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Bestselling Author Rochelle Krich Rob Holden: Rochelle Krich, welcome to ReadersRoom.com. It is a pleasure to have you with us here today! Rochelle Krich: It's a pleasure to be here. Happy holidays! Rob Holden: I would like to start this off with your latest novel, Grave Endings. Can you tell our readers a bit about it? Rochelle Krich: Grave Endings is the third in my Molly Blume mystery series, and the most personal journey for Molly, to date. It begins with a detective showing Molly the locket she gave her best friend, Aggie, almost seven years ago, several months before Aggie was murdered. Aggie wore the locket every day, but it was missing when the police found her body. Now that they have the locket, they think they have Aggie's killer. Molly, of course, isn't sure. Grave Endings is Molly's search for Aggie's killer -- and for closure: On the night Aggie was murdered, she had asked Molly to accompany her to a prayer vigil for a young woman stricken with cancer. Molly said no, and her refusal, and the accompanying "What if…" have been haunting her ever since. Inside the locket, by the way, is a red thread--similar to the one that Madonna et al have made so popular lately, the thread that, according to some, has mystical protective powers. The mystery explores the red thread, and what I see as the commercialization of spirituality. Rob Holden: The novel itself is unique for a few reasons, not the least of which is the character of Molly Blume herself. I'd like to know where she "came" from. Rochelle Krich: She more or less popped into my head. I had been writing the Jessie Drake series--Jessie is a female LAPD homicide detective--and wanted to try something new. And along came Molly (not Polly!)... with her entire family -- two parents, six siblings, the ex who cheated on her, and a grandmother, Bubbie G, who is a Holocaust survivor and the source of Yiddish proverbs and humor in the books. Molly is a true crime writer, and she collects data from the LAPD for her weekly Crime Sheet column. Because she's an amateur sleuth, I wanted to give her a profession that would make her likely to come in contact with police and crimes. In the first book in the series, Blues in the Night, Molly is also reconnected with the high school hunk who dumped her a decade ago, and is now a rabbi. Molly tells her mother, "I don't date rabbis." But this rabbi is persistent.

Rob Holden: Bubbie G. is one of the most unique characters I have come across in a long time in "crime fiction." Is this character based on someone in your past?

Rochelle Krich: In a sense. Bubbie G is the grandmother I was never privileged to know. As a daughter of Holocaust survivors, I never knew any of my grandparents. Bubbie G is also, in part, my late mother, of blessed memory. When I write her character, I close my eyes and listen to the Polish-Yiddish inflection of my mother and her friends, all Holocaust survivors, who spoke in Polish when they didn't want me to understand what they were saying! Bubbie G suffers from macular degeneration, a devastating condition that has robbed her of her central vision. My late father had macular degeneration, and was profoundly depressed by his condition. But in fiction, you have the chance to soften situations. Though Bubbie G is depressed by her failing eyesight, she is resolute in refusing to give in to its limitations.

Rob Holden: Grave Endings, like the previous novels in the Molly Blume series, has a definite "ethnic" slant (you even provide a glossary with Hebrew and Yiddish words at the end) and yet the novel itself is, essentially, simply an excellent mystery. Do you find it difficult to appeal to your broad range of readers while still managing to convey a great deal of Jewish-American culture?

Rochelle Krich: It's a challenge. I don't want to overwhelm the story with its ethnic components. At the same time, I'm trying to give readers a window into what is, to many, an exotic world. I'm gratified to hear from many non-Jewish readers that they welcome the opportunity to visit that world and learn about Jewish traditions. And readers have commented that they appreciate the glossary.

Rob Holden: Well, you certainly found a wonderful balance in this novel!

Rochelle Krich: Thanks!

Rob Holden: I would like to move back a novel to your previous Blume novel, Dream House -- just out in paperback. Can you tell our readers a bit about that?

Rochelle Krich: People become intensely emotional about their homes and possessive of their property. Dream House explores those emotions and becomes a metaphor for desire -- how far people are willing to go to hold on to their dreams, how those dreams can turn into nightmares, how passion can become obsession. The background of the novel is a conflict between historical preservationists and property homeowners who would like the freedom to renovate their homes. Molly detects a pattern in home vandalisms that she believes are connected to this conflict, which has erupted anew in Hancock Park, an affluent L.A. neighborhood that may become a historically protected zone. Then someone dies in one of the vandalisms -- and Molly suspects foul play. The mystery also deals with a missing woman and the husband who swears to Molly that he's desperate to find her, that he fears she's dead but is holding out hope that she's alive. I've always admired "My Last Duchess," Robert Browning's dramatic monologue about a duke who had his wife murdered, and I'm moved every time I read E. A. Robinson's "Reuben Bright," a heart-rending depiction of the grief of a simple butcher who learns that his wife has died. In Dream House, Molly has to decide whether the husband's grief is feigned or genuine -- whether he is Browning's duke or Robinson's butcher. By the way, I finished writing Dream House two weeks before Laci Peterson disappeared. Months later, with my copyedited manuscript in my hands, I had to decide whether or not to include references to Laci and Scott. After talking with my editor, I inserted several references. Molly writes true crime books and a weekly crime column. She lives hours from Modesto, where Laci lived. And most importantly, Dream House very clearly takes place in 2003, after Laci and Connor's bodies were found. Unless Molly lived in a bubble, how could she not have known about Laci?

