Guest Chicks: Cynthia Chow, Kathleen Costa, and Sandra Murphy

Today, we are thrilled to host three fabulous reviewers from Kings River Life Magazine and KRL News & Reviews: Cynthia Chow, Kathleen Costa, and Sandra Murphy. Readers and writers alike are fans of their terrific work–welcome to all! Cynthia Chow How did you get into professional reviewing? To start off, I don’t really consider myself to be a professional reviewer. It’s not my paid … Continue reading Guest Chicks: Cynthia Chow, Kathleen Costa, and Sandra Murphy

Chicks on the CaseJuly 21, 2021July 21, 202130 Comments

Lisa Q. Mathews

It Was a Dark and Stormy Morning…

If you happen to be a Peanuts fan—or a writer—you’ve probably seen the cartoon of Snoopy on top of his doghouse, hard at work on his novel. He has the perfect opening line: “It was a dark and stormy night…” Continue reading It Was a Dark and Stormy Morning…

Lisa Q. MathewsJuly 19, 2021July 18, 202134 Comments

Becky Clark, Cynthia Kuhn, Ellen Byron, Jennifer. J. Chow, Kathleen Valenti, Leslie Karst, Lisa Q. Mathews, Mysteries, Vickie Fee

Gone to Malice 2021

The Chicks are attending More Than Malice (July 14-17)! Some of us will be at the Author Speed Dating events, and our own Ellen Byron is nominated for an Agatha Award (Best Contemporary Novel)–huge congratulations and cheers!–and you can watch the recorded nominee panels here. The More Than Malice schedule offers information about the many wonderful panels happening this week if you are attending. Also, if you … Continue reading Gone to Malice 2021

Chicks on the CaseJuly 16, 2021July 16, 20212 Comments

Guest Post

Guest Chick: Esme Addison

The Chicks welcome back Esme Addison, whose newest Enchanted Bay Mystery, A Hex for Danger, launched yesterday. Today, Esme tackles a great topic… On Finding Inspiration Everywhere Most writers probably know that inspiration for stories can be found everywhere. I have a hard time turning that off – the ability to see something, meet someone or experience something and get an idea for a story. … Continue reading Guest Chick: Esme Addison

Chicks on the CaseJuly 14, 2021July 13, 202123 Comments

Kathleen Valenti

You Oughta Be in Pictures

If you know me for more than, say, five minutes, you know that the only thing I like as much as reading is watching movies. So perhaps it’s no surprise that movies that feature books—specifically authors—hit the sweet spot in my entertainment Venn diagram. Fortunately, there’s plenty of material. I’ve waxed poetic (or perhaps prosaic?) about my love for Joan Wilder (yes, THE Joan Wilder) … Continue reading You Oughta Be in Pictures

Kathleen ValentiJuly 12, 2021October 11, 202133 Comments

Jennifer. J. Chow

Unplugged

Every year in recent history (with the exception of 2020), my family has gone on a camping trip. We’ve been to Zion, Joshua Tree, Redwood National Park… This summer, we explored Kings Canyon National Park. Besides being in beautiful nature, I was forced to UNPLUG—in a good way. Here are lessons I learned while being out in the wild, which can apply to both my … Continue reading Unplugged

Jennifer J. ChowJuly 9, 2021July 6, 202124 Comments

Giveaway, Guest Post

Guest Chick: Diane Kelly (and a giveaway)

Jennifer here, and I’m welcoming Diane Kelly to the blog. I got to read an ARC of Diane’s newest book, The Moonshine Shack Murder. Here’s my blurb for it: “A shining example of a cozy mystery, complete with a business savvy protagonist, an irascible granddad, and a brewing romance.” Okay, take it away, Diane! This Little Light of Mine . . . I have always … Continue reading Guest Chick: Diane Kelly (and a giveaway)

Chicks on the CaseJuly 7, 2021June 11, 202154 Comments

Ellen Byron

Neverland in New York

I’ve spent a good portion of my life obsessed with Peter Pan and Neverland. When I was little, I fantasized about Peter materializing at my window, holding out his hand, and flying me off to his magical island. Then one night, I discovered a real magical island much closer to home. We lived in Queens at the time, on a street that happened to be … Continue reading Neverland in New York

Ellen ByronJuly 5, 2021July 13, 202128 Comments

Chick Pic

Time for a Chick Pic

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 … where is this place? What’s the back story? Include a victim, murderer, nosy neighbor, or even innocent suspect. The more ridiculous the better! Each comment can build on the next until … Continue reading Time for a Chick Pic

Chicks on the CaseJuly 2, 2021June 23, 202110 Comments

Guest Post

Guest Chick: DonnaRae Menard

Ellen here, happy to welcome DonnaRae Menard, soon to be a debut author! These are exciting – and a little scary – times for her, as she shares today, along with the lifechanging event that motivated her to commit to a writing career. IT’S TOUGH BEING NEW IN TOWN Like a lot of writers, I came into the business through the back door. That is, … Continue reading Guest Chick: DonnaRae Menard

Chicks on the CaseJune 30, 2021June 28, 202116 Comments

Mysteries

Virtual Authors Festival

On Tuesday July 20, 2021 at 7 pm EST, please join the Chicks on the Case for a panel at North Brunswick Library–via Zoom–we would love to chat with you! Free registration: https://bit.ly/2SvXSW0 Continue reading Virtual Authors Festival

Chicks on the CaseJune 29, 2021June 28, 20219 Comments

Cynthia Kuhn

Some Things to Know Before You Go

With Bouchercon coming up in August, I thought it might be useful to share a few tips for anyone who is going for the first time…some things may be useful for mystery cons in general. (And experienced con attendees, please add your suggestions too.) Panel Hop (It’s Fine). There are so many panels scheduled that choosing among them seems impossible. But at Bouchercon 101, the very … Continue reading Some Things to Know Before You Go