Tag Archive for: #cozymystery

Move Over, Partner!

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By Lynn McPherson

I’m in the process of developing a new cozy mystery series.
Part of that is figuring out all the characters. I’ve known for a while who the
protagonist is. But now I need an ally —someone trustworthy enough for her to
share secrets with. How else am I going to bounce ideas off about who the
murderer could be with the readers?

Today I’ve decided to share my top three characteristics in
a sidekick. I’m sure there are lots of ideas. Here are mine:
1.    
Good
Listening Skills!
What is the point of having great insight
if there is no one around to share it with? A sidekick in a mystery must be
willing to indulge the protagonist no matter what they are prattling on about. It
goes beyond the passive ability to hear. The character must absorb what the
sleuth is saying and sometimes even help progress ideas along so they are not
mere musings. The amateur sleuth can either turn them into coherent theories,
or pass them off as sheer observations.
2.   
Loyalty
Of all the qualities in a friend, this one
always tops of the charts. The main character in a cozy needs someone to rely
on through thick and thin. This is especially important in the business of
amateur sleuthing since the protagonist is almost always mixed up in murder!
It’s important for the reader to have faith in the friendship, as well. With so
many suspects on the loose, there should be at least one dependable friend at
all times—someone who will always be there, even when things go awry.
3.   
Humor
Part of the charm of mysteries is the
knowledge that a solution lies at the end of the book. The puzzle will be
solved, order will be restored. Light mysteries require an element of joy that
is brought about through close relationships within the surrounding
community—most notably, with her ever-present true friend and confidante. Why
not make them a funny? It’s a great way to lighten the mood and show the sleuth
doesn’t take herself too seriously all of the time.
So there you have it, folks. My take on what
makes a good sidekick. Agree? Disagree? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Until then, happy reading! 

Lynn McPherson has worked for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, ran a small business, and taught English across the globe. She has travelled the world solo where her daring spirit has led her to jump out of airplanes, dive with sharks, and learn she would never master a surfboard. She now channels her lifelong love of adventure and history into her writing, where she is free to go anywhere, anytime. Her cozy series has three books out: The Girls’ Weekend Murder and The Girls Whispered Murder, and The Girls Dressed For Murder.  


Countdown to a Joyful Form of Insanity

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Countdown to a Joyful Form of Insanity by Debra H. Goldstein

Two things I’ve noticed reading the Stiletto Gang blogs for the past few years is that we are a diverse group of women in terms of ideas and lifestyles and we are a group of overachievers. There isn’t anyone in the group who isn’t over-extended in terms of family, writing, volunteering, handling health issues, teaching, or things I’m not even aware of.  Occasionally, in a post, we bemoan our status or announce we are prioritizing our lives, but the fact is there isn’t anyone whose picture appears on the side panel who ever fully has changed her lifestyle. While there might be some who have learned to balance better than others, the truth is we’re all some version of a Type A personality.

Periodically, I say I’m going to slow down and smell the proverbial roses, but I don’t. Right now, I’m in a countdown to true insanity. As you know, One Taste Too Many, the first of the Sarah Blair cozy mystery series, was published in January 2019. Although it already is up for pre-order, the second book in the series, Two Bites Too Many, will be in stores on September 24. Because of the close sequence of these books, I’ve been feeling mildly pressed.

In the past two months, I’ve turned in the final copy of the third book in the series, celebrated the birth of a grandchild, attended festivals and conferences as I continued promoting One Taste Too Many (btw, Kensington has reduced the e-book to $1.99 through October 1), and started writing blogs and other promotional pieces in anticipation of the release of Two Bites Too Many.

It sounds like a lot, but it works because I do one thing at a time, but even I’m a little nervous about

the next three months. The reality is I’m not good at balancing promotional activities with the other things I need to do. Somehow promotion always takes longer than I anticipate or when I finish a public speaking engagement or attending a conference, I have an adrenaline drop that makes me only want to do laundry or veg out in front of the television.

So what’s on my agenda for the next three months? Family obligations, which always come first; Kensington cozy cons, conferences, speaking engagements; my Birmingham book launch at Barnes and Noble at the Summit 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, October 6 and at Little Professor on October 17 from 4:30-7; the writing of blogs and other promotional pieces tied to the new book or that I write on a monthly basis; trying to make time to work out; and, beginning to write the fourth book in the series (yes, Kensington has contracted for a fifth and sixth book in the series which means there will be more Sarah Blair in 2020, 2021, and 2022).

