Martha Crites & Mariluz

Who is in the photo at right?

Here we are: Martha Crites, mystery writer and Mariluz, 3 year old Yellow Labrador with a big appetite for reading.

My first novel, Grave Disturbance: A Pacific Northwest Mystery, was released by Rat City Publishing in December 2015. The Seattle Times calls Grave Disturbance “a dark and compelling story... Grace Vaccaro is a mental-health evaluator (as is the author) caught up in bad business after a filmmaker, working on a documentary about native land rights, is murdered.”

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

Mariluz joins me every morning for coffee at my desk and is ready for a walk about the time I need a break.

What's brewing?

I take French Roast–strong and Mariluz prefers light roasted kibbles in her Seattle Mystery Bookshop cup.

Any treats for you or Mariluz on this occasion?

I count out 3 kibbles from the treat jar on my desk. I planned this repetition so she knows she is done and doesn’t nose bump me all morning for just one more.

How were you and Mariluz united?

I have lived with labs for going on 30 years. Mariluz was bred by a family in Chehalis, WA as a Little League fundraiser.

How did your dog get her name? Any aliases?

She’s named after a tiny woman I met in Zamora, Spain. Mariluz does, of course rhyme with Silly Goose.

Does Mariluz do more to help or hinder your writing?

Now that she is three years old, Mariluz joins me at my desk every morning. She is an avid mystery reader, but as a pup she preferred to eat the books.

Has Mariluz inspired the creation of any fictional dogs?

My first novel stars a not-too-fictional, rooster-eating husky pup. Mariluz is auditioning for a role in the next in series.

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

She too has a taste for chickens (and cats and squirrels). Needs a lot of supervision! The postman is safe.

Ball, squeaky-toy, stick...?

The orange balls.

Who is Mariluz's best pet-pal?

Her best friend is Tunya the puggle. They used to run each other ragged.

What is Mariluz's best quality?

She is absolutely always happy and never fails to make me smile.

If Mariluz could change one thing about Seattleites, what would it be?

She is requesting more water features in Seattle dog parks. Labs do love water.

If Mariluz could answer only one question in English, what would you ask her?

Really? I can read her mind: food, food, food, walk, walk, walk!

If Hollywood made a movie about your life in which Mariluz could speak, who should voice her?

John Candy.

What advice would Mariluz give if asked?

Take another walk!

Visit Martha Crites at her website.

--Marshal Zeringue