Jen’s Restaurant Biz Quiz

Hey readers, It’s release week for Hot Pot Murder! (Here’s the buy link: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/673134/hot-pot-murder-by-jennifer-j-chow/9780593336557/) Go ahead and visit it… I’ll wait. Now that you’re back: Did you know that I worked in a family restaurant (serving Chinese food) for years? That influenced me to write a culinary cozy, and it also served as an inspiration for Ba’s dim sum eatery in the L.A. Night Market … Continue reading Jen’s Restaurant Biz Quiz

Jennifer J. ChowJune 9, 2023June 5, 202323 Comments

Giveaway, Guest Post

Guest Chick: Tina Kashian

Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Tina Kashian, author of the Kebab Kitchen Mediterranean mystery series, who is generously offering a giveaway today! Favorite Summer Vacations Summer is coming! Do you have a favorite quick getaway? I live in South Jersey and we escape to the Jersey Shore every summer. I vacationed there as a kid, and we continue to visit with … Continue reading Guest Chick: Tina Kashian

Chicks on the CaseJune 7, 2023June 7, 202337 Comments

News

Happy Book Birthday to HOT POT MURDER!

Yes, it’s release day for Hot Pot Murder! Hooray, Jen! Here are a few reviews for fun:“Great characters and a delightful mystery filled with luscious descriptions of food.”—Kirkus Reviews “The second installment of Chow’s cozy mystery series set at a California market, Hot Pot Murder is as charming and delightful as the first…Spending time with these characters is a treat, but—full warning—this book will make you hungry.”—Parade … Continue reading Happy Book Birthday to HOT POT MURDER!

Jennifer J. ChowJune 6, 2023June 5, 202328 Comments

Ellen Byron

On Blockages, Literal and Figurative.

A funny thing happened on my way to post today. I forgot. Okay, that’s not funny, but it makes for a derivatively witty opening. As for forgetting, the theme of my life these days seems to be blockage. The condition that landed me in the hospital for a week has been changed from an ileus (I still don’t really know what that is) to IBS … Continue reading On Blockages, Literal and Figurative.

Ellen ByronJune 5, 202325 Comments

Leslie Karst

Behind the Book: “The Fragrance of Death”

Welcome to “Behind the Book,” our fun new Chicks on the Case feature! Join us as we Chicks share the real stories behind our stories. Inspiration, motivation, frustration, jubilation–you’ll find them all right here… You may notice that the cover of my most recent Sally Solari mystery, The Fragrance of Death, depicts artichokes. No, it’s not the murder weapon (though that’s there, too), but the noble … Continue reading Behind the Book: “The Fragrance of Death”

Leslie KarstJune 2, 2023May 24, 202323 Comments

Guest Post

Guest Chick: Donna Schlachter

It’s my pleasure to introduce Donna Schlachter to the Chicks on the Case for her inaugural visit! The Mafia in America in History—through to the 1890s In researching my most recent release, Claire, I discovered some interesting facts about the mafia in America. • For readers who have watched The Godfather, it comes as no surprise that the mafias we recognize originated in Italy. However, … Continue reading Guest Chick: Donna Schlachter

BeckyMay 31, 2023May 9, 202314 Comments

Cynthia Kuhn

Goodbye and Hello: Show Edition

For many of us, it has been a difficult week, as we bid goodbye to Succession, Barry, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel all at once. Now with Ted Lasso ending in a few days, it is almost more than one can bear. *Pause for deep breaths.* Thank goodness we have some new things coming our way that may be intriguing. Because of our focus here on the blog, I’ll keep … Continue reading Goodbye and Hello: Show Edition

Cynthia KuhnMay 29, 2023May 31, 202324 Comments

Becky Clark

Those Little Grey Cells

When I first began writing, I wanted to get kids—reluctant readers, especially—to love books. So I told them entertaining, funny stories. At least that’s what I tried to do. I didn’t truly know I hit my mark until I got a letter—yes, this was back in the day—that said, “I didn’t like to read until I read your book.” Honestly? I could have quit right … Continue reading Those Little Grey Cells

BeckyMay 26, 2023May 23, 202351 Comments

Guest Post

Guest Chick: Carolyn Wilkins

The Chicks are pleased to welcome author Carolyn Wilkins as our Guest Chick today. In her book, Death At A Seance, Carolyn taps into her experience as a psychic medium. The author will give away PDFs of her new short story, A New Year’s Hex to five lucky commenters. The short story features psychic Carrie McFarland, the protagonist in in her recent mystery, Death At … Continue reading Guest Chick: Carolyn Wilkins

Chicks on the CaseMay 24, 2023May 24, 202333 Comments

Leslie Karst

What’s In a Name?

In addition to many wonderful memories and a stack of terrific books, the other thing that I brought home with me from the mystery writers’ convention Malice Domestic this year was a case of COVID. Not a bad case–it felt pretty much like a garden variety head cold. But I had to quarantine myself, nevertheless, and therefore spent a lot of time hanging out at … Continue reading What’s In a Name?

Leslie KarstMay 22, 2023May 21, 202325 Comments

Kathleen Valenti

Behind the Book: 39 WINKS

Welcome to “Behind the Book,” our fun new Chicks on the Case feature! Join us as we Chicks share the real stories behind our stories. Inspiration, motivation, frustration, jubilation–you’ll find them all right here… Well, hello! It’s Kathy, and I’m here to regale you with the origin story of 39 WINKS. The second book in my medical mystery series finds our pharmaceutical protagonist, Maggie, losing sleep … Continue reading Behind the Book: 39 WINKS

Kathleen ValentiMay 19, 2023May 19, 202324 Comments

Guest Post

Guest Chick: M.A. Monnin (and a giveaway!)

Becky here, and it’s my pleasure to have Mary Monnin visit us today! She’s launching a new book and has generously offered one to a random commenter. She’s uber-cool, eh? HOBBIES IN MYSTERIES Sparkly things catch my eye. Do they catch yours, dear reader? I ask because today I’m looking at hobbies in mysteries. I collect vintage jewelry, and my heroine Stefanie Adams collects antique … Continue reading Guest Chick: M.A. Monnin (and a giveaway!)

BeckyMay 17, 2023May 15, 202335 Comments