Jenn McKinlay: Yay!!! Today one of my very favorite authors is here. The fabulously creative, imaginative, and talented Kate Carlisle to talk about her brilliant new book DRESSED TO DRILL. And trust me when I tell you, you'll want to listen to this!
Whatever “that” is you’re hearing is a sound wave. Sound is an interesting thing because although it’s invisible, it behaves as a physical thing. It moves; it vibrates; it bounces. Sound is energy.
While I was doing research for my latest Fixer-Upper Mystery, Dressed to Drill (available in paperback, ebook and audiobook), I learned about a fascinating acoustic phenomenon known as a whispering wall, or a whispering gallery. When a sound wave hits a flat wall, it reflects back from that wall at the same angle at which it hit, just as light does. But when that sound wave hits a curved wall or domed ceiling, it can travel along the curve, making even a whisper audible across the room.
A few famous examples of this include:
Gol Gumbaz Mausoleum, India
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We watched them walk toward the altar and beyond to the back wall. Then Madeline and Wade began a quiet conversation about the latest restaurants they’d been to.
And we could hear every word!
“Whoa!” Sean said.
Carla began to laugh. “You guys, we can hear every word you’re saying.”
“Good,” Madeline said. “The shape of the dome and the arched wall behind us create a phenomenon that some scientists call ‘whispering walls’ or ‘whispering arches’. It’s fascinating and a little eerie, don’t you think?”
I turned around and gave my crew a meaningful look. “Did everyone see what happened? Do you understand what it means?”
No spoilers here, but suffice to say that the whispering wall will play a critical role as Shannon investigates the death of a young woman who is murdered within the church’s hallowed halls. I’m excited to—pardon the pun—to hear what you think about Dressed to Drill.
ABOUT THE BOOK
While Shannon Hammer is thrilled to attend the premiere of the movie based on the latest book by her boyfriend, Mac, she can’t wait to trade her killer heels for work boots and start her next renovation project in Lighthouse Cove: a quaint Victorian church that has seen better days. And it will see them again—as an art museum—if Shannon, her talented crew, and her sister, Chloe, have anything to say about it.
However, on the first day of demolition, work comes to a screeching halt when they stumble upon the body of a beautiful young woman in one of the chapels. Who killed the assistant artistic director? Suspects crawl out of the woodwork as fast as Shannon can restore it. The church is hiding a century of secrets dating back to the days when smugglers wreaked havoc on the California coast. But it’s a more recent secret that leads to murder. Shannon and Mac will use every tool in their toolbox to nail down the truth before any more lives are sacrificed.
Congratulations, Kate, on your newest Fixer-Upper mystery. I’m definitely looking forward to reading it . . . and that whispering wall is quite an intriguing phenomenon.
ReplyDeleteA favorite sound? Birds singing . . .
Least favorite sound? Car alarms
Joan, good choice of sounds. I'd only add the sound of waves is also a favorite.
DeleteUrk, car alarms! What were they thinking? It's not like everyone in the vicinity runs to confront a would-be car thief.
DeleteJudy, a soft, steady surf is such a soothing sound. (Say that five times fast!)
DeleteOh, this sounds wonderful. Just the right tinge of spooky. I love the idea of whispering walls. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Elizabeth. I've been really gratified by reader reaction. I am always a bit nervous when a book comes out, but many readers have said this is their favorite yet. That's always the hope! :)
DeleteThis is brilliant, Kate, as a plot device. I've fallen way behind on this series. Must fix that!
ReplyDeleteI think whispering walls are magical. There's one at the Boston Christian Science headquarters in the Mary Baker Eddy Library. The three-story high Maparium is an inside-out stained glass globe, and the entire spherical room whispers. It's stunning visually and acoustically. A glass walkway across bisects it. htttps://www.atlasobscura.com/places/mapparium
So fascinating! It almost feels like being under an aquarium. Thank you for sharing!
DeleteFascinating, Kate. I am looking forward to reading the latest Fixer Upper, curious to see how the whispering wall plays into the plot!
ReplyDelete(When does your next Bibliophile come out?)
Thank you, Judy! The next Bibliophile Mystery, THE TWELVE BOOKS OF CHRISTMAS, will be out in October. It has the *dreamiest* cover ever! You can see it on my website, on the BOOKS page.
DeleteWhat a great idea for a plot element! The acoustics of a rotunda are unique. I thought favorite sound would be easy, but how do you choose? Music, horses contented chewing, the thumping of a happy dog’s tail. Least favorite? My alarm clock!
ReplyDeleteLove your happy sounds. Just imagining them lowers my blood pressure. Which then shot right back up again as I imagined the alarm blaring you awake. LOL
DeleteKATE: I'm looking forward to learning more about the whispering wall in your newest Fixer-Upper mystery.
