Have you ever wondered how far a writer will go to do research? I've had myself tied up so I could see how my heroine would escape, blindfolded because she was in a pitch-black room, and tried to do a cartwheel. (if you are a certain age, don't try the last one) But I think one of my most interesting research projects involved the Pink Palace in Memphis. This is the back side because I failed to take a photo of the front of the museum.
And the reason I didn't take a photo of the front was that my character didn't use the front entrance. See that pipe going up the back of the building? She's a cat burglar and she used the pipe to help scale the building so she could break into the museum.
By the way, here's a photo from the Pink Palace website of the front of the building.
I searched from the attic to the basement, looking for places to hide a body. :-) The ladies who work there were more than helpful on my tour, pointing out the best places to stash the body. :-)
Here are a few of the places I looked:
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| Where they keep the caskets... |
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| Attic |
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| The steps leading from the attic. |
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| The crawlspace in the basement. |
There are so many places to hide bodies there! If you were a writer, where would you like to go to research for a book? Leave a comment and I'll randomly pick a winner for the first book in the series, Justice Delayed.
Oh, and the book I did the research for is Justice Buried. It will release September 5, 2017.
Love following you around as you do research! Would love to win a copy of your book. That crawlspace in the basement looks scary! I enjoy the SyFy abnormal animals movies. I've always wanted to write an inspirational version lol. I'd love to research the way they "scientifically" engineer the snakes and sharks to make those abnormal animals, actually talk to those scientists and see why they thought that was a good idea. Love this post!
ReplyDeleteOh, Sally, do you have the wheels turning in my brain...what if a snake was scientifically engineered to...
DeleteExactly!! It's so much fun. Maybe I could write a series...lol
DeleteOh how fun! I'd love to tour the hidden places of a castle to do research.
ReplyDeleteAnother great place, Susan. And just think--I'd have to travel to England or Scotland where the castle are...:-)
DeleteThis reminds me of the time I needed to find out how someone sitting in the front seat of a car would stab the person sitting next to them. I asked my husband to sit next to me in a chair, and I took a letter opener and pointed it at him... He jumped out of the chair and refused to let me experiment on him! LOL!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure he really trusts me... ;)
Aww, Nancy, I can't believe your husband wouldn't let you practice on him!
DeleteWell if I was an author writing a novel I would go the a swamp in Florida or one of the other southern states to research hiding a body. I think they would have a hard time finding it there. I love your books and would love to win this one.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to Florida in August, Stella. Sounds like a plan@
DeleteI forgot to give a time line for the drawing! I'll draw next Tuesday night and email the winner!
ReplyDeleteI love the pink palace. I guess you knew this,but the Piggly Wiggly guy built the house. He never lived in it from what I understand. I can't wait to read Justice Delayed!! Well, can't wait to read the whole series.
ReplyDeleteI used to spend Sunday afternoons there when I was a kid, Dana. And No, he didn't ever live there. Went bankrupt and the city bought his property. Justice Buried was a lot of fun to write.
DeleteHello from the Rockies. W have the sprawling metropolitan of Denver and 30 minutes west the Rockies, with forests, glacier lakes, and abandoned gold mines.
ReplyDeleteOh, those gold mines would make excellent hiding places, Karen! Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteSounds so interesting...not the coffin! (if that is what is in the photo) I have never heard of the Pink Palace but it looks like a cool place. The closest I have been to Memphis is when we visited Oxford when our son was looking at law schools.
ReplyDeleteGloria, if you ever visit Memphis and have the time, visit the Pink Palace Museum. It's an awesome place!
DeleteWhat in interesting post. I'm with Susan, I'd love to explore some castles to do research. I'm planning to make a short trip to explore a small town for some research on my book. Thanks for the introduction to the Pink Palace (which I didn't know about) and for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteLoraine, the Pink Palace was a great place to explore. I'm hoping to do a book signing there when Justice Buried releases.
DeleteThere were some interesting place to research that were mentioned. I can't wait to read this book!
ReplyDeleteduellonlysis(at)aol(dot).com
Thanks, Beverly. Some of the places mention have certainly sparked an idea or two in my brain!
DeleteLOL! This is so funny, Pat--you sound just like me when I travel anywhere! :) I'm always looking for stuff characters can climb to get away, figuring out how security systems could be thwarted for break-ins, crimes that could be committed, all that crazy stuff that would make me sound like a criminal if it got out on the internet. Oops, did I just admit that here? ;)
ReplyDeleteJerusha, I hope no one ever looks at my Internet history! I'd be sunk for sure and worry sometimes that Homeland Security has a file on me. lol
DeleteI would like to go to a castle in Europe for research. Can't wait to read your book. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteA castle would be perfect, Anne. Looking forward to you reading my book!
DeleteI would love to go to Ireland for research . I think it would be fascinating to learn the history of Ireland and to tour historical places. I would love to talk to people that have lived there for awhile to see what places I should explore.
ReplyDeleteIreland is on my bucket list, Deana. I've always claimed Irish heritage and now I'm afraid to have my DNA checked and find out I'm not. :-)
DeleteOh my goodness! The Biltmore House outside of Asheville, NC would be such a perfect place for research! So much history & so many hiding places! :) rw620 AT aol DOT com
ReplyDeleteOh, yes! Robin. I hadn't thought of the Biltmore. Another place to add to my list.
DeleteI'm sure everyone has heard of Natalie Holloway and how she disappeared in Aruba on her high school senior trip. Her body was never found. It was one we followed closely since her home was only 60 miles from us.
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to visit Macinaw Island, on my bucket list. That would be a good place with lots of potential and I've heard their fudge is the best in the world. (Added bonus!)
tumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com
I remember following that sad case, too. And Macinaw Island is another place I'd like to visit. So many places, so little time!
DeleteLots of potential spots there for hiding a body! If I were a writer I would love to have to do research in Hawaii or Alaska.
ReplyDeleteMartha T.@ CRPrairie1(@)imonmail(dot)com
Take me with you, Martha! Both of those places are on my bucket list!
DeleteHi, I think the second picture would be a great place to hide a body! As far as research, I would like to go to Bunratty Castle in Ireland!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Anonymous and I'd love to go to Ireland, period!
DeleteLoved seeing this photos! I visited the Pink Palace a few months ago and it was so fun. But I wish I could have explored those attics, too!
ReplyDeleteThe attics were wonderful. So many treasures hidden away, Johnnie. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI'm not familiar with the Pink Palace but I live in Kentucky so it is a doable trip. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Connie, it's a great place to visit. They have an iMax theater and so many wonderful exhibits.
DeleteIf I were a writer, I would go to England to do some research. I had never heard of the pink palace but it looks like an interesting place to visit. Thanks for the giveaway. d[dot]brookkmyer[at]yahoo[dot]com
ReplyDeleteOhhh, England. Donna, ever since I watch The Holiday with Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet, I've wanted to go to England! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteAnd the winner is...Beverly Duell-Moore! I'll contact you right away!
ReplyDeleteAnd this concludes the giveaway. But if you want to leave comments, please do!