Why a monkey?
I love to add humor to my stories,
even the most action-packed suspense or mystery. An unexpected laugh can give
the reader the perfect release from relentless tension.
Each book in my Phoenix, Ltd.
female bodyguard series features a specific humorous element. In UNWRITTEN
RULES, a pair of meddling grandmothers stir things up for the hero and
heroine. BOILING POINT includes a cooking robot named GRAMPA who attacks the
villain with a kitchen torch at the opportune moment. A white-faced Capuchin
monkey named Balthazar, who likes to play dress-up and steal every shiny object
he can lay his hands on, thwarts a would-be kidnapper in UNDERCOVER NANNY.
The inspiration for Balthazar came
from a most unexpected source. OG is a big fan of early rock ‘n roll,
and one of his favorite songs is a number by the Coasters called “Run Red Run.”
Here are the lyrics to the first couple of verses:
“Oh, Red went and bought himself a
monkey
Got him from a pawn shop broker
Taught that monkey how to guzzle beer
And he taught him out to play stud poker
Last night when they were gambling in the kitchen
The monkey he was taking a beating
The monkey said Red, "I'm going to shoot you dead
Because I know that well, you been a cheating."
Well, run Red run, because he's got your gun
And he's aiming it at your head
Run Red run, because he's got your gun
And he's aiming it at your head
You better get up and wail
You better move your tail before he fills it full of lead.”
Got him from a pawn shop broker
Taught that monkey how to guzzle beer
And he taught him out to play stud poker
Last night when they were gambling in the kitchen
The monkey he was taking a beating
The monkey said Red, "I'm going to shoot you dead
Because I know that well, you been a cheating."
Well, run Red run, because he's got your gun
And he's aiming it at your head
Run Red run, because he's got your gun
And he's aiming it at your head
You better get up and wail
You better move your tail before he fills it full of lead.”
Alison
www.alisonhenderson.com
