Why do you write the genre that you write?
I’ve been a mystery lover since I picked up my first Nancy Drew book. For me, reading mysteries is about enjoying the writing and trying to figure out “who done it.” The perfect mystery is when I find myself intentionally slowing my reading speed because—as much as I want to know how the story ends, I don’t want to leave the world the author has created.

Tell us how you got into writing?
I don’t remember how old I was when I read Stuart Little, but I do recall being extremely unhappy with the ending—so I rewrote it. I always enjoyed writing and when I reached high school, was an English major. But when I went on to college, I switched to art. In the post-college years, writing was always part of whatever job I was doing, but it wasn’t what I’d call a creative endeavor. Then, while taking a newsletter design class, the instructor tasked us with writing an essay—on any topic we chose. And as I wrote, I rediscovered my love of writing. Soon after that I enrolled in a mystery writing course at UCLA Extension.

What jobs have you held before, during and/or after you’ve became a writer?
While living in the Boston area, I worked in public relations and advertising for a real estate firm and at an art supply shop. When we moved to California, I started working for the City of Redondo Beach in Senior and Family Services, then later ran the Active Adult Center at the City of Moorpark. 

Where do you write?
I’ve set my desk up in the living room where I can look out at the bay when I need to take a break.

What is your favorite deadline snack?
Dark chocolate. I’m not sure if it’s the caffeine or the antioxidants, but it definitely recharges my batteries.

What’s next for you?
Now that A Deadly Bone To Pick comes out on February 8th, I’m focusing on edits for the second Molly Madison mystery.

What are you reading now?
I’m always in the middle of a mystery. Right now it’s the not-yet-released Smile Beach Murder. I also keep Mary Oliver’s Devotions on my desk and read or re-read her poems regularly. My non-fiction reading tends to be more sporadic. I’m currently re-reading the illustrated version of On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder.

Where can we find you?
I’m on Twitter at @PegRothschild and Instagram at @peggyrothschild6. My website is peggyrothschildauthor.com.

Now to have some fun. . .

Vanilla or chocolate
Chocolate. Always.

Pizza or burgers
As a lactose intolerant vegetarian, if I can get a cheese-less pizza,
I’m thrilled. If not, I’ll take a veggie burger.

Broccoli or squash
Broccoli—by a mile!

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner
I love them all—as long as I’m not cooking. But, if I have to choose. . .dinner

Mountain or beach
The beach—but one of those foggy, cloudy or overcast ones.

Introvert of extrovert
Introvert with a few extrovertish tendencies

And even more fun. . .

You are stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?
My husband
Our pets
A fully loaded and rechargeable e-reader!

My Bio:
After losing their home during a California wildfire, Peggy Rothschild and her husband moved to the beach community of Los Osos along the central coast. When not at her desk or out walking, you can usually find her in the garden. A Deadly Bone To Pick is her first cozy mystery.