Writing About Murder Was Our Escape

Dear friend,

I’m thrilled to share my first novel, Mother-Daughter Murder Night, with you. But I have a confession to make. I wrote it for someone else.

I wrote it for my mom.

In fall of 2020, my mom got diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. We’ve always been close, but we’re both independent, driven women. When she called to say she needed emergency brain surgery, she told me not to come. That I had my own work and family to take care of.

I didn’t listen. I jumped on a plane and changed my life so I could support her through treatment. We were lucky to be together, but it was a stressful, scary time. Our days were full of doctors and drugs. We needed a distraction, something that wasn’t cancer, to keep us from losing hope.

We found it in murder. My mom and I have always loved murder mysteries, and I’ve always enjoyed writing. So one day, I asked her: “What if I tried writing a mystery, with someone like you as the lead detective?”

Mother-Daughter Murder Night was born. It’s the story of three women—a grandma, single mom, and teenage girl—who come together to solve a murder. My mom was my muse for the fierce grandma, Lana Rubicon, and the story reflects the humor, complexities, and power of our mother-daughter bond.

Writing this book was our escape. We debated plot points in hospital waiting rooms, researched murder weapons in the chemo clinic. I wrote, and my mom read, and we both got stronger through it. And now that her health is getting better, we’re both honored and excited to share this story with you. 

When you read Mother-Daughter Murder Night, I hope you fall in love with the family at the heart of the story. I hope the mystery keeps you guessing until the very last page. But most of all, I hope it makes you smile. I hope it makes you laugh. I hope this book gives you a warm hug. Even if it comes with a little bit of murder.

Love,

Nina