Hi, it’s Ellen, who apologies profusely for putting the wrong date on Micki Browning’s post and accidentally sending it out today instead of 11/10 when it’s supposed to go out. Please stop by on Wednesday, November 10th to read her terrific post. And if you already read it, it’s worth a second read – trust me. So sorry for the confusion. In the meantime, here’s … Continue reading Apologies, dear readers!
I probably don’t have to tell you that a lot goes into a book cover. There’s psychology, design aspects, color theory, font decisions, genre considerations, and much more. When it all works, you probably can’t say why. You just know it pleases you and makes you want to take a second look at the book. But when it doesn’t work, it’s usually obvious why it … Continue reading Judge ‘Em By Their Covers
The Chicks are thrilled to welcome Julia Henry, author of the Garden Squad mysteries–we’re so excited about the latest book in the series: Wreathing Havoc is available now! The Community of Cozies Thank you, Cynthia, and the rest of the Chicks on the Case for having me on the blog today! I really appreciate you helping me celebrate the release of Wreathing Havoc, the fourth … Continue reading Guest Chick: Julia Henry
Many of you already know that I once had the privilege of hosting a dinner party for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. My law professor father had known the future justice since the 1960s, and when she agreed some years back to come speak at the UCLA Law School where Dad taught, I’d impetuously offered to cook dinner for her at my parents’ home. … Continue reading Cooking for Ruth—Soon To Be a Book!
Cozy readers—and especially Chicks on the Case readers—are some of the most creative folks on the planet so we’re asking you to play Chick Pic with us! Give us a couple of sentences … who are these characters? What’s their back story? Victim, murderer, nosy neighbor, innocent suspect? The more ridiculous the better! Each comment can build on the next until we have a fully-fleshed … Continue reading Time for a Chick Pic!
Today, the Chicks extend a warm welcome to Debra Sennefelder, who is celebrating the release TODAY of her newest Food Blogger Mystery, The Corpse in the Gazebo. Take it away, Debra! How Do You Tackle Your TBR Pile? Hi, my name is Debra, and I have an out-of-control to-be-read pile for both physical and e-books. I’m can’t even begin counting how many books are waiting … Continue reading Guest Chick: Debra Sennefelder
Recently I mentioned I’m a fan of the TV show Ted Lasso. Don’t worry, I won’t give anything away here, if you haven’t seen it yet. This is what you need to know: The bumbling, ever-positive Ted (played by an amusingly mustachioed Jason Sudeikis) is an American college football coach hired to coach a ragtag football (“soccer” to Americans) club across the pond. He literally knows zip about British football. But what he does have to offer is folksy advice—often unsolicited, but always on-point—to those who need a little motivation. Or a lot. Continue reading Through the Dark Forest: Ted Lasso for Writers
At work, the managers like to end our weekly meeting with a thought-provoking, let’s-really-get-to-know-each-other question. This week’s theme: name something weird or surprising about yourself. My response: How would you like my list of weirdness? Alphabetically? Chronologically? Small to large? Mundane to outrageous? I have a lot of material. I could have talked about how my fingers are so double-jointed that I have to concentrate … Continue reading Two Truths and a Lie
The Chicks are happy to welcome debut author Susan Kimmel Wright, who shares the fascinating true story that inspired her new mystery, Mabel Gets the Ax… A Local Unsolved Murder My cozy Mabel Gets the Ax germinated decades ago, in the fertile soil of a real-life unsolved murder and a purported haunted house. The Stauffer murder story was as much a part of my western … Continue reading Guest Chick: Susan Kimmel Wright
I’ve been enjoying all the first day of school posts lately on Facebook of my friends’ kids and grandkids. Standing on the front porch are smiling youngsters holding a sign that says: “Duncan – First Grade” or “Natalie – Kindergarten.” When my sister’s oldest child started kindergarten, the teacher gave the parents little care packages to take home. (One way to get the lingerers to … Continue reading School daze
There’s an exciting time that happens right before a book launch—sweepstakes season. That’s when my brilliant marketing team at Berkley runs giveaways. Hooray for giving back to the reading community! My next Sassy Cat Mystery, Mimi Lee Cracks the Code, will release on November 30, but its first sweepstakes happens now! That’s why S equals September Sweepstakes. This exciting giveaway features four books AND a … Continue reading S is for September Sweepstakes
Please join us in giving a very warm welcome to Angela Maria Hart, the brilliant mind behind the Cozy Mystery Book Club! She puts so much time and energy into celebrating the cozy mystery genre, for which authors and readers alike are incredibly grateful. Read on for all the details… Welcome to The Cozy Mystery Book Club Hello Fellow Mystery Lovers! I am honored to … Continue reading Guest Chick: Angela Maria Hart
Chicks on the Case 