I thought on the occasion of Bygones being published this week, I’d take a few moments to write up the answers to common questions I get about my characters and the world in which they exist. This time out, I’ll focus on Vasily; hopefully, I’ll remember to do the same thing when Duality appears later this fall.
Where is Rancho Linda?
Nowhere! Rancho Linda, much like Windeport, is a fictional city that you won’t find on any map. However, if it did exist, it might (hypothetically) be sitting in that sweet spot about halfway between Los Angeles and Anaheim along the California 57.
Where is Saint Lucie?
The very fictional small coastal town is located along the Pacific Coast Highway just northwest of Santa Maria. Rosie picked that spot for her “cabin” because it was a nice, quiet place to edit her books. Vas and Alejandro appreciate it for other reasons.
Is Alejandro from Mexico City or Tucson?
Yes! (I see you rolling your eyes at me.) Alex has dual citizenship since his father is from Mexico and his mother is American. He spent time as a child in Mexico City while his father was doing archeological research, then moved back to Tucson.
I’ve looked at a map. It’s not possible for Vasily to have such a great view of Disneyland from his condo.
That might be partially true, given that there are physically no apartment or condo buildings close to the actual theme park. Let’s just say I took it upon myself to make some changes to the City of Anaheim to ensure Vasily’s dream came true. (Please don’t tell them.)
When will Vasily get his annual pass for Disneyland?
I’m not sure. He’s been waiting for the prices to go down. (Vas is likely going to be waiting a long, long time.)
Is it actually possible for him to jog around the perimeter of Disneyland Resort?
Quite possible. The five kilometer route from his condo encircles both parks, mirroring portions of the half-marathon route Disney once used back when there were official race weekends in Anaheim.
Does the National Park Service really have an investigative arm?
That they do. Formed in 1791, actually. The only liberty I might have taken here is stationing someone in San Luis Obispo.
Vas can’t possibly work out enough to keep in such good shape.
You don’t know what he does between books, now do you?
Cal State Irvine seems like a big school.
It is. As part of the California State University system, enrollment has been driven by the various incentives to keep California kids local. Alejandro has a bit of a commute, though, for it lies beyond Rancho Linda — if, of course, the school actually existed in the real world.
A MacBook doesn’t seem like the right technology for a detective.
Probably true. But since the author is in love with all things Apple, it tends to bleed into his writing — much to the everlasting chagrin of one of my beta readers. (I do feel obligated to point out that the most recent season of Midsomer Murders features detectives using iMacs rather prominently, but they probably have, shall we say, some incentives for doing so on the show…)
How can Rosie exist without the internet?
Rather successfully, it seems. Our favorite millionaire author is loosely based on a relative who had little use for tech and yet, somehow, still managed to live a nice, fulfilling life. Go figure.
Considering how large the solarium is alone, just how big is Rosie’s mansion?
Big. Really, really big. It would have to be since the solarium alone houses a 50-meter long pool surrounded by a veritable rainforest full of flora. (This also means there are rooms we’ve not yet seen.)
Will Vas ever pop the question?
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, shall we? I mean, we’ve only known Alejandro for two books (three if we count Downhill). Were I to give a hint — and I’m not saying I am, mind you — check out the blurb for Requiem.
Wait, I though Sean was the Chat Noir fan?
When we see poor Sean donning his Chat Noir costume in Blindsided for the very first time, it was actually Vasily who filled him in on the entire Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir universe. Vas has been a fan of all things anime for as long as he can remember, and may or may not have his own Chat costume hanging in the closet. (And yes, I tend to use the French version of Chat’s name when I refer to him. I have no idea why.)
Okay – that’s it for now! That was kind of fun to write; I’ll do more when the next book comes out.