Featured Interview With Mary Anne Edwards Author Of The Charlie McClung Mysteries

We Have Mary Anne Edwards with us today on the blog, so let's find out a little about Mary Ann

Hi Mary Anne

Tell us a little about yourself.

First of all, I am thrilled to be here. Thank you for having me. Now on to me, I am an average person. I’ve been married for 33+ years to a practically perfect man. I’ve been writing most of my life. “Brilliant Disguise”, released in January this year, is the first book in The Charlie McClung Mysteries. The second book, “A Good Girl”, was released on September 23rd. A few of my short stories have been published in Christian magazines.

How did you become a writer, and did you always want to write?

During my very early childhood, I remember my mother writing stories and such. So I followed in her footsteps. I started out writing poems, then short stories, and onto novels. In short, yes, I have always wanted to write. Thanks to my practically perfect husband encouragement and support, I’m writing fulltime now.



How do you hope your readers react to the stories you write?

Once my readers finish Brilliant Disguise, I hope they say, “I want to know what happens to Charlie and Marian”. I want my readers to find the story refreshing and the characters so believable they will say, “Hey, I know him or her. Or I wish they were my friends”.


What responses to your writing have affected you the most and why?

My fans’ enthusiasm toward Charlie and Marian has encouraged me to keep writing. At least once a week, someone asks me, “When is the next book coming out? I want to find out what’s going on with them.”


Other than writing great stories, what other goals do you have for your life?
I want to complete The Detective Charlie McClung Mysteries. 

For now, I have ten books in the series. 

Another goal I have, is to revisit my very first manuscript, Useless Beauty. 

It is women’s fiction, a stand-alone novel. 

I can’t wait for my husband to retire so we can travel more, hopefully to New Zealand.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love to read and watch mysteries. I enjoy traveling with my husband. And I do a little volunteer work at my church. I love to bake during the Christmas season. Of course, there Facebook and Pinterest that leads me astray.


What can you tell us about your latest works?

The second book in The Charlie McClung Mysteries, A Good Girl, was released on September 23rd. It picks up the story three months after Brilliant Disguise. Charlie and Marian go to Virginia to meet Charlie’s parents. Upon arrival, instead of his family waiting for him, there is a note telling Charlie to come to the family’s antique shop because a dead girl was found in an armoire delivered to the shop.
What stories can your fans expect from you in the days ahead? 

The third book, Criminal Kind, is due in April, 2015. It takes place on a cruise ship.



What would you like to say to your fans in New Zealand and others worldwide?

I think you are so very fortunate to live New Zealand. It is a beautiful country. It is on my bucket list of places to visit. And thank you to all of my fans worldwide for your interest in Detective Charlie McClung and Marian Selby. I hope you have enjoyed meeting them and continue with them on their journey together.


Do you have any parting words?

Yes, I cannot self-edit. So if there are any error in my responses, I apologize. I can only say that I write worse than a monkey. Also, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart to all of my fans. I love hearing from my readers. So stay in touch with me. Send me an email or PM on Facebook.


Thank you, again, for having me today.

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Excerpt From Brilliant Disguise

Marian saw three manila folders spread out on the coffee table and one picture to the side, the picture of the crescents. She plopped down, grabbing the picture. She handed it back to Charlie and rubbed away the goose bumps treading across her forearms. “That’s it. The same as my backyard.”

She fumbled with the small package of photos, spilling its contents onto the floor. She grabbed one of the many she had taken of the mud stains. Wide eyed, she compared it with the crime scene photo. “Look, Charlie, look it’s the same.”

He stared at the photos then looked at Marian. She was pale and trembling.

“Oh, God, the killer used my backyard to get to Dianne.” Marian’s breathing began to quicken.

Charlie took her hands. “Now, look at me.”

She focused on his face.

“Take some long deep breaths. Don’t want you to hyperventilate.” He began to breathe with her. “Good girl, slow and steady.” Reaching for the wine glass, he held it to her lips.

She drank it almost to the bottom in one gulp. Then she walked to the kitchen returning with the bottle of plum wine and poured more into her glass. “Would you like more?”

“No, I have to drive home.”

“No you don’t.”

Thrown off guard, Charlie stammered in disbelief, “What?”

Excerpt From Brilliant Disguise #2

The intruder turned on the hall light. A thin solid sliver of light burst underneath the bedroom door but was eclipsed by moving shadows as someone tried to open the door.

This is it. A surprising calm descended on Marian. It reminded her of when she had the lead in one of the Hometown Player productions. She was nervous to the point of fainting but once she stepped onto the stage all fear was gone. But this wasn’t make believe. This was to do or die. And she didn’t want to die.

She pulled open a dresser drawer to steady her hands as she aimed the 9mm belly high toward the door. Finger on the trigger, she was ready to kill. The .38 was next to her foot ready for back up.

The jiggling door knob became quiet. Next was the sound of someone trying to pick the lock. The knob twisted and the door eased open and then stopped with just a small slice of light cutting through the darken bedroom.

Marian heard panting on the other side. Then a huge shadow blocked the light that had spilled through the crack of the opened door. Suddenly the shadow was gone and light again flowed into the bedroom. Marian’s mind raced. Maybe they changed their mind. Maybe they went away. She began to relax when nothing happened. There were no sounds, no more shadows. All was at peace.

The door flew open as the intruder kicked it open. Bits of sheet rock flew into the air as the door knob smashed violently into the wall.

Time stood still as Marian stared at the black heaving silhouette. Its dark malevolent shape reminded her of an angry grizzly bear. She saw the intruder’s arm swing up. The outstretched hand was holding a gun. It swung side to side searching the room for its prey.

One of her mother’s odd quotes popped into her brain. You can’t run for a frog. It made sense finally. She couldn’t wait for a savior. She pulled the trigger twice. The first bullet hit the doorframe. Slivers of wood exploded into the air. Marian knew the second one struck its target. The inhuman figure snarled in pain. An agonizing scream hung in the air as the intruder staggered backward.


"A Good Girl"

For Charlie McClung, going home to Virginia with Marian was supposed to be a joyous occasion, but upon arrival at his childhood home, he’s met with a note instead of his family.

 “Don’t worry, Love, we’re all okay. Come to the shop. A dead girl was found in an armoire delivered just now. Huggies, Ma”

Charlie is quickly recruited to help solve the murder of a young girl who was on the path to become a nun. The suspects begin to mount as Charlie delves deep into the girl’s life, revealing a sordid and ugly side of the town’s good girl.