Howdy, Readers! Have I got a treat for you guys! Not only do I get to tell you about a great, or should I say, SUPER series, I also get to enlighten you with a thrilling interview with the author!
What series is this, you ask? What author is this, you also ask? Why, it’s none other than the Super Spies series, and its author, Lisa Orchard!
Ms. Orchard writes wonderful mysteries for middle grade readers.
The Super Spies are about a group of girls (Sarah, her sister Lacy, her friend Jackie), but they do sometimes team up with Scott – the police chief’s son. They all work together to solve mysteries that are happening in their small town. They have plenty of adventures, and always get more than they bargained for. They have had a total of 3 adventures so far (see my review of book 1 HERE) and I have reviews of books 2 and 3 posted on Amazon and GoodReads. Check out Ms. Orchard’s Amazon author page HERE and her GoodReads author page HERE.
These books are amazing and full of adventures, and mysteries that kept me guessing “who did it?”!
Now, onto the interview! 🙂
When did you get into writing thrilling mysteries? Is that your genre of choice?
I became interested in mysteries at a very young age. I started writing my own in fifth grade, but didn’t pursue publication until I stayed home with my kids.
Your stories remind me of a modern-day Nancy Drew. What were some of your favorite mysteries to read while you were growing up? Why did you like them?
It’s funny you should mention this because I devoured Nancy Drew books along with the Bobbsey Twins and Trixie Belden when I was younger. These books stand out as my favorite when I was growing up and I liked them because they had strong female characters in them. I’ve always liked a strong female who’s a bit of a rebel. 😉
I like a good Nancy Drew mystery too. 🙂 How did you get the idea for Scoop Davis, the veteran, retired investigative reporter (he’s possibly one of my favorite characters) for your Super Spies series?
He’s one of my favorite characters too. I felt the girls needed an ally who could travel through the adult world and gather information or act as a chauffeur and chaperon. I liken him to a kindly uncle who’s a kid at heart himself.
Scoop is one of my favorites too. The characters and plots are very believable in your books. How do you research your books? Do you look at real-life crimes or police work?
Yes, I do. I do quite a bit of research on the internet, but nothing compares to running my ideas by a detective with the State Police. When I get to a scene that needs some input, I give her a call and she tells me if my scene is accurate or not. If it is, I’m good to go. If it isn’t she tells me the info I need to make it accurate. She’s a great source and I appreciate all the help she has given me on the Super Spies series.
The research sounds cool! Your 3rd Super Spies book (The Pied Piper) ended very well and thoroughly. Do you plan on writing a 4th book? I really liked the series and think it ended well, but I just don’t want to leave the characters!
Yes. I’m planning on a fourth book and I have a couple of ideas that I’m mulling over. I’ve been so busy with the coming of age novel that I just finished that I haven’t had time to write it out yet. J Once, I decide on the idea, I’ll start writing it.
Awesome! Any other projects you would like to share with us?
Yes. I just completed a coming of age novel that my publisher is dividing into three separate books. I’m really excited about this series. It was a lot of fun to write and I’m currently working on the next one in the Starlight Chronicles (that’s the name of the series).
Thank you Ms. Orchard!
To learn more about Ms. Orchard and her books, visit her website HERE!
Follow Ms. Orchard on Twitter HERE
Like her on Facebook HERE
Categories: Age 12+
Terrific interview! Scoop sounds like a great character 🙂
Thanks Alan. He is one of my favorites! 🙂
He’s awesome! 😀
Thanks Erik for interviewing me. I had a lot of fun with the questions! 🙂
It was fun interviewing you! Thanks for commenting! 😀
Oh, Scoop was my favorite, too!
Thanks Michelle! I’m so glad I worked him into the series. I had no idea he’d be so popular. 🙂
I like Scoop. A lot. Especially the kind with ice cream! 😉
My daughter’s friend had staged a full-blown Nancy Drew mystery birthday party (I played a bomb expert!). I wonder if these books will one day come to ‘life’ too!
Wow! I certainly hope so! That would be incredibly awesome! (Goes back to keyboard and types furiously on next WIP!!)
Glad to incite!
That sounds awesome! Maybe, we can have a BoCharCoFest? (Book Character Costume Festival) We dress up as characters from books, and you can mingle with other authors/illustrators/fans! 🙂
I wanna be Dr.DeSoto!
I call Sherlock Holmes! Or maybe Edgar Allen Poe? (I know that he’s not a book character, but still… 😉 ) Or Henry IV? Or… 😉 Maybe have themes (like mystery, picture books,
horror(kind of scared of how detailed people may get 😉 ) fantasy, etc.)? 🙂If you’re fast, you can write a book with Poe and Sherlock: publish, costume, go!
Sherlock Holmes investigates Poe’s death, which he faked (thus making Poe a character. But isn’t Poe the speaker in The Raven?)! 😉
Hmmm
I loved Nancy Drew books, too. I’ll have to check out Lisa’s books. 🙂 Thanks for the interview!
Oh thanks so much Linda! I hope you enjoy them!
This is an amazing series, Ms. Covella! 😀 Please stop by again! 🙂
You certainly did! 🙂 Thanks!
Wonderful interview, E. Mom says she will read one of these books to me, soon. Anybody who loves Nancy Drew is OK with us!
Love and licks,
Cupcake
I’m so glad to hear that! I’m going to have to start working on book #4 very soon! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks, Cupcake! 🙂 I think your Mom will love this series! 😀
There’s not much better than a good mystery series! Especially if there happens to be a dog helper! Hint,hint. Nice interview Erik!
Thanks for stopping by Reading with Rhythm! There is a dog in the family, but she’s not much of a helper! LOL! 🙂
Thanks Rhythm! 🙂
A great interview. Lisa Orchard sounds like someone I could be friends with. We have a lot in common. Her series sounds great and I have marked the books “want to read” on Goodreads.
Oh thanks so much Darlene! I accepted your friend request on Goodreads and I noticed you’re an author as well. I bet we could chat for hours about books! 🙂 Thanks for your kind words and friend request. 🙂
I think you will like Ms. Orchard’s books! 😀
Super duper interview, SuperKid! The books sound like exciting reads for middle grade!
Thanks for stopping by Lovable Lobo! I appreciate your kind words. The Super Spies have received a great response from many middle graders! 🙂
Thanks L.Lobo! It is a great mystery series! 🙂
Lovely interview, dear Erik. Great hearing about these books and the author.
Thank you! 😀