunt, Eunice, has fallen under the spell of the Reverend Roy. When Eunice disappears, Julia’s sure that she is headed for Prophet’s Paradise, a supposedly idyllic community north of the city. Julia fears that Eunice is being misled and will be in danger. She determines to rescue Eunice and take on the Army of the Prophet.
Julia learns once more what she already knew –that Mercury wasn’t just the messenger of the gods, he was a trickster and a liar as well.
About Connie di Marco
Connie di Marco is the author of the Zodiac Mysteries featuring San Francisco astrologer Julia Bonatti. The Madness of Mercury, the first book in the series will be re-released in October 2020.
Writing as Connie Archer, she is also the author of the national bestselling Soup Lover’s Mysteries from Berkley Prime Crime. You can find her excerpts and recipes in The Cozy Cookbook and The Mystery Writers of America Cookbook. Connie is a member of Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime.
Thanks for hosting The Madness of Mercury today!
ReplyDeleteI like that it is a mystery and a series. The zodiac makes it interesting also. I like the cover. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteHi Lynn ~ glad you could visit today! I love series too. Best of luck!
DeleteThe book sounds like a great read, thanks for sharing it with me!
ReplyDeleteOh, you're so welcome! I hope you get to enjoy Julia's first adventure soon!
DeleteSounds like a fascinating read. Looking forward to reading the series.
ReplyDeleteHi Dianne ~ Thanks for stopping by and best of luck!
Deletethanks for sharing, this sounds great
ReplyDelete