I don’t know a lot about astrology or the zodiac or even what my rising sign is. (It’s based on the exact time you were born, and no one remembers mine. “I think it was in the morning,” my dad once told me, helpfully.) I grew up reading those horoscopes that were in the back of magazines and newspapers that were wildly general, like “People … Continue reading Galloping in on a Fire Horse
Having a Chick serve as toastmaster at a mystery conference is big news. But in 2026, not one but TWO Chicks will step up to take center stage, at two of our favorite mystery conferences, and we couldn’t be more excited! First up, at the end of the month, Leslie Karst will serve as Toastmaster for Left Coast Crime in San Francisco. Then, in April, … Continue reading Toasting the Toastmasters
by Marla Cooper The last couple of weeks, I’ve been putting the finishing touches on “Welcome to Cozy Town” — a comedic mystery short for lovers of cozy mysteries and amateur sleuths. It took longer than expected to write, but honestly I was having so much fun throwing every cozy trope I could think of into the mix that time got away from me. And … Continue reading Feline Detectives: Rating my Cats as Crime Fighters
Y’all. Y’ALL. I have started five different posts, each with a solid theme. But really what I want to do is put on my cozy pajamas, make a cup of hot cocoa, and sit around the fireplace laptop and chat. Can we just do that? I just got back from a five-day trip to New York — the first time I’ve ever been in December. … Continue reading Patience, Fortitude, and other things a writer needs
When I was writing my first book, Terror in Taffeta, Kelsey’s best friend and wedding photographer sidekick was named Brody. Just Brody. I wrote the entire book without giving him a last name. Eventually, I realized I needed to fix that. One of the first name combos that popped into my head was “Brody Marks.” Hmm. It sounded good. Too good, honestly. It had the … Continue reading Isn’t that name already taken?!
Maybe it’s because I was born in October, but I’ve always had a penchant for all things spooky, paranormal, and slightly macabre. When the weather starts dropping and the pumpkin spice lattes appear on menus, when people start decorating their houses with cobwebs and gravestones, it makes me want to dance dramatically in my front yard singing, “It’s the most wonderful time … of the year.” Continue reading 🎃 Welcome to Spooky Season
Why I almost skipped the biggest mystery conference in the U.S. — and why I changed my mind. (Spoiler alert: it’s about the community!) Now, who’s with me? Continue reading The Case of the Last-Minute Conference Attendee
It’s hard being a grammar geek in the digital age. When you’re online, it seems like the rules are more like… suggestions. Anyone who spends any amount of time on social media will run across all SORTS of crimes against the English language. And you know what? Some of them, I’m not even mad at. “I can’t even”? It’s an incomplete sentence, but I know … Continue reading Grammar Crimes of the Digital Age
Summer’s doing what summer does best here at Chicks on the Case: keeping us busy with vacations, family time, and beach reads (both reading them and writing them!). Wherever you are, we hope you’re soaking up some fun, snacks, and a seriously good read. And here are a couple shots of Santa Cruz in the summer, from Leslie: Notice the otter swimming with the surfers. … Continue reading Happy Summer!
It’s summertime! Let the entertaining of out-of-town guests commence! We Chicks live in all sorts of interesting places — and a lot of us have been lucky enough to visit each other in our natural habitats. And let’s just say one of us has a carful of in-laws showing up any minute expecting us to play tour guide. Which leads us to this week’s question: … Continue reading Chick Chat: Stopping by for a visit?
Yesterday morning, I got mad at a talking cartoon bee. I went to the kitchen and opened up the cabinet, and there he was, mocking me.
Hear me out.
Continue reading “My Ongoing Beef with the Talking Bee”
When Someone Else Writes Your Brilliant Thought Have you ever had an idea that that felt fresh, personal, and totally original, then someone else comes up with an idea that’s suspiciously similar — or even exactly the same? It’s tempting to think that they stole it. And while I’m not saying that never happens, it’s just as likely to be a total coincidence. Our ideas … Continue reading Idea Doppelgängers
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