More About Burnt Ends
Murder is juicier with a side of barbecue sauce.
In Burnt Ends, Private Investigator Tori Swenson gets a strange accidental death case that looks like murder at one of her uncle’s drive-ins and decides it’s time to get revenge on her estranged family. Pretending to want a reunion, she appears at her uncle’s party to secretly investigate them. When her uncle suddenly dies, Tori’s case takes a sinister turn that makes her a suspect in her uncle’s death and the killer’s next target. To uncover who dethroned the barbecue king, Tori will have to face her own fiery demons while pursuing a killer who wants to make dead meat out of her.
For fans of Knives Out and the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich.
More About Laura Wetsel
Laura Wetsel holds bachelor’s degrees in Russian and English literature from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a master’s degree in Russian literature from Northwestern University. She lives in Washington, D.C., with her two cats, Sasha and Ginny Wolf.
While this story is fictional, Burnt Ends was inspired by Laura’s uncle, who ran a successful burger drive-in chain in Ohio, as well as her experience living in Kansas City, Missouri.
Catch Up With Laura Wetsel:
Interview with Laura Wetsel
Sadly, I haven't had chance to read Burnt Ends yet (although I am now craving BBQ) but I did get a chance to ask author Laura Wetsel a few fun questions about her new mystery.
JODI: So…you have a degree in Russian literature AND lived in Russia. How is your
mystery about a BBQ joint and not a caviar shop or a mysterious Russian expat?
LAURA: A caviar shop would be a fun setting, but I probably chose the BBQ joint because I’d just moved to DC from Kansas City and had BBQ cravings. Also, my uncle owned a very popular burger drive-in in Ohio, and I thought, wouldn’t it be a fun idea to merge the drive-in concept with barbecue.
JODI: What made you decide to start writing Burnt Ends and how long did it take you?
LAURA: I heard a podcast about the Lone Star tick and it sparked the big idea. Since I wrote the draft during the pandemic when time seemed to have frozen over, I have no idea how
long it really took. I’m only glad writing it kept me (mostly) sane.
JODI: Who are some of your favorite mystery writers?
LAURA: There are the old-school classics, of course: Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle,
Edgar Allan Poe, and Patricia Highsmith. For writers who are alive today: Tana French,
Gillian Flynn, Lucy Foley, and Jessica Knoll.
JODI: Can you tell us a little about your daily writing habits?
LAURA: I like to engage in mind-wandering activities like Transcendental Meditation, long
showers, or long walks. Sometimes I write in my notebook with a fountain pen,
sometimes the computer. I’m also always reading at least one physical book with my
eyes, and one audiobook with my ears. I find the former is good for studying technique,
while the latter is a more immersive experience.
JODI: Asking for a friend who dreams of a BBQ road trip. What do you order in your favorite BBQ spot?
LAURA: I based the gas station drive-in setting of Burnt Ends on a legendary gas station BBQ place called Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que (formerly Oklahoma Joe’s). Love the Z-Man
Brisket Sandwich!
JODI: What’s next? Do I sense the beginning of a series?
LAURA: Who knows what the future will hold? Maybe I’ll resurrect Tori for a barbecue series, but I’m currently working on a whodunit set where I live now. The historic DC neighborhood
of Georgetown is much too charming and full of juicy intrigue not to inspire a murder
mystery.
JODI: I agree! so many possibilities in DC.
A Little Extra
Hungry for BBQ and murder? Read an excerpt HERE.
Want to Win?
TWO WINNERS! Enter to win a print ARC of Burnt Ends. Enter the giveaway HERE
Ready to Read
Oooo great interview! This sounds like a fun book.
And ~ The historic DC neighborhood of Georgetown - Awesome!
Thanks so much!