Susan M. Boyer

USA TODAY Bestselling Author
Agatha Award Winner

Susan M. Boyer

USA TODAY Bestselling Author
Agatha Award Winner

Thank you so much for visiting my cyber home!

in Uncategorized

I’ve loved mystery novels since I was a young girl and first met Nancy Drew and Trixie Beldon. In my early teens I broadened my reading to include my mother’s romance novel collection. Now I write my own romantic mysteries. My first series stars Liz Talbot, a private investigator with a weakness for Kate Spade bags and shoes. Liz lives on the island of Stella Maris, which is situated in my mind, just north of Isle of Palms, near Charleston, South Carolina. Stella Maris is a small town—the folks are warm and friendly. I hope you’ll visit them often.

I’m busy working on Liz’s next adventure. Check back with me here on the web-I’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, drop by to visit when you can on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Pinterest-be sure to check out Liz’s World on Pinterest!

Thanks again for stopping by!

 

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Media Kit

in about, Uncategorized

Short Biography

Susan M. Boyer is the author of the USA TODAY bestselling Liz Talbot mystery series. Her debut novel, Lowcountry Boil, won the 2012 Agatha Award for Best First Novel, the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense, and garnered several other award nominations, including the Macavity. The third book in the series, Lowcountry Boneyard, was a Spring 2015 Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance Okra Pick, and has been short-listed for the 2016 Pat Conroy Beach Music Mystery Prize. It is also a 2016 Daphne du Maurier finalist for the Mainstream Mystery/Suspense award.

Lowcountry Bordello, the fourth Liz Talbot mystery, was released November 3, 2015. LOWCOUNTRY BOOK CLUB released July 5th, 2016 and was a Summer 2016 SIBA Okra Pick.

Susan loves beaches, Southern food, and small towns where everyone knows everyone, and everyone has crazy relatives. You’ll find all of the above in her novels. She lives in Greenville, SC, with her husband and an inordinate number of houseplants.

susanmboyerbooks.com

Long Biography

Born and raised in Faith, North Carolina, Susan M. Boyer was blessed with a quintessential small-town childhood. She’s had a life-long love affair with books, and is grateful to have been gifted with an over-active imagination. Susan was one of those children whose teachers were always telling her mamma that her talents needed to be “channeled.” She’s been making things up and writing them down her whole life.

Susan took a sampler’s approach to education. She attended N.C. State University, Catawba College, and College of Charleston. She has a long list of majors, one of which was English. Unfortunately, none of the above institutions could be convinced that her hodgepodge of credits–though impressive in number–merited awarding Susan a degree.

Because computer programming offered a steady paycheck, Susan practiced that art for a while, then segued into systems analysis, and later project management.

But her day job interfered with her writing habit, so in 2004, Susan had to give up rush hour, project plans, and staff meetings. She declared herself unemployable by any other means and has spent her days writing and daydreaming too much in her pajamas ever since.

Susan’s debut novel, LOWCOUNTRY BOIL is a USA Today Bestseller, an Agatha Award winner for Best First Novel, a Macavity nominee for Best First Novel, a 2012 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense recipient, and a 2012 RWA Golden Heart® finalist. LOWCOUNTRY BOMBSHELL, the second Liz Talbot Mystery, was released September 3, 2013 and is also a USA Today Bestseller.  LOWCOUNTRY BONEYARD came out April 21, 2015, and was a USA Today Bestseller, Spring 2015 Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance Okra Pick, was short-listed for the 2016 Pat Conroy Beach Music Mystery Prize, and is a 2016 Daphne du Maurier finalist for the Mainstream Mystery/Suspense award. LOWCOUNTRY BORDELLO followed November 3, 2015. LOWCOUNTRY BOOK CLUB released July 5th, 2016 and was a Summer 2016 SIBA Okra Pick. Susan plans for Liz Talbot to have many more cases to solve.

Susan’s short fiction has appeared in moonShine Review, Spinetingler Magazine, and Relief Journal, among others. She is the recipient of Relief Journal’s editor’s choice award in fiction and has been recognized by the Carrie McCrary Memorial Literary Awards program.

She served on the board of directors for South Carolina Writers’ Workshop 2006 – 2009, and was chairperson for the organization’s annual conference 2007 – 2008.

