Behind the Scenes: Author Leeann Betts adds up the numbers to solve the crime

Writers hear this all the time at conferences: write what you know. As a new writer, I took this advice seriously. So when I sat down to write my first book, I asked myself: what do you know?

I knew numbers.

I was trained as a bookkeeper, had worked for many years in accounting departments, and I love numbers.

I like the fact that they are constant and consistent, that 1 and 1 always equals 2, despite that old accountant’s joke: what is 1 and 1? Answer: what do you want it to be?

But accountants are boring, right? If you tell someone you’re a teacher, they ask, “oh, what grade?” If you tell them you’re a doctor, they want to know if you can help them with the pain in their back. And if you tell them you’re a writer, they want to know what you’ve published.

But an accountant? Eyes glaze over, and they suddenly find someone else they just have to talk to.

But accounting and numbers I knew. And I could see that might be a skill that could come in handy for solving crimes. So I did some research into what kind of bean counters helped solve crimes.

And I learned that forensic accountants do exactly that.

They are hired by the IRS, by divorce and estate attorneys. They work as investigators. Think of the movie, The Untouchables. Who was the real hero? Not Kevin Costner and Sean Connery, although they are two of my favorite actors. No, the mousy little accountant is the one who figured out how to take down one of the greatest mobsters of all time, Al Capone.

By looking at numbers. They got Big Al on tax evasion.

The tagline for my series is: Most people think accountants are boring; Carly Turnquist is about to prove them wrong.

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Leeann Betts writes contemporary suspense, while her real-life persona, Donna Schlachter, pens historical suspense. Leeann has released four titles in her By the Numbers series, with Broke, Busted, and Disgusted releasing November 2016. In addition, Leeann has written a devotional for accountants, bookkeepers, and financial folk, Counting the Days.  Meanwhile, Donna has published a book on writing, Nuggets of Writing Gold, a compilation of essays, articles, and exercises on the craft. She publishes a free quarterly newsletter that includes a book review and articles on writing and books of interest to readers and writers. You can subscribe at www.LeeannBetts.com or follow Leeann at www.AllBettsAreOff.wordpress.com All books are available on Amazon.com in digital and print.