Hi. I’m Heather.
I write mysteries.
Cleopatra Almost Slept Here, Book 11 of the Alvarez Family Murder Mysteries Debuted August 15, 2026. Yippee! This is my favorite book. But, of course, I would say that! Like a proud mama, I love all my books as I give “birth” to them. As to writing this story with the Alvarez family in Egypt, it was huge fun. Anything that can go wrong does and nobody knows why! Until …
| THE ALVAREZ FAMILY IS ON THE VACATION OF A LIFETIME – IF IT DOESN’T KILL THEM FIRST! |
| When the entire Alvarez family – including private investigator Lee Alvarez and the rest of the members of the family’s P.I. business, Discretionary Inquiries, Inc. – is offered a once-in-a-lifetime chance to volunteer on an archaeological dig, they’re airborne in hours. It’s billed as “a nice, relaxing family vacation”— all they have to do is identify Cleopatra’s mother! But they’ve barely landed in Cairo when someone tries to run their van off the road. |
| Author Haven hasn’t missed a trick in this modern-day interpretation of the classic mystery-at-a-dig genre.It’s got everything – pyramids, train rides, a Nile cruise, the requisite cobra, exotic history, mysterious messages, and, of course, there’s a haboob! (That’s “sandstorm” to us boobs.)Naturally, Haven adds her own delightfully off-center flourishes: imagine the witty banter of the statuesque P.I. and her hunky ex-SEAL husband dropped into Death on the Nile with a world-class chef, a computer genius, hovering in-laws, two cats, a toddler, and a hat maker. Dame Agatha meets Nick and Nora Charles, if you will. If Nora had a blueberry yogurt stain on her shirt. And a charming camel called KFC standing in for Asta. What is nearly unimaginable is Alvarez matriarch Lila loosening up enough to wear Birkenstocks – in public. Otherwise, the extended Alvarez family is up to their usual hijinks: brother Richard, the computer genius, has the answer before the question is asked; Tugger the cat inadvertently reveals the culprit(s); hunky husband Gurn needs rescuing; Lee goes rogue; and Tío the chef, as always, plies them with delicious food.As spoofy and goofy as the set-up is, the danger is real: two waiters have disappeared from the hotel boat housing the dig crew. The boat is peopled almost entirely by eccentric and suspicious characters who are hiding something – right up to and including Lee’s father-in-law! At the heart of the mystery, as always when ancient treasures are involved, is a solution as old as time: greed, running rampant in every imaginable form in a witty and refreshing tale that would make even the Dame laugh out loud. |
Fans of PI stories, cozy mysteries, and women sleuths will lose their own heads over Lee Alvarez and her adorable (and vexing) family of investigators, including Tugger the cat! Lee’s sharp and funny like her fellow female protagonists Kinsey Millhone (Sue Grafton) and Stephanie Plum (Janet Evanovich), but she cleans up better – say, Nora to her dapper husband’s Nick. And the rest of the large, loving, interfering, and resourceful Alvarez family will delight lovers of Lisa Lutz’s family series, The Spellman Files.
A Wedding to Die For, Book 2 of The Alvarez Family Murder Mysteries is still under development by a major original programming production company (no names) for a series of television movies. However, my advice to anyone trying to do this is to start when you are very young. It’s been five years in the making with still no signs of going forward, backward or dying. But you know what? The thrill is still there. And I’m still in the game! It’s hard to say how these things go, but the fact that someone wants to turn my stories about the Alvarez family into movies for television makes me jump for joy.
Hotshot Shamus, book 4 of the Persephone Cole Vintage Mysteries, won the second place Insipere Award for Best Clean Mystery 2023. Go Percy! Percy Cole is one of the first female detectives in New York City’s history, and a woman very comfortable in a man’s world. It was a joy getting back to this series. Percy’s my kinda gal. Sort of how I’d like to be if I had the nerve.
Lucky me. I get to travel the world in my mind and be all the characters in my books, including the cats! As Confucius once said, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
While I love a funny mystery, I tend to read anything of interest to me, especially if it’s well-written. Most of the time, though, when I read a book, I like it to be on the lighter side of life. If I want to cry, I only have to step on a scale. l tend to write about what I consider to be some of the important things in life: the recently immigrated, one of America’s natural resources, the family unit, relationships, and the seeking of justice. They may be wrapped around a mystery and a laugh, but those subjects will always be there.