Visit Susan on the web at susanmboyerbooks.com.

Photos of Susan
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Book Cover Images

LowcountryBordello FRONT

 

Lowcountry Book Club FINAL

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Points of Contact

Press Releases

Publicist

Magic Time Literary Agency (Speaking Engagements & Special Events)
Kathie Bennett
(864) 706 – 1484
 
Claire McKinney PR LLC
(Media, In-Store Signings, All Other Inquiries)
41 Main Street
Chester, NJ 07930
 
Claire McKinney
Phone: (908) 955-7563
 
Larissa Ackerman
larissa@clairemckinneypr.com
Phone: (908) 955-7580

 

 

Professional Affiliations

 

About Susan

in about, Uncategorized

Susan M. Boyer is the author of the USA TODAY bestselling Liz Talbot mystery series. Her debut novel, Lowcountry Boil, won the 2012 Agatha Award for Best First Novel, the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense, and garnered several other award nominations, including the Macavity.

Lowcountry Boneyard, the third Liz Talbot mystery, was a Spring 2015 Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance Okra Pick and a USA Today Bestseller. It was also a finalist for The 2016 Pat Conroy Southern Book Prize Award in the Beach Music Mystery category, and is a finalist for the 2016 Daphne du Maurier Award in the Mainstream Mystery/Suspense category.

LOWCOUNTRY BOOK CLUB released July 5th, 2016 and was a Summer 2016 SIBA Okra Pick. Susan loves beaches, Southern food, and small towns where everyone knows everyone, and everyone has crazy relatives. You’ll find all of the above in her novels.

Susan lives in Greenville, SC, with her husband and an inordinate number of houseplants.