ReplyDeleteFavourite sound: Child's laughter
Least favourite sound: Screeching motorcycles on my street
Thank you for your kind words, Grace! Your favorite sound is one of mine, as well. Sometimes I deliberately seek out videos of children laughing. The one of the kid laughing hysterically when his dad rips a piece of paper is a perennial favorite.
DeleteWhat a cool fact to weave into the story! We will be going to Grand Central in a couple of weeks--must try this. Congratulations on the new book!
ReplyDeleteI wish I'd known about this when I was in Grand Central a couple of years ago, Kate!
DeleteKate, congrats on the new book--clever you! What an unusual piece of information to weave into a story--and perfectly logical given the setting. I seem to have missed this series--is it best to start out at the beginning or is it okay to just jump in?
ReplyDeleteFavorite sound--my nephews on piano and guitar, enjoying the moment. Least favorite? I'm with Becca above--an alarm clock going off!
Flora, while I am sure that you can read each mystery in this series as a stand-alone, I am really glad that I have read the books in order. The development of characters and relationships is one of my favorite aspects of reading series. The friendship turned to romance between Shannon and Mac is just a great part of this series.
DeleteThe whispering gallery is an amazing element to weave into the story. Our guide showed us a similar phenomenon at Xochicalco, an amazing archeological sight in Morelos, Mexico. He had us line up along one of the walls of the pyramid (open to the sky) and we could hear another member of the group who was far from us.
ReplyDeleteFavorite sound: babble of a forest creek
Least favorite sound: Revving engines and backfires when a street racing group took over an intersection very close to my house
A backfiring car can be so disruptive to my concentration! We live close to the street, too. How fascinating that there's a whispering gallery phenomenon in such an ancient archeological site. I wonder if it was created intentionally or by happenstance.
DeleteFavorite sounds: baby giggles and waves lapping on beach. Least favorite: squealing brakes on my car.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! Perfect. There’s one in the US Capitol to, in statuary hall… I remember when I worked there, thinking how fascinating it was.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite sounds? Yes, Birdsong, of course. And our ducks quacking. And the sound of ice and vodka rattling in our martini shaker. :-)
The worst? Car alarms. And those stupid stupid, horrible leaf blowers.
Congratulations on yet another book! Kate, you are incredible!
Inspired choice of murder scene, Kate!
ReplyDeleteAcoustics in old churches are so fascinating, one reason they are being preserved, especially in Europe. They are more likely in some cases to host concerts than religious services these days. The Union Terminal that now houses the Cincinnati Museum Center just turned 90 years old, and the magnificent arched main area has a whispering corner. I love to take guests from out of town there.
Favorite (of many): wood thrush song. Least favorite: pounding, thumping base of a car with too-loud music.
After living with silence for so many years, any new sound is a blessing. A few nights ago, I heard crickets! Welcome back to JRW's Kate, thank you for enhancing my reading life.
ReplyDeleteOn a personal note to all my friends here above and below the line. As some of you now know, my daughter Amy is quite ill. I must step away a bit for now. Rest assured that i am still with you in spirit and will return when Nome Street settles back to wellness.
Coralee, sending you and Amy healing light and love.
DeleteCoralee, sending love to you and to Amy.
DeleteCoralee, sending many wishes for healing and comfort.
DeleteHolding Amy for healing and ease, Coralee.
DeleteCORALEE: Healing thoughts & best wishes sent to you and Amy.
DeleteCoralee, thinking of you and Amy on Nome Street, sending healing thoughts your way.
DeleteFascinating!
ReplyDeleteFavorite sounds - anything near the ocean
Most disliked sound - diesel engine idling
Oh yes, engines idling is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me. (Another awful sound!) I just hate to think of all the pollutants being pumped into the air.
DeleteI love reading these, and find it interesting that I have not disagreed with anyone's likes or dislikes. I would add that I love the sound of a snoring dog, and deeply dislike the sound of motorized play on the water.
ReplyDeleteOn the subject of whispering galleries, Cano's Restaurant in Orange County, CA used to be such a space. Dinners there were fascinating as one could dine and listen in on conversations, looking around and trying to determine at which table the discussion was taking place, all the while aware that some other diner was likely scoping you out for the same purpose.
Oh my goodness, that immediately creates so many story ideas in my mind! Too bad I already used the whispering wall in DRESSED TO DRILL, because the next book I'm working on will be centered around a restaurant. LOL I can just picture clues coming out because of an overheard conversation from a table across the room.
DeleteAn overheard conversation is the idea source for a series I've recently been reading. It certainly can be hilarious.
DeleteWow... a whispering wall. The mind boggles! Talk about low tech. And I wonder what would disrupt it? Hmmmm. My favorite sounds: definitely birds. Right now the orioles are migrating through and their song is so uplifting and melodious. And the cat birds rasping and mewling. And my favorite song birds - song sparrows.
