Tail of the Dragon by Connie di Marco

A rare astrological event could help San Francisco astrologer Julia Bonatti avoid a deadly destiny

Julia Bonatti loves the freedom of working for herself as a professional astrologer. But after receiving several unexpected bills, she considers a temp job offer from her old boss a stroke of luck too good to pass up.

On her first day, the posh law office becomes a crime scene when one of the partners is found dead. Julia discovers that a series of death threats have been sent to several employees of the firm, and she uses her astrological expertise to discover possible motives. But before she can convince the authorities of what she knows, the killer strikes again. Will Julia unmask the culprit before he, or she, takes another life?

Connie di Marco, bestselling author of TAIL OF THE DRAGON, spent some time with The Big Thrill discussing her latest in The Zodiac Mysteries series:

What do you hope readers will take away from this book?

I hope they’ll discover an exciting, entertaining book that will keep them turning pages.

How does this book make a contribution to the genre?

The Zodiac Mysteries feature a contemporary sleuth in an urban setting. Although this is a traditional mystery series, I have attempted to create, and I hope I have, books that push the envelope of the traditional mystery into a darker, more exciting realm.

Was there anything new you discovered, or that surprised you, as you wrote this book?

This particular book has gone through many incarnations, and I have to say they were much needed. I was reminded of something I already knew — whatever it is, it can always be better!

No spoilers, but what can you tell us about your book that we won’t find in the jacket copy or the PR material?

I was inspired by a quote from Henry V – “Let’s kill all the lawyers.” I worked in law firms for years and often contemplated murder. I decided to put my fantasies to good use in this book.

What authors or books have influenced your career as a writer, and why?

Oh, so many ~ Golden Age classic writers like Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie as well as many others. Nicholas Freeling, Sue Grafton, Jussi Adler-Olsen, Michael Connelly, Arnaldur Indridason, Henning Mankell, Lee Child. My tastes are very eclectic.

*****

Connie di Marco is the author of the Zodiac Mysteries from Midnight Ink featuring San Francisco astrologer Julia Bonatti. Tail of the Dragon, third in the series, will be released on August 8, 2018.

Writing as Connie Archer, she is also the author of the national bestselling Soup Lover’s Mysteries from Berkley Prime Crime. You can find her excerpts and recipes in The Cozy Cookbook and The Mystery Writers of America Cookbook. Connie is a member of MWA, Sisters in Crime and International Thriller Writers.

To learn more about Connie, please visit her website, and follow her on Facebook and Twitter (@askzodia).