Get ready to learn more about the book Skimming around Murder in this discussion with sapphic author Edale Lane.
Join us for an exclusive peek behind the scenes as we quiz Edale Lane about Skimming around Murder, writing, reading, and more.
This book is part of the Romantic Suspense category in the 2024 IHS Reading Challenge.
Why did you write Skimming around Murder?
After the warm welcome I received for “Meeting over Murder,” I was inspired to carry these characters through a series to grow their relationship while solving more crimes. Often a relationship is tested before it even gets off the ground, and that’s what happens here. After experiencing trauma on the job, Jenna is in a mood to give up. Randi, accustomed to coaxing students through difficulties, refuses to let her.
Who is your favorite character in the book?
Lessons in Murder was born from a series of romantic scenes I wrote and emailed to my partner while I was driving an 18-wheeler over the road and away from home a lot. In those initial offerings, Randi represented me while my partner inspired Jenna. Therefore, I’d have to say Randi is extremely similar to me while short, blue-eyed, complex Jenna is my favorite for reminding me of my partner. Jenna is a work in progress, but she grows a little more with each book. I love that about her. She is becoming her best self.
What inspired the idea for Skimming around Murder?
Now that our main characters have met and shared a first kiss, I wanted to give them a challenge. I also wanted to depict the realistic nature of working in a police department where you have more than one crime to solve at a time. There’s a lot going on. The story begins with an “off-camera” tragedy involving the murder of a child which affects Jenna more than she’s willing to admit. I wanted to show that even the strongest woman might need help sometimes and getting counseling or seeing a therapist isn’t a sign of weakness. At the same time, we have Randi, who doesn’t know what’s going on, wondering if Jenna just doesn’t want to date her anymore. Being an eternal optimist, Randi must give it one big Hail Mary before giving up on their relationship.
How did you come up with the title for your book?
The title is a play on words. At the beginning, the team is investigating a ring of criminals using electronic devices to skim money out of people’s bank accounts by collecting their information via ATMs. When the murder of a young man occurs near an ATM, they believe the two cases are connected. At the same time, the entire story is skimming around an event that happened earlier, when Jenna was unable to prevent the murder of a child.
If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose?
I would enjoy spending a day with Samuel Clemmons, AKA Mark Twain. Not only was he a wonderful writer, but hilariously funny. I’d enjoy his quick wit and hearing stories about his remarkable life.
What are three words that describe your personality?
Nerdy. I love all things Star Trek, Star Wars, and Lord of the Rings; I play D&D, wear glasses, and was considered an intellectual as far back as elementary school. Creative. I’ve always loved building worlds, as a kid with my model railroading, toy dinosaurs’ adventures, and childhood writing, plus spending most of my life as a musician. Spiritual. I believe there is so much more surrounding us and out there than our finite minds can hope to comprehend.
What has helped or hindered you most when writing a book?
Hindered is definitely interruptions. If I could, I’d lock myself away for days or weeks at a time when deep in a writing project so I would finish getting all my ideas on paper, flesh them out, and polish them to a glossy shine. But then there are annoyances such as meals, phone calls, appointments, potty breaks, dogs who want meals and potty breaks, and all that life stuff. But all that life stuff has also helped. Real people, their interactions, facial expressions, attitudes, and experiences inspire my writing. Even my little dog became a character in one book. Most things in life aren’t inherently good or bad; it’s all in how we perceive them.
Do you only read books in one genre or do you genre hop?
I might get on a kick for a certain genre for a while then want to switch things up. I enjoy sapphic romance but I really like it when there’s more happening, such as a mystery to solve, an enemy to defeat, or natural disaster to navigate. I love mysteries and historical action or fantasy books – but I really like it when they have a bit of romance going on. I guess you could say what I write is mostly what I enjoy reading too.
Have you ever thought you’d hate a book, but ended up loving it?
When my local book club chose Gideon the Ninth, I looked at the cover, read the blurb, and thought, “Necromancers in space? No.” At least the “lesbian” part grabbed my attention. Of all fantasy character classes, necromancers are my least favorite. And often I can’t get into space sci-fi because I’m always comparing it to Star Trek. But I absolutely LOVE that book! Book 2, Harrow the Ninth, is on my TBR pile this minute. The author is so witty and the mystery pulled me in. Just when you think you have it figured out, there’s another surprise. I highly recommend – even if necromancers aren’t your cup of tea.
