New Book Release in the Martha's Vineyard Murders Series! The Wraith’s Return a Murder Mystery by Raemi A Ray Release Blitz & Author Interview
Synopsis of The Wraith’s Return (from Amazon):
London based lawyer Kyra Gibson returns
to Martha’s Vineyard and the beach house she inherited for an extended summer
holiday. Still reeling from her father’s brutal murder and the role she and the
handsome detective, Tarek Collins played in uncovering it, Kyra is hopeful for
some peace and quiet. But when a summer squall reveals the wreckage of the
pirate ship, Keres, rich with rumored treasure, all hopes of peace are dashed.
Conservationists and treasure hunters descend on the exclusive island to lay claim
to the ship. When two of the salvagers are killed, Kyra and Tarek’s friend, pub
owner and amateur historian, Gully Gould is arrested for murder.
Determined to prove Gully’s innocence, Kyra,
Tarek, and reformed playboy Chase Hawthorn team up to clear their friend’s
name. But someone wants the treasure for themselves. And with someone willing
to kill for it, there is more than just danger lurking along the island’s caves
and coves. There is death.
Synopsis of Widow’s
Walk (from Amazon):
Attorney Kyra Gibson has a lot on her
mind this Thanksgiving. She’s been working long hours on a multi-billion dollar
corporate merger, her family is visiting from London, and her relationship with
former police detective Tarek Collins is heating up. When she and her
companions are invited by her aristocrat client to attend a formal gala at a
historic mansion on Chappaquiddick, Kyra reluctantly agrees.
But Chappy is more than just a playground for
the wealthy. It’s a wild, remote place cut off from civilization. When the
first body is found, the occupants are worried. Was it an accident or murder?
When a second guest is brutally killed and then a third, there’s no doubt and
the guests fearfully turn on each other. They are locked in a house with a
murderer picking them off one-by-one. Kyra, her best friend Chase Hawthorn, and
Tarek must survive the night and find the killer, or one of them could be next.
The Wraith’s Return:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4cD5wkk
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217979895-the-wraith-s-return
Widow’s Walk:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3zWiYTl
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/214254934-widow-s-walk
Both novels are from the Martha’s Vineyard
Murders series, which starts with A Chain
of Pearls. They can be read as standalone.
Author Interview:
Author Raemi Ray
On writing:
Which was the hardest character to write? The easiest?
The hardest character is actually my FMC, Kyra.
The book is told from her perspective and sometimes I have to remember to be in
her head, to remember she’s not privy to everything I know, especially what the
other characters are thinking. The easiest is a tie: between Cronkite and Ali,
Kyra’s aunt. Cronkite is the epitome of “cat,” and Ali is the sister I’d want
if I had one.
If you could put yourself as a character in your book, who would you be?
If I were to write myself in, I’d write myself
as a victim who gets her revenge from the grave. I think I’d be a beloved,
local writer who, after an ugly exchange with an unruly summer visitor at a
popular Vineyard Haven diner, met a very bloody, untimely death at the hands of
the unpleasant woman. As the murder investigation progresses the murderess’s
world is destroyed. Obviously, I’ve never been bowled over by an aggressive
tourist at The Black Dog Tavern. Nor am I petty. It’s complete fiction.
What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
When people tell me they loved the book so much
they recommended it to their friend, mom, neighbor, whomever. That warms my
cold stone heart.
On rituals:
In today’s tech savvy world, most writers use a computer or laptop. Have you ever written parts of your book on paper?
I draft out the outlines by hand before filling
out the details on my computer, and I carry a notebook with me almost always to
jot down ideas. I like the feel of pen and paper and it’s easier to carry than
my laptop.
Fun stuff:
Favorite dessert?
I’m not really a dessert person. If I’m eating
sweets, I’m not bothering with pre-sweets healthy nonsense. I’m just eating
sweets, and nine times out of ten, I want fresh baked cookies: chocolate chip,
shortbread, sugar cookies, lemon. As long as it’s free of offensive raisins,
I’m happy.
What is something you've learned about yourself during the pandemic?
I learned that I hate leftovers. I rarely ate
them before, but when faced with limited access to groceries, I refused to eat
them and instead had to repurpose leftovers into something new. After a few
weeks of lockdown, I was planning meals for days, so I could make many
different things from the ingredients progressively. I roasted a chicken for
dinner one night and used it to make chicken pot pie the next. Braised short
ribs were then turned into ravioli and the most decadent tater tots you can
imagine. I got pretty creative, but back then I used to cook.
What is your theme song?
I want it to be “Fool in the Rain” by Led
Zeppelin, but I’m not that cool. I do have a terrible sense of direction.
What is your favorite thing to do in the autumn?
My favorite thing to do in the autumn is tea,
coffee, or a glass of wine by the fire with a book. I love a wood burning fire
when it’s chilly out. It’s so comforting.
What song is currently playing on a loop in your head?
Sabrina Carpenter’s “Taste”. It’s funny.
What is the oldest item of clothing you own?
I have a pair of vintage chocolate-colored
crushed velvet bell bottoms that would make Steven Tyler jealous.
Where do you get inspiration for your stories?
Most of my plots are pulled from headlines, and then I add in the murder.
Your book is set in Martha’s Vineyard. Have you ever been there?
Yes, I’ve been visiting the island for years and this series is a sort of love letter to it. It’s one of my favorite places.
Do you have another profession besides writing?
I do. In my other much more boring life, I’m an IP lawyer, not unlike my protagonist.
I write mystery/thrillers. I simply prefer writing plot over emotional journeys and mystery and thriller lend themselves to plot focused stories.
My memory is terrible. The last book I read that I think about often is probably Manacled. I regret reading it with every fiber of my being. Not because it wasn’t good, but because it was terrifying.
On rituals:
I try not to, but in moments of weakness I want Flaming Hot Cheetos. I live for spice.
I have an office where I edit, but my first drafts are done anywhere: in my sunroom, in front of a fireplace (inside or out), at pubs or coffee shops, the beach – wherever I can prop a laptop.
Nearly.
If you could go back in time, where would you go?
Mid-seventeenth century England. I studied medieval Europe in college and am obsessed with courtly politics. Realistically, though, I wouldn’t last a day without indoor plumbing, HVAC, hair products, and SPF.
None. I want to see the entire world. Anywhere that isn’t here is my favorite travel spot.
A few years ago, I trespassed (broke into) a deserted asylum for children. It looked like it’d been abandoned overnight. Toys were on the floors. Artwork hung on the walls. The library’s books were strewn about, beds pushed up against the walls haphazardly. The cherry on top, though, was someone had staged a huge clown doll on the roof of one of the buildings. I’ll have nightmares of that clown’s manic grin for life.
Who was your childhood celebrity crush?
This probably says more about me, and I probably shouldn’t tell people, but Christian Slater’s JD from Heathers.
Author
bio:
Raemi A Ray’s travels
to Martha’s Vineyard and around the world inspire her stories. She lives
outside Boston. When not writing or traveling she earns her keep as the
personal assistant to the resident house demons, Otto and DolphLundgren.
Website: https://raemiray.com/
Instagram: @miss_raemi
Author
Marketing Experts:
Twitter: @Bookgal
Instagram: @therealbookgal
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