What We're Writing Week: Julia has Questions

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: There is a reading of Reds at the Crime Bake mystery conference in Dedham, MA this weekend (yes, I just invented the collective noun for a group of Jungle Red Writers, you're welcome.) On Friday evening, we presented another one of our (in) famous game shows: 

                                            

 

 

 

 

The NewlyRed Game!

The goal was to find out how much we know about each other after seven thirteen SIXTEEN  years of blogging together! (Seriously, we all know marriages that didn't last that long.) We were supposed to be two groups of three, but after Hallie came down with Covid (feel better soon, Hallie!) we pivoted to two pairs, with 'invisible Reds' Hallie and Rhys added in, and yours truly as the host. (Lucy said I had the most "hosty" energy.)

The planning session: BBQ & cosmos

There were a lot of laughs, quite a few suggestions from the audience, and a good time was had by all. Or at least, the Crime Bake Committee didn't immediately kick us out and ban us from the conference.

Now it's your turn to play the at-home version of The NewlyRed Game. Read each question below and answer which of the seven Reds it applies to. Let us see your guesses well-researched answers in the comments.

No, we can't give you a second honeymoon, but we may be able to scare up some Turtle Wax...

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Which Red is mentioned affectionately and enthusiastically in James Patterson's new bio? 

2. Which Red grew up loving German food and oom-pah-pah music?

3. Which Red wore Mary Quant dresses and had a Vidal Sasson hair cut? 

4. Which Red attracted over 100 comments discussing the topic of dried legumes?

5. Which Red is a recovering librarian ?

6. Name the Red who had a book made into a Lifetime movie?

7. Which Red was disappointed to get a battery as a Christmas present – until she discovered a much-wanted transistor radio in her stocking?

 

8. Which Red defended Jack Reacher against charges of premeditated assault and battery?

 

9. Which Red was propositioned by Warren Beatty?

10. Which Red was inspired to write a book thanks to finding a box of creepy doll parts under a bed?

11. Which Red loves DIY and power tools?

12. Which Red considered dying her hair pink during the pandemic? (And another Red wrote a poem about it!)

 

13. Which Red sang in a gospel choir and recorded an album for an off Broadway show?

14. Which Red is ‘crazy’ for Patsy Cline and will happily sing “Stand By Your Man” while “Walking after Midnight?”

Judy Singer, Karen Mazlowski and Edith Maxwell!

15. Which Red’s middle name is Elizabeth? Yes, we revealed all our middle names on the blog!

16. Which Red was an Actor’s Equity apprentice and acted professionally?

17. Which Red aced the test to be a contestant on Jeopardy!

18. Which Red uses the infamous “Banana Phone” song to remind her to schedule her mammogram?

 

 

Christine Falcone

19. Which Red gives the following advice for aspiring writers: Just hold your nose and write?

20. Which Red has performed in the Nutcracker in a professional position?

21. Which Red was elected as treasurer of her class in high school, using the slogan, “Red’s name Kisses Babies!” and had to recreate a year’s worth of account entries because she lost the ledger book in her locker?

22. Which TWO Reds were unfairly and unjustifiably cheated out of their Edgar Awards by T. Jefferson Parker (who brought his elderly dad to the awards for the sympathy vote!)

23. Which Red played a nun in the Sound of Music where she learned to belt out Ave Maria in Latin?

24. Which Red took flying lessons and learned to fly a single engine plane? 

25. Which Red has taken glider pilot lessons and even (accidentally) managed a wingover air manuever, much to her instructor's dismay? (Yes, these are two different people!)

 

 

 

26. Which Red went to Princeton and Yale but considers being the keynote speaker of the graduating class of the Sheriff’s Police Academy her highest honor?

27. Name 2 Reds who have well-organized bucket lists as opposed to grabbing whatever opportunities present.

A good time was had by all, we hope!

28. Which Red took lessons in ballroom dancing and loves to swing dance?

29. Which Red has vowed everlasting enmity to Japanese knotweed? 

 

Julia: We hope you'll try your hand at it, dear readers!