Or visit my blog below where I muse upon occasion.
Thanks,
Heather
A Mystery Writer’s Musings
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Welcoming S.J. Clarke, author of Mind Over Matter
A short story about Sandra (S.J.). We both attended the Montreal Retreat this past November, and the day of departure, Sandra insisted I take some of her goodies to munch on for the plane ride home. The bag was sealed with a darling fabric flower, which I have to this day. She was this way…
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Welcome Margay Leah Justice, author of Sloan Wolf
What a gal! Margay offers this interview, and is it fun! Here’s a chance to learn more about this talented writer. 1. What is your favorite book? If I could only pick one, it has to be Pride and Prejudice. I know everyone says that, but it truly is just a brilliant piece of work…
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Welcoming Larraine AKA Larion Wills, Author of Tarbet
Join me in welcoming wonderful Larraine. She’s has some very interesting things to say, especially about the word ‘that.’ See below: THAT!byLarraine AKA Larion Wills Deep into editing something of my own the last couple of days, I am astounded by my use of that. When editing for others, I pick the single word up…
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Welcoming Karen Cote, author of Erotic Deception
Romance may be complicated, but it’s not so complicated as to why we adore Karen Cote. This talented author and champion of MuseItUp Publishing and all who reside within, has won us over with her heart, warmth and humor. Witness her interview below: Hi Heather and thank you so much for having me today. Today…
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Presenting The Incomparable Ginger Simpson
They broke the mold when they made Ginger. She is one of the most versatile writers I know, plus one hulluva gal. And she’s quite funny, too. See below if you don’t believe me: Resolutions, Smezolutions by Ginger Simpson First, I’d like to thank Heather for allowing me to join the crew blogging on her…
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Welcome Gail Roughton Branan, author of Miami Days and Truscan (K)nights
Gail is a wonderful southern lady, who challenges the beauty of the magnolias — or should I say daisies — with her prose. Her website, Flowers on the Fence, is worth a visit. http://flowersonthefence.blogspot.com/ I might also add the fence is dedicated to the memory of her good friend, Gloria. You gotta love a gal…
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Welcome Dale Thompson, author of The Evil Within
Welcome, Dale! This talented and versatile writer starts off by answering a few questions. Below is quite a tantalizing interview: 1. How old were you when you were first published? I was too old when my first book came out. That’s all you need to know about that. LOL 2. What writing style do you…
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Welcome Laura Novak, author of Finding Clarity
Laura Novak is a talented writer who has written a funny, poignant book called Finding Clarity: A Mom, A Dwarf and a Posh Private School in the People’s Republic of Berkeley. Visit her blog at http://www.lauranovakauthor.com/blog.html. It is unique! This is one fun writer. If you don’t believe me, check out her interview below: 1.…
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Welcome Grace DeLuca, author of Betwixt and Between
Originally from New York, my husband and I moved to Florida when our three children were young. I’ve worn several hats in my life—started out working as a legal secretary while studying art, taught painting and drawing for a number of years, then worked for my church until I retired. During that time I obtained…
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Welcome Terri Lynn Main, author
The very talented Terri Main, author of Dark Side of the Moon, gives us some tips today on dealing with the New Year: Beyond Resolutions: How to Prepare an Action Plan for 2012It’s the first of the year and that brings with it New Year’s Resolutions. We decide we are going to lose wieght, write…
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Welcome Terri Lynn Main, author
Please welcome Terri Linn Main, author of Dark Side of the Moon. As well as a writer, Terri is an educator, and has some very wise words for all of us for the coming New Year: Beyond Resolutions: How to Prepare an Action Plan for 2012It’s the first of the year and that brings with…
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Welcoming the New Year in with Roseanne Dowell
We’re starting off Blogging in 2012 with the one, the only Roseanne Dowell, a prolific and terrifc writer. Her new book, Secrets, Lies, & Love releases in only three more days, Jan. 4, 2012, from Books We Love Publishing. Give us a teaser about your new book, Roseanne, please. A dilapidated Queen Anne Victorian, a…