In Conversation with Terry Shepherd

Karen Ann Phillips - A Deadly Hook

• Terry Shepherd

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0:00 | 16:27

In this episode of In Conversation with Terry Shepherd, Terry dives deep into the writer's craft with author and artist Karen Ann Phillips to celebrate the release of A Deadly Hook, the third and final installment in her popular Rocky Nelson series.

What happens when a peaceful weekend in the Sierra Nevadas is interrupted by a Bigfoot sighting and a shocking murder? Karen shares how her protagonist, Raquel "Rocky" Nelson—a retired boxer with a soft heart and a knockout punch—navigates a sinister mystery that leaves one of her own friends as the prime suspect.

Inside This Episode

  • A Different Kind of Sleuth: Why Karen chose to make her protagonist a 55-year-old boxer instead of a traditional bakery owner to set her apart in the "cozy" genre.
  • Art Imitating Life: The autobiographical elements behind Rocky, including Karen’s own boxing lessons and her "money pit" experience owning a vintage trailer.
  • Handling Heavy Themes: How Karen weaves sensitive topics like suicide and sibling rivalry into a traditional mystery while maintaining a "heartfelt" tone and a happy ending.
  • The Romantic Tussle: Rocky’s ultimate choice between the "hot firefighter" and the "handsome detective".
  • The Writing Process: Karen’s transition from short stories to novels, her use of "sprints" for discipline, and the mentors who helped her along the way.

About Karen Ann Phillips

Karen Ann Phillips is a novelist and a professional cover designer. She is an active member of the writing community, including Sisters in Crime and Capital Crimes. While A Deadly Hook wraps up Rocky’s journey, Karen is already at work on her next project: The Mother Daughter Detective Agency.

Connect with Karen:

Mentioned in this Episode

  • Sisters in Crime & Capital Crimes (Sacramento Chapter) 
  • Eight Weeks to a Complete Book by Becky Clark 
  • Writing mentors: Cindy Sample and Penny Warner 

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