ReplyDeleteMy reply to you has disappeared twice. Trying one more time. . . I'm listening to lovely morning birdsong as we speak. :)
DeleteKate, I've been to several places over the years where a guide explained about the whispering walls but never knew scientifically why. So nice to know - and thanks for explaining it.
ReplyDeleteHmmm. Hallie, that is an interesting question - "I wonder what would disrupt it?" If someone "glued" a little rock (with a glue that wouldn't permanently damage the structure or walls of course) along the arch would the sound be disrupted?
I've heard of whispering walls but I didn't realize how many there are! Can't wait to read Dressed to Drill. One of my favorite sounds is the cooing of mourning doves. It takes me back to memories of my grandparents' ranch and several houses we've lived in. One sound I hate (and so far I've heard it only on TV) is the rattle of a rattlesnake. Chilling.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool premise for a book. Looking forward to reading DRESSED TO DRILL.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in the shadow of NYC and never knew about the whispering wall in Grand Central. The one in St. Paul's fascinated me.
Favorite sound - rain
Least favorite sound - screeching brakes
Oh, I love the sound of rain on the roof, too. We don't get nearly enough of it here in the California desert. :) (Although we have gotten a lot more than usual this year, as you may have heard.)
ReplyDeleteToo much. Yosemite is still mostly closed because of the threat of flooding from the snow pack.
DeleteCongratulations on Dressed to Drill, Kate! Using a whispering wall is just brilliant and I'm so curious to see how it works into the story. Favorite sounds? Cardinals singing. It was one of the things I missed most when I lived in the UK--no cardinals there. Least favorite (most hated!) sound? The roaring of open mufflers on the cars and pickups that go right by our house and disrupt the peace of my garden.
ReplyDeleteI never realized there are no cardinals in the UK! How interesting. I hope you'll enjoy reading about my whispering wall, Deborah. <3
DeleteThank you so much for the warm congrats, Diana! I loved meeting you at Bouchercon. Toronto is such a beautiful city. I agree that a lamb's cry is similar to a baby's. I like a lot of classical music, but some composers more than others, of course. :) And rain on leaves--YES! One of the loveliest sounds of nature.
ReplyDeleteSeminary Hall at Drew University in NJ has this in the entryway. People thought we were crazy until they tried it and heard the voice from across the way!
ReplyDeleteThat's so interesting that you actually discovered it, Libby! Good for you!
DeleteI couldn't get my picture to come up, but I think my name will. If not , it's Kathy Reel here. Kate, it seems you're not the only one having strange things occur here today. I think your new book sounds fascinating. The whispering wall phenomena is not something I'm familiar with, and I want to learn more. Thinking about sound reminds me that sometimes I'll be sitting in my recliner and swear that a sound is coming from a different place than it is.
ReplyDeleteSound is so mysterious, isn't it, Kathy? The way it bounces and sounds like it's coming from elsewhere.
DeletePat S. — I, too, posted a comment earlier that either never posted or disappeared. One of my favorite sounds is a baby giggling (as mentioned by Brenda above). Waves hitting the beach, music, hearing my husband and dog snoring in symphony (but not when I’m trying to sleep!) are all peaceful sounds. The one I’m hearing right now of a neighbor having their patio jackhammered qualifies as a least favorite sounds.
ReplyDeleteKate, I love your books and am very excited that you’ll have two new books out this year! On the whispering wall phenomenon, once I was eating in a restaurant in Carmel, CA and could very clearly hear a conversation. I looked around and everyone around me was busy eating or the sounds didn’t match the lip movement of the person talking nearby. I finally realized it was people directly across the room from our table. I quietly told my sister and brother-in-law to watch what they said because someone could hear everything they said quite easily!
LOL, Pat! You make such a good point, that sound can be pleasant at one moment and irritating at another. The situation matters. And oh wow on discovering that you could hear the people across the room. I wonder if they heard you warn your sister and brother-in-law. ;)
DeleteThanks so much for joining us today, Kate. I'm reading Dressed to Drill right now and LOVING it!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm reading SUMMER READING!!! LOL This is very meta. Thank you so much for hosting me here yesterday, Jenn. I had a blast.
DeleteI loved Dressed To Drill, Kate. The whispering wall was fascinating.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite sounds mostly have to do with water. A rushing waterfall, a gurgling creek, rain on the forest leaves. Fortunately I live in a rain forest so there is plenty of that around.
Least favorite? My dryer has the most annoying buzzer on Earth. People having excessively loud curse-filled phone conversations in public.
Oh, some electronic noises are the WORST. Our dishwasher has a high-pitched hum that starts when there's about 30 minutes left in the cycle and goes on for about 30 minutes after it's finished, unless I open the door. But of course, I can't open the door before the cycle finishes, so I'm forced to listen to it for at least 30 minutes. My husband doesn't even hear it.
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