Q&A with Emily Littlejohn, Author of Inherit the Bones

Read this exclusive Q&A with Emily Littlejohn, author of Inherit the Bones, and then make sure you're signed in and comment below for a chance to win a copy of the book!

What do you want readers to think or feel after finishing this book?

I believe the book packs a big emotional punch, not just at the beginning or end, so I hope readers feel that too. If they laughed, cried, raged, or any combination of the three, I’ll be happy.

What would be your murder weapon of choice?

I think an icicle would make the perfect murder weapon. It melts and then can never be traced back to the killer! But that would only work in the winter. In the summer, I’d go with botulism from a can of tomatoes or a lawn mower “accident.”

What are you currently reading?

I’m reading The Hatching by Ezekiel Boone, but it’s starting to get too scary to read before bed. Be warned—if you have a fear of spiders this book is not for you!

Describe Inherit the Bones in 5 words.

Colorado: Pregnant cop tracks killer.

If you could team up Gemma Monroe with any other detective, who would you choose?

This is a tough question. I’d love to see her travel down to New Orleans and spend some time with Dave Robicheaux from the James Lee Burke mysteries. Dave’s been around the block a few times and has dealt with some really bad people … but he’s kept his humanity. Gemma could learn a lot from Dave.

The Mystery Endureth: Talking Shakespeare with Emily Littlejohn

What’s your favorite line from Inherit the Bones and why?

My favorite line is the first line of the book: “In my dreams, the dead can speak.” Why? Because it sets the tone for the entire story. Gemma Monroe is haunted by this terrible, unsolved crime; she seeks justice for the dead, the victims, and those who can no longer speak. Plus—in my biased opinion, of course—I think it’s just a really beautiful line.

How do you think the staff of the Fellini Brothers’ Circus of Amazements would feel about the current “creepy clown” phenomenon?

I think they would be as freaked out as I am. If I saw a clown coming down the street on any day but Halloween, I would probably pass out from the fear. Honestly. There are, of course, nice, sweet clowns that want to put a smile on your face … but let’s be real: those clowns exist in two places—birthday parties and circuses. Clowns anywhere else are just wrong. My thoughts on this are, of course, heavily influenced by Stephen King’s fantastic novel It, one of my all-time favorite books.

Is Cedar Valley, Colorado inspired by any particular place?

Cedar Valley is inspired by a number of places in Colorado: Breckenridge, Crested Butte, Vail, even Ouray. But it’s definitely unique in the number of murders it sees!

What’s next for Gemma Monroe?

When we next see Gemma, she’s just returning to the police force after being out on maternity leave. She’s a little shaky and a little off-balance after three months of domestic life with Grace and Brody. Of course, her return coincides with a murder, which finds her, Finn, and Chief Chavez tracking a killer during a series of brutal winter storms. Book Two is not only a thriller, it’s a chiller.

About Inherit the Bones by Emily Littlejohn:

Secrets and lies can’t stay buried forever in Cedar Valley.

In the summer, hikers and campers pack the small Colorado town’s meadows and fields. And in the winter, skiers and snowboarders take over the mountains. Season by season, year after year, time passes and the lies, like the aspens and evergreens that surround the town, take root and spread deep.

Now, someone has uncovered the lies, and it is his murder that continues a chain of events that began almost forty years ago. Detective Gemma Monroe’s investigation takes her from the seedy grounds of a traveling circus to the powerful homes of those who would control Cedar Valley’s future.

Six-months pregnant, with a partner she can’t trust and colleagues who know more than they’re saying, Gemma tracks a killer who will stop at nothing to keep those secrets buried.

Beautifully written with a riveting plot and a richly drawn cast of characters, Inherit the Bones is a mesmerizing debut from Emily Littlejohn.


Comment below for a chance to win a copy of Inherit the Bones by Emily Littlejohn!

To enter, make sure you’re a registered member of the site and simply leave a comment below.

TIP: Since only comments from registered users will be tabulated, if your user name appears in red above your comment—STOP—go log in, then try commenting again. If your user name appears in black above your comment, You’re In!

Inherit the Bones Comment Sweepstakes: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.  A purchase does not improve your chances of winning.  Sweepstakes open to legal residents of 50 United States, D.C., and Canada (excluding Quebec), who are 18 years or older as of the date of entry.  To enter, complete the “Post a Comment” entry at https://www.criminalelement.com/blogs/2016/10/qa-with-emily-littlejohn-author-of-inherit-the-bones-comment-sweepstakes beginning at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) October 25, 2016. Sweepstakes ends 2:59 p.m. ET November 7, 2016. Void outside the United States and Canada and where prohibited by law. Please see full details and official rules here. Sponsor: Macmillan, 175 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10010. 


Emily Littlejohn was born and raised in southern California and now lives in Colorado. If she’s not writing, reading, or working at the local public library, she’s enjoying the mountains with her husband and sweet old dog. She has a deep love of horror stories, butter pecan ice cream, and road trips. Inherit the Bones is her first novel.