Rob Holden: The series is set in L.A., and you seem to have something of a love affair going on with that city -- much like Michael Connelly in his Harry Bosch series. Is that part of you, or just part of Molly?

Rochelle Krich: Part of both of us. The wonderful thing for me is that I'm getting to know more about L.A. through Molly. In Blues in the Night, Molly and I visited Mt. Olympus, a beautiful neighborhood where the streets are named for Greek gods-and are just as mercurial. In Dream House I discovered the house that was owned by Adriana Caselotti, the voice of Snow White. It has a wishing well in the front yard with Snow White's picture, and a Japanese bridge. I have a photo of the house on my web site (a fan sent me the photo). I also visited and learned about the infamous Norwood Young house that has eighteen anatomically correct replicas of the statue of David -- much to the consternation of neighbors! In Grave Endings, Molly and I tour Culver City, Hollywood...and Frederick's of Hollywood. To see the lingerie museum in the back, of course!

Rob Holden: Now Grave Endings is the third in your Molly Blume series but it is, I believe, your 13th published novel. You do have another series -- the Jessie Drake series -- that I believe has five novels to it. Will there be more of those?

Rochelle Krich: Fans ask about Jessie--I tell them she's vacationing in Hawaii! I'm actually contemplating introducing Jessie in a Molly Blume mystery. I think it's a natural meeting--Jessie is an LAPD detective; Molly collects data from the LAPD. It's surprising that they haven't met yet!

Rob Holden: That would indeed be interesting! You have also written a number of stand-alone mysteries. Are there going to be any more of them?

Rochelle Krich: Probably. I love writing series -- they provide a wonderful, reassuring familiarity with the protagonist, and the luxury of developing that character over a period of time and books. Stand-alones, on the other hand, offer the opportunity to create new worlds peopled with new characters. Some stories are better told from the point of view of a stand-alone. For example, my legal thriller, Speak No Evil, a mystery that deals with criminal defense attorneys who are being killed, could have been told from Jessie's point of view. But I felt that the story would be stronger and the danger more immediate if I told it from the point of view of a criminal defense attorney who is a potential victim, and a suspect in the murders. In Fertile Ground, a medical thriller, I felt that the story of an infertility specialist confronted with the disappearance of her fiancé, the founder of a fertility clinic, and the murder of an egg donor would be better served if told from the point of view of the infertility specialist.

Rob Holden: A number of series authors that we've chatted with in the past--who also write stand-alones--have told us that they actually find writing a series to be harder, because of the need for such continuity. Do you find this to be the case?

Rochelle Krich: Absolutely. First of all, you're dealing with two readers: continuing readers, who are familiar with all the characters and back story, and new-to-the-series readers, who may be puzzled if you don't provide adequate information. But what is adequate to the new to the series reader may be overkill for the continuing reader. Also, you have to decide, in each book in the series, how much attention to pay to the secondary characters--the family members, the romantic other, the boss, friends. It takes more juggling. Sometimes I wonder why I gave Molly six siblings.... And it's a challenge to describe the physical attributes of your protagonist, and the recurring characters, without being redundant.

Rob Holden: Rochelle, we have had a few questions from our readers since we announced this chat. Would you answer a couple of them for us now?

Rochelle Krich: I'd love to!

Rob Holden: Tammy M., Hartford -- I adore the character Nathan Pomerantz. Is he really based on your father and if so, how difficult was building a character around a person you love and respect?

Rochelle Krich: Hi, Tammy. Yes, the character was based on my late father, of blessed memory, and I adore him, too! In fact, I asked my dad before I began whether he minded my basing a character on him, since the character dies in the opening scene. My dad said, "No problem. I'm just trying to figure out how to connect you with Steven Spielberg." But to answer your question: It was difficult to maintain the necessary objectivity when I was writing Blood Money. Most of what Nathan Pomerantz relates to the reader actually happened to my father. Writing some scenes was painful. Still, I felt honored to share with readers a small part of my father's story.

Rob Holden: Joan W., Phoenix -- If only ONE book of yours could win only ONE award, what book would it be and what award would it be?

Rochelle Krich: A tough question, Joan. Let me think... probably Angel of Death. I'd want it to win THE TRUTH AWARD. It deals with neo-Nazis and Holocaust deniers who plan to march in L.A. neighborhoods populated by Holocaust survivors. I wrote the book to tell an entertaining mystery, but also to let readers know that the Holocaust DID happen.

Rob Holden: Dale L., Dallas -- When Where's Mommy Now? was being filmed were you part of the process? When another novel of yours is made into a film, from experience, what would you change?

