We chat with author Catherine McKenzie about Have You Seen Her, which is a thrilling and timely novel about three women with dark secrets whose lives intersect in the picturesque and perilous Yosemite National Park.
Hi, Catherine! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Sure! I live and write in Montreal, Canada, but am a dual citizen so spend lots of time in upstate New York and also California. I practiced law for twenty years and am now a full-time writer.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I always loved stories. I was an early reader and one of those kids you had to take the book away from and make them go to sleep at night. And I wrote poetry early. But I didn’t discover that I loved writing novels until 2006!
Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!
Little House on the Prairie; Pride and Prejudice; The Night-Circus.
Your latest novel, Have You Seen Her, is out June 27th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Missing couple in Yosemite. (Ha, that was 4 words!)
What can readers expect?
A heart-pounding mystery with a WTF just happened ending.
Where did the inspiration for Have You Seen Her come from?
My sister and brother in law worked search and rescue in Yosemite for five years. I’ve always wanted to set a story there. And then when Gabby Petito went missing, the idea for the book came to me.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
Writing Petal’s diary entries was a lot of fun.
What do you love about writing within the thriller genre?
I like mystery and page-turners with great characters. I like keeping readers guessing and dolling out secrets.
What’s next for you?
I’m starting a new funny mystery series. The first book is called EVERY TIME I GO ON VACATION, SOMEONE DIES and it comes out next year.
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?
The Drowning Woman by Robyn Harding.
