Marla here! Leslie and I ran into the awesome Carmela Dutra at Left Coast Crime this year, and as Chicks, we couldn’t help but notice her adorable chicken-themed swag. So of course we invited her to come visit the blog! Carmela’s Food Truck Mysteries feature twins who run the “Kluckin’ Good” food truck. Read on for the inspiration behind her series and enter to win a copy of A Murder Most Fowl or Hot Wings and Homicide!

Twins, Fried Chicken, and a Lifetime of Mysteries

I didn’t set out to write about twins. And I definitely didn’t set out to write about murder. But looking back, I probably should’ve seen both coming.

The first adult novel I ever wrote was a truly awful sci-fi. Let’s just leave it at there was a telepathic octopus. I’m still not entirely sure where that idea came from, but I think—on some subconscious level—it was the permission I needed to finally write something. For years, I had convinced myself I could only write picture books. Anything beyond that felt out of reach.

So I wrote the sci-fi and queried it. Then came agent feedback. The general consensus? Maybe…try writing a cozy mystery. That was a lightbulb moment. I loved cozy mysteries! But where to start? I knew I wanted something different, but still kept with the cozy feel of the genre.

Around that same time, I was talking it over with my husband, tossing around ideas, when my grandmother called. She launched into one of those stories about her and her twin sister—equal parts ridiculous and hilarious—and by the time I hung up, I was laughing.

My husband looked at me and said, “You should write about them.”

“Yeah,” I said. “But then they’d kill each other.”

And just like that… the seed was planted.

Because the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. I thought about all the years of their twin antics. Their bond was stronger than anyone I’d ever known. The way they could have the biggest argument one minute and be fiercely loyal to each other the next. They loved to dress in matching outfits, and could finish each other’s thoughts and sentences.

If you’ve read my books, you might notice a tiny resemblance to Beth and Seth.

(Only fewer murders and no matching outfits.)

Some of my fondest memories with my grandmother and great-aunt weren’t big events, they were the quiet moments. Sitting together with tea or coffee, a plate of snacks between us, talking about everything and nothing at the same time. Serious things. Silly things. And, of course, mysteries.

We’d watch episodes of Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Murder She Wrote, and Diagnosis Murder, trying to unravel the plot as it went along. We’d talk about mystery novels like the characters were people we all knew personally. They loved a good puzzle as much as twist, and a reveal you didn’t see coming.

I think that’s where it really started for me. The love of mysteries wrapped up in conversation, laughter, and connection.

And always, food.

For my family, food wasn’t just gathering for a meal, it was the gathering. And at the center of it all? Always fried chicken. Crispy, golden, a little messy, and absolutely worth it.

There’s something about food. It brings people together, keeps people at the table longer, and makes room for stories. Even the dramatic ones, while wrapping you up in comfort.

So when I sat down to write my own cozy mystery series, it turned out I wasn’t starting from scratch at all. I was pulling from those moments: twins with big personalities, a love of mysteries, and food that feels like home.

And maybe that’s why I keep those elements in my stories. Because at its heart, a cozy mystery isn’t just about solving a crime. It’s about the people you gather with along the way and the food you share. 

If you’re new to the series, this is actually the perfect time to jump in, A Murder Most Fowl (book one) is on a Kindle deal for $1.99 for the month of May, so it’s an easy way to see if Beth, Seth, and their food truck chaos are your kind of story.

Giveaway:

To celebrate the release of book two in my food truck mystery series, Hot Wings and Homicide, I’m giving away signed copies of my books to two plucky winners! Each winner can choose between A Murder Most Fowl or Hot Wings and Homicide.

Readers, do you have a favorite memory of food and family?

(U.S. only. Winners will be chosen from the comments. Enter by midnight Friday, May 29.)

About the Author

Carmela Dutra writes cozy mysteries steeped in food, family, and Bay Area flavor. Her Food Truck Mystery Series debuted with A Murder Most Fowl, praised by Kirkus Reviews, Criminal Element, and New York Times bestselling author Ellery Adams. She lives in the Bay Area with her family and pets. Find her on Facebook and Instagram: @authorcarmela Or check out her website www.carmeladutra.com   

Hot Wings and Homicide releases May 12, 2026 from Crooked Lane Books

Preorder here