Thursday, January 26, 2023

Reading Patterns

Do you have a regular reading pattern? I go through cycles. When I’m busy with family activities or writing activities, I may not read that much during the day. Other times, I have a relaxing day and read for many hours. Since I’m currently awaiting edits on two books in the publishing cycle, I’ve had a chance to do more reading. Once I receive edit suggestions from my publishers, editing will be my primary activity.

 

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Sixteenth Anniversary of My First Published Novel, Retirement Homes Are Murder

Today is the sixteenth anniversary of the release of my first published mystery novel, Retirement Homes Are Murder. Imagine yourself waking up in a retirement home, not remembering anything from the day before and being accused of murder.  Or consider a male Miss Marple enmeshed in a light-hearted Memento.

When crotchety octogenarian Paul Jacobson discovers a body wedged in a retirement home trash chute, he must become an amateur sleuth to clear himself as a murder suspect while struggling with the problems of his short-term memory loss and being stuck living with a bunch of old people.  As Paul’s snooping gets him in trouble with the local police and the retirement home administration, he meets eccentric residents, develops a new friendship, experiences the quirks of old age romance and must face his biggest fear in order to escape from a murderer intent upon a repeat performance. 

I’m available to give presentations to service organizations, libraries and book groups.

 What others say about Retirement Homes Are Murder:

“Kudos to Mike Befeler for this witty, clever and wholly entertaining debut novel.”—Margeret Coel, author of The Drowning Man

Retirement Homes Are Murder is a wonderful debut novel—a fitting entry in the burgeoning field of geezer-lit. You’ll come away smiling and cheering.”Christine Goff, author of Death Shoots a Birdie

“Mike Befeler’s funny, feisty and memory-challenged senior sleuth is a delightful addition to the mystery scene.”—Maggie Sefton

Retirement Homes Are Murder is available in print, e-book and audio book editions:

Print: Amazon.com: Retirement Homes are Murder (1) (Paul Jacobson Geezer-Lit Mystery): 9781893035850: Befeler, Mike: Books 

e-book: Retirement Homes Are Murder (Paul Jacobson Geezer-lit Mystery Series Book 1) - Kindle edition by Befeler, Mike. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

e-book box set first four books of Paul Jacobson series: Box Set: Retirement Homes Are Murder, Living with Your Kids Is Murder, Senior Moments Are Murder, Cruising in Your Eighties Is Murder (Paul Jacobson Geezer-lit Mystery Series Book 1) - Kindle edition by Befeler, Mike. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com. 

Audio book: Amazon.com: Retirement Homes Are Murder: Paul Jacobsen Series, Book 1 (Audible Audio Edition): Mike Befeler, Jerry Sciarrio, Books In Motion: Audible Books & Originals

http://www.mikebefeler.com

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Use of the Term Geezer

Many of my published books fall within the sub-genre of geezer-lit mysteries because they feature older characters. I was on a panel one time, and another author objected to the term geezer, considering it derogatory. I explained that I use it in an affectionate and humorous way. At the time, I was a geezer-in-training. Now I’m a full card-carrying geezer and proud of it.

 

Thursday, January 5, 2023

Meet the New Authors Breakfast at Left Coast Crime Conference

I’ve had the opportunity to host the Meet the New Authors Breakfast at the Left Coast Crime Conference every year since it became a program at the conference in 2008 except for two years when I was unable to attend. This year the Left Coast Crime Conference is in Tucson and the new author breakfast is on Friday March 17, 2023. The ground rules are the presenters have published a debut mystery/crime/thriller in 2022 or 2023 before March 19, 2023. I review all the author attendees and check their websites and Amazon to determine if they meet this qualification. So far this year we have twelve debut mystery authors that qualify. They each will have an opportunity to give a one-minute presentation on the most important thing readers should know about their debut mystery novel.