Tracy Carter graduated from the University of Glasgow, Scotland, with a Master’s degree in History. Her lengthy career as a legal assistant has included stints at international law firms and prosecutors’ offices, followed by jobs as the Horse Identifier at two thoroughbred racetracks―all while training dogs in obedience and rally. Tracy’s first book is the Gold Medal winner in the 2023 Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Contest in the Fiction-Animals genre, and her second book is a 2024 BookFest First Place Award Winner in the Fiction-Detective-Women Sleuths genre. She lives near Cleveland, Ohio, with her husband and Llewellin Setter, where she is an avid hiker and dedicated college football fan. You can learn more about the Veronica Kildare K-9 Mystery series and Tracy at her website www.tracycarterbooks.com.
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
My father, Paul R. Carter, was a wonderful writer, public relations guru, and outdoorsman. My enthusiasm for nature and writing come directly from him. In fact, he serves as the inspiration for my main character’s father. In my early 30s, I became intrigued by the possibility of writing a mystery series myself, which also pulled in dog training and the wonderful relationships between people and their dogs. One day (a lot of years ago), I was hiking in the woods with my retrievers and the kernel of the plot which drives the first book in my Veronica Kildare K-9 Mystery series, Dogged Pursuit, just came to me. All I had to do then was flesh it out. Also, I admire Mary Stewart for her strong female characters and ability to set a scene. The sense of atmosphere she instilled in her mysteries is unparalleled in my opinion. I am especially fond of Airs Above the Ground due to the great plot twist, and of course, the horse connection!
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
I was a legal assistant for over 30 years, but that career is in my rear view mirror now. If I were not an author, I would be a full-time dog trainer. I previously worked as an assistant trainer for a highly-respected dog obedience school and have trained numerous dogs over the years. One facet of my books which I emphasize is having my main character teach obedience, but also train service dogs for a variety of roles. It is astounding what a well-trained dog can do, and I enjoy working that research into my books. My most interesting job was definitely working as the Horse Identifier at two thoroughbred racetracks. It is imperative that the correct horses are running the races!
Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
“Sick as a Dog” came to me in a flash once I decided the basis for the “sickness,” murder and mayhem affecting the wilderness and driving the story. Of course, I stick with the dog-themed titles for all my books, which helps narrow down the potential choices.
What part of publishing your book made it feel real for the first time?
When the first book in the series was published and I started to see it appear on the sites of all the major retailers, then I knew I had achieved my dream of becoming an author. I also really enjoyed opening my own box of paperback copies of my book too. Holding the actual book in my hands was a wonderful moment.
If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?
I love this question! Actually every one of my books is inspired by a particular song which I play on repeat when I am searching for writing inspiration. “Take It Easy” by the Eagles was the song for book one, “Bad to the Bone” by George Thorogood was the choice for book two, and the driving force for “Sick as a Dog” was “Band of Gold” by Freda Payne. I love incorporating some of my favorite musicians and their songs in each mystery. The song that “spoke” to me for the upcoming fourth book in the series is “Trouble” by The Bones of J.R. Jones. And, boy, does trouble find my main character, Veronica Kildare!
What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?
I hope my books showcase to the readers how amazing dogs are and how they enrich the lives of their humans. Dogs are incredibly smart and love us unconditionally. I really enjoy making the canines a vital part of every story.
What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?
I think my late father would be so proud of my writing and getting a book series published. He never got to finish the extraordinary fiction manuscript he was writing, so a lot of what I do as an author was in his memory. He was an awesome dad.
What creative projects are you currently working on?
I am currently in the research phase for book four in the Veronica Kildare K-9 Mystery series, called Can’t Run with the Big Dogs. An old foe from Veronica’s past escapes prison and trails her to Colorado hellbent on revenge. She and Leda, her devoted Chesapeake Bay Retriever, tackle the challenge of surviving and defeating him together.