Chatting with Marlene Perez

Marlene Perez is author of the popular YA Dead is… series about teenage paranormal detective Daisy Giordano, who lives and sleuths in the mysterious small town of Nightshade.

Byrt: Did the Dead Is… series have any spiritual antecedents? Buffy? Scooby? Nancy Drew?’

Marlene: I did watch Scooby Doo, read tons of Nancy Drew books when I was growing up and I’m a huge Buffy fan! I also blame my older sister, who used to babysit me after school (I was around 5) and she and her best friend watched a supernatural soap opera called DARK SHADOWS. Johnny Depp and Tim Burton are supposed to be doing the movie version of DARK SHADOWS and I’ll be first in line!

Byrt: Were you a fan of sleuthing stories growing up?

Marlene: I read everything when I was growing up. There wasn’t a book I didn’t like! I read Nancy Drew, of course, but my favorite girl sleuth mysteries were the Trixie Belden books.

Byrt: Did you set out to write a story that went against the Twilight-esque eyes-meet-and-Gothic-romance trend in YA, or was it just happy coincidence?

Marlene: I think it was just a happy coincidence. When I was in high school, I was a big fan of eyes-meet-and-Gothic-romance novels. If the cover had a girl in peril, running away from a castle, I read it. Victoria Holt was a particular favorite author back then. But I think what I set out to write is something that I would want to read, something that combined some of my favorite elements of fiction and included a little humor.

Byrt: I love the relationship between Daisy and her sisters – is it based at all on your own family or friends? (The scenes where they tease and torment each other definitely remind me of my sisters! Lol.)

Marlene: Well, I have seven sisters (and four brothers) so I think I used that experience to create realistic relationships in the Giordano family. And the relationship between Rose, Poppy, and Daisy is one of my favorite parts of the books. I’ll really miss them!

Byrt: Was Nightshade inspired by a place you’ve been?

Marlene: I grew up in a really small town in Iowa and I think small towns are just naturally full of secrets. I live in Southern California now, but I love to visit Northern California, which is where my imaginary town of Nightshade is set. There’s a new Facebook community page for DEAD IS fans. You can join Welcome to Nightshade here.

Byrt: I believe you said previously that the next book in the Dead series is going to be the last – can you tease us a little about what’s coming up in the final installment? Will all our questions about The Scourge be answered?

Marlene: Let’s just say that Daisy is stressed out about college acceptance letters and the big question is whether she and her friends will survive graduation. And I can’t wait until I’m able to share the cover. And I don’t know if ALL the questions about the Scourge are answered, but some big questions about that organization are definitely answered.

Byrt: What’s up next for you? Do you have other projects in the works?

Marlene: I’m working on the first book in what I hope will be a new paranormal trilogy. And a stand alone book. I don’t like to talk about my work in progress too much, because talking about it sometimes tricks my brain into thinking I’ve actually already done all the work.

Byrt: What are you reading right now? Any recommendations on what to read while we’re waiting for the next Dead book?

Marlene: I’m in research mode right now, but what I’m reading changes on a daily basis. I keep a list of what I’m reading/what I want to read on www.goodreads.com, so please friend me! I love to see what other people are reading.

You can find Marlene on Goodreads HERE.

Thanks again to Marlene for stopping by the Bookyurt! Her latest book, Dead is Just a Rumor, is out now. (You can read our review here.)