Neil Plakcy
1. I hear you have a Golden Retriever mystery series. Tell us about the series.
In Dog We Trust (https://amzn.to/2YyBfmF) is the first book in the series.
BLURB: Semi-reformed computer hacker Steve Levitan returns to his hometown of Stewart’s Crossing with his tail between his legs after a brief stay as a guest of the California penal system for computer hacking. When his next door neighbor is killed while walking her golden retriever puppy Rochester, Steve takes the leash and joins forces with the big, enthusiastic dog to find her murderer. Rochester’s nose for crime has taken them through twelve full-length novels and a collection of short stories.
2. Why did you create a mystery series featuring a dog?
When we adopted a golden retriever puppy in 2000, we already had a Yorkie who had firmly established my husband as his human. So Sam was left to bond with me. Years of long walks, belly rubs and tug-of-war cemented our relationship until I was certifiably puppy-whipped. I wrote the first book to celebrate him, and when he passed, I kept his memory alive by continuing the series. His replacements, Brody and Griffin, are sweethearts, but they don’t have the same personality quirks that endeared Sam to me. They do give me endless opportunities for research, though.
3. What other books have you written?
My first published mystery novel, Mahu (https://amzn.to/3C1XXCf), is a police procedural set in Honolulu. I’ve written twelve in that series, because even in the sunshine dark shadows can lurk.
I also write an adventure series (Book 1: Three Wrong Turns in the Desert: https://amzn.to/3FYCBZ7 ) about a pair of bodyguards who travel the world and rescue clients from dangerous situations.
And to round things out, I also write contemporary and historical MM (Male/Male) romances.
4. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.
I was delighted to receive a Lefty award for best police procedural from the attendees at the Left Coast Crime fan convention in Hawaii for the second in my Mahu series, Mahu Surfer. I’ve also been a four-time finalist for the Lambda Literary Awards. But my favorite reviews are those from fans who have enjoyed my books or have fallen in love with my characters. (I’m looking at you, Rochester.)
5. How do you promote your books?
I love to attend mystery fan conventions, such as Bouchercon, Malice Domestic and Left Coast Crime. I lower the prices on my books occasionally and advertise them through paid newsletters like BookBub and Ereader News Today, and I also communicate regularly with my newsletter subscribers.
6. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
My website is http://www.MahuBooks.com, and my Amazon author page is http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001JP4EL6.
Additional links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neil.plakcy
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/126217.Neil_Plakcy
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/neilplakcy/boards/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NeilPlakcy
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/neil-s-plakcy
From Marcia: Thank you, Neil, for being my November interviewee! I love discovering mysteries that feature dogs and look forward to reading your books!
MONTHLY BLOG EBOOK CONTEST! Would you like to win a Marcia James’ ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun, comment, and/or share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks! Each month, I’ll randomly pick one commenter to win. To leave a comment and/or a photo, click on the word “Reply,” which is just below the social media icons for THIS interview. (Don’t scroll past this interview to the next interview.) Go Pets!
Hi, Neil! I can’t wait to read your Golden Retriever mysteries. 😉 I love genre fiction featuring pets. Thank you for being my November interviewee!
Thanks for having me, Marcia.
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Neil, your books sound really good, I am looking forward to reading them. This is my rescue pup Cocoa with Marshmallows. She’s the sweetest pup.
Hi, Julie! Thanks for stopping by my blog. Your pup has pretty markings. It’s wonderful that you rescued her. 😉 Have a great November!
What a cute pup! I love the name!
Ask Marcia – love Golden Retrivers and haven’t recovered from the loss of our beloved Abby!!! I think I actually have this book – I have a terrible habit of buying books for my NOOK and then not reading them!!! Will have to do this one for sure!!!!
Nancy — you are definitely a dog (and cat) lover, and you do so much for homeless pets! {{waving from across town}} I look forward to reading Neil’s books, too. 😉
As I mentioned above, I wrote the first in this series because I was so infatuated with my golden, Samwise. They are just the most lovable, sweet breed. It’s always a joy when I sit down to write about goldens.
Nancy–Congratulations on winning an ebook! I emailed you with information on how to get your ebook. Have a wonderful holiday season!
Who doesn’t love a book with a cute pupper on the cover?
Hi, Jan! I totally agree with your comment. 😉 I love books with dogs in them. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Have a great November!
This is probably the fourth cover for this book! Kept trying to find just the right dog. I did the very first cover myself, using a sad picture of my Samwise. It meant a lot to me to see his picture there– but my cover designer and I hunted around to find sweet-looking goldens for each of the books in the series, ones that reflect how magical this breed is.
fun cover
Hi, bn100! I agree. Of course, any cover with a dog on it catches my attention. 😉 Have a happy holiday season!
Goldens are the best! Your books must be a lot of fun.