Bluette Matthey is a third generation Swiss American and an avid lover of European cultures. She has decades of travel and writing experience. She is a keen reader of mysteries, especially those that immerse the reader in the history, inhabitants, culture, and cuisine of new places. Her passion for travel, except airports (where she keeps a mystery with her to pass the time), is shared by her husband, who owned a tour outfitter business in Europe. Bluette particularly loves to explore regions that are not on the “15 days in Europe” itineraries. She also enjoys little-known discoveries, such as the London Walks, in well-known areas. She firmly believes that walking and hiking bring her closer to the real life of any locale. Bluette maintains a list of hikes and pilgrimages throughout Europe for future exploration. She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband, faithful dog, and band of loving cats.
You can visit Bluette’s website at www.bluettematthey.com
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What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
I am always a bit wondrous at where each book actually ends up after the twists and turns it takes. I learn so much about the uniqueness of the region where each book is set while doing the research, including the on site trips to explore the areas. Some of my adventures have been drop-dead amazing.
How many books have you written? Can you pick a favorite?
I just finished my fourth book in the Hardy Durkin travel mystery series, Dalmatian Traffick. I’ve enjoyed writing all of them, especially because of the memories each book evokes of the travel associated with it, so it’s difficult to pick a favorite. I really enjoyed the food and travel while doing on site research for Black Forest Reckoning. And doing the spa regimen at Friedrichsbad in Baden-Baden was a treat. I went for the whole enchilada! My husband’s favorite is whatever my last book is.
What do you think makes a great story?
Tension. The unexpected. A twist. Great characters.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a foreign language interpreter and live in Europe.
What books have influenced your life the most?
The Bible has influenced my life the most, over all. My writing has been inspired by classic mystery writers like Ngaio Marsh, Agatha Christie, PD James, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Rex Stout, to name a few.
Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
I have my favorites who are not new, but are always publishing new books. I enjoy the Alexander McCall Smith series featuring detective Precious Remotswe, author James Lee Burke with his Dave Robicheaux character, and the writers of the TV crimes series ‘Les Engrenages’, ‘No Offense’, the ‘Tommy and Tuppence Beresford’ remake, and ‘Castle’ do a really good job.
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
It would be a montage of Rex Stout, Ngaio Marsh, and Agatha Christie.
Title: Black Forest ReckoningAuthor: Bluette Matthey
Publisher: Blue Shutter Publishing
Pages: 299
Genre: Travel Mystery
Outfitter Hardy Durkin and company are visiting the Black Forest area of Germany, staying in the guest wing of a local castle, Schloss Haeflin. In the midst of hiking the Black Forest, enjoying all things Swabian, and spending a day in Baden-Baden, the hikers find themselves at ground zero for coeds disappearing from the nearby University of Freiburg and foul play is suspected. Unresolved personal issues of several members of the group threaten the tour’s cohesion, and Hardy discovers the Baron, who owns the schloss, has stolen someone’s identity as well as his fortune. Ever the sleuth, Hardy untangles the web of deceit, madness, and murder in ‘The Black Forest Reckoning’.
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