Genre Hopping With Debut Author Jennifer Moorhead

I’m thrilled to introduce you to Jennifer Moorhead whose debut thriller Broken Bayou comes out on July 1st. I’m reading it now (it is a June Prime Reads book) and wow, it’s one of those books that has an undercurrent of dread that keeps me turning the pages!

Name: Jennifer Moorhead

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

What drew you to the genre you write?

It’s the genre I read. I love thrillers. I love true crime. I love mysteries. I cut my teeth on Stephen King and Dean Koontz in high school and after that I was hooked. I also grew up in a home with storytellers. My dad loved telling ghost stories to me and my sister when we were kids so, as an adult, I’m drawn toward stories that are creepy and twisty.

What sets your book apart from what is out there?

The setting for one. I grew up in Louisiana and I love the setting it offers. It’s a character to me and it lends itself to my plot as well. Also, my protagonist is a child psychologist and I think exploring a crime story through her professional eyes sets Broken Bayou apart from others out there.

Do you write a series or standalones? Why?

This is my debut and it’s a standalone. I have three other standalones that are standing alone in my attic. Ha. I like standalones because they offer me a fresh story every time. For me, part of the fun of writing is discovering new stories with fresh characters.

What are you currently writing?

In complete contrast to my previous answer, I’m working on a companion book to Broken Bayou. It’s not a sequel. The story is new but it’s told from the perspective of a character I know, one from Broken Bayou. I’ve never done that before but this character kept talking to me and telling me they had a story to tell. So I listened and now I’m hooked.

What are you reading right now?

I’m listening to The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins and it’s delicious.

Do you have a favorite quote or life motto?

Can’t never could.

When my girls read this they will laugh and roll their eyes. That motto was the bane of their existence in middle school and high school.

Favorite writing space?

I have two actually. One is my office which is a private space just off my kitchen that has a great view of the lake on our land. The beauty I see through that window is inspiring. My other space is the kitchen counter. Sometimes I feel the need to be in a busy space and not so shut off. My personality is the same way. Introvert one day, extrovert the next.

Favorite deadline snack?

Dark chocolate and sea salt caramels from Whole Foods. Every bite is like a hug.

What do you see when you look up from writing?

No matter which space I’m writing in, I always look up to see two needy Goldendoodles watching me, impatiently waiting for their walk.

About Broken Bayou: Dr. Willa Watters is a prominent child psychologist at the height of her career. But when a viral video of a disastrous television interview puts her reputation on the line, Willa retreats to Broken Bayou, the town where she spent most of her childhood summers. There she visits her aunts’ old house and discovers some of her troubled mother’s belongings still languishing in the attic—dusty mementos harboring secrets of her harrowing past. Willa’s hopes for a respite are quickly crushed, not only by what she finds in that attic but also by what’s been found in the bayou.

Bio:

Jennifer graduated from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Geaux Tigers! She has written and produced three indie short films that each made top 20 at the Louisiana Film Prize and were awarded at festivals around the world. She lives in Louisiana with her husband, two needy doodles, one very un-needy shelter kitty, and a plethora of farm animals. Her grown daughters are off creating their own life stories. When she’s not writing, she’s photographing the swamps and winding trails in her backyard or she’s on a tennis court laughing and providing job security for her coach. You can learn more about her at her website.