I don’t think I’ll see daylight until December, but I’m not complaining. In some ways, I thrive on this type of insanity. What about you? What tips you into feeling insane? What makes you happy?

Thrillerfest XIV: Experience of a Lifetime

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By Lynn McPherson

I have been to my first
Thrillerfest conference! I have to tell you all about it and why you may want
to consider attending it next year. For anyone who isn’t familiar with it,
let me give you a brief introduction. Thrillerfest is multi-day event that
takes place annually in NYC. It is attended by a wide array of thriller
authors, industry professionals, and fans.
With
so much to choose from, I decided to start with Pitchfest. It gives authors a chance
to meet and pitch to literary agents actively seeking new clients. I made the
wise decision to attend the practice session beginning an hour before the main
event. Up until then, I thought I had done enough breathing exercises and
preparation to stay calm and cool. Nope. When the doors opened and I walked in,
the reality of the situation hit me—this could be the chance I’d been waiting
for—the opportunity to capture an agent’s attention and interest that could
alter my future writing career. Totally psyched myself out. What if they didn’t
like me? They could crush my dreams within an allotted 3-minute session!
I walked shakily
up to my first resident expert. I had gotten there early enough that I was
first in line. I had chosen to talk to Elena Hartwell—a successful author with
several books out, including a new one with Crooked Lane Books, one of my dream
publishers. One look at me and she could see I was a ball of nerves. I sat down
with her and she immediately reminded me that this was a practice session and not the real deal. She told me to take a few
breaths and deliver my pitch. My shaky voice began with much less confidence
and surety than I’d had just an hour earlier when talking to the mirror in my
hotel room. I forgot some words, stumbled upon others, and began to sweat
profusely. Luckily for me, Elena was kind and understanding. She began with
what she liked—my story sounded fun and interesting. Then she went into her
thoughts of how to improve—use comparative books to give the agent a feel for
what I was aiming for, tell them my sub-genre upfront, and focus more on my
protagonist. Good suggestions that made sense. Before heading off, she wished me luck.
My second
attempt was even less polished. I’d tried to incorporate what Elena had said
and no longer had a memorized pitch. Luckily, Gretchen Stelter, an editor whose worked on over 500 manuscripts, was patient and
understanding. She told me that it is okay to be nervous. Not all authors are skilled presenters. She went over the basics of what I was trying to convey and helped me
focus on the main ideas. It was extremely helpful.
From the
practice session, we went right into the main event. Having gotten out a lot of
my jitters, I went into Pitchfest a little calmer and with a better idea of
what I was doing. I also reminded myself that these agents wanted to hear what
I had to say—they were here to look for writers to represent. I knew the agents
I wanted to talk to—there were about a dozen I thought might be a good fit for
me. So off I went.
It was a rough
start—the first agent wasn’t interested. Not even a little bit. However, by that time, I was a calmer. I left the experience unfazed. From there things looked up. I went on to
talk to seven more agents. Six were interested. That doesn’t mean they were
ready to sign me. But, each one asked me to submit my manuscript to them—either
full or partial. A lot of them had specific suggestions to incorporate into my
writing. Each one was focused and listening to what I had to say. The day
whizzed by. By five o’clock, I left with a clearer picture of what I could do
to make my manuscript stronger.
The next day, I
was lucky enough to participate in a panel with fabulous authors and eager
attendees. I did my panel and then went to several others. There were also
cocktail parties and coffees meetups, where an array of accomplished authors,
as well as other industry professionals, were walking around, happy to chat and
mingle.
I took breaks to walk around the city. I attended a standup show at the
Comedy Cellar in Greenwich Village. I took photos and ate some great food.
Overall, the
conference was a success. I left with more focus, more energy, and a better
sense of what I wanted to do in my writing. Before I submit my work, I am going
to incorporate what I learned and do some serious revisions. You get one chance and I want to present the
best manuscript I can. So, if you are looking to further your crime writing
career and have some fun, start savings those pennies—Thrillerfest is worth it.


Lynn McPherson has worked for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, ran a small business, and taught English across the globe. She has travelled the world solo where her daring spirit has led her to jump out of airplanes, dive with sharks, and learn she would never master a surfboard. She now channels her lifelong love of adventure and history into her writing, where she is free to go anywhere, anytime. Her cozy series has two books out: The Girls’ Weekend Murder and The Girls Whispered Murder.  

