There’s a meme going around Facebook these days showing a sign in a bookstore that says “Shoplifters will be forced to read James Joyce’s Ulysses.” I get the joke; really, I do. (Even Louise Penny shared the meme on her FB feed.) But I think bookstores, of all places, should know better. Because, the thing is, I adore Ulysses and think it’s one of the … Continue reading The Best Book Hardly Anyone Reads
We have a winner of the Giveaway! Congrats to Linda Herold! Hurrah! Today, the Chicks are pleased to present Cathy Wiley, one of the Destination Murders authors – cozy mystery writers who pen short stories set in a specific location, such as Murder at the Beach or Murder in the Mountains. The newest in the anthology series, Murder in the Graveyard, released just last month. … Continue reading Guest Chick: Cathy Wiley
When I first started writing Battered, the first Whipped and Sipped Mystery, Ruthie Rosin, the character of the protagonist’s best friend and pastry chef, appeared before me almost immediately. She cared about the world and had a strong moral compass. Ruthie bears more than a passing resemblance to a real-life friend I adore in Colorado. Continue reading Guest Chick: GP Gottlieb
Lisa here, just back from the weekend’s amazing-as-always New England Crime Bake 2025 conference. Since it’s my day to post here on Chicks, and I’m still bleary-eyed (in a good way), I thought I’d share a few of my terrible but heartfelt photos. (Apologies to all up front.) Continue reading New England Authors on a Roll: Crime Bake 2025
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?!
I’m so happy to welcome Michael to the blog. He was my priceless guide to actually parading with krewes during New Orleans’ Carnival Season. We share a passion for the Big Easy that’s led to both of us setting series in the unique and fascinating city. One lucky commenter will win a copy of Michael’s terrific mystery. Take it away, Michael! Ellen asked me if … Continue reading Guest Chick: Michael Rigg & #giveaway
Crescent City Christmas Chaos, the fourth book in Ellen’s award-winning Vintage Cookbook Mystery series, launches today. We’re thrilled for her! About the book… It’s Christmas. It’s cozy. It’s culinary. It’s chaos! It’s the fourth book in this fabulous mystery series with a vintage flair from USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award–winning author Ellen Byron. Have yourself a merry little . . . murder? Ricki James-Diaz … Continue reading Happy Book Birthday, Ellen Byron!
For some of us we just celebrated or at least thought about the Day of the Dead, which some folks celebrate at Halloween time. I’m Catholic, and for us. Halloween is also known as the evening before All Saints Day, Nov. 1. When a really h0ly person is recognized by the Church, they are canonized, which means they are named a saint. We can celebrate … Continue reading Friends above and along the way
Happy Halloween! 🎃I’m a chicken Chick when it comes to spooky things. But I like surviving exploits and mildly scary happenings. Take, for example, my recent Fairbanks, Alaska trip. (Spoiler: I did not see the aurora, which would have featured amazingly spooky spectacular lights.) Scary Airplane Experiences ✈️ If I didn’t know before that I would be an #AmazingRaceFail, I know now. On the way … Continue reading Semi-Scary Alaskan Shenanigans
How excited are we Chicks to host amazing author and friend Mindy Quigley today? Mindy’s fifth title in the delicious Deep Dish Mystery series, AT DEATH’S DOUGH, has just been published, and we’re ready to dig in. Mindy is also generously offering a giveaway to one lucky reader. Take it away, Mindy! Continue reading Guest Chick: Mindy Quigley
Hi all, Ellen here! Crescent City Christmas Chaos, my fourth Vintage Cookbook Mystery, launches in a week – 11/4, to be exact – and there’s an important plot point built around protagonist Ricki James-Diaz spotting a recipe engraved on a gravestone. Well, you can imagine how thrilled I was to discover someone had compiled a cookbook devoted entirely to recipes culled from gravestone recipes, To … Continue reading Recipes From the Grave – Literally.
We Chicks have created – and continue to create – a vast array of characters. We think we know them pretty well. But sometimes a character is more fun to write than we thought they’d be. Today we share the characters we didn’t expect to enjoy writing as much as we do. Lisa Q. Mathews I think I knew as soon as Gladys Rumway appeared … Continue reading Chick Chat: Characters can surprise you!
Chicks on the Case 