Walter MacGregor first appeared in After You’ve Gone and one of the best ways to learn about a person is by asking questions, so let’s get to know Wallie.
What is your name?
Walter MacGregor, but just call me Wallie. I’m named for my father, the judge. He knew he’d never have another child, so here I am, a girl.
How old are you?
Twenty-three. I was born in 1900, at the beginning of this new century.
What is your profession?
I used to teach school, but I inherited from Aunt Hazel’s estate when I turned twenty-one. Now I compose poetry and work on becoming a writer.
Do you have a significant other?
I have two suitors.
What are their names and professions?
Clayton works in his father’s bank. Doubt if he’ll go the distance since he’s always bragging on something, currently his dad’s new motor car. Dewey works as a clerk in a law office. Any man who wants to marry me must accept that I am head strong and want to do what I please. We’ll see how that works out.
Any children?
Mercy me, no. Perish the thought. Me, an unwed mother? Aunt Ida would kill me.
Do you have any sibling(s)?
No.
Do your parents live near you?
I live in my father’s large house and we have a housekeeper, Athalia. She and Aunt Ida helped raise me as my mother died when I was an infant.
Who is your best friend?
My best friend Carla has been away visiting family. I can hardly wait until she returns so I can tell her all about my exciting Uncle Rory.
Cats, dogs or other pets?
Poppa keeps hunting dogs and I have a darling beagle puppy named Holler. He is so spoiled that Poppa says he will never be a good hunting dog.
What town do you live in?
Gunmetal, Texas, is midway between the big cities of Houston to the east and San Antonio to the southwest.
House or building complex? Own or Rent?
Poppa’s house is a large Queen Ann Victorian. He inherited it from his father and I expect I will inherit it one day also.
What is your favorite spot in your house?
I love sitting in the kitchen when Athalia makes one of her wonderful meals. I don’t know how to cook, but I do help her a little, like shelling pecans and chopping carrots.
Favorite meal? Favorite dessert?
Athalia makes wonderful chicken fried steak, and her buttermilk pie is truly special.
Favorite hobby?
I could sit all day and read. And on into the night too, come to think of it.
Favorite author?
Arthur Conan Doyle is a master storyteller. I am besotted with his character Sherlock Holmes.
Favorite vacation spot?
I got out to our family’s ranch just outside of town and ride my horse. That is almost as good as reading.
Favorite sports team?
I like to go to the local rodeo. Does that count?
Movies or Broadway?
I adore the moving pictures. I read everything about the actresses who appear on the silver screen, especially my favorite Lilian Gish. I don’t know anything about Broadway. That is so far from Texas.
Are you a morning or a night person?
At night I go upstairs to my bedroom and write in my journal. Lately, since Uncle Rory came to visit, I’ve had more exciting things to write about. To say the least. Oh you should hear the tales he tells of his misspent youth. He is so unlike his older brother, my father the judge.
Amateur sleuth or professional?
There’s been a death on our property and I am sure it was no accident. The sheriff says it is, but I know it is murder. What would Sherlock Holmes do? I keep asking myself that question and then I act on it.
Whom do you work with when sleuthing?
Aunt Ida is not keen on my digging up clues, but she is coming around. I think she just might help me solve this, my first “case.”
In a few sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
Before Uncle Rory came back to Gunmetal after a 24-year absence, I could tell you about a typical day. However, since then, nothing is typical anymore. It may never be again. Now I’m chasing down crime bosses in the sinful port city of Galveston and talking to flappers who look like floozies. I even met some gangsters who came down from Chicago on the railroad. Really, it is all quite exciting. Not typical at all. That suits me just fine.
Giveaway: Comment below for a chance to win a print copy of After You’ve Gone and Desolation Row. U.S. entries only, please. The giveaway ends February 18, 2019. Good luck everyone!
You can read about Walter in After You’ve Gone, the third book in the “Austin Starr” mystery series, released February 12, 2019.
When a long-lost relative turns up on the run from his rum-running mob boss and soon dies in a freak accident in small-town Texas during Prohibition, only 23-year-old Wallie believes it was murder. Driven by her love for Sherlock Holmes tales, Wallie pursues the truth only to encounter flappers and floozies, Chicago thugs sent by Al Capone, and a crime lord of the sinful port city of Galveston. Indulged by her father the judge but urged by her prim aunt to be a proper lady, Wallie plays amateur sleuth while courted by two eligible suitors. Will she stay alive long enough to figure out which one is her true love?
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About the author
Kay Kendall writes award-winning historical mysteries. In her previous career, she also earned awards for her international public relations projects, working in the US, Canada, Russia, and Europe. Kay and her Canadian husband live in Texas where they have rescued abandoned pet rabbits for twenty years. Currently their household includes three bunnies and one bemused spaniel. Visit Kay at austinstarr.com.
All comments are welcomed.
Thanks for sharing this interview with us 😍❤😍
Thanks for the chance to win a copy 😃💖😍💗
Shared on Twitter 😍❤😍
https://mobile.twitter.com/LindaMoffitt02/status/1096392227453050881
Thanks for tweeting.
Good luck, Linda.
Great interview. Thanks for the chance.
I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I grew up in Texas so it would be interesting to read about the area during Prohibition.
Thanks. I agree with you!
It was interesting doing the research, especially about Galveston.
I love that there are more historical fiction books coming out. After Your Gone also caught my attention since it is also a song composed and written in 1918. Thanks Dru Ann for your service to readers and authors.
As I’m fond of historicals myself, I love it when others are also.
Thanks for this fascinating historical which is intriguing.
Thank you!
What a captivating interview and the books sound enthralling and memorable.
Hi, Ellie. I’m so glad you like the sound of my new book
Prohibition era is not a period that I often come across. This sounds like a fun way to get a feel for that time.
Wallie sounds like quite the character–and I have to love anyone whose favorite meal is chicken-fried steak.
The era and story featured interests me greatly. Great interview.
An interesting time in an interesting location. It will be a great read.
Sounds like a good read.
Really enjoyed getting to know Wallie. Sounds like my kind of book. Looking forward to reading the series.
Hadn’t heard of this author before. I love historical mysteries.
Thanks for the introduction to a new author/series.
Wallie sounds interesting. She has a great voice. Looking forward to this new series.
Thanks for the post and the chance to win!
Would love to win After You’ve Gone. My interest is piqued; Wallie’s interview was fun. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity.📚
This sounds like an intriguing series. Looks like I’ll have some catching up to do. Thanks for the chance to win.
Another new-to-me series – thanks, DruAnn! Wallie sounds like a delightful sleuth. And I have to love anyone who loves Sherlock Holmes!
This series sounds fun!
A new-to-me author/series…
Thank you for the giveaway…..
Thanks for a chance..
**** WINNER ****
After You’ve Gone and Desolation Row is MaryAnn Forbes
Congratulations!