For the Love of Librarians…

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By Lynn McPherson


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I was lucky enough to participate at a library panel in
Toronto last week. The panel was made up of five authors including me. We were
invited to come in and talk about crime fiction and writing. The sub-genres
ranged from thriller to cozy, and between us, there was a lot to talk about. The
library set up a nice long table for the panellists with a wireless microphone
for each, and a numbers of chairs for the audience to sit comfortably. The
evening went well and the audience seemed engaged. Afterwards, the librarian
thanked us for our time and efforts.
Since then I’ve been thinking about the role of librarians
in our culture. Librarians are unsung heroes of learning, education, and
literacy. Ever adapting to a changing world and the technological advancements
introduced almost daily, librarians are fearless. Plus, these real-life
superheroes are there to help writers succeed—they champion authors and books
and imagination.
For a writer, there is no better friend than a librarian.
They can introduce readers to your books. They can include your books in clubs,
conversations, or displays. They can help you succeed with encouragement,
support, and enthusiasm.
I’d like to send out a big thank you to all the librarians
whose efforts do not get recognized or celebrated enough. My favourite librarian
worked at the small elementary school in Edmonton, Alberta I attended in the
1980’s named Sweet Grass. She taught us the history of fine art, dared us to
push ourselves, and gave us the freedom to explore and enjoy the library and
everything in it. There was no better place to be.



Lynn McPherson has worked for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, ran a small business, and taught English across the globe. She has travelled the world solo where her daring spirit has led her to jump out of airplanes, dive with sharks, and learn she would never master a surfboard. She now channels her lifelong love of adventure and history into her writing, where she is free to go anywhere, anytime. Her cozy series has two books out: The Girls' Weekend Murder and The Girls Whispered Murder.  

Pure Luck!

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By Lynn McPherson


 With the recent passing of St. Patrick’s Day, I’ve been thinking about the idea of luck. Is it a real thing? Are people naturally lucky or unlucky? Where is the concept most prevalent? Let’s look at some of these questions on today’s blog post.
According to www.IrishCentral.com, the term ‘luck of the Irish’ comes from the successes of Irish miners during the second half of the 19th century during the gold and silver rush. But the concept of luck is not strictly for the Emerald Isle. In fact, it seems to span across the globe, from a range of places and cultures. There are all sorts of different objects and rituals that are believed to bring luck.
Today, one of the most obvious places it can be seen is in sports. From community league hockey to major league baseball, there are all sorts of rituals that participating athletes seem to subscribe to.  Superstitions abound and can often explain seemingly inexplicable behaviour. For example, have you ever noticed a pitcher tap his leg twice before throwing a ball, or a big hitter refusing to shave a beard or wash a uniform? This can often be explained by the player’s belief that the behaviour will bring a lucky game. We are talking about elite sports players who are making millions of dollars!

Human behaviour can be fascinating. As a writer, I am always interested in the motivation behind action. With little science behind it, luck is one of the most puzzling but interesting ideas that people seem drawn to. Are there any rituals that you would like to share that bring you luck? Or do you shun the idea all together? I must admit that I am a believer. But ask me to explain why and I would have a hard time putting it into words.

Lynn McPherson has worked for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, ran a small business, and taught English across the globe. She has travelled the world solo where her daring spirit has led her to jump out of airplanes, dive with sharks, and learn she would never master a surfboard. She now channels her lifelong love of adventure and history into her writing, where she is free to go anywhere, anytime. Her cozy series has two books out: The Girls' Weekend Murder and The Girls Whispered Murder.  

Location, Location, Location

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By Lynn McPherson

The setting of a book is a critical part of a story. Location
can determine the mood before opening the first page. A big city will feel
different than a coastal village, or a domestic setting versus one abroad. As a
cozy writer, my location is pre-determined since the majority of cozy mysteries
take place in small, idyllic towns. But even within these parameters, there are
several options.

In my Izzy Walsh
Mystery Series, I chose a fictional small town in New England, not far from
New York City. It was an easy decision. Every time I’ve been there, the warmth
and beauty of New England captivated me. In addition, when I started writing
the series, I was a new mom. Writing was a great escape for me, and part of
that was going on a vacation to one of my favourite places every time I looked
at my screen.
With the end of February approaching, I’ve been thinking of
warm weather and beach escapes. It’s fair to say the springtime always makes me
feel like it’s time for a quick jaunt. March break and the slow end of winter
stirs up a desire to run away from the dreary end of the cold days and long
nights here in my own small town, not far from Toronto, Canada. However,
instead of physically leaving, this year I will be planning an escape on paper.
I’m considering a short story, or possibly even a new series, that incorporates
a beach or, at the very least, short-sleeve weather. I’m ready to soak in the
warmth and bask in the rays of an imaginary sunshine.
Do you have any place, real or imagined that you like to
escape to when you need a break? Do you have a favourite location or setting in
books that you gravitate toward? I’m always happy to discuss beautiful vacation
spots and let my mind take me there, even just for a few minutes.