Who’s Who in Stella Maris

in extras, Uncategorized

Folks You’ll Need to Know Who Their People Are What They Do Common Knowledge
Andrews, Nate Liz Talbot’s partner and ex-brother-in-law Private Investigator He is hot.
Andrews, Scott Liz Talbot’s ex-husband and Nate’s brother Owns private equity firm in Greenville, SC He is a snake.
Bradley, Kristen Merry Talbot’s roommate Pharmaceutical sales rep She’s a little free with her favors.
Butler, Willa One of Clive and Dahlia Butler’s girls Surgeon She’s the closest thing we have to a voodoo priestess
Causby, Hayden Part of the Causby clan from Mt. Pleasant Shrimper He went to prison for 15 years on drug charges.
Causby, Troy Hayden’s grandson Thug Merry Talbot’s been seeing him, but her daddy doesn’t know it.
Cooper, Clay Bill and Nell Cooper’s boy Police Officer, Stella Maris PD He’s always been a little sweet on Liz.
Cooper, Bill Clay’s father and Nell’s husband He owns Cooper’s Dry Cleaners He’s a straight arrow.
Cooper, Nell Avalee Baker The Bakers are an old Stella Maris family. Office Mgr. & Dispatcher for Stella Maris PD She basically runs things at the police department.
Devlin, Adam Michael’s brother, Kate’s older son Manages Steven’s Hardware, owned by his wife’s family He thinks mighty highly of himself.
Devlin, Deanna Stevens Adam’s wife Works in hardware store, mostly home décor She’s as sweet as she can be.
Devlin, Holly Adam and Deanna’s younger daughter Goes to kindergarten  
Devlin, Isabella Adam and Deanna’s older daughter She’s in first grade.  
Devlin, Kate Sullivan Adam and Michael’s mother, the Devlins and the Sullivans have lived on Stella Maris forever She’s retired from working as a secretary to a judge. Bless her heart, she’s had a hard life. Raised those two boys by herself.
Devlin, Marci Miller Michael’s wife, Liz’s cousin Works as a teller at the bank Her daddy was no account. Her poor mamma drank herself to death.
Devlin, Michael Adam’s brother, Kate’s son, Marci’s husband Owns a construction company He’s on the town council–represents District One.
Devlin, Stuart Adam and Michael’s father, Kate’s husband He’s been dead twenty-five years. He left to go sailing one Sunday and never came back–lost at sea.
DiTomei, Phoebe Bianca She’s not from here–moved down from Brooklyn about ten years back. Owns and operates Phoebe’s Day Spa She does the best color in three states.
Douglas, Casey Jane She moved down from Orangeburg about nine-ten years ago. Waitress at The Pirate’s Den She has a pierced belly button.
Glendawn, Alma Ferguson John’s wife, Elvis and Moon Unit’s mother Works with John at the Pirate’s Den She’s a good woman, but a little nutty. Saw Elvis Presley last week at the Piggly Wiggly.
Glendawn, Elvis John and Alma’s son, Moon Unit’s brother Rides his bike on patrol unofficially for the Stella Maris PD He’s developmentally challenged. He’s 29 on the outside and 14 on the inside.
Glendawn, John Alma’s husband. The Glendawns have been in Stella Maris forever. Owns and operates The Pirate’s Den He’s on the town council–represents District Two.
Glendawn, Moon Unit John and Alma’s oldest child, Elvis’s sister Owns and operates The Cracked Pot, the island’s diner She’s a talker. Some of the women at Phoebe’s Day Spa think Moon is sweet on Blake.
Harper, Elenore Warren Harper’s first wife Maid for Calista McQueen They have three children, but she abandoned them and Warren years ago. No one’s heard tell of her in years. Then, recently, she turned up working as a maid for that new woman in town, Calista McQueen. She’s not right in the head.
Harper, Warren Moved down from Asheville, NC in 1987 Town doctor and medical examiner when needed His first wife was a loon. His second wife, Lauren, is sweet as sugar.
Jacobs, Charlie The Jacobs have been around for years Retired as chief of police in 2005 His wife, Myrna Lynne, had family money, which was how he could retire so young.
Johnson, Hank The Johnsons have been around a spell. Local judge His wife, Shannelle, is certifiable, but she knows how to accessorize. She’s Myrna Lynne’s sister.
Lyerly, Tammy Sue She was a Ketchie before she married Zeke Lyerly. Her people are from Atlanta. Operates a booth in a local flea market selling handmade items. She’s high-strung and prone to radical hair color changes.
Lyerly, Zeke He says he’s originally from Atlanta, but he says a lot of things. Owns and operates Lyerly’s Auto Repair He’s a good ole boy with a vivid imagination.
Manigault, Alicia Rivers The Rivers family has been in Stella Maris forever. Alicia married Sam Manigault. Works at the Stella Maris Hotel, her family’s business. Alicia was Blake Talbot’s high school girlfriend, but Liz and Merry never warmed up to her.
Manigault, Sam The Manigaults have been around a right long time. Police Officer, Stella Maris PD Sam is positively besotted with that wife of his. She leads him around with ring through his nose.
McQueen, Calista She’s new in town. Unknown No one knows who her people are. She keeps to herself. If she has a job, no one knows what she does. No one knows a thing about her, but Moon Unit is working on it.
Miller, Paul A surfer who showed up one summer and ran off with Sharon Talbot. Worked for a while with Sharon’s daddy, Ben, in landscaping. Ran off in 1988. Whereabouts unknown.
