MADAM TULIP AND THE BONES OF CHANCE (Madam Tulip #3) by David Ahern-Review and Interview

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 12, 2018

A surprise role in a movie takes actress Derry O’Donnell to a romantic castle in the Scottish Highlands. But romance soon turns to fear and suspicion. Someone means to kill, and Derry, moonlighting as celebrity fortune-teller Madam Tulip, is snared in a net of greed, conspiracy and betrayal.

A millionaire banker, a film producer with a mysterious past, a gun-loving wife, a PA with her eyes on Hollywood, a handsome and charming estate manager—each has a secret to share and a request for Madam Tulip.

As Derry and her friend Bruce race to prevent a murder, she learns to her dismay that the one future Tulip can’t predict is her own.

Madame Tulip is the third in a series of thrilling and hilarious Tulip adventures in which Derry O’Donnell, celebrity fortune-teller and reluctant amateur detective, plays the most exciting and perilous roles of her acting life, drinks borage tea, and fails to understand her parents.

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REVIEW: MADAM TULIP AND THE BONES OF CHANCE is the third instalment in David Ahern’s contemporary, adult MADAM TULIP slightly paranormal, mystery series focusing on the adventures of Irish American actress and celebrity fortune-teller Derry O’Donnell aka Madam Tulip. MADAM TULIP AND THE BONES OF CHANCE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

SOME BACKGROUND: Derry O’Donnell is the daughter of American-born mother PR representative Vanessa, and her Irish-born father, eccentric artist and gambling addict Jack O’Donnell but Derry is also an amateur detective with psychic powers and visions of the future she employs in her role as the celebrity fortune-teller Madam Tulip.

Told from third person perspective (Derry O’Donnell) MADAM TULIP AND THE BONES OF CHANCE follows actress Derry O’Donnell as she reluctantly accepts the role of a gypsy fortune-teller in a Scottish time-travel movie shooting in the Highlands of Scotland. Along with her best friend, fellow actor and former Navy SEAL Bruce, Derry embarks on a cross-country journey through Scotland where the sights and sounds hide centuries of secrets and sins. As the filming begins, Derry must come to terms with a group of obnoxious film professionals, a number who apparently, have something to hide. Several requests to ‘read’ the future find our heroine the target of a potential killer, a killer whose secrets do not want to be revealed.

MADAM TULIP AND THE BONES OF CHANCE is a slow building, detailed story line that takes the reader through Edinburg and Glasgow, and the rolling hills and crumbling castles of the Highlands of Scotland. Derry’s parents continue their slightly acrimonious relationship pulling our heroine into the middle of an uphill struggle with their own fortune and fame. The large ensemble cast of spirited secondary and supporting characters pushes the envelope of liability and collaboration as it pertains to the who-dunnit aspect of the mystery and suspense. The premise is entertaining and engaging-captivating the reader’s attention with the slow reveal of possibilities; the characters are animated and energetic. MADAM TULIP AND THE BONES OF CHANCE is a story of betrayal and vengeance; power and greed; with the added humor of the O’Donnell’s ongoing triumphs and failures.

I will add there are some Scottish/Irish expressions and words that may be unfamiliar to North American readers.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

TRC: Hi David and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the recent release of MADAM TULIP and THE BONES OF CHANCE.

We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

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David: I’m Irish, although I lived for many years in Scotland and love the place. I live on the West coast. Like most writers, I’ve had a bunch of careers, varying from the wildly successful to the unmitigated disaster.

TRC: Who or what influenced your career in writing?

David: No doubt about it, my mother. She’s a marvellous actress, a fine writer and an inspiration to everyone who meets her.

TRC: What challenges or difficulties have you encountered writing and publishing your novels?

David: It’s the same for most writers, I think. Finding your voice and gaining confidence in that voice takes time.

TRC: Would you please tell us something about the premise of MADAM TULIP and THE BONES OF CHANCE and the MADAM TULIP series?

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David: Derry O’Donnell is an actress who moonlights as a fortune teller. She’s a teeny bit psychic, but when it comes to solving mysteries that’s no help at all. The thing about fortune telling for the wealthy is that where you’ve got money and secrets, you’ve got trouble. In ‘Madam Tulip and the Bones of Chance,’Derry gets to act in a movie being shot in Scotland. And someone is determined to kill.

TRC: What kind of research/plotting did you do, and how long did you spend researching /plotting before beginning MADAM TULIP and THE BONES OF CHANCE?

David: I’m one of those writers whose greatest fear is getting lost in the fun of research. So I impose strict limits. I’d say a max of ten percent of the time is spent on research, and I wish it were less.

TRC: How many books do you have planned for the series? Will they all be set in the UK?

David: I’ll keep on writing them as long as readers want me to. So far I’ve set one in each of Ireland, England and Scotland. I guess Wales should figure next, but in fact the fourth book is set back in Ireland. I do see Madam Tulip spreading her wings to more exotic climes as time goes on (and research budgets get more generous).

TRC: How did publishing your first book affect your writing style going forward?

David: I don’t think publishing affected anything much in the writing.

TRC: Do you believe the cover image plays a deciding factor for many readers in the process of selecting a book or new series to read?

David: Definitely. I’m lucky to have a wonderful cover designer in Natalie of Kisscutdesign. It really makes a difference.

TRC: When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?

David: For me characters come first. They decide.

TRC: The mark of a good writer is to pull the reader into the storyline so that they experience the emotions along with the characters. What do you believe a writer must do to make this happen? Where do you believe writer’s fail in this endeavor?

David: I like to feel I’m telling a story as I would if we had a power cut and were sitting around the fire entertaining ourselves with tall tales. As for writers failing, I don’t like playing the guru where writing is concerned – everyone has to find their own way. But sometimes the best advice is ‘just tell the story.’

TRC: Do you listen to music while writing? If so, does the style of music influence the storyline direction? Characters?

David: I’d have a breakdown. Some kind of fuse in my brain would go pop if I tried to listen and write at the same time.

TRC: What do you believe is the biggest misconception people have about authors?

David: That it’s somehow better than being paid lots of money.

TRC: What is something that few, if anybody, knows about you?

David: That I’m a wonderfully talented musician. Unfortunately, the reason they don’t know is because they’ve heard me play.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

David: Madam Tulip book #4!

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

David: Just a thank you.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food
Anything Thai

Favorite Dessert
Don’t care as long as it’s got cream on.

Favorite TV Show
Black Books

Last Movie You Saw
The Producers (on TV)

Dark or Milk Chocolate
Any.

Secret Celebrity Crush
Jennifer L. because she’s got a sense of humour.

Last Vacation Destination
Vacation?

Do you have any pets?
Cats X 2.

Last book you read
Suetonius – The Twelve Caesars (talk about tabloid!)

TRC: Thank you David for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on your the release of MADAM TULIP and THE BONES OF CHANCE. We wish you much success.

David: Thanks for having me. 🙂