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Jo Dereske is the author of the Miss Zukas mystery series, the Ruby Crane mysteries, three books for young people, and several short stores. Originally from Michigan, she now lives in the foothills of Mount Baker near Bellingham, Washington. Visit Jo's website at www.jodereske.com
A Brief Interview with Jo
Q. Which authors influenced your mysteries?
A. When I was quite young, I read Trixie Belden mysteries and for a while would only chew Teaberry gum because Trixie chewed it! Later, it seemed that most mysteries I read featured male sleuths and possessed a hard edge. They were fun, but it was a revelation to discover authors like Agatha Christie and her emphasis on personality. Now, of course, there are many wonderful female characters, and I especially love the emphasis on personality and the creation of a mystery within a community.
Q. You incorporate Lithuanian-American heritage, especially in your Miss Zukas mysteries. Is your background Lithuanian?
A. I was fortunate to come of age during a brief window of time in a community packed with Lithuanian immigrants. The older generation clung to an old-country past while the younger raged to disappear into the future of America. It was a Push-Me Pull-You time and provided a rich tapestry for me to draw from.
Q. You're a librarian and Miss Zukas is a librarian. Do you believe that in this electronic world, libraries will become irrelevant?
A. No! Libraries will always be with us. Formats and missions may change, but we will always love and lust for stories, and honor those who keep them accessible for us.
Q. What are you writing now?
A. I'm superstitious about discussing my writing until it's finished, but I'm trying something totally different for me: writing from a man's point of view.
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