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Behind the Writing of Death at Pelican Isle Estates

Tell us about the background for the theme, what inspired it or why you wanted to write in this setting, or with play with these tropes?

The Pelican Shores Series is set on the fictional coastal island in Texas called Pelican Shores. My inspiration for all of the stories in this series has its origin in the coastal Texas island that I live on. What a fun way to interact with my town, the beach and the people in my little community.

Are any of your characters based on real people you know?

Many of my characters are versions of people in my life or the people on the beach. But, only the good parts. (wink, wink)

Tell us about character traits that were fun or hard for you to include in the book.

Birdie Black is a fantastic character for me to write. She is my beach boon-docker and a free-spirit of sorts. She is sarcastic and silly and impulsive and I LOVE her! I also like writing Dick Campese’s character. He’s the fella that gets under everyone’s skin. The self-appointed-keeper-of-everything. And he carries a whistle. Enough said!

Create a playlist with 5 to 10 songs with the below in mind:

My coastal dive bar/restaurant in Pelican Shores is called Leone’s Rusty Crab or “Rusty Crab” to the locals. The Rusty Crab plays all sorts of music but does seem to love Turnpike Turnpike Troubadours – Long Hot Summer Day; Morgan Wallen – Sand in my Boots; Ella Langley – You Look Like You Love Me, Just about any Red Dirt Country Band, and Dolly Parton and some good ole Andrea Bocelli – Time To Say Goodbye

Were there any alternate endings you considered?

I considered an ending just before I thought of the final twist!!!

Which scene, character or plotline changed the most from first draft to published book?

Finn Dockrey had an evolution from the first outline draft to final outline draft. By the time I got to writing…she was pretty set in stone!

Which of the side characters would you love to explore more, or turn into a main character in another series?

Otto Hermann could be a fun character to continue to develop. He totally has understated Main Character Vibes.

What special knowledge or research was required to write this book?

None really. I’ve lived in Texas for the majority of my life and this book and setting came very naturally.

What’s the strangest thing you had to do to create this story?

I started this book with pen and paper. And, when I write, I write in stream of consciousness. I just allow myself to get lost in the story and go where it takes me. So I wrote a ton, all at once. And my hand cramped. So, I used that as an excuse to go and get a mani/pedi combo.

What do you hope readers will take away from this story?

I hope readers find a beach escape with a “good gals win in the end” happily ever after. Plus, I hope they realize there is plenty more Pelican Shores waiting for them!

Was there something major that happened in your personal life while writing this?

HUGE things. My husband and I decided to shift from our home in North Texas (were we had lived our entire marriage and where we raised our now-adult kids) down to the coast of Texas. On a white sand island. Total pivot. I left the medical field and started writing. And, like I said in my bio, the rising of the Texas sun over this coastal beach that I get to call home is the backdrop inspiration for all of my Pelican Shores books! It is a blessing that I don’t take for granted.

A Recipe to go with the read:

Pelican Punch – A Pelican Shores Cozy Mystery Delight!

Finn Dockrey and Birdie Black do more than just solve crimes.  They enjoy the beach, they rally the neighbors, they surf, they run Sandy Brews and make pottery. And they LOVE sitting down at the Rusty Crab any night of the week to gather up the gossip and sip down a Pelican Punch…or three. 

And, because it’s the beach and it’s Texas, the combination of coconut and strawberry and pineapple and rum all swirled together with a smattering of cream and ice. Well…let’s just say that Pelican Punch is a remarkably refreshing way to cool off on a hot blustery day.  

So, join Finn and Birdie as they piece together the clues in Death at Pelican Isle Estates, sip on your own Pelican Punch and see if you can guess the killer before they point the finger!  

Pelican Punch 

• 1.5 oz Malibu or similar rum
• 1 oz Coconut cream
• 1 oz Strawberry Puree
• Pineapple juice
• Ice

NOTE: to keep it virgin, substitute the rum for equal parts coconut cream and strawberry puree.

• Add the rum to a highball glass. Top with 1 ounce coconut cream and 1 ounce strawberry puree. Give that a swirl. Add ice and fill to the top with pineapple juice.
• Garnish with strawberry slice, pineapple slice and a happy little umbrella.
• Enjoy while reading your favorite Bessie Barr Book

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Synopsis:

Come to Pelican Shores! This humorous cozy mystery is set in a vibrant Texas island community where a midlife fresh-start turns into a high-stakes murder investigation. This clean, cozy mystery is free from cussing and bedroom activities PLUS, it has RECIPES and MAPS!

Finn Dockrey is thrust into her new beach life at Pelican Isle Estates as the Welcome Party honoree. It’s three cheers to new friends, awesome food and… a lifeless body at the bottom of the stairs!

Finn, Birdie and the party guests plummet into a perplexing murder scene.

When the alleged victim appears at the top of the stairs, pandemonium ensues. Whose body is lying in the pool of blood at the bottom of the stairs?

Enter handsome detective, Pace Stringfellow, who makes his expectations very clear. Finn will keep her nose out of the case.

But the story doesn’t add up, and Finn is helpless in steering clear of the investigation.

Too many people have appeared in the gated Pelican Isle Estates, and too many motives surface.

Shady New York mobsters. An “always present” voluptuous (and gold-digging) model looking for her next husband. Long-hidden family secrets and rumors of corruption and blackmail.

Finn knows there’s more to the story.

The killer is out for vengeance.

Will Finn and her crew help crack the case before the next body surfaces?

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