Miller, Sharon Talbot Ben and Emma Rae Talbot’s oldest child. Marci Miller Devlin’s mother. Never held a job. Drank herself to death in 2001, three months after Marci married Michael.
Morehead, David Nobody knows where he came from. Works for New Life Foundation, those folks Merry’s dealing with No one knows a thing about him except that he uses a lot of hair gel and carries a man purse.
Murphy, Rodney Moved here from Minneapolis in 2005. His folks came the following year. Nice people. Police Officer, Stella Maris PD He’s a quiet boy, keeps to himself.
Owen, Quincy   Executive Director of New Life Foundation  
Pearson, Humphrey Sinclaire His mamma was a Waters. Both the Pearsons and Waters have been in Stella Maris forever. He’s an activist. He protests things, mostly drug laws. Something fried this poor man’s brains. He’s stuck in 1969, and can’t keep his clothes on.
Pearson, Olivia Beauthorpe The Beauthorpes were the first family on this island. Robert Pearson’s wife, Liz’s friend from high school. Soccer mom She’s a little high strung. If her fourth great-granddaddy hadn’t been a gambler, the Beauthorpes might still own the whole island.
Pearson, Robert The Pearsons have been in Stella Maris forever. Olivia’s husband Lawyer He’s on the town council–represents District Six.
Ravenel, Sonny Lives in Charleston. There are Ravenels all over Charleston, and a few in Stella Maris. Police Officer, Charleston PD Sonny and Blake Talbot go way back.
Smithers, Luella Wife of Emmett Smithers, moved here in 1995 from Birmingham, AL Preacher’s wife She makes the best shrimp salad anyone’s ever tasted.
Smithers, Reverend Emmett Moved here in 1995 from Birmingham, AL Preacher at Stella Maris Baptist Church He has TV preacher hair.
Stevens, Colleen Liz’s best friend. Deanna Stevens Devlin’s sister. Daughter of Walter and Myra Stevens Drowned her junior year in high school while swimming in Breach Inlet Anyone with a speck of sense knows better than to swim there.
Stevens, Myra Colleen and Deanna’s mother, Walter’s wife Retired She’s a sweet lady, but maybe pushed those girls too hard.
Stevens, Walter Colleen and Deanna’s father, Myra’s husband Owns Stevens Hardware, but has retired and let Adam and Deanna run it.  
Sullivan, Grace Liz’s Godmother, Caroline Talbot’s best friend, Henry’s sister, Lincoln’s second cousin Owns and operates Sullivan’s Bed and Breakfast She’s the local psychic–the real deal. Also serves on town council–District Five.
Sullivan, Henry Grace’s brother, Mac’s father, Lincoln’s second cousin. Married Nancy Emerson Rector at St. Frances Episcopal  
Sullivan, Lincoln Elisha Mildred’s husband, second cousin to Grace and Henry, Mac’s great uncle Mayor of Stella Maris  
Sullivan, Mackenzie Emerson Son of Henry and Nancy Sullivan, Grace’s nephew Lawyer, town solicitor He’s been a pompous boy his whole life.
Sullivan, Mildred Kingsley Seems like her people are from Charleston. Married the mayor, Lincoln Sullivan Mayor’s wife She holds that it’s her duty to set high moral standards for the community–ask her.
Sullivan, Nancy Emerson The Emersons are from Charleston. She married Henry Sullivan. Rector’s wife  
Talbot, Benjamin Liz’s grandfather. Emma Rae’s husband. The Talbots have been in Stella Maris forever. He passed on in 1992.  
Talbot, Blake Liz’s older brother by one year Stella Maris Chief of Police He could have been a great many things if he’d been willing to leave Stella Maris. Thank the Good Lord he stayed. But living on a houseboat and playing part-time in a band are unusual in a police chief.
Talbot, Carolyn Moore Liz, Blake and Merry’s mother. The Moores are from Sullivan’s Island. Active church volunteer, housewife She’s taken up Jazzercise, and wears some interesting outfits for her workouts.
Talbot, Emma Rae Simmons Liz, Blake, Merry and Marci’s grandmother. She was a Simmons, and they’ve been here forever. She was a homemaker, mother and grandmother She was on the town council–District Three. Loved to throw parties.
Talbot, Frank Emma Rae and Ben’s son. Liz, Blake and Merry’s father. Caroline’s husband. Retired from an accounting position in Charleston He’s a character.
Talbot, Harrison Ben Talbot’s brother. Liz, Blake and Merry’s great uncle Retired investment banker He loves money better than anything.
Talbot, Liz Emma Rae’s granddaughter, Blake and Merry’s sister, Frank and Caroline’s girl Private Investigator She’s still pining for Michael Devlin ten years after he married her cousin Marci.
Talbot, Merry Liz’s younger sister by 2 years Executive Director of Teen Council in Charleston She’s a sweet girl, but she has a wild streak.
Vardry, Atticus The Vardrys are an established Greenville family. Retired He hired Liz and Nate to find his granddaughter who ran away in September.
Walker, Mr. & Mrs. The Walkers are from Greenville   Mrs. Walker hired Liz and Nate to document Mr. Walker’s infidelity.
Waters, Vern The Waters have been in Stella Maris forever. Owns and operates The Stella Maris Citizen, the local newspaper  
Watson, Coy Moved here from West Virginia in 1993 Still a bartender at the Pirate’s Den even though he’s past retirement age. He’s got some colorful family back in West Virginia.
Rhett Liz’s Golden Retriever    
Chumley Frank and Caroline’s Bassett Hound    
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