My guest today is
Marco Conelli. Drawing from twenty years of experience as a NYPD detective,
Marco is the creator of the young adult Matthew Livingston Mystery series. He
lives and works in
Anne - When did
you first realize you were destined to be a mystery/suspense writer?
Marco - The idea
of being a writer surrounded me from a young age, simply because I was a big
fan of reading. When I became a detective in the NYPD I saw so many things in
the course of my work, especially as an undercover, I found myself saying, “No
one would believe this!” I desired to tell a story and felt it was best suited
for the crime genre.
Anne - I'm
impressed by people who lead an undercover life. Me? Nope...I talk too much!
Tell us about your book.
Marco - My latest
book is Matthew Livingston and the Politics of Death. I’m thrilled that it won
the Silver Falchion Award this year for best crime novel. In book 3 of the
Matthew Livingston mystery series 16 year old aspiring journalist Dennis
Sommers is assigned to cover a political campaign speech for the school’s
newspaper. At the site of the campaign speech, he witnesses the candidate shot
by a sniper who is, according to all accounts, imperceptible at the crime
scene.
Dennis relays the
story to 17 year old teen prodigy Matthew Livingston who decides to pursue the
shooter with a different investigative method than the ones used by his local
police. Along with the multi-talented Sandra Small, they dispatch themselves into
an investigation that the elusive murderer turns into a game of cat and mouse.
Matthew, Dennis, and Sandra employ stealth tactics and tech-savvy gear in the
hopes of baiting this killer, only to find the anonymous assassin is preparing
for his next kill.
As the mystery
unfolds, Matthew feels his opponent watching his every move. Only Matthew's
intellect can protect him and his friends. Will he corner the killer in time,
or will the assassin strike again?
Anne - Is it part
of a series? If so, include other titles. What do you enjoy most about writing
a series? What part do you loathe?
Marco - Yes. Matthew
Livingston and the Politics of Death is indeed part of a series. The titles
that precede it are Matthew Livingston and the Millionaire Murder and Matthew Livingston
and the Prison of Souls.
I enjoy writing
in a series because I believe the characters really get to grow. I introduce
new facets to them from book to book. Readers enjoy learning more about my
protagonists. That is something that lacked in young adults mysteries of the
past, no growth in the characters. They were strictly boilerplate.
What I loathe (or
rather dislike) in writing a series is occasionally people will not buy the new
book when I am touring because they haven’t read the books that precede it. I
always explain that it is a series but each book stands alone as a mystery. You
don’t have to read them in order.
Anne – I agree
wholeheartedly, which is why I don’t mind reading a series out of order. I’ll
take a good read anyway I can get it!
Where can readers
get your book?
Marco - The book
can be purchased at Amazon,
and Barnes
and Noble.
Anne - Outside of
writing, what accomplishment are you most proud?
Marco - I am
extremely proud of my accomplishments as a detective in the NYPD. I served a
little over 20 years and got to be part of some amazing things.
Something I’m
proud of recently is my lecturing and in particular the lectures I provide for
aspiring mystery writers as well as established mystery authors.
My presentation
called "Going Undercover To Solve Your Crime" has been featured at
venues such as The 2010 and 2011 Writer's Police Academy
Anne - I'm filing
that information away for future use. I definitely want to attend one of your
workshops. J
Quick. Your four
favorites – author, actor, movie, song.
Marco – Author:
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Actor:Christian Bale, Movie: Fletch (big fan of the
Gregory McDonald novels), Song: A Day In The Life (The Beatles)
Anne – Where can
readers reach you online?
Anne – Thank you
so much for dropping by today, Marco. I enjoyed chatting with you about your
Matthew Livingston series. I wish you every success, and hope to attend one of
your workshops very soon.
As always comments are appreciated and welcome. Happy writing!
* * *
4 comments:
I like that each book is a stand alone. That's important for a mystery series. Each book is like its own case so a reader can pick up any book and not be lost. Best of luck to Matthew.
It was my pleasure to meeet Marco at Killer Nashville and the Writers Police Academy. He's an exciting speaker and a talented wroter. I loved his stories about his undercover work.
Great interview, Anne and Marco.
Thank you so much Kelly and Jaden. Indeed, stand alone is important. So many books I would like to read in order, but glad I didn't. Be well.
An intriguing book, Marco. It's great that you're able to transcribe your police experience onto the pages of your books.
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