q&A
Q&A about The Petit-Four Score
This little Q&A has my hubby asking me reader questions. With a few of his own thrown in along the way.
Hope you enjoy!
Q: To set the scene a bit, we’re sitting outside just days before the new Lora Weaver book comes out, The Petit-Four Score. It’s kind of that sweet interlude between when a book has been crafted and done and the time it goes out into the world. How’re you feeling?
A: Good. Lots of things. Happy it’s finally coming out. Hopeful that readers like it. A bit sad to let it go because I’ve been living with this story for quite a while and I had a good time writing it, so it’s hard sometimes coming to the end of a book. But then one of the best things about writing a series is that there’s always another book and that’s fun to think about, too.
Q: Can you tell me about the story? Without spoilers natch.
A: Sure. In The Petit-Four Score, C&C, the PI agency where Lora works, has been hired to look into the soon-to-be ex husband of their client, Simone Duplasse. The story starts when Lora and her co-boss and bff, Camille, are staking out a bakery the ex is suspected of having ties to that the wife didn’t know about while they were married. From there, like most of Lora’s capers, things take off, the case evolves, and trouble ensues.
Q: Right. Lots of twists and turns in this one. And lots of interplay between the case and Lora’s personal life.
A: Exactly.
Q: Okay, so before we go any further, let’s get to the tough stuff. Does the pastry shop at the centre of the new mystery serve mille-feuilles?
A: Probably not mille-feuilles. It’s more of a doughnuts and éclairs kind of place.
Q: You don’t think that will alienate your readers?
A: Not the ones who like doughnuts and éclairs.
Q: ….
A: ….
Q: Um. I’m not sure I can continue this interview.
A: Good. I have writing to do.
Q: Okay, Okay. Let’s put pastries aside for a sec. Talk to me about the writing. Did you have to do a lot of research for this book?
A: Some for the mystery plot. But like the other books in the series, Lora’s arc is what pulls me in the most. She’s not the kind of character who never changes. In each of the stories she grows and there’s a lot of internal stuff going on for her. The other characters, too. But Lora’s journey definitely shapes the series.
Q: Right. In this story there’s a lot that touches on Lora’s past. And stuff with her mom.
A: There is. In some ways, she’s confronting her past and her relationship with her mother who died a few years back. I don’t want to say too much about it to avoid spoilers. But there’s definitely some family stuff happening.
Q: Speaking of families, there’s more of Camille and Laurent’s family, the Carons in this book.
A: Definitely. Besides the PI agency owners, Camille and her brother Laurent Caron, we see more of their cousin Arielle. And there’s also tante Claudette and her little dog, Mignon, who was also in The Pas de Deux book.
Q: Yes. And they’re a hoot. I especially like how Arielle features here. So fun that she’s a movie nut and keeps referencing film plots without giving titles.
A: Yes, it’s a bit of a game within the story, to figure out which films she’s talking about.
Q: This case is set in the Westmount neighbourhood in Montréal. Any particular reason?
A: Mainly, it’s because the bakery that inspired Petit-Four in the book was in Westmount when I first got the idea for the mystery. Plus, it’s a beautiful area with lovely homes on the hilly side. The lower part is called The Flats, and that’s where a lot of the boutiques and stores are and where the fictional Petit-Four is set.
Q: Now, I have read the book—I typically get the first read. I love it, and told you that it mixes the bigger canvas of your long books with the snappy pace of your shorter ones. But what do you love about this one?
A: Lora’s journey is always the key for me. Crafting her arc, watching her grow and discover new things about herself. That and I love the humour and banter bits. It’s so fun to get to live in the Lora Weaver world for a few hours every day and see how she follows her heart.
Q: Ah, the Adam vs Laurent intrigue. That touches on one of the most frequent questions that comes in from readers. Will Lora end up with Adam or Laurent?
A: Well, her heart isn’t just about the men in her life. But sure, they’re a big part of it. And you have to keep reading for the answer on that one.
Q: Okay, mademoiselle Katy. Good luck with this one. Love the title by the way.
A: Thanks. I really do adore this book and hope readers will, too!