Kendare Blake is the author of several novels and short stories. Her work is sort of dark, always violent, and features passages describing food from when she writes while hungry. She was born in July (for those of you doing book reports) in Seoul, South Korea, but doesn’t speak a lick of Korean, as she was packed off at a very early age to her adoptive parents in the United States. That might be just an excuse, though, as she is pretty bad at learning foreign languages. She enjoys the work of Milan Kundera, Caitlin R Kiernan, Bret Easton Ellis, and Richard Linklater. She lives and writes in Gig Harbor, Washington, with her husband, their cat son Tyrion Cattister, red Doberman dog son Obi-Dog Kenobi, rottie mix dog daughter Agent Scully, and naked Sphynx cat son Armpit McGee.
The Book Bratz: Who is your literary idol?
Kendare: I have TOO MANY. And I am consistently impressed by new writers hitting the scene, like Rena Barron (Kingdom of Souls series) and Adib Khorram (Darius the Great series). But I guess my idols growing up were: Stephen King, Anne Rice, Bret Easton Ellis and Milan Kundera. Dark and twisted and...philosophical?
The Book Bratz: In your opinion, what's the best part of the writing process? What's the hardest?
Kendare: The best part is the writing. Which is odd, because it's also the hardest part. But even when it's hard (which for me is usually around the middle) there is such a particular joy in storytelling. In crafting a turn of phrase. In hearing a character speak. It's the closest I've ever come to real magic in our bleak, bleak universe :)
The Book Bratz: What research/craft advice do you have for authors who want to write about time periods other than now?
Kendare: Well, you definitely need to have a good feel for it. It can be your interpretation of the time period but setting the vibe of that interpretation is very important. In period pieces, tone is part of worldbuilding. Consider your word choices carefully. Avoid unintended anachronisms.
The Book Bratz: Who was your favorite character to write? Who was the most difficult?
Kendare: In ALL THESE BODIES, Michael was my favorite and easiest character to write. Because I'm in his head. He's my narrator. Marie was the most difficult, and changed the most through different drafts. All of the mystery is in Marie: the truth about what happened, the way she chooses to tell her story. She's an enigma. I should have known she wouldn't make it easy for me!
The Book Bratz: What surprised you the most about the publishing process?
Kendare: How it can seem to take so long for a book to come out, while simultaneously feeling rushed to complete a manuscript. There are DEADLINES! And you scramble, scramble! And then you wait. And wait. Only to scramble, scramble again!
The Book Bratz: What are some other murder mystery stories that you love?
Kendare: I love The Red Tree by Caitlin R Kiernan. Which feels like a ghost story or a haunting and is more about mysterious deaths than murders, but it has that vibe, and I love it when writers write about writing. I greatly admired the character work and storytelling symmetry in IN THE WOODS by Tana French. The risks taken with the plot. And I adore SADIE, by Courtney Summers. Do you want a book to take up your entire day? Sit down with Sadie and clear your schedule.
The Book Bratz: What do you hope that readers will take away from ALL THESE BODIES?
Kendare: I hope that they'll enjoy it, for one. I hope they'll enjoy lurking around this small, Minnesota town in the 1950s, that's been terrorized by these strange, horrible murders. I hope they'll be left thinking, about the truth, and belief, and the kinds of stories that young women are allowed to tell. And I hope they come to love Michael and Marie. Because I really do.
Title: All These Bodies
Author: Kendare Blake
Publisher: Quill Tree Books
Hardcover, 304 Pages
Publication Date: September 21st, 2021 (Today!)
Summary: Sixteen bloodless bodies. Two teenagers. One impossible explanation. Summer 1958—a string of murders plagues the Midwest. The victims are found in their cars and in their homes—even in their beds—their bodies drained, but with no blood anywhere. September 19- the Carlson family is slaughtered in their Minnesota farmhouse, and the case gets its first lead: 15-year-old Marie Catherine Hale is found at the scene. She is covered in blood from head to toe, and at first she’s mistaken for a survivor. But not a drop of the blood is hers. Michael Jensen, son of the local sheriff, yearns to become a journalist and escape his small-town. He never imagined that the biggest story in the country would fall into his lap, or that he would be pulled into the investigation, when Marie decides that he is the only one she will confess to. As Marie recounts her version of the story, it falls to Michael to find the truth: What really happened the night that the Carlsons were killed? And how did one girl wind up in the middle of all these bodies?
Thank you so much to Kendare for stopping by and answering our questions! We are super excited about ALL THESE BODIES, and it's out in the world today for you to enjoy!
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