Today we Chicks are excited to welcome fabulous debut author Shelly Jones and their just-pubbed mystery PLAYER ELIMINATION, set in the world of–board games! Lisa enjoyed meeting Shelly in person at a recent New England Crime Bake, and we know you’ll all want to get to know them, too. Shelly is also offering a great giveaway–a signed paperback of PLAYER ELIMINATION and cute swag–to one lucky commenter! Continue reading Guest Chick: Shelly Jones #Giveaway
Today the Chicks are pleased to welcome back Christina Estes, winner of the Tony Hillerman Prize for Best First Mystery Set in The Southwest for Off the Air. The sequel, The Story That Wouldn’t Die, was published August 19 and involves a plot twist that not even Christina saw coming. She is giving away a copy of The Story That Wouldn’t Die to one lucky commentator. … Continue reading Guest Chick: Christina Estes
Jen here, and I’m thrilled to welcome Amanda Chapman (a.k.a. Amy Pershing) to the blog. As you know, I’m an avid Christie fan, so I’m delighted Amanda is our guest and that she’s written a mystery with a huge nod to Dame Agatha. Plus, our very own Ellen Byron blurbed the book! Take it away, Amanda/Amy! Getting to Know the Queen of Crime In Her … Continue reading Guest Chick: Amanda Chapman
Before I became an author, I held the common assumption that authors live seriously cool lives. In fact, I felt pretty darn confident they lived glamorous lives.
It may be true for some authors. As for me, I’ve come to accept the old adage—you can’t fight City Hall. (Okay it sounds a bit off. But seriously, the futility of me reaching for the glamorous life is spot on.) Continue reading Guest Chick: Marie Sutro
Let’s give C.B. a very warm welcome to the blog! I love how she shares about her unique journey in finding her author voice. And the dog pics are too adorable!! Finding Your Voice: An unexpected journey Early in my writing career, a mentor shared wisdom that puzzled me at the time: “To find your voice, you must write what moves you.” I thought I … Continue reading Guest Chick: C.B. Wilson & #Giveaway
Ellen here and I’m happy to welcome Tori Eldridge today. Her books always transport me to fantastic locations. I dare you not to dream of a trip to Kaua’i after her post today about her new release, Kaua’i Storm! Malasadas, Feral Roosters, and Kaua‘i Storm One of the best parts about writing a novel set in a glorious location like Kaua‘i, is the immersive research … Continue reading Guest Chick: Tori Eldridge
Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Rosalie Spielman, author of the Hometown Mysteries series! We’re so delighted for her visit today. Setting inspirations: New Oslo, Idaho What better place to set books about “coming home” than my old hometown? Have you ever wondered what inspired your favorite fictional locales? As I write this, I am with family in Idaho. They live in … Continue reading Guest Post: Rosalie Spielman
We are thrilled to be hosting Lucy Burdette, author of the Key West food critic mysteries! Please join us in giving her a warm welcome. WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS First, thank you for inviting me to be part of the Chicks today! It’s an honor to be here. I know that there are authors who don’t read reviews, especially anything negative. I … Continue reading Guest Post: Lucy Burdette
When I first sat down to pen my debut mystery novella series, I had a head full of tangled plot threads and characters who wouldn’t stop talking to me. Like many writers, I was driven by an almost compulsive need to get these stories out of my mind and onto the page. But as I reflect on my journey as a mystery author over the years, I’ve come to recognize how much my purpose—my “why”—has evolved. Continue reading Guest Chick: Barbara Howard
The Chicks are thrilled to have Delia Pitts as our guest Chick today. The Library Journal touts Death of an Ex as “a literary, absorbing whodunit encompassing murder, human compassion, and grief.” It was just released this month from Macmillan books. Below Delia gives us the author’s scoop of “dropping the body” — a key moment of any whodunit. Take it away, Delia. Where Do … Continue reading Guest Chick: Delia Pitts
It’s always a special day when our fabulous author friend Leslie Budewitz is our guest here on Chicks. Today Leslie discusses “the other” stuff that makes good stories great–and she’s giving away a signed copy of her Spice Shop mystery LAVENDER LIES BLEEDING to one lucky winner! Continue reading Guest Chick: Leslie Budewitz & #Giveaway
We are thrilled to be hosting a special guest today: Randal Brandt is Head of Cataloging and Curator of the California Detective Fiction Collection at The Bancroft Library (University of California, Berkeley). Randal has also been announced as the Fan Guest of Honor at Left Coast Crime in 2026 (where our own Leslie Karst will be the Toastmaster). Please join us in giving Randal a … Continue reading Guest Post: Randal Brandt
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