When I created Miss Vee’s Vintage Cookbook and Kitchenware Shop, the setting and premise for my Vintage Cookbook Mysteries, I thought I was being so creative. I mean, who ever heard of a shop like that existing in the real world, right? Well, guess what. Not only do they exist, there are least two of them. One in New Orleans – where my series is … Continue reading A Real-Life Vintage Cookbook and Kitchenware Shop
Marla, here, introducing my wonderful friend Cindy Brown. I’ve known Cindy since my first Left Coast Crime back in [mumble mumble]. You may know Cindy from her delightful Ivy Meadows Mysteries, set in the world of theatre, or her “Slightly Silly News,” but Cindy’s new book takes on a more serious tone and I can’t wait to read it! Today, she’s talking to you, dear … Continue reading “The Magical Power of Being a Reader” — by Guest Chick Cindy Brown (Giveaway!)
I’m thrilled to welcome Michael Rigg, my Mardi Gras parade whisperer and fellow NOLA chronicler, to Chicks today. He’s been on quite a ride as he anticipates the release of his second Jonathan Gray, M.D. mystery – which is great, BTW! Thanks for the opportunity to update “the Chicks and Krewe” since my last visit on November 5, 2025. What a six-months it’s been! In … Continue reading Guest Chick: Michael Rigg
With Left Coast Crime and Malice Domestic behind us, and all of us living in different parts of the country, it’ll probably be a while before we get to see each other in person again. So let’s plan a hypothetical Chicks retreat — and everyone’s invited! So, Chicks: where would we go and what role would you volunteer for? Readers, you should chime in on … Continue reading Chick Chat: Where should we all go next?
Please join us in welcoming CB Wilson: gemologist, dog lover, and author of the Gem Hunters Mysteries and the Barkview Mysteries! CB has graciously provided a giveaway today, so please read on and reply below to be entered. What is a diamond specialist, really? A geologist who understands how carbon transforms under pressure deep within the earth? A trained gemologist who can grade clarity, color, … Continue reading Guest Chick: CB Wilson
Well, another Malice Domestic is officially in the books! It was my first time at the mystery conference since 2017 and it was so, so much fun to see old friends and meet new ones. Here are just some of the highlights: 1. Seeing Old Friends Malice truly is like summer camp where you get to see all your old friends. And hey, look! It’s … Continue reading A Few of my Favorite Memories of Malice 2026
Scrolling around on my phone, I suddenly realized I have a birthday coming up very soon. Since I’m at an age that I don’t celebrate birthdays anymore, it’s not a big deal. The only reason it is a SEMI big deal is that it reminds me that my mom’s birthday is coming up kind of soon. She’s someone that I do still celebrate birthdays for. … Continue reading Just remembered that it’s not my birthday
Let’s give a warm Chicks welcome to Guest Chick Lina Chern, author of tarot card mysteries PLAY THE FOOL and TRICKS OF FORTUNE. Lina is giving away a copy of PLAY THE FOOL to two lucky winners! Read on, and leave a comment before midnight April 25 to enter. May the cards fall in your favor. Take it away, Lina! Do Tarot Cards Work? I … Continue reading Guest Chick: Lina Chern #Giveaway!
Hi all, Ellen here! Well, due to last week’s accidental publish of this post, it didn’t go out again today as your regular Monday blast. But I had fun writing it and I want you to read it, so I came up with a workaround – I hope. Click here or click on the photo below to read the post. Thanks for your patience! (And … Continue reading A link to “Swag from my TV Past”
It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone in the mystery community who knows me that the minute I heard about authors making trading cards – authors Raquel V. Reyes, Daphne Silver, and Nicole Asselin to be specific – I was all in the idea. I made and ordered my own cards in about twenty minutes. Thus, I’ll soon add them to a supply of … Continue reading A Swag Blast from my TV Past
You just got an e-blast that went out accidentally due to a WordPress change in the way we schedule posts. Unfortunately, it was new to me and resulted in my post being released ahead of schedule. Thanks to some tech magic from my Gen Z daughter, the post has been returned to its regularly scheduled date of Monday. I’ll see you then! Continue reading Apologies from Ellen
We’ve planted gardens in the past—usually perennial flowers that come back year after year. We had this one rock garden that made me so happy every spring, the way that the flowers just magically appeared when it was time. I still miss it. We have also had vegetable gardens that flourished. We didn’t do much besides plant the seeds and install a drip line. (Since … Continue reading Garden Dreams
Chicks on the Case 