Do you ever have one of those months where it’s one thing after another? Every day you receive a new piece of news or get pulled in a million different directions where people are asking for your help or you need help yourself? Things are happening right and left, and every square on the calendar is full of chores, appointments and events.
Author Gail Ward Olmsted has taken one of those crazy times and placed them into book 2 of her Miranda Quinn Legal Twist Series, Miranda Nights. Below is my review of Miranda Nights followed by an interview with Olmsted about her book.
Miranda Nights plot summary
Miranda “Randi” Quinn is happily married to her husband, Eric, and hosts a late-night radio show where she gives legal advice to the listeners who call in. One night, a mysterious man calls with a threatening warning. From then on, the threats keep coming, escalating into dangerous attacks against the former Assistant District Attorney.
On top of that, Randi’s best friend, Tracey’s, 16-year-old son has been arrested for possession of child pornography. The situation is more complicated than it initially seems. Being the loyal friend that she is, Randi steps in to assist as best she can to help clear the name of this teenage boy she’s known since birth. In between, she’s dealing with an ailing stepmother, a secret confession from Tracey’s husband, Dale, and pressure to add more shows to her schedule.
In between this mountain of issues, Randi still finds time to flirt with her husband, plan an epic dinner party, and spoil her beloved cat, Hobie. But these distractions allow her stalker to inch closer and closer towards her as he plots his revenge.
The story
Miranda Nights is a blend of genres: part legal thriller, part mystery, and part chick lit. There are a number of subplots which keeps its pacing fast and energetic. However, I feel like all of these subplots do tend to take away from the main conflict: her mysterious stalker.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, Olmsted tends to keep the conflict light. The stalker’s threats are increasingly dangerous, but they never reach hardcore peril. In fact, most fall into the realm of pranks, such as when he has a pile of mulch delivered to her yard or scribbles a message in paint across Quinn’s windshield.
Though it’s a sequel and I didn’t read book 1, I found it easy to catch up with any events in the first story that bleed into book 2. Miranda Nights works both as a standalone novel and one that can be read in series order.
Randi Quinn
Despite her expansive legal knowledge and the one that everyone turns to for help or advice, our hero Randi has a ditzy and disorganized side. This adds a lighthearted, comedic flavor to what could have been an overly serious story.
Randi loves to entertain but can’t cook. She first feels like Terrey isn’t taking her son’s charges seriously and then she wonders why she is so down when they go out to get away from their troubles. She receives threatening phone calls from a stranger but thinks it’s overkill when her husband asks his crew to watch their home when they go away for the weekend.
As I said, this is a story about a woman with a lot on her plate. And when you have a lot going on, you tend to put important issues on the back burner as you deal with the smaller or more urgent problems. That’s exactly what Randi does. She compartmentalizes, allowing the more dangerous problems to steadily grow until they become out of control.
The other characters
The stalker occasionally interrupts Randi’s narration with his own little excerpts at the end of several chapters. He’s obviously deranged and loves to invade personal space and ruin Randi’s day, and even her role as storyteller. But his religious morals hold him back from becoming a legit threat, at least at first. Still, his mental instability would be unsettling for anyone who doesn’t want to worry about who is following them to restaurants or breaking into their home.
The rest of the cast is peppered with interesting and likable characters. Eric has one of those instantly easygoing and genial personalities. He’s so attentive and comes in clutch at the most opportune moments, making him the perfect partner for Randi.
Terrey and her family are equally likable. They’re the best friends you can call in a bind, no matter what’s going on with them. They help to paint this idyllic lifestyle that isn’t problem free but makes it easier to deal with those problems with a strong support system to back it up. That makes it an easy world to dive back into from one reading session to another.
My recommendation
I recommend Miranda Nights to readers looking for a lighthearted, fast-paced novel with some mystery and thriller elements that doesn’t expect you to do any heavy lifting to put the pieces together or try to keep track of any minute details. Because there are so many storylines and characters, it tends to water down the main conflict. But it’s not trying to shock or mirror any of the trendy thriller tropes. And that makes it refreshing and unique.
My rating
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An interview with Gail Ward Olmsted
What was it like to write a sequel? What about it was easier than writing book 1? Harder?
Great question! It was easier in that I already had a thorough knowledge of the main characters, their personalities and lifestyles. It was rather like reuniting with old friends.
It was harder because although it is a sequel, I didn’t want to miss potential readers who did not read Miranda Writes. I wanted to include enough backstory for it to be enjoyed as a standalone but not so much that it would turn off those who did read Miranda Writes.
What kind of research, if any, did you do before you wrote this book?
My favorite research was spending time down on the Connecticut shoreline where the book takes place. I love it there, brings back so many happy memories. I also researched both sexting laws and stalking laws and listened to some radio call-in shows.
Did/do you have any favorite radio shows like Randi’s? Do you have any good podcast recommendations?
I honestly don’t have any favorites or recommendations. My daughter listens to a true crime podcast, but I prefer listening to audiobooks while driving and reading when I’m relaxing.
Do you have a favorite character?
I really love them all, but I think Pops is my favorite. He’s the father many of us wish we had and for me, it’s nice to see him happy and in love with Sally. I loved writing conversations between him and Randi.
How did you manage to balance all of the subplots within the story? Do you have a favorite storyline in this book?
Outlines save me and my sanity. I had different timelines for the three most important subplots: Dante’s threats, Chase’s sexting case and Sally’s health.
After fleshing them out, I added in the everyday activities, the conversations, ongoing job-related challenges, family goings-on. My favorite storyline was actually Chase and his legal troubles. I really feel for teenagers these days. The rules are changing by the minute and the negative impact of a simple error in judgement can be catastrophic!
The story contains a lot of great food scenes. Was this intentional, and what kind of planning went into these scenes?
In Miranda Writes, Randi was preparing to host a live TV talk show and was getting a lot of pressure from her agent and the show’s producers to cut back, count calories and lose a few pounds. Now that she’s on the radio, the pressure to diet is off so, while she’s not a true foodie and can’t cook to save her life, she does appreciate a great deli sandwich, an occasional chocolate shake or a cheeseburger. I must admit that I do as well!
You have in your bio that you love to write about second chances. What advice do you have for people who are seeking their second chances and how to achieve it?
My advice: Be open to opportunities. Say yes! Put yourself out there. Take risks. Let go of what’s held you back in the past. Make mistakes. We only go around once and most times, we regret the things we haven’t done instead of what we have done.
What’s next for you and/or Miranda?
I am working on a historical novel currently but have already gotten the go-ahead from my publisher to start work on a third Miranda novel. I’m very excited to get started!
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