Murder at Homecoming

It’s Homecoming night... The group pictures have been taken, corsages and boutonnieres have been gifted, and you’re ready to take on the dance floor! It'll be one heck of a night to remember, especially with a murderer on the loose…

So let’s dive into another mystery! What more can you tell us about Murder at Homecoming?

Cat: Murder at Homecoming is pretty much exactly what it sounds like: you're a teenage sleuth who takes it upon themselves to investigate a grisly murder that takes place on Homecoming night. You're notorious around town for poking your nose where the cops think it doesn't belong, but regardless of people's opinion of you, there's one thing they can't deny: you get stuff done.

Was there a particular piece of media that inspired Murder at Homecoming?

Cat: When we started Murder at Homecoming, it was heavily inspired by Nancy Drew. We kept a lot of that, in that the book references the incredible HeR Interactive Nancy Drew games, but the book is also strongly influenced by shows like Veronica Mars. There are also some moments where we tried to channel Twin Peaks in a super subtle way.

Sara: From obsessively reading the Boxcar Kids books as a youth, to a Veronica Mars obsession in college, to writing comedic(?) noir detective plays and also playing a PI in multiple D&D campaigns, I am On Board with the teen private eye thing. This book is definitely more Nancy Drew meets Veronica Mars, but that doesn’t mean I won’t use it as an excuse to listen to my noir lofi playlist when writing.

Icy: The outfits were inspired from looks and fashion the team had, at one point, in our high school life. So it was fun to bring some of those back and incorporate it into the story. 

We’re looking forward to everything Murder at Homecoming has to offer! But we have to ask, are we our own detective or will we get to team up with some friends along the way? Maybe some who'll catch our eye?  

Cat: Teamwork is a huge element of Murder at Homecoming. In the story, you band together with your Scooby gang team to (hopefully) bring the victim's killer to justice once and for all. From your rebellious former best friend to the school's track star to the bereaved victim's brother, you have all your bases covered. The school mascot may or may not also lend their assistance.

Sara: As much as you may try to pull off the “lone wolf” thing, you’ll have to rely on someone eventually… once you figure out who you can trust. Just because they’re cute doesn’t mean they’re innocent. But between you and me, a certain riot girl may be a bit shady, but she’s also pretty dang cool. Not to mention she knows all the wrong people… which could come in handy.

Icy: You'll make friends as you go through the case together and track down the culprit, and of course along the way you may find love. I particularly enjoy the backstory of Stevie and the history you and her have. I hope you'll keep an eye out for her!

We definitely will! What is, in your opinion, the most unique aspect of Murder at Homecoming?

Cat: It's been really interesting and unique bringing a more "mature" or "gritty" high school story to life. Obviously, this book is no HSS successor, but we still had to toe the line a bit in how graphic or violent we could make it. This is also my first time running a Young Adult (YA) book with a teenage cast, and when I tell you I would die for my children, I mean it.

Sara: Just echoing Cat in saying I would die for our kiddos. Is this unique to the book? No. I always get too attached to the characters whose stories we get to tell. But it bears repeating.

Min: This is my first Choices book. I enjoyed seeing it come together and lending assistance to the storytelling. One of my main goals was to make sure Puck had a voice (in a literal sense) and I hope I did him justice!

Icy: The most unique aspect, I think, would be the comradery you and your group of friends display throughout the story. 

We’re intrigued to see what the crew gets up to. Speaking of which, did you go to your school’s homecoming dance? If so, what was the theme?

Cat: I went to every homecoming dance in high school; pretty much any excuse to dress up and dance, I'd take it. I don't remember the themes being as grand or interesting as we make them in Choices, but we had an underwater theme once that was really cool. (Realizing as I type this that, in a sense, there's a super grim connection to my homecoming and the homecoming in this book.)

Sara: I did. But I don’t remember if there was a theme, or what it was. Chances are I spent a lot of it playing cards in the band hallway.

Icy: I did! It was super fun! As for the theme I actually don't remember, since the people I was with and the experiences we had together were more memorable. 

Min: High school was many, many moons ago for me and I did not go to homecoming, so even though there is a murder, it’s fun to experience it through the book.

We can’t wait to experience the thrill that is Murder at Homecoming! Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. And as always thank you, Choices Community, for all the love. See you on launch day!

<3 The Community Team