Why do you write the genre that you write?
I love reading mysteries, and love writing mysteries that take place in cozy surroundings—in a town where everyone knows everyone else. Cozy mysteries come in series. I love writing a series, seeing how my protagonist grows and changes.

What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?
I suppose the fact that Evelyn is a ghost who often visits the library where only Carrie can see her is a quirk. When Carrie explains Evelyn’s existence to her fiancé and her best friend, they are completely dumbstruck.

How did you come up with your pseudonym?
My publisher asked me to create a pseudonym. I came up with a few names that I liked and asked my small group of cozy authors which name they liked best. And so Allison Brook was born!

Tell us how you got into writing.
I started writing stories in elementary school. In high school, I took a writing course in my senior year and felt that my teacher was not very encouraging so I stopped writing. But the writing bug bit me again when my sons were small. I started out writing novels for kids and eventually began writing mysteries.

What jobs have you held before, during and/or after you became a writer.
I taught high school Spanish before I was published. Then for a few years I did substitute teaching. I also taught some writing courses.

Where do you write?
I write in my home office.

What is your favorite deadline snack?
I never eat when I’m writing. In fact, when I bring up coffee or tea, I forget to drink it.

Who is an author you admire?
My friend, Krista Davis, because she manages to write three good series at the same time.

What’s your favorite genre to read?
These days I’m enjoying psychological suspense novels.

What are you reading now?
I read several books at the same time. I’m reading a memoir by one of my favorite authors, Elizabeth Jane Howard, called Slipstream. I’m listening to Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun and Hank’s latest book, The House Guest. And I’m reading one of Cathy Ace’s mysteries, The Mitford Affair by Marie Benedict, and Late Bloomers by Deepa Varadarajan.

What is your favorite beverage to end the day?
Actually, it’s water.

What is next for you?
I’m writing the eighth and final book of the Haunted Library series. After that, I’ll start writing my new series that takes place on a small island in the Long Island Sound between Long Island and Connecticut.

My children’s book, Rufus and Magic Run Amok, which was an International Reading Association-Children’s Book Council “Children’s Choice” has been reprinted by Level Best Books and will be followed by three more Rufus books.

Where can we find you?
My website, where you can sign up for my newsletter: marilynlevinson.com
Facebook: marilynlevinsonauthor
Twitter: @marilynlevinson | @allisonbrookML
BookBub: allison-brook
Instagram: @marilynlevinsonauthor

Now to have some fun . . .

Chocolate or vanilla
Chocolate!

Cake or ice cream
Can I have both?

Fruits or vegetables
Fruits, definitely!

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner
Dinner

Dining in or dining out
Enjoy both, but I’m always ready to dine out.

City life or country living
Country living, city visiting.

Beach or mountain
Mountain

Summer or winter
Summer

Short story or full-length novel
Novel

Extrovert or introvert
In the middle

Early bird or night owl
Night owl

And even more fun . . .

What is your favorite movie?
I loved “The For the Road.”

You are stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?
Books to read or listen to (Hah! no electricity); a phone to contact people; fruit to eat.

My bio:
A former Spanish teacher, Marilyn Levinson writes mysteries, romantic suspense, and novels for kids. Her books have received many accolades. As Allison Brook she writes the Haunted Library series. Death Overdue, the first in the series, was an Agatha nominee for Best Contemporary Novel in 2018. Other mysteries include the Golden Age of Mystery Book Club series and the Twin Lakes series.

Her juvenile novel, Rufus and Magic Run Amok, was an International Reading Association-Children’s Book Council Children’s Choice. And Don’t Bring Jeremy was a nominee for six state awards.