Jacqueline Seewald: The Drowning Pool
Book Club Discussion
October 13, 2009. Jacqueline Seewald, author of The Drowning Pool,
chats about her novel with Queenie D.
Book Club Discussion: Interview with Jacqueline Seewald
How
did you get started writing mysteries? Why did you decide to give the series a romantic twist?
I've
always loved reading mystery fiction so it was pretty natural for me to want to create my own. As to the romantic twist, I also love romance
fiction. I think the two genres can combine well together. It's not easy bringing off a mystery novel that combines well with romance but it can
be done. I wanted to write unique fiction even if it's a bit controversial.
Book Club Discussion: Interview with Jacqueline Seewald
Book Club Discussion: Interview with Jacqueline Seewald
I
felt like Bert's character wasn't developed enough. It took me half the book to figure out that she was a large, black woman. Do you mean for
her to remain somewhat mysterious to the reader? Will her character grow as the series continues. Is Bert a lesbian?
Actually,
Bert is described early on as having mocha skin. She's critical of the burbs because she comes from the mean streets of New York. She's a complex
character and meant to be so. I don’t think she's exactly mysterious, but yes, if Five Star allows me to continue this series, or even if I bring
it to another publisher, Bert will be very much a part of the story. I don't believe that each new novel in a mystery series should be just a
rehash, same old, same old. I regard each novel as being a dynamic entity. Each character must grow and change just as people do in real life.
Is Bert a lesbian? Maybe. Maybe not. As I said, she will develop as a complex individual. One of the male readers of the novel asked the same
question. I remain noncommittal.
Book Club Discussion: Interview with Jacqueline Seewald
Book Club Discussion: Interview with Jacqueline Seewald
There
are many beautiful women in this novel. I got the impression early on that Kim was one of them. But at the beginning of the "pool group party,"
where Mike brings all the suspects together he says, "her demure appearance might not excite many other men's lust in contrast to April Nevins
but he knew better than anyone how really beautiful and hot she was." So what does Kim look like?
Kim
is not outwardly beautiful. Her appearance is relatively plain because she doesn't want to be noticed. But beauty is in the eyes of the beholder
and Mike sees Kim as beautiful. Mike is someone with a depth of understanding. You'd have to read The Inferno Collection to understand Kim as a
complete character. Outward appearance: Her eyes are brown, her hair is brown with auburn hi-lights and she's a slim woman of average height.
Book Club Discussion: Interview with Jacqueline Seewald
Book Club Discussion: Interview with Jacqueline Seewald
I
found it hard to believe that a detective would allow his fourteen-year old daughter to go out with a much older boy as a first date. Further,
he let Gary drive his ten-year old to a friend's house. Is Mike a responsible father?
You
ask some tough questions! Remember, Mike checks out Gary himself first. He also trusts his daughter's judgment. She's mature for her age since
she's pretty much grown up without a mother and taken on a lot of responsibility. Mike tends to be easy-going by nature, unusual in a police officer,
I agree. But that is his character.
Book Club Discussion: Interview with Jacqueline Seewald
The
underlying theme of this novel is jealousy. It seemed to me that every character was envious of at least one, if not more, other person's life.
Who do you think struggled most with this emotion? Mr. Scofield? Cheryl?
Women
handle jealousy differently than men. Men tend to be more aggressive and violent. Women are more verbally hostile. Jealousy poisons. Yet envy is
part of human nature. Scofield is an example of a man with basic insecurities that lead him to be volatile and unpredictable. He and his wife had
an unhealthy symbiotic relationship. Scofield's jealousy makes him explosive.
Book Club Discussion: Interview with Jacqueline Seewald
Book Club Discussion: Interview with Jacqueline Seewald
Will
you explain a little bit about the dynamic between the "city people" and the natives to Mike's town? Seems there was quite a bit of controversy.
Many
people in New Jersey who live in rural areas have families that go back to the American Revolution and colonial times. Their roots are in the
towns. There has been some resentment as farmland was turned into large housing developments for people who work in cities like New York. Many
city people still feel connected to large cities but can't afford to live well there. The two lifestyles differ and sometimes clash. I actually
think that's true of many parts of the country.
Book Club Discussion: Interview with Jacqueline Seewald
Book Club Discussion: Interview with Jacqueline Seewald
Can
you tell us anything about your current writing projects?
Thank
you for asking. I finished writing the third novel for the series this summer and am waiting to hear from Five Star/Gale regarding The Truth Sleuth.
In the meantime, I've sold a young adult novel entitled Stacy's Song to L&L Dreamspell, a small Texas outfit consisting of two women
who are working very hard to turn a micro entity into an outstanding publisher. Their novels and anthologies are quality fiction. I'm pleased to
have several of my mystery, science fiction and horror stories featured in their anthologies.
In December, my second children's short story for The L.A. Times will appear in The Kids Reading Room section of the Sunday newspaper. The first
one which was published September 6th is called "The Crayon Kid." The story featured in December is entitled "Ella's Eyes." I love writing for
children and teens as much as I do for adults. It's definitely challenging.
Last but not least, my next novel published by Five Star/Gale will be out in August 2010. It's already been through several edits. It's a sensual
historical romance set in the Regency era entitled Tea Leaves and Tarot Cards. Some outstanding writers in the genre have read and given
me feedback for the novel. They've been very encouraging and enthusiastic. I think the novel is something special and hope your readers will
agree.
I want to end by saying thank you for reading The Drowning Pool and for interviewing me regarding this novel.
Book Club Discussion: Interview with Jacqueline Seewald
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