A Deadly Match: A Rocky Nelson Boxing Mystery

A Deadly Match by Karen A. Phillips

Author Interview + Book & Author Information + Author Pet Corner!

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A Deadly Match

In Book 2, Raquel (AKA Rocky) investigates family secrets and murder.

Twin sisters Rocky and Bridget soon find themselves facing another shocking mystery when Hollywood visits the Sierra Foothills.

Their aunt and uncle, both famous movie stars they haven’t seen since their mother’s funeral, are in town to film a movie. Forced into family togetherness, Rocky takes them on a tour of her boxing gym, which wasn’t supposed to include a dead body.

When her beloved coach, Cutter, is arrested for the murder, Rocky refuses to believe he’s guilty. Driven to clear his name, she embarks on a dangerous investigation that leads her into a web of secrets, lies, and unexpected betrayals. As the stakes get higher and the killer’s motives become more twisted, Rocky realizes she may be fighting for more than just the truth—she may be fighting for her own life.

“A Deadly Match packs an Oscar-worthy punch!” —Holly West, author of the Mistress of Fortune series and Anthony Award-winning editor of Killin’ Time in San Diego

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Interview with Karen A. Phillips — Author of A Deadly Match

A Deadly Match brings back twin sisters Rocky and Bridget, whom readers met in the first of the series, A Deadly Combo. What would you like readers to know about the sisters?

In Book One, A Deadly Combo, Rocky and Bridget are somewhat estranged because Bridget is married to a man who keeps her isolated.

Their seventy-eight-year-old father becomes Rocky’s sidekick in solving the murder and is the source of much humor.

In A Deadly Match, their father is reluctant to get involved and Rocky turns to Bridget for help. The sisters are getting to know each other again after the trauma they experienced in Book One. It’s a love/hate relationship that is typical of siblings. Their bond strengthens as they work together to stay one step ahead of the killer.

A Deadly Match is set in the Sierra Foothills. Tell us about that environment and why you chose to set your mystery there:

I have lived in the Sierra Foothills for most of my adult life. I find the setting to be rich in its environment and culture.

There’s an attitude between local residents who have lived for generations in the foothills and those they call “flatlanders” from the city, which is very real and provides great tension. I love the history and the mashup of old and new.

A Deadly Match pits an amateur sleuth against the investigation by local law enforcement. How do you navigate the work of the professionals with the work of your amateur sleuth?

As far as the characters, I have Detective Thompson and Rocky always at odds with one another. But occasionally I insert a moment of camaraderie. And a hint of sexual tension.

As far as my research into how a detective operates, I consult with a detective in the county where the story takes place. He’s the nicest guy—never gets tired of answering my questions.

Tell us about your writing process for A Deadly Match:

I am what’s known as a “plantser”—a combination of plotter and pantser. I create a loose outline with the beginning, middle, and end. But, as I write, as I learn more about the characters, I let the story take me in new directions.

Once draft one is done, I do my best to fine-tune, then I send to beta readers. Next is developmental editing and proofreading. Lastly is one final beta read by a reader who has not yet read the ms.

She catches everything everyone else missed.

You have taken boxing lessons but aren’t as competitive as your character. What do you enjoy about the sport? What made you want to write about a character so fully engaged in that activity?

A Deadly Match

I enjoy boxing because it’s very challenging on every level. My coach makes sure my lessons are never the same. He keeps me, literally, on my toes. And as I age, I realize how important it is for me to push myself, to stay focused, and to keep up with what he’s asking of me.

The reason I chose to have Rocky be a boxer was because I hadn’t yet read a mystery novel with an amateur sleuth who boxes. I thought it would make her a unique heroine.

Also, my debut mystery A Deadly Combo published in 2023. It took me five years to learn how to write a novel. I had decided to make it as easy as possible and so I chose to write about a character that was somewhat like me, yet be braver than me.

What are you working on now?

I have an idea for Book 3 floating around in my head, which I still need to outline. But for the next couple of months I’ll be focused on promoting A Deadly Match.

Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Writers:

Number One: Join a writing group. Number Two: Get your derrière in the chair and write!

Author Pet Corner!

I have always had pets—hamsters, cats, dogs, and horses.

Currently, I have two adopted cats from animal shelters.

Blaze is a six-year-old male. Marble is a three-year-old female.

Author of A Deadly Match — Karen A. Phillips

A Deadly Match

Author Karen A. Phillips lives in northern California and has several short stories published in various anthologies.

Her characters are engaging and fearless. She writes the Rocky Nelson Boxing Mystery series . . . and yes, she does take boxing lessons.