by Kathleen Costa
Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an ebook copy of the book, and a link to purchase it from Amazon.
Murder in Gemini: A Write Club Mystery By Michelle Corbier
Review by Kathleen Costa
Murder in Gemini Earns 5+/5 Stethoscopes … Engaging, Clever Mystery!
René Jones was only five minutes older than her twin sister Robin, but their personalities made them seem years apart. Growing up in Chicago, René had always been studious, earning good grades and honors. She graduated college, and finally with hard work, her childcare business in Greensboro, North Carolina, is becoming a lucrative venture. Despite the consequences, some devastating, she always felt obligated, even pressured, to help her sister when opportunities arose, and they rose often. 
Robin Jones, however, saw no need for a formal education, despite being intelligent. She was outgoing and popular in school and married, then divorced, Terrence Collins, with a lucrative settlement, but she always felt her life was best spent in the pursuit of luxury through other people’s money which led her to show up unexpectedly at her sister’s door in Greensboro. There she gets involved with Donald Evans, a successful used-car dealer, older than Robin, and shockingly René’s, now ex, boyfriend. Robin is set on opening a yoga studio, and Donald’s money, and others if she could manage it, would foot the bill.
Dr. Myaisha Douglas has a private medical practice, one she shared with her late husband, and where she’s dubbed Mrs. Doctor. She also divides her time working at an urgent care clinic. She knew René because they both are members of the Greensboro Women of Color Writing Group. René was a poet, and Myaisha wrote mysteries which gave her an interesting perspective when, a few months ago, she’d helped the police solve the murder of a close friend. She knew Robin, having been introduced to her by René, but also as a patient, one she’d suspected was a victim of abuse.
The lives of these three women tragically intersect when Robin is found dead in Donald’s home, her sister is suspected of killing her, and Myaisha is compelled to uncover the truth, however difficult, but it’s a truth that ultimately puts her own life, and others, in jeopardy.
Brilliant! Michelle Corbier’s second story in her Write Club Mystery series is an engaging journey starting right off with an intense Prologue. In it, readers learn the fate of Robin Jones and that someone [she] had found her, but left the scene hoping to be unnoticed. The next several chapters acted as a flashback introducing key characters, various relations and dynamics, and possible conflicts that any one could be motive for the death. Myaisha has experience with the local detectives, so she’s eager to share what information she can, however, they are skeptical and prefer she stay out of it. This is a realistic dynamic, even though Corbier creates a few incidents where collaboration is reasonable and productive. The story was engaging, made complicated by inconsistencies in the evidence, multiple suspects, too many secrets, a curious necklace, shocking details, and another death; everything to make this book a “couldn’t put down” experience. The medical information added flavor and made Myaisha with her medical background a credible source and valuable to the case, and to include some in the writer’s group is definitely an entertaining element.
Dr. Myaisha is a great character, clever, does well to sort out clues like the the doctor she is, and one with whom many can easily identify. She’s an everyday middle-aged woman of color, a mother of a college-aged son, dating a handsome firefighter who understands her desire to find truth, and a friend anyone would treasure … especially if you’re suspected of murder!
A Write Club Mystery
Murder is Revealing (2022)
Murder in Gemini (2023)
Be a Big Fan of Michelle Corbier!
Welcome to KRL! Michelle Corbier joined KRL in March with a delightful guest post, Research Your Crimes, offering fascinating insights into her writing style and techniques and how she creates the clever crimes in her books.
Interview with Michelle Corbier:
KRL: How long have you been writing?
Michelle: I have been writing since childhood, but not until 2018 did I decide to publish.
KRL: When did your first novel come out, what was it called, and would you tell us a little about it?
Michelle: In 2022 I published my first novel, Murder Is Revealing. The story involves a physician practicing in North Carolina whose college friend is murdered. She investigates the homicide and uncovers secrets about her friend, community, and herself. It takes place during the 2007-8 housing crisis.
KRL: Have you always written mysteries/suspense and if not, what else have you written?
Michelle Corbier
Michelle: Though I read more mystery books than any other genre, I write more fantasy and thrillers. Fantasy allows more creativity. I can bend the boundaries of science and create new realities. It’s liberating. The only genre I haven’t written in is romance, because I always end up killing someone!
KRL: What brought you to choose the setting and characters in your latest book/series?
Michelle: I prefer to write relatable characters in familiar environments. For my first published novel, it felt comfortable to use characters and locations I knew. The South is familiar to me since I’ve lived here for half my life. Similarly, my protagonists tend to be professional women. They aren’t always physicians but work in careers adjacent to medicine.
