I’m thrilled to host Marian Lanouette one of my authors at Ravencraft’s
Romance Realm, and she's talking a topic I don't think ever has been discussed here before!
Since publishing Burn in Hell, A Jake Carrington Mystery
I've gotten a lot of questions about cremation. Readers are curious how much
research was involved to get the details accurate.
I actually had hands on experience. Back in the eighties I
worked for a cemetery/crematory for over ten years. I loved that job and the
people I worked with each day. When I first started working for the cemetery
there wasn't a crematory. The Superintendent Peter had the foresight to see we
were running out of land and proposed the crematory. He did most of the
research, but I also got involved. After a year and a half of town meetings,
zoning changes and good old Yankee stubbornness he got the approval to move
forward. A new building went up which incorporated our offices and the
cremation chambers.
Once we had our CO (certificate of occupancy) it was back to
business as usual. I'm not going to into how to cremate a person here. The
process is detailed in Burn in Hell. I've been a writer most of my life so
everyday situations all get my imagination going. My job as office manager of a
cemetery/crematory was no different. For years I cultivated stories in my mind involving
many different scenarios relating to cremation or burials. The 'what if' game
is constantly playing out in my head. As I'm sure it is in any writer's mind.
I've always been told write what you know. In the case of
Burn in Hell, I wrote what I knew. And I hope you all enjoy not only the mystery
in the story but the romance and the backstory.
Burn
in Hell
As the local crematory legit-or a disposal center for the
mob? Jake's investigation leads to his current girlfriend Kyra Russell.
Available via Amazon
Trailer:
About
Marian
One
of ten children, Marian took to writing to explore new and adventurous places.
While her friends
+book+profile+pic.jpg)
An
avid reader, she discovered mysteries by reading the Daily News as a youngster.
Intrigued by the real life crimes, and how the police worked and eventually
solved them, ignited her imagination beyond the ordinary.
Marian has many books
planned for Jake Carrington and his crew. The third book in the series Mated
for Life will be out sometime next year.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorMarian
I'm getting cremated when I die. I don't want to be buried in the Earth in the dark and mold.
ReplyDeleteA lot of people are today. At this point in time it is still a personal choice. I can see down the road some when land is scare it being the norm. Enjoy your day, Michael and thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteSome definitely different knowledge there Marian! I have to ask because it fascinates me -- any ghost stories from this job?
ReplyDeleteLOL. No, Louisa, but I was never there after dark. :)
ReplyDeleteHauntings don't only have to happen at night!
DeleteI know, Louisa, but it just seemed scarier
DeleteHey Marian,
ReplyDeleteQuite an unusual job, but you really made the most of your background. Question for you, when you burn something it usually smells, such as when you walk outside in winter you can always tell when someone has a fire going in their fireplace by the smell in the air. I think you know where I'm going here ... does it smell? Sorry to be so gross, but inquiring minds want to know.
No, Gerri, it doesn't. There are two chambers, the gases and fumes from the first chamber is captured in the second chamber where there is a second burn. The smoke is always white when it comes out. Totally purified.
DeleteMarian, certainly, one of ten children gifted you with an imagination no one could compete with. What say you, oh wise one?
ReplyDeleteIt did, Gail. I was always away on a trip, or fighting crime in my imagination.
DeleteInteresting post, Marian!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gerri. It was an interesting job. I worked with some wonderful people.
DeleteAny tips on raising 10 kids? I'm in the throws of it.
ReplyDeleteSherry, I'm one of ten kids. I don't have them. LOL. My mother never raised her voice, but when that eyebrow went up you did as we were supposed to or else. PS I love being an aunt.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting, Marion. When a dear friend died she had three stipulations. 1) She wanted to be cremated.
ReplyDelete2) She wanted her ashes scattered.
3) But not near water. She was always afraid of water rising and flooding her home and she couldn't swim.
It makes me smile because we scattered the ashes among wild flowers. There wasn't even a pond nearby. But we can't do anything about the sudden downpours. I hope she managed to find an umbrella.
I'm sure she's fine, Mary. I believe your soul leaves your body at death. I'm sure she's up there watching over you.
DeleteGreat post, Marian. Book sounds intriguing. Very interesting job. I could see working in the front office, dealing with the grieving, but not the bodies. :( That'd be really grim. Glad it led to such a cool story.
ReplyDeleteI did work in the office but I was a backup for cremations. I never saw a body, just a box. I get sick before I go to wakes.
Delete