Page 59 - Reader's House Magazine Issue 49

“Double Duplicity” is a captivating blend of mystery, romance, and mysticism. Paty Jager masterfully weaves Shandra Higheagle’s visions and Detective Ryan Greer’s determination into a thrilling small-town whodunit. With rich cultural depth and engaging characters, this cozy mystery keeps readers hooked. A must-read for fans of suspenseful, heartfelt storytelling!
Paty Jager masterfully weaves authentic Western and Native American elements into captivating stories, earning her well-deserved acclaim and awards.
one another and they know everything about their neighbors. Usually, the rural population is self-sufficient and likes it that way. Which gives me stalwart, hard-working people to build my characters and settings around.
The Shandra Higheagle Mystery Series, beginning with Double Duplicity, blends cozy mystery elements with Native American mysticism. What inspired
you to incorporate visions and spiritual guidance into a murder mystery, and how does Shandra’s Nez Perce heritage influence her sleuthing?
While researching the Nez Perce culture, I decided that Shandra’s grandmother would be a leader of the Seven Drums. It is a traditional reli- gion, and many Native American people believe in dreams and visions I felt this made it plausible to have the grandmother guide Shandra in her dreams. I ran the idea by an author married to a tribal member. She agreed. And recently I had
a Native American reader say she enjoys the stories because she has had visions and dreams. Shandra’s heritage opens her mind to possibili- ties others may not see.
Your Gabriel Hawke novels, such as Murder of Ravens, feature a protagonist who relies on the ancient Indian art of tracking. How do you approach weaving traditional skills and cultural heritage into modern-day mystery plots, and what challenges do you face in balancing these elements?
My Oregon Game Warden is from the Nez Perce tribe who summered and wintered in Wallowa County before they were removed to reservations. His grandfather taught him to be a skilled tracker. Using his acute sense of seeing what is out of place, he can trust his instincts when he feels someone is innocent or guilty. I try to balance Hawke’s knowledge and investi- gative techniques so the reader finds the story believable.
With over 55 novels published, many with Western or Native American elements, how do you keep your stories fresh and engaging for your readers? Can you share a bit about your process for coming up with new ideas and plots?
Part of keeping my stories fresh is switching up the genres a bit. When I get an idea that I’m excited about writing, I believe my enthusiasm for the story engages the readers. Coming up with ideas for my mystery books can come about
when I find a unique or interesting way a person might die or a body might be hidden. Someti- mes it has to do with a theme I want to explore. I’m not a plotter. Once I have the means of death and a victim, I write up a suspect chart and use that as my guide for writing the book.
You’ve received numerous awards for your work, including for Spirit of the Mountain and Secrets of a Mayan Moon. How have these accolades influenced your writing career, and do they shape the way you approach new projects?
Thank you for mentioning the awards. The two books are completely different, yet, speak of my theme, justice. Getting an award for a book makes me feel I have something to say that people want to read. The awards keep me wanting to write the best book I can and to entertain and enlighten the reader.
Research seems to play a significant role in your writing, often leading to new stories. Can you share an example of a time when research took you on an unexpected journey that resulted
in a novel or series? How important is accuracy and detail in your portrayal of Native American culture and Western settings?
Research is my favorite part of writing. I learn about things that I would not normally think to research. In Secrets of a Mayan Moon, I researched the Mayan culture. When I first decided to send my Indiana Jones/MacGyver character to Guatemala, I didn’t know what the climax scene would be. However, the research I did made it an unforgettable ending.
I believe in portraying Native American culture as accurately as I can. I have tribal members from the Umatilla and the Nez Perce who I run things by to make sure I’m not disres- pecting their culture.
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