TYPORAMA
***********
"Here’s what you need to know about Kentucky girls – they’re all princesses.”
Brimming with quick wit and juicy gossip, the latest novel from Brandi Bradley, “Pretty Girls Get Away With Murder,” reveals the hidden dark side of picture-perfect Southern charm.
As a self-proclaimed “cowgirl bookworm,” novelist Brandi Bradley knows that in the South, everyone has an opinion and gossip travels faster than the speed of light.
In her latest crime novel, maintaining appearances is more than important–it’s a matter of life or death.
March 14, 2025
Rumor Mill Press
Mystery, Crime Fiction
As detective Lindy D’Arnaud and her partner Boggs search for a motive, they begin to wonder if this is a case of jealous violence or shady business dealings gone sour.
In Lindy’s personal life, things aren’t much clearer. When Lindy’s wife’s ex-boyfriend–and sperm donor to their baby–decides to move back to town, she finds herself competing for her wife’s affection.
Can they be postmodern in Western Kentucky where living as a queer person is tenuous enough already?
Told through the shifting perspectives of Lindy, Gabbi, and Jenna, “Pretty Girls Get Away With Murder” is a twisty page-turner for fans of Southern noir and NBC’s “Dateline.”
************
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Brandi Bradley is an indie author and educator who lives in the great city of Atlanta, Georgia.
She writes short stories and novels about crime, family drama, flea markets, cowboys, rowdy girls, and gossip.
She has had short stories and essays published in Juked, Louisiana Literature, Carve, and Nashville Review.
She teaches writing at Kennesaw State University.
“Mothers of the Missing Mermaid” (2023) is her debut novel of secrets by the sea in Destin, Florida.
Bradley’s second book, “Pretty Girls Get Away With Murder” will be released in March 2025.
Learn more about her life and work at: www.brandibradley.com
************
An Interview with
Brandi Bradley
1. What inspired “Pretty Girls Get Away With Murder”?
I often write stories that would make good gossip fodder. And for a while when I would research, I would be drawn to stories about dangerous women: femme fatales, crazy ex-girlfriends, ball busters, etc. This perception of danger because of how a woman looks is pervasive, and it’s not just pretty women, but also women who are considered strong, or in command, or smart. People love to talk about a dangerous woman.
2. Who do you want to reach with your books?
I want to reach people who are interested in a really juicy story. That’s what so many people – including me – love about a good episode of Dateline. It’s juicy. It’s about lies, scandals, heartbreak, betrayal, and people who are a little ridiculous for thinking they could get away with something. I want to tell those kinds of stories for people who secretly love drama, but don’t actually want drama in their life.
3. Who are your top 3 favorite authors and why?
Janet Finch – I keep a copy of Paint it Black on my desk when I write. It’s not a crime story, but it’s definitely a family drama that is dark and vicious, everyone stewing in the grief of losing someone unexpectedly.
Julia Heaberlin – We’re All the Same in the Dark is one of those books that made me think, Damn, I wish I had written that! I also loved Paper Ghosts. She writes these amazing crime novels rooted in community and place.
4. What has been your experience with indie publishing? How do you manage your writing time?
As an indie author, I am in charge of all the decisions about what I publish: I pick the editors, the artwork, the release dates, the promotions, as well as attend writing conferences and meet up with other authors. I have to be mindful of what gets my time and attention. I'm a parent, so often I am writing around kid obligations like football practice, packing for camp, driving tests, and making birthday cakes.
5. Tell us about your creative process. What advice do you have for aspiring writers to help them harness their creativity?
Because I often have to carve out time to write, it feels more like I “get” to write more than I “have” to write. It’s like being a kid who can close their bedroom door and play. When I make the time to write, I put on a playlist that inspires me (I make one for every book I write) and I will either sketch out ideas onto a legal pad or I type up the scenes I sketched the day before.
My advice for aspiring writers is to give yourself permission. Give yourself permission to make that playlist that reminds you of what your characters would listen to. Give yourself permission to spend hours at the library or bookstore just looking around. Give yourself permission to turn your phone on Do Not Disturb for fifteen minutes to write down that poem that’s been rolling around your head all morning.
Because the South is full of secrets. There’s the truth but then there’s also the facade. Decisions are made behind closed doors. Relationships are Instagrammable regardless of the seedy drama that happens behind the scenes. Families hold huge reunions even when they’re still mad at some uncle for a bad business deal. I like to poke at this myth of the good Southern family.
I have always loved libraries. If a person loves books, then the library is like the best day of shopping without spending any money. And librarians are thrilled to get you the book you need. I like working in libraries because they are quiet, they have WiFi, and when I hit a creative slump, I can wander over to where the books are and find a little inspiration.
Yes, I am. I started offering courses on my website, because of the many roles that professional writers take on, I’ve learned that teaching is one of my favorites. I love being a writing cheerleader and I love teaching, so this is perfect for me. Currently, I have an online program on my website to help writers develop their creative mindset. I also have one-on-one coaching packages available.
Thanks for stopping.
ReplyDelete