Author Alice Zogg is living a dangerous and exciting life, but she's doing it safely behind the scenes through her book series' main character, private investigator R.A. Huber.
Zogg's fourth self-published book, "The Lonesome Autocrat," was released in September. This time the main character is on a homicide case in Switzerland.
"When I was real young, my dream, although nothing came of it, but my dream was to become a detective in Scotland Yard," she said. "So, I'm living my dream, I guess."
The La Crescenta resident started writing mysteries four years ago. A self-taught writer, she gained an education by reading the works of writers such as Agatha Christie, P.D. James and Dick Francis.
"I've always read a lot of mysteries that inspired me," she said. "I was retired when I started, so I had time. And once I started writing, I enjoyed it so much, I can't stop."
What makes her series different from those of other mystery writers is that her character is a female detective in her 60s, who is retired and is starting her second career, said the 64-year-old retired Zogg.
Author Charles Watry, formerly of Glendale, acted as an advisor to Zogg on her first two books. He has read all four and said he found the main character to be fascinating.
"The techniques she develops for herself to solve the mysteries makes for quite intriguing reading," he said. "I'm hoping she develops a following for this character. I've given her some tips on marketing the book."
Watry was also impressed by the locations she chose for each book, he said.
"I especially like the locales that she chooses for her mysteries — this one is Switzerland, so that's a plus," he said. "So you don't know where she's going to land next."
The first book was set in the Pasadena and San Marino areas. The second was on Santa Catalina Island and the third was on the North Shore in Lake Tahoe, he added.
Zogg based the fourth book in her native Switzerland.
"I'm from Switzerland," she said. "I felt nostalgic."
She does a lot of research in writing her books, mostly through the Internet, she said, but she also makes inquiries to friends who are experts.
"For medical questions, I know a retired nurse," she said. "And in this latest book there is a scene about trains. One of the characters has built a miniature train track scene in his home."
Zogg said she derives the most enjoyment by thinking up plots and building characters. She wants people to be surprised by the end of her mysteries, she said.
"I hope they enjoy the story and I hope they won't be able to figure the plots out until the very end," she said. "I want to keep readers guessing."
For R.A. Huber's next adventure, Zogg is changing the voice from first person to third person, she said.
"The reason is, I like to get into other characters' heads too," she said.
And she is introducing a young female assistant into the series.
"She will bring a different side of excitement," she said. "I needed a challenge for my writing."
