Mystery Writer Will Help

Aspiring Authors Get A Clue

Mystery writer Roberta Isleib will offer advice to aspiring and experienced writers on Tuesday, May 17, at 7:30 pm, at C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street.  A book signing will follow.

Ms Isleib, the author of three mystery series, will give an overview of plotting a mystery and discuss the importance of the first chapter, a/k/a “the Hook.”

New Jersey-born clinical psychologist Roberta Isleib took up writing mysteries to justify time spent on the links. Her first series, featuring a neurotic professional golfer and a sports psychologist, was nominated for both Agatha and Anthony Awards.

Ms Isleib’s series, starring a Connecticut psychologist and advice columnist, debuted in 2007 with Deadly Advice, followed by Preaching to the Corpse and Asking for Murder (Berkley Prime Crime.) Her short story “Disturbance in the Field,” published in Seasmoke by Level Best Books, was short-listed for both Agatha and Macavity Awards.

The author says the work of the detective in a mystery has quite a bit in common with long-term psychotherapy: Start with a problem, follow the threads looking for clues, and gradually fill in the big picture. So this career move turned out to be a natural progression. Ms Isleib is passionate about portraying her psychologist character as a competent professional (with flaws of course!)

Ms Isleib is the past president of both the International Sisters in Crime and the New England chapter. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Romance Writers of America, and the Authors Guild. She lives with her family in Connecticut.

The free presentation will be followed by a Q&A session, and book signing where the author will autograph copies of Deadly Advice, Preaching to the Corpse, Asking for Murder, and Fairway to Heaven.

Refreshments will be served. Registration is requested and can be done online (CHBoothLibrary.org) or by calling 203-426-4533.

The three-part “Get A Clue” lecture series for writers will continue Tuesday, May 24, also at 7:30, with forensic scientist Dr Elaine Pagliaro speaking about the importance of forensic science in criminal investigations, as well as evidence collection and documentation; and Tuesday, June 7, 7:30, with a Newtown police officer speaking about police procedure both for crimes handled by local police and crimes that require collaboration between local and state police.

Sign up for each of these free lectures individually.