Happy Book Birthday, Ellen!

Today marks the release of All Aboard for Murder, the third book in Ellen’s Agatha and Lefty-shortlisted Golden Motel Mystery series! Clever, hilarious, and just the right amount of spooky. All Aboard for Murder is pure mystery gold. An absolute must-read for cozy mystery fans. Cozy Crime Reads Official ABOUT THE BOOK: Dee Stern is starting to feel at home running the Golden Motel in … Continue reading Happy Book Birthday, Ellen!

Finishing a Project in Style

In Misery, novelist Paul Sheldon has a ritual when he finishes a book: he drinks champagne and uses one match to light one cigarette. (Not that I’m suggesting it’s healthy or anything. It’s just what he does.) Interestingly, at a crucial moment in the story, this ritual will make something else possible during his time with Annie Wilkes, so it serves more than one purpose in … Continue reading Finishing a Project in Style

Meet Guest Chick Courtny Bradley – plus a #giveaway!

Update: Congratulations to cupcakecache, winner of Courtny’s ebook giveaway! Marla here, and I’m delighted to introduce a new-to-me author because we might be related. Okay, maybe not, but she’s from Broken Arrow, and I was just visiting my niece there last month. It’s a suburb of Tulsa, where I grew up, and also my grandmother was hugely into crochet, and also we might own the … Continue reading Meet Guest Chick Courtny Bradley – plus a #giveaway!

Guest Chick: Melinda Mullet

The Chicks are delighted to welcome Melinda Mullet, author of the Whisky Business Mysteries and A Ghostwriter’s Guide to Murder!  I’m a big fan of all the ladies in the coop and immensely enjoy the Chicks on the Case postings. I was recently struck by a piece from Lisa Mathews lamenting that the Sunday Scaries have now invaded the rest of the week unrelentingly disturbing … Continue reading Guest Chick: Melinda Mullet

Wedding Season, but make it cozy

June is wedding month — and I have thoughts! But first things first: In honor of the most popular month for weddings (allegedly) I’m doing my very first sale! The ebook of TERROR IN TAFFETA — book one in the Destination Wedding Mysteries — is on sale through Sunday for only $0.99. So, exciting news: Next week, I’m going to a destination wedding! Kind of … Continue reading Wedding Season, but make it cozy

“Twins, Fried Chicken, and a Lifetime of Mysteries” — by Guest Chick Carmela Dutra (Giveaway!)

Congratulations to Mary Garback and Sally Fortney, winners in this week’s giveaway! 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. … Continue reading “Twins, Fried Chicken, and a Lifetime of Mysteries” — by Guest Chick Carmela Dutra (Giveaway!)

A Real-Life Vintage Cookbook and Kitchenware Shop

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

“The Magical Power of Being a Reader” — by Guest Chick Cindy Brown (Giveaway!)

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!)

Guest Chick: Michael Rigg

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