Rochelle Krich: Hi, Dale. Technically, I was the consultant, but I wasn't consulted much! One funny episode: In the book, the murder is made to look like an accident -- only the victim's friend, my protagonist, suspects murder. The screenwriter changed the murder method. That didn't bother me. But... he has the assailant put his hands around the victim's neck before he throws her down a flight of stairs. I said, "Excuse me, the audience will see a problem. So will the coroner: marks around the victim's neck will indicate foul play." The screenwriter said the audience wouldn't be bothered. I made noise, and the producer convinced the screenwriter to change the scene. That aside, I have to say that for the most part, the film stayed true to the story (although almost all the names were changed). And I was impressed, during the filming, with the attention to scene continuity. One scene takes place in a bar. The continuity person measured the liquid in each glass before each filming began with each take to make sure that the drinks looked the same. And yet...when I was watching the uncut version of the film, in one scene Teri Garr is wearing sunglasses. In the next, with no explanation, she's not! All in all, it was fascinating to watch characters I'd created--walking, talking, killing.... As to another novel being filmed--I don't know that I'd have much say in the process, but I'd love to find out! People constantly ask me which actress I'd like to play Molly Blume. I tell them, Sandra Bullock. Are you reading this, Sandra?

Rob Holden: Viv G., Baltimore -- Your tour schedule ( listed on your web site) looks very full. When you are at a signing what do you focus on? Sharing your book or the energy of your fans?

Rochelle Krich: Hi, Viv. What I love about touring is connecting with readers, listening to them talk about my characters and stories. In my talk I generally focus on the new book. I discuss the themes, and sometimes I read a small section. But what I truly love is the question and answer segment. And I absolutely thrive on the energy of fans.

Rob Holden: And our final reader question: Sarah J. Washington, D.C. -- What habit do you still have from being a teacher, that you use while writing a book?

Rochelle Krich: Sara, what an interesting question! I'd have to say that the red-lining teacher is ever present. Some writers complete a rough draft and then write several more drafts. I edit constantly, so that when I'm done, my draft needs only a polish. And here's the reverse of your question, which you may find interesting: What did I have to unlearn after teaching English? When I taught grammar, I followed the text which told us (teachers) to encourage students to use variations of "He said" and "she said." Explained, articulated, suggested, intoned, exhorted, etc. When I began writing, I noticed that authors use "said" almost exclusively. For good reason: "Said" disappears off the page. Other words draw attention to themselves, and take the reader out of the story. In two weeks I'm going to a reunion at the high school where I taught for 18 years. I guess I'll give my apology then!

Rob Holden:Thank you for answering those, and to jump back one question, let me remind our readers that your website is www.rochellekrich.com

Rochelle Krich: And I love to hear from my readers. My husband says I'm addicted to e-mail--he's probably right. By the way, the Molly Blume series are all available in audio from Brilliance Audio. So if you like to listen to mysteries, I hope you'll give them a try.

Rob Holden: One thing our readers who are also writers like to know about is our guest's writing habits. Do you have a set word count/page count? A set schedule when writing?

Rochelle Krich: I have to admit that I check my word count almost constantly when I begin a new book--it gives me a concrete feeling of progress. I don't have a daily word goal, but I aim for ten pages a day, and often settle for less. Beginnings are slow--until I know the story and the characters. That's when things start to percolate, and the ideas begin bouncing around in my head.

Rob Holden: And speaking of beginnings -- what is next for Rochelle Krich?

Rochelle Krich: The next Molly Blume mystery, Now You See Me (the title hasn't been set in stone, but my editor loves it), will be out in November 2005. The book begins with a teenager who runs away from home with a man she meets in an Internet chat room. Molly is asked by the family to find her and bring her back. The book deals with the question: Do we really see the people in front of us? And what are the repercussions of NOT seeing? FYI - just yesterday I made edits to the jacket copy of the book. When I wrote the proposal, the names were different, some of the plot elements were different…. By the way - there's a scene in Grave Endings that takes place in a hotel room. That was based on something I experienced...a locked room mystery, so to speak. If readers want to know what happened, they can e-mail me.

Rob Holden: Oh, I am sure they will! Before we wrap this up, I would like to thank Gilly Hailparn at Ballantine Books for her help in making this chat possible.

Rochelle Krich: Gilly is wonderful. I'm blessed to have her, and Heather Smith, and my fabulous editor, Joe Blades. They are an amazing team. And of course, my agent, Sandra Dijkstra.

Rob Holden: Finally, is there anything you would like to say to your fans who might read this chat at ReadersRoom.com?

Rochelle Krich: Someone once said that a book isn't finished until someone else has read it. I believe that, and I hope that visitors at ReadersRoom.com will help me "finish" my books. Thanks again for inviting me to chat.

Rob Holden: Rochelle Krich, thank you for joining us here to day, and best of luck with Grave Endings and all your future projects!

Rochelle Krich: Thank you! And happy holidays to you and all the visitors to ReadersRoom.com!




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