Welcome to my stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for swimming with the fishes An Ozarks Lake Mystery by Marc Jedel. Stop by each blog on the tour for interviews, guest posts, spotlights, reviews and more!
swimming with the fishes An Ozarks Lake Mystery
by Marc Jedel
I received this book free; however, all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive compensation at no cost to you.
swimming with the fishes An Ozarks Lake Mystery
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Arkansas
Publisher: BGM Press
Number of Pages: 220
A murdered accountant. Missing money. Mysterious visitors. Can these newlyweds untangle the knots before someone else joins the bottom feeders.
An explosion on the lake nearly kills Elizabeth Trout’s dog and her friend gets arrested for murder. Mix in the stress of her high school reunion, plus living with her mother, and she is ready to burst.
Armed with artistic license and a slice of pie, Elizabeth sets out to right this wrong before things spin even further out of control. Small town Jenkins may never be the same again. Good thing her husband, Jonas, is along for the ride as these amateur sleuths solve the case with their unique approach of love, logic, and laughter.
Try Swimming with the Fishes An Ozarks Lake Mystery to take a bite of happy and hook this twisty catch today.
My review of Swimming with the Fishes
Swimming with the Fishes is another hilarious, well-plotted cozy mystery from Marc Jedel. Elizabeth and Jonas are still living with her mom, Dr. Mary (see interview below), as their new house is being built. School is just about over, and Jonas is looking forward to summer break. On the last day of school, he goes early morning fishing with the principal and mayor, and when they’re just about to dock, a boat blows up! One of Elizabeth’s former classmates is killed in the explosion, and one of Elizabeth’s friends is accused of the murder. Having been in that situation before, Elizabeth has to help solve the murder and clear her friend’s name.
Jedel really has a talent for writing diverse characters. In Swimming with the Fishes, there are lots of characters that Elizabeth graduated with since it’s time for her tenth high school reunion. And, believe me, there are some really colorful characters among her former classmates. Then there are a couple of strangers in town scouting for a place to shoot a movie…I just love it that Jedel can put so many characters in a book and make all of them memorable. I’d definitely recommend reading Fish out of Water first though because you want to know the main characters before you add the new ones to the mix.
Another thing that I love about Jedel’s writing is his ear for dialogue. I especially love the interactions between Jonas and his new friend the deputy (much to Elizabeth’s dismay). Of course, solving the mystery along with Elizabeth and company, is entertaining because you’re never quite sure whodunit until close to the end.
Like every book I’ve read by Jedel, I highly recommend Swimming with the Fishes. I love these characters and can’t wait for the next.
Guest post
Guest Interview of Dr. Mary Banks, mother of protagonist in Swimming with the Fishes: An Ozarks Lake Mystery by Marc Jedel
Marc: I’m joined today by Mary Banks, Elizabeth’s mother, from Jenkins, Arkansas. Doc, how ya doing today?
Mary: Don’t call me “doc.” I’m Dr. Banks or Commissioner Banks if you want to talk to me about county business.
Marc: I apologize. I didn’t mean any disrespect.
Dr. Banks: Your apology is accepted. Just make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Marc: Of course. How do you find the time to balance your work as a doctor plus the county commission plus the school board, not to mention acting as the town medical examiner as needed—all on top of an active social life?
Dr. Banks: Now you’re prying into my social life? I can see your apology wasn’t worth the paper it was written on.
Marc: I’m sorry again. Let’s move on. How’s it been having your daughter and son-in-law living with you these past few months?
Dr. Banks: Well, let’s just say no one’s killed anyone yet and they’ll be moving into their own place soon enough.
Marc: Speaking of people getting killed, were you surprised that Elizabeth and Jonas helped solve the latest murder in Jenkins?
Dr. Banks: You know you make it sound like we’ve got a big-city crime wave going on here. The occasional fool killing someone doesn’t make us the murder capital of America or nothing.
Marc: Of course not. Perhaps we’ll try a lighter topic. I hear you’re a big-time card player—
Dr. Banks: Who’s been gossiping about me? That’s not right for people to go behind your back making up things.
Marc: No one specific. Let’s just say it came to me. But I understand you have some unusual rules in your card games.
