Peg Herring, Mystery Author

I've been slogging through edits of the second Maggie Pill Sleuth Sisters book, which for me means listening to one computer read the book aloud while I make corrections on a second computer. (It's complicated.) I was doing pretty well (halfway) when I opened my e-mail and found the copy-edited MS for the fourth Simon & Elizabeth book, Her Majesty's Mischief , with a deadline for its return. Deadlines make me nervous, and I'm tempted to drop my current task and work on the new one. I can do this. Hanging over my head somewhere is the third Dead Detective book, Dead for the Show . The publisher told me they'd like to get it out before the end of 2014 or at the very latest, early 2015. That means the copy-edits for that book should be showing up soon, too. I really can do this. Copy-edits aren't that bad. The big changes have already been made, so I just have to look at little mistakes they found and okay changes. For example, I had a character placing hi

1. An Irishman with a short temper "...left the barber shop with tonic on his hair..." 2. A chick in a black bikini who "must be a magic genie." 3. A sound effect in a novelty song about a mysterious item nobody wants around. 4. About a girl whose "shoes paddy-whack in the front and the back..." 5. "Hallelujah--the question is peculiar..." Answers: 1. "Clancy Lowered the Boom" www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm3kGJgj6C0 2. "Chick-A-Boom" www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPStw1SzcQc     3. "The Thing" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lcj16EGYYrs 4. "Chicka-Boom" http://www.allmusic.com/song/chicka-boom-mt0011981794 5. "Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavor on the Bedpost Overnight?" www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6bFTVi0hHs

Songs that mention September: 1. "Oh, it's a long, long time, from May to December..." 2. "I'll be alone each and every night, while you're away, don't forget to write." 3. "Do you remember?" 4. "...when you were a tender and callow fellow." 5. "Stay for just a while..." Answers: 1. "September Song" Frank Sinatra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wte1uk4A5eU 2. "See you in September" The Happenings www. you tube.com/watch?v=iu-7DXBiVsA 3. "September" Earth, Wind & Fire https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQf9dtrc26A&feature=kp 4. "Try to Remember" Jerry Orbach!! www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEW1F9kZ-UE 5. "September Morn" Neil Diamond www. youtube .com/watch?v=aVLonpBtkH0

Each song has to do with three. 1. "We do everything alike/ We look alike/We walk alike, we talk alike, and what is more we hate each other very much... 2. "And what I feel in my heart, they say sincerely..." 3. "Thanks for the times that you've given me..." 4. "...we've danced the whole night through..." 5. "Hey, girl, what you doin' down there?"  Answers: 1. "Triplets" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjW_yvrC0cE 2. "Three Little Words" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxVaBu5i1QE 3. "Three Times a Lady" www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaFJcJO3RH4 4. "Three O'clock in the Morning" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCQaZ0URnLA  5. "Knock Three Times" www. youtube .com/watch?v=k7Jvsbcxunc (I'm willing to bet Tony HATES this video!)

Fill in the lyrics to Billy's songs. (BTW, it was REALLY hard for me to pick only five!) 1. "You had to be a ___ ___, didn't ya?" 2. "What's the matter with the clothes I'm wearing? Can't you tell that your ___ ___ ___?" 3. "We met as soulmates on Parris Island. We left as ___  ___ ___ ___." 4 ."In the middle of the night, I go ___ ___ ___ ___." 5. "If you said goodbye to me tonight, there would still be ___ ___ ___ ___" Answers: 1. "Big Shot" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEea624OBzM 2. tie's too wide "Still Rock & Roll to Me" www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eAQa4MOGkE 3. from an asylum "Goodnight Saigon" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CABCIseO8Zo 4. walking in my sleep "The River of Dreams" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p66Q5btJ9ak 5. music left to write  "The Longest Time" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nR0dkiHEW8

I'm doing a giveaway on GoodReads for copies of KILLING DESPAIR from now until September 2nd (That seemed so far away at the time!) The widget is on the side...If I did it right. Otherwise, just go to Goodreads and figure it out. That's what I had to do! https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/105511-killing-despair-loser-mysteries Note: My recommendation is that you read at least Book #1 before this one, which is Book #3.

These songs have "please" and "thank you" just like your parents taught you! 1. The Beatles: "Why do I always have to say, Love? ___  ___ ___" 2. Jim Croce: "Thank you for your time, Well, you've been so much more than kind." ___ 3. The Marvelettes: "Please, ___ ___, look and see." 4. Andrew Gold: "Thank You for ___ ___ ___" 5. Bob Hope: "Thanks for ___ ___" 1. "Please Please Me" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h43nuGSd1m4 2." Operator" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPu_G-T28iU 3. Mr. Postman www.youtube.com/watch?v=425GpjTSlS4    4. Being a Friend www. you tube.com/watch?v=ZN3E9Yyd1HA 5. The Memory https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPu_G-T28iU