Maddie Springer is the sleuth in the “High Heels” mysteries. One of the best ways to learn about a person is by asking questions. So, let’s get to know Maddie.
What is your full name?
Madison Louise Springer, but everyone calls me Maddie.
How old are you?
There are three things that you should never ask a woman: How much she weighs, what’s her natural hair color, and how old she is. So, I’m 29 years old.
What is your profession?
I’m a shoe designer. I’ve always loved shoes. The higher the heel, the better. When I was younger, I dreamed of being a model and walking down runways around the world. But when you are only 5 feet and one and a half inches tall, it’s never going to happen.
Do you have a significant other?
I sure do!
What is their name and profession?
My husband is Jack Ramirez. He’s a Homicide Detective with the LAPD.
Do you have any children?
Yes, we have adorable twins named Max and Olivia, or Livvie for short.
Do you have any siblings?
No, just me. Though my best friend, Dana, is often more like a sister to me!
Are your parents nearby?
My real father lives in Vegas. . . long story there, but he was mostly absent most of my life. We’ve recently reconnected, but it’s complicated. My mother lives nearby and is remarried to a terrific guy that I affectionately call Faux Dad. Faux Dad owns Fernando’s hair salon which is the go-to place for all of the rich, beautiful and botoxed Hollywood stars.
Who is your best friend?
Dana Dashel. She’s a former aerobics instructor turned Hollywood actress, and we’ve been best buds since middle school.
Do you have any pets?
Not yet. The twins have been asking for a puppy, but I’m hesitant. Dogs eat shoes.
What town do you live in?
Los Angeles, born and raised! I’m not sure I could survive in smog-free air.
Do you live in a small town or a big city?
Definitely big city.
Type of dwelling and do you own or rent?
I live in the 50’s style bungalow my husband owned before we were married. It’s often described as “cozy” but it’s ours and it’s home.
What is your favorite spot in your home?
My backyard, where I can sip cocktails with my friends and watch my kids play.
Favorite meal and dessert?
Having grown up in Southern California, I’m partial to Mexican food. Especially if it’s made by my mother-in-law, Mama Ramirez!
Do you have any hobbies?
Shoe shopping. Give me a few minutes and I can try to think of something else. . .
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Someplace warm with sand and a margarita, my handsome husband and no dead bodies. Not necessarily in that order, mind you.
What music do you listen to?
With two preschoolers, it’s usually “Wheels on the Bus” or “Baby Shark” these days!
Do you have a favorite book?
I’m not sure I could pick just one! But I’m always partial to a good mystery. You know, where someone other than me finds a dead body for once!
What is your idea of a really fun time?
A night on the town with my husband where the cocktails flow, the heels are high, and the kids are staying with Grandma that night. . .
If you were to write a memoir, what would you call it?
*** Maddie’s Guide to Shoes & Murder ***
Amateur or professional sleuth and whom do you work with?
Well, I’ve come across more than my fair share of dead bodies in my lifetime, but I’m definitely an amateur sleuth. My bff, Dana, is usually ready to sleuth before I am, and where there is drama, you can always find my other bestie, Marco—part time receptionist at Faux Dad’s salon and part time party planner to the stars!
In a few sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
I start my morning off with a piping hot cup of Starbucks syrupy sweet coffee and scroll through the news on social media. If I see that I’m not mentioned on the L.A. Informer’s site, our most notorious local tabloid, the day is off to a good start! Then I get the twins up and ready for preschool. After I drop them off, I come back to the house and usually work on designs for my shoe line. Today is an exception. I’ll be attending a taping of Jeopardy! Faux Dad is a contestant on their celebrity edition. Mom, Mrs. Rosenblatt (her best friend), and Dana will also be in the audience, and I’m so excited to help cheer Faux Dad on. And everyone knows that nothing can go wrong at America’s favorite game show. . .
Jeopardy in High Heels is the 12th book in the “High Heels” humorous mystery series, released October 20, 2020.
When death hits a contestant on America’s favorite game show, fashion designer turned amateur sleuth is on the case!
I’ll take “What is Murder” for $200 please, Alex?
Maddie Springer may know more about fabulous heels than tough trivia, but she’s thrilled when her hairdresser-to-the-stars stepfather, Fernando, earns a spot on a celebrity edition of American’s favorite game show. But she’s not so thrilled when, after taping ends, one of the other contestants dies, the media are suddenly everywhere, and one reporter in particular is threatening to not only point the finger at Fernando, but also expose his biggest secrets to the world!
The victim was Doggy Z, a famous rap artist turned recreational marijuana supporter turned cooking show co-host. And it seems everyone in his life had a reason to want him dead—from the 4 ex-wives he was serially unfaithful to, to his deceptively wholesome looking cooking show co-host, to the network executive seen arguing with Dog just before his death, and even the soap opera star who competed against him on the trivia show. Now it’s up to Maddie to sift through the suspects and figure out just which person the rapper may have wronged enough to want him dead. With the help of her Hollywood BFF, her hot homicide detective husband, and her endearingly meddling mom, can Maddie track down a cold blooded killer. . . before she finds herself in final jeopardy?
About the authors
Gemma Halliday is the #1 Amazon, New York Times, and USA Today bestselling author of several cozy mystery and suspense thriller novels. Gemma’s books have received numerous awards, including a Golden Heart, two National Reader’s Choice awards, a RONE award for best mystery, two Silver Falchion Awards, and three RITA nominations. She currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her large, loud, and loving family. You can connect with Gemma at gemmahalliday.com.
Catherine Bruns is the USA Today bestselling author of the Cookies & Chance mysteries. She lives in New York with her very patient husband, three sons, and several spoiled pets. She also writes the Italian Chef mysteries, Cindy York real estate and Carrie Jorgenson (Aloha Lagoon) mysteries. Her book, For Sale by Killer, won the 2019 Daphne du Maurier award for Mainstream Mystery/Suspense. Readers are invited to visit her website at catherinebruns.net.
All comments are welcomed.
CUUUTE cover! Love the idea of sending a book to Alex Trebek on Jeopardy. LOL