Lynn McPherson has worked for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, ran a small business, and taught English across the globe. She has travelled the world solo where her daring spirit has led her to jump out of airplanes, dive with sharks, and learn she would never master a surfboard. She now channels her lifelong love of adventure and history into her writing, where she is free to go anywhere, anytime. Her cozy series has two books out: The Girls' Weekend Murder and The Girls Whispered Murder.  

I’m on Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride and I Don’t Want to Get Off

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I’m on Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride and I Don’t Want to Get Off by Debra H.
Goldstein

The first
time I rode Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, a dark attraction at Disney, I loved it. It
was fast paced, had quirky turns that led to unexpected encounters, and was
fun. I look at everything to do with One
Taste Too Many as being like Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.

In reviews,
the book has been called suspenseful, fast paced, and edgier than most cozies.
I think that’s because I tend to write a cozy that edges into the traditional
mystery. I have the cat, small closed setting, cast of suspects, and murder off
the page, but I also have numerous quirky turns and unexpected encounters. As in
Mr. Toad’s Ride, where when intellectually I knew nothing would happen, out of
a fright response, I put my hand up once or twice to avoid something touching my
face or jumping out at me, there are red herrings and twists to keep readers on
edge.

From the
moment of One Taste Too Many’s
launch, it has been a wild ride. Expected and unexpected reviews have been
favorable and plentiful, blogs galore have appeared (forty-four plus, but whose
is counting?), I had the delightful opportunity to write four blogs with one of
my favorite writers, Barbara Ross, comparing our cooking styles (non-existent),
settings (North and South), regional food, and showing what might happen if the
characters from Steamed Open and One Taste Too Many met, and people have
been genuinely kind and excited for me.

There is a
lot of work involved with launching a book. I’m not particularly good at
juggling PR duties with writing, and while I’m trying to move my work in
progress along, I’m savoring every moment of my wild ride.  Thanks for being on it with me!

One Taste Too Many:

For culinary challenged Sarah Blair, there’s only one
thing scarier than cooking from scratch—murder!
Sarah knew starting over would be messy. But things fall apart completely when
her ex drops dead, seemingly poisoned by her twin sister’s award-winning
rhubarb crisp. Now, with RahRah, her Siamese cat, wanted by the woman who broke
up her marriage and her twin wanted by the police for murder, Sarah needs to
figure out the right recipe to crack the case before time runs out.
Unfortunately, for a gal whose idea of good china is floral paper plates,
catching the real killer and living to tell about it could mean facing a fate
worse than death—being in the kitchen 

The Spirit of the Season

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By Lynn McPherson
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Today is a great day for everyone to take time and reflect on what is important in life. Regardless of whether or not one believes in the religious origins of Christmas, we are all given the opportunity on this day to slow down. With almost every store and service closed, it is a perfect time to focus on family and friends. It is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day responsibilities of a busy life. Luckily, we have this special day to take pause and look around to appreciate what we have.
Some of my favorite things to do on Christmas are activities I rarely seem to have time for these days. Board games like Monopoly or Risk—those that can take hours to play—suddenly seem appealing. And who can resist a classic game of family charades? With turkey in the oven, it is the perfect time to challenge your favourite family members to a game.
Then there is the big meal. Will there be enough gravy? Can we manage to make it thick enough to please everyone? Inevitably, each cook in the kitchen will have advice on every aspect of the complicated meal. Last but not least, who is going to carve the turkey? How much butter can those potatoes withstand?
Each family seems to have traditions that they follow. My wee ones have taken to the idea that Santa should be given some healthy snack options along with his cookies. We have left out guacamole with whole grain tortilla chips now for three years running. They are proud to tell their aunts and uncles that they are helping to keep Santa healthy and happy. Do you have any family traditions that you would like to share?
Please take the day to enjoy whatever makes you happy. Quiet or loud, busy or relaxed, I hope you have a wonderful and memorable holiday season with those you love.
Cheers to all,
Lynn
Lynn McPherson has worked for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, ran a small business, and taught English across the globe. She has travelled the world solo where her daring spirit has led her to jump out of airplanes, dive with sharks, and learn she would never master a surfboard. She now channels her lifelong love of adventure and history into her writing, where she is free to go anywhere, anytime. Her cozy series has two books out: The Girls’ Weekend Murder and The Girls Whispered Murder.  

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