This week the Triangle Sisters in Crime released its third anthology, titled Rock, Roll, and Ruin.

My story in the anthology is titled “Rock ‘N’ Roll Never Forgets”. Although the Bob Seger song referenced by the title provided some initial inspiration for the story, the finished project has very little direct connection. It does draw heavily on my own experiences of playing guitar and singing with various groups over the years.

The basic idea for the story came first – a girl band on the brink of failure comes across a forgotten and enigmatic piece of music that appears to have incredible potential. When the group works on creating their own arrangement, though, they hit snag after snag. In frustration, they decide to investigate the background of the song, only to learn that the writer is in prison, having been convicted of the murder of a fellow band member. Believing that the music itself contains clues to what really happened, they decide to dig deeper into the story behind the song.

But there’s more than one version of that story and figuring out which is true may hinge on how to read the song itself.

As is my norm, I launched into the story with only the basic idea outlined in the one-sentence description a couple of paragraphs above. The rest started to gel as I continued to write and the scenes began to flow. But one of the disadvantages of being a pantser (an author who writes by the seat of their pants rather than from an outline) is that the story will twist and turn in the creation process, necessitating many revisions of what was written earlier. This one took more turns than I expected.

In fact, my process of writing the story somewhat echoed the band’s journey to understanding the song itself. I came to my own realization of what really happened as the words flowed. Earlier drafts with different solutions just didn’t work or didn’t feel right, so I tweaked and reconsidered and finally got to the solution that satisfied me.

Once I had what I thought was an acceptable draft, I let a few family members read it. They made suggestions I incorporated. Finally editor extraordinaire Karen Pullen had some great ideas to sharpen the focus and clarify the outcome. The result is a story I’m proud of.

I’m eager to read the rest of the stories in the anthology as soon as I get my copies!

Blurb:

In Rock, Roll, and Ruin, twenty-seven mystery writers serve up musically-themed crime stories around situations as unique as your inky fingerprints. There’s the bad-boy rock star, dumber than dirt, evading all attempts to keep him out of jail. Casino robbers undone by tribal flutes. A 1950’s jukebox that summons the dead and disappears the living. Jealousy drives girl band shenanigans, while a victim of botched plastic surgery seeks vengeance. Untimely deaths abound: at the prom, on a soap opera set, on a mountain-side hike. Several domestic “disagreements” are far from cliche: one wife is impatient and greedy; another wants her Stevie Nicks albums back; a third is desperate to get her husband to turn down the volume. Elvis fans will be tickled by the many mentions of the King himself, including an over-the-top fan club and a side-kick named after his dog. Whether trudging through snow in an Alaska forest, humming country music at a boatyard in Florida, playing sleuth at an assisted living facility, or stumbling backstage at the opera, irate, despairing, and deceived characters step into crime with barely a second thought.

Rock, Roll, and Ruin is a music-themed anthology of the Triangle, North Carolina chapter of Sisters in Crime. Some stories are cackling-out-loud funny, others are wickedly dark, but all are entertaining, original, un-putdownable. As Hank Phillippi Ryan writes in the Introduction, “Dip in to this concert of mystery, open to any story, and you’ll sing a chorus of approval.”

Praise for Rock, Roll, and Ruin:

“Double-crosses, divas, detectives, and divorces—all set against the soundtrack of our lives. Rock, Roll, and Ruin takes us on a rollicking musical trip down memory lane with Buddy Holly, Chuck Barry, Elvis, and a host of musical delights. Oh, and a murder or ten.” —Susan Van Kirk, President of the Guppy Chapter of Sisters in Crime and author of the Endurance Mysteries

“The clever theme of this delightful anthology leads to a plethora of fine short stories featuring music from rock and roll through gospel, country, ole time rock and roll, and opera. Sleuths range from teachers to physicians to waitresses to musicians. Authors are new and veteran. Rock, Roll, and Ruinindeed offers something for any mystery lover.” —Molly Weston, Mystery Writers of American Raven Award for Meritorious Mysteries

“From self-important bands through a high school sock hop to rabid fans, these 27 stories follow music-obsessed individuals as their lives descend into crime and mayhem. A fascinating look at danger in our music culture.” —KM Rockwood, author of the Jesse Damon crime novel series

“A rollicking good collection of crime stories powered by lyrics, strains, beats, and bop (on the head) malice.” —Molly MacRae, author of The Highland Bookshop Mysteries and The Haunted Yarn Shop Mysteries

“When the combination of mystery and music runs amok, the result is Rock, Roll, and Ruin—a book you can’t put down!” —Debra Goldstein, author of the Sarah Blair mysteries

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Rock-Roll-Ruin-Triangle-Anthology-ebook/dp/B0BB3DV6N5/