Give me magic, gadgets, monsters, zombies, everything that seems impossible, and throw in some tough chicks with swords. That's the stuff.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Guest Post: Having a Drink with Malone

Today Carrie Patel, author of THE BURIED LIFE, is here.

The blurb: "The gaslight and shadows of the underground city of Recoletta hide secrets and lies. When Inspector Liesl Malone investigates the murder of a renowned historian, she finds herself stonewalled by the all-powerful Directorate of Preservation – Ricoletta’s top-secret historical research facility.

When a second high-profile murder threatens the very fabric of city society, Malone and her rookie partner Rafe Sundar must tread carefully, lest they fall victim to not only the criminals they seek, but the government which purports to protect them. Knowledge is power, and power must be preserved at all costs…"

You know me and many of my favorite characters, and now we can add Inspector Malone to my list. Tough, kickass, not exactly a people person, but oh so very, very intriguing, tagging along in this thrilling world Patel has created and trying to unravel its secrets was a treat.  I asked Patel to fill us in on the type of drink Malone would choose to unwind. Take it away!

I’ve got a bit of a cheat sheet for this one at the end of chapter three. Inspector Malone breaks the ice with her new partner over a couple pints of pale ale. I couldn’t exactly call it an India pale ale (worldbuilding!), but that’s what I taste every time I read the scene.

A hoppy IPA is a good fit for Malone because, perhaps, it shares so much in common with her; it’s crisp and it gets the job done quickly. Malone’s not the kind of person who particularly enjoys getting sloshed, but alcohol is the great social lubricant, and people skills are not her strong suit. That her new partner is a people person sends her reaching for that second pint.

But if Malone went home for a drink instead of to the neighborhood dive, she’d pour herself a single malt whiskey, neat. Something that can be enjoyed slowly while digesting the events of a day and the details of a case.

Thank you for stopping by, Carrie! I happen to relax with a good IPA fairly often. Excellent choice!

THE BURIED LIFE is out July 29!  Pre-order: Amazon Indiebound

Carrie Patel: