The Whole Sleuth

Leslie Budewitz Interview

admin — Tue, 11 Jan 2022 21:11:43 +0000

Leslie Budewitz writes the Spice Shop Mysteries and the Food Lovers’ Mysteries.

In this episode, Leslie and I talk about what inspired her to write cozy mysteries, how Seattle and Montana provide inspiring backdrops for her settings, her strong female protagonists and, of course, food.

Spice Shop Mysteries
1 – Assault and Pepper
2 – Guilty as Cinnamon
3 – Killing Thyme
4 – Chai Another Day
5 – The Solace of Bay Leaves
6 – Peppermint Barked (coming July 2022)

Food Lovers’ Village Mysteries
1 – Death Al Dente
2 – Crime Rib
3 – Butter Off Dead
4 – Treble at Jam Fest
5 – As the Christmas Cookie Crumbles
6 – Carried to the Grave

Find Leslie at https://www.lesliebudewitz.com/

Carol J. Perry Interview

admin — Sun, 31 Oct 2021 05:43:26 +0000

Carol Perry writes the Witch City mysteries and the Haunted Haven mysteries.

In this episode Carol talks about Salem, Massachusetts as the setting for her witch city mysteries, the pets in her books, her new paranormal ghost cozy mystery, and some of the research she’s done related to her writing. I think you will enjoy this wonderful behind-the-scenes insight into her books.

Witch City Mysteries
1 – Caught Dead Handed
2 – Tails You Lose
3 – Look Both Ways
4 – Murder Go Round
5 – Grave Errors
6 – It Takes a Coven
7 – Bells, Spells, and Murders
8 – Final Exam
9 – Late Checkout
10 – Murder, Take Two
11 – See Something
12 – ‘Til Death – coming April 2022

Haunted Haven Mysteries
1 – Be My Ghost
2 – Coming in 2022

Find Carol at https://caroljperry.com/

Susie Black Author Interview

admin — Sun, 10 Oct 2021 22:29:19 +0000

Susie Black is the author of Death by Sample Size, the first of several planned books in the Holly Swimsuit mysteries.

In this episode, we talk about Susie’s background as a sales executive in the ladies apparel industry and how that provided plenty of inspiration for her to write her debut novel.

You can reach Susie at mysteries_@authorsusieblack.com and ask for a copy of her guide to choosing the right swimsuit.

Find Susie Black at:
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Instagram

You can find her book, Death by Sample Size, at the following:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Goodreads
Google Play
iTunes
Kobo
Target

Lucy Burdette Author Interview

admin — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 01:48:21 +0000

Roberta Isleib writes as Lucy Burdette as the author of the Key West Food Critic mysteries. Roberta also has two other cozy mystery series: a Golf Lover’s mystery series, and an Advice Column mystery series.

In this episode we talk about how Roberta’s love of cozy mysteries came about, what makes Key West a unique setting for cozies, and how her expertise in psychology helps her write mysteries. We also discuss what determines whether or not someone (Hayley Snow in particular) is a foodie, what skate fish is, and where she gets her inspiration for her recipes and her quotes in her books.

Find Lucy Burdette at https://lucyburdette.com
Instagram: @lucyburdette
Facebook: Lucy Burdette Author

The other blogs and websites mentioned in this episode:
Jungle Red Writers
Mystery Lovers Kitchen blog
The Back Room

Melissa Bourbon Author Interview

admin — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 06:53:21 +0000

Melissa Bourbon is the author of several mystery series including the Bread Shop series written as Winnie Archer, the Book Magic mysteries, the Magical Dressmaking mysteries, and her Lola Cruz mystery series.

In this episode, Melissa and I chat about the strong female relationships she develops in her books, the history and bibliomancy featured in her book magic series, how she names her characters and locations, how she came up with the backstory for her magical dressmaking series.

Find Melissa Bourbon at melissabourbon.com

Instagram: @bookishly_cozy

YouTube: Melissa Bourbon Books

Facebook group: Melissa Bourbon, Diane Kelly & the Book Warriors

Melissa’s conchas recipe – https://melissabourbon.com/conchas/

Emmeline Duncan Author Interview

admin — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 06:09:03 +0000

Emmeline Duncan is the author of Fresh Brewed Murder, the first in the Ground Rules cozy mystery series.

In this episode, Emmeline and I chat about the backdrop of Portland as the setting for a cozy mystery, coffee as inspiration for this series as well as cooking with coffee and making coffee cocktails.

Diane Kelly Author Interview

admin — Sun, 08 Aug 2021 04:18:22 +0000

Diane Kelly is the author of several cozy mystery series:

IRS Agent Tara Holloway mysteries
Paw Enforcement mysteries
House Flipper mysteries
Southern Homebrew mysteries
Mountain Lodge mysteries

In this episode, Diane and I chat about how her writing evolved into writing cozy mysteries and the strong women featured in her books, house flipping, moonshine flavors, and where she gets her inspiration for the animals in her books.

Trailer

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 04:21:52 +0000

What is a cozy mystery novel?

admin — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 04:22:22 +0000

When you go to a bookstore or even the book section in your neighborhood department store, there’s a section that cozy mystery readers recognize instantly.

The section is labeled Mystery but the books are a little more colorful and the illustrations a little cuter than a traditional mystery novel. It’s also not unusual to see an image of a dog, a cat, or even a teapot on the cover. The titles are often punny (a pun that is funny) such as “A Call for Kelp,” “Sconed to Death,” or “The Pomeranian Always Barks Twice.” It’s easy to tell at a glance that cozy mysteries are going to be a lighter read than a detective or a police-procedural mystery.

Besides the covers, there are several things that are unique about cozy mysteries.

The mystery that occurs is usually a murder but it doesn’t have to be. It could be a kidnapping or missing person or some other event less nefarious than a murder. Cozy mysteries are solved by an amateur sleuth, typically a female sleuth, but again not always. She solves the mystery based on her intellect and questioning people rather than following police procedures.

Cozies are usually set in a small town or community where people tend to know one another. A side plot can be about a bakery, tea shop, bookstore, flower shop or something similar. There is little or no on-the-page sex, violence, or profanity and no children or animals are ever harmed.

Generally, cozy mystery authors write their books in a series. Most cozy readers prefer to read cozies that are in a series. It gives readers the opportunity to get to know the characters and follow them through many books.

Cozy mysteries are overall, a little more fun and less serious than a traditional mystery. They’re lighter in tone and sometimes humorous. They are… well they’re cozy!