KRL: Do you write to entertain or is there something more you want the readers to experience from your work?
Michelle: The goal in creating stories is to entertain. I want readers to have a break from their daily reality. That’s why I generally have happy endings. However, there are subtle messages inside my novels about life and society. If a reader experiences something new through my books, I’m pleased.
KRL: Do you have a schedule for your writing or just work whenever you can?
Michelle: As a pantser, I write whenever inspiration strikes. However, I do set deadlines. Because I have a full-time job, writing occurs primarily at night and on weekends, but mornings are my ideal time to write!
KRL: Do you outline? If not, do you have some other interesting way that you keep track of what’s going on, or what needs to happen in your book when you are writing it?
Michelle: One time I outlined a story. It was a disaster. After all the time I spent outlining the story, I was no longer interested in the project. As I type my WIP, a narrative takes shape. Once I complete a chapter, I catalog the contents in a separate document. Periodically, I review the chapters to assess the direction of the story. If it doesn’t appear cohesive, I change directions or trash it and start over. While writing I also begin a novel bible documenting the characters, their backstory, jobs, desires – everything.
KRL: Did you find it difficult to get published in the beginning?
Michelle: I spent almost two years searching for an agent. During that time, I researched self-publishing. Comparing the different publishing pathways, self-publishing addresses my goals. It also provides the freedom I desire.
KRL: Do you have a great rejection/critique or acceptance story you’d like to share?
Michelle: The best critique I received was the harshest. The editor/publisher wrote that I had forgotten the first rule of writing – entertain the reader. Now, that is my mantra. When editing a WIP, I verify that the story captivates readers.
KRL: Most interesting book signing story-in a bookstore or other venue?
Michelle: I have never held a book signing, and I’m not sure I want to after reading horror stories from established authors about no one attending their book signings. As a self-published author, I don’t want my books in stores. There’s a charge back fee if they don’t sell. Eventually, I want to participate in an event or conference where books are sold, but that’s not a priority.
KRL: What are your future writing goals?
Michelle: I establish mini goals and longer ambitions. This year, one objective is to publish five books. Another is to attend a writers’ conference. A long-term target is to sell enough books to meet publishing costs.
KRL: Who are your writing heroes?
Michelle: Heroes belong to comic books. Writers I admire are Walter Mosely, Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, and Brandon Massey.
KRL: What kind of research do you do?
Michelle: Before crafting a mystery, I research the method of death because it will determine the story’s foundation. Of course, I use the internet. If I have a question about guns, I’ll ask my step-father. He’s a retired military veteran. There are specific websites I utilize for poison resources.
KRL: What do you like to read?
Michelle: I read all genres, but also enjoy non-fiction – particularly history.
KRL: What are your favorite TV shows or movies?
Michelle: When not writing, I’m cooking or gardening. My favorite television shows are Chopped and House Hunters.
KRL: Have you any advice for aspiring or beginning writers?
Michelle: Research publishing before pursuing a career as an author. Don’t quit any job until and unless you are certain about finances. Writing as a business is fluid. Trends wax and wane. What’s hot on BookTok one day, may disappear the next. The key to a successful life is enjoying what you do. If you don’t like writing, this isn’t for you. Although writing a novel is difficult, there are other things you have to draft. Book blurbs, ads, interviews. You must create other items ancillary to crafting books.
KRL: What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
Michelle: When engrossed in creating a novel, I can write for twelve to fifteen hours non-stop. In fact, I have to make myself quit so I can eat or sleep.
KRL: Is there anything you would like to add?
Michelle: Stories are about escaping. I want readers to feel so immersed in my stories that they forget everything else – if only for a few hours.
KRL: Website? Twitter? Facebook? Instagram?
Michelle: MichelleCorbier.com
MrsDoctorwrites (@MrsDoctorwrites) / Twitter
Michelle Corbier (@mrsdoctorwrites) | Instagram
Enter to win an ebook copy of Murder in Gemini by Michelle Corbier by making a comment below on: (1) a favorite sibling memory, (2) is yoga your thing?, or (3) a club you belong to or would like to start, or simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “gemini” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen May 20, 2023. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.
Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. Also listen to our new mystery podcast where mystery short stories and first chapters are read by actors! They are also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Spotify. A new episode went up this week.
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Yoga is definitely not my thing!
I like yoga for relaxation. It’s good for maintaining muscle tone and flexibility.
My sister and I both tried yoga. She was more flexible than me. I like Tai Chi.
Murder in Gemini sounds intriguing; thank you for the opportunity to win. My partner and I, in our 70s, are thinking about taking a yoga class
We have a winner!