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Comments

  1. Gordon Bingham

    Sounds like a keeper!

  2. pearl berger

    captivating and intriguing.

  3. pat murphy

    I love mysteries , this book is a must read !

  4. Beth Talmage

    This sounds like a compelling read!

  5. susan beamon

    I like books set in Colorado. Not enough of them are. We have a great state, lots of outdoor, rich communities, big cities and lots of small towns.

  6. Clydia DeFreese

    Thanks for the opportunity to read this mysterious book.

  7. lasvegasnv

    interesting interview

  8. vickie dailey

    enjoyed the excerpt. I like the part about pairing with Dave Robicheaux from the James Lee Burke[/b]mysteries. This would make a great collaberation novel. Even if I don’t win (which of course I want to) I have this on my TBR

  9. Karl Stenger

    I would love to read the book.

  10. Veronica Sandberg

    I love a good murder mystery. I would love to read the book.

  11. Laurent Latulippe

    Good interview. I heard ninjas used icicles as a murder weapon to leave no trace too. Makes them great assassins. Looking forward to reading this book.

  12. Patrice Gottfried

    Looks really good!

  13. ellie lewis

    This mystery sounds clever and compelling.

  14. Donna Goodman

    a new author to try – hurrah!

  15. Sandra Furlotte

    I love discovering new authors and would love to win a copy of this book.

  16. Susan Pertierra

    I haven’t read many mysteries set in Colorado and would love to read this one.

  17. Desmond Warzel

    Count me in, please!

  18. L

    The book really catches my interest. I like her favourite line, “In my dreams, the dead can speak.” Hopefully, they speak well enough to give Gemma Monroe ideas of how to catch the murderer! I’d love to read this book.

  19. Darlene Slocum

    This sounds interesting.

  20. Daniel M

    sounds like a good read

  21. Daniel Morrell

    always like a mystery

  22. Carol Kubala

    The enticing opening line of Inherit the Bones has caught my attention. I think this book is right up my alley.

  23. Chris Noe

    Sounds like a good read. If she can see her character working with Dave Robichaux, I am in.

  24. Kris Kaminski

    A lawn mower accident,Grusome!

  25. Melissa Keith

    [b]I love to rage and hate clowns and spiders. However this book sounds excellent. I’d really enjoy it. What about a garbage disposal, Emily? *snicker*[/b]

  26. Jennifer Essad

    Icicles! brilliant ~ NOLA during the month of October would be super for an author

  27. Cindy Hipolito

    So glad to enter this giveaway from Criminal Element site. Thank you!

  28. Deb Philippon

    I’ve read some good things about this book, and would like to read it. Wish me luck!

  29. Andrew Beck

    The book sounds good–and I’m already curious for her follow-up volume!

  30. John Smith

    Sounds gritty.

  31. Janice Milliken

    Loved reading the interview with the author-icicle weapon-yikes!

  32. Jean Dickinson

    Emily Littlejohn has excellent tips on “how to get away with murder”!! Thanx for the chance to win “Inherit the Bones”.

  33. Peter W. Horton Jr.

    Yes! I want this book! Yes!

  34. Shannon Baas

    I would like this.

  35. luc d

    win

  36. HESTER MAYO

    Thanks!!

  37. Barbara Lima

    My family is from Colorado so I’m interested in anything from Colorado.

  38. Michelle Garrity

    I am intrigued!

  39. Sandy Klocinski

    Sounds like a great read! Colorado is a great setting. If I don’t win, I am going to have to buy this one

  40. Susan Smoaks

    thank you for the chance to win

  41. Brenda Elsner

    Sounds like a great book!!!

  42. rangerxenos

    This sounds interesting, please enter me, thank you!

  43. Daniel Vice

    I would like to read this

  44. Kat Emerick

    Looks good!

  45. Lori Walker

    Want!

  46. Ed Nemmers

    i would like to read the work of Emily Littlejohn.

  47. JULES M.

    sounds really interesting!

  48. Connie Rowe

    This sounds like a great read. Please count me.

  49. Ann Muth

    Sounds like a great book

  50. Linda Peters

    Looks like a great read, thanks

  51. Tracey C.

    Sounds interesting!

  52. trish mckee

    I would love to read this book- sounds fantastic!

  53. Paige

    Ooo, I could use a new read.

  54. Carl White

    [b]VOTE !! Just NOT for TRUMP please.[/b]

  55. Sand Lopez

    This sounds great!

  56. Jerry Marquardt

    I would like to thank you for this interview. There haven’t been enough
    of these to know personally what the authors veiwpoint is. I would like
    to thank you for giving us a chance to win this today.

  57. Buddy Garrett

    It sounds like a great read. Thanks.

  58. Lily

    Thanks for the great giveaway!

  59. Tarah Manning

    Oh I love a good mystery!

Comments are closed.