Speaking with Marilyn Meredith

Judgement Fire

Marilyn Meredith: Judgment Fire is about Deputy Tempe Crabtree investigating the death of a battered wife, trying to help her troubled son, dealing with a man with mental issues, taking part in a starlight ceremony, and regaining memories of her painful high school years.

Lauren Smith: What prompted you to write on this subject?  

Marilyn Meredith: Every time I start a new Tempe book, something has popped into my mind as a kernel of an idea and the more I think about it, the more it begins to grow. There are several subjects entwined in this book, but one I really wanted to bring out was the reason Tempe hadn't found out more about her Native American heritage earlier in her life. 

Lauren Smith: What brought you to write about a Native American law enforcement officer? 

Marilyn Meredith: My first decision was to write about a female law enforcement officer. This came from two different areas. First, I did an interview for the newspaper of a female resident deputy and she shared with me how hard it was to be the female in a male dominated profession. Then I did an all night ride-along with a female police officer. From the hours of 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. she didn't get a single call and she poured out her heart about many of the same issues I'd heard from the deputy and more. Then I met a young Native American woman (who is actually quite a famous artist now) and she told me a lot about growing up on the reservation. I loved the way she talked and looked and that was the beginning of Tempe Crabtree. In my mind, Tempe has evolved to look more like my daughter-in-law who is also an Indian. Previously I'd met other Native Americans and done some research on the Indians who live in our area and everything came together to form Deputy Tempe Crabtree.

Lauren Smith: Is any portion of this book based in fact?

Marilyn Meredith: Any book has some factual basis. The town I write about, Bear Creek, has a big resemblance to the town I live in though I've made some geographic and other changes. People I've met along the way of my life pop up here and there. I've never met a battered wife that I know about--though I've heard a lot of tales. I've borrowed from several teenaged boys I know. And I can remember how painful high school was at times. Saying that, I always remind people I'm writing fiction.

Lauren Smith: What kind of research did you do for the supernatural aspects in the book?

Marilyn Meredith: The star light ceremony is a real Native American ceremony--but not exactly as I've depicted. I do a lot of research for all my books, but what I write isn't necessarily what I read or heard from someone.

Lauren Smith: Is this book part of a series? (If yes, please tell us about your series!)

Mundania also published the last two in the series: Calling the Dead and the latest, the one we've been discussing, Judgment Fire. Both these books are available from the publisher's website and also can be ordered through your local bookstores or Amazon.

The next one will be out in August of next year.