Dr. Banks: Unusual?
Marc: Yes. Perhaps you can explain your special rule about “test-taking” a card? Or the “May I?” rules around discards?
Dr. Banks: You know, young man, I do believe you’re making fun of me. And, I use the term “young man” very broadly in your case, you understand.
Marc: Yes, Ma’am.
Dr. Banks: I heard tell that you wrote a story about all these events and called it SWIMMING WITH THE FISHES. That’s a ridiculous title. I better sit down and fact-check it closely to make sure you didn’t muddle up what happened.
Marc: Sure. I’d be happy for you to read it. You know, it’s a fun clean read with lots of twists and surprises.
Dr. Banks: I’ll be the judge of whether you’re funny or not. And there best not be any surprises if you told the story right. After all, I know what happened.
Marc: Don’t you think it’s pretty cool to have these stories about Jenkins in the Ozarks Lake Mystery series?
Dr. Banks: I’ll have you know that summers in Arkansas aren’t cool.
Marc: Well, I am writing more books in my Silicon Valley Mystery series (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PHNT7XM). They’re really funny too.
Dr. Banks: I haven’t read those so I’ll reserve judgment. But it wouldn’t surprise me if I chuckled a time or two as them Californians are strange folk, and none stranger than that main character, Marty, I heard about.
Marc: If you prefer listening, the first three of those books are also out on audio book, available everywhere audiobooks are sold. And they’re all free for Kindle Unlimited members.
Dr. Banks: Well, now you’re just plain trying to sell me a load of goods. This interview is over.
About Marc Jedel
Marc Jedel writes humorous murder mysteries. He credits his years of marketing leadership positions in Silicon Valley for honing his writing skills and sense of humor. While his high-tech marketing roles involved crafting plenty of fiction, these were just called emails, ads, and marketing collateral.
For most of Marc’s life, he’s been inventing stories. As he’s gotten older, he’s encountered more funny and odd people and situations. This has made it even easier for him to write what he knows and make up the rest. It’s a skill that’s served him well, both as an author and marketer.
The publication of Marc’s first novel, UNCLE AND ANTS, gave him permission to claim “author” as his job. This leads to much more interesting conversations with people than answering, “marketing.” Becoming an Amazon best-selling author has only made him more insufferable.
Like his characters Jonas and Elizabeth from the Ozarks Lake Mystery series, Marc grew up in the South and spent plenty of time in and around Arkansas. Like his character, Marty from the Silicon Valley Mystery series, Marc now lives in Silicon Valley, works in high-tech, and enjoys bad puns. Along with all his protagonists, Marc too has a dog, although his is neurotic, sweet, and small, with little appreciation for Marc’s humor.
Visit his website, marcjedel.com, for free chapters of novels, special offers, and more.
Author Links
Website: www.marcjedel.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/MarcJedel.Author
BookBub: http://www.bookbub.com/profile/marc-jedel
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18403497.Marc_Jedel
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mjedel/
Blog: www.marcjedel.com/blog
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Marc-Jedel/e/B07H7MVKJL
• Purchase Links: Amazon
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swimming with the fishes An Ozarks Lake Mystery TOUR PARTICIPANTS
September 8
I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT
Novels Alive – GUEST POST
September 9
Mysteries with Character – GUEST POST
Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT
September 10
Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
September 11
FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
September 12
Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
September 13
I Read What You Write – GUEST POST
Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
September 14
My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
September 15
Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST
September 16
Novels Alive – REVIEW
Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
September 17
Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT
September 18
My Journey Back the Journey Back – CHARACTER GUEST POST
September 19
Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW, GUEST POST
September 20
Reading Is My SuperPower – SPOTLIGHT
September 21
fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT
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I’m so glad you enjoyed Swimming with the Fishes! I’m sorry to hear you’re under the weather and hope you feel better soon. I’m hard at work on the next book (#5) in the Silicon Valley Mystery series which will be called Huh? Why? and Punch. Yes, Marty goes to Hawaii and it may never be the same again. I plan to return to the Ozarks Lake Mystery series and have an idea for the third book in this series.
Great news about new books! Thanks for stopping today & for the get better wishes. I’m slowly getting better as long as I don’t overdo it.