Writing the Real Key West

Today, we’re excited to host Lucy Burdette, author of the scrumptious and satisfying Key West Food Critic Mysteries. And if you’ve never been to Key West–aka “The Conch Republic,” and southernmost part of the continental U.S.–we guaranteed you’ll want to jump on a plane or drive your car there as soon as you get a taste of her fabulous series, especially the newest, A Deadly … Continue reading Writing the Real Key West

Gone to Malice Domestic 2019

This week, some of the Chicks are attending Malice Domestic. Be sure to join us Sunday at 10 am for the Chicks on the Case panel…featuring Mystery Trivia. And many of us will be attending the Author-Media Mixer on Friday night in the Korby Kitchen bar area as well. Please say hello! We are scheduled to appear in the following places. Ellen Byron Best Mystery … Continue reading Gone to Malice Domestic 2019

Guest Chick: Art Taylor

We are so thrilled to host the incomparable Art Taylor today, winner of many awards – including the 2019 Edgar Award for Best Short Story – writer of fantastic mysteries, be-er of great human beings. Share with us, oh, awesome Art! This week, the annual Malice Domestic convention takes place in Bethesda, Maryland, uniting writers and readers in their shared love of the traditional mystery. … Continue reading Guest Chick: Art Taylor

Unhappy camper, and finding your tribe

Lots of authors and readers are gearing up for their annual pilgrimage to Bethesda, Maryland for Malice Domestic this week. Many have posted on social media how much they’re looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones, and how attending their first Malice was like finding their tribe. Kindred spirits. I felt that way, too. In fact, it was at my very first … Continue reading Unhappy camper, and finding your tribe

Food for the Soul

Confession: I’m a terrible cook. Actually, that’s an understatement. I’m abysmally awful at cooking. I have seven dinners that I can make with consistent success that don’t involve help from the Hamburger Helper hand.   But that doesn’t stop me from poring over #foodstagram posts or oohing and ahhing over master chef creations. I also love to buy cookbooks. For Christmas, I bought my dad … Continue reading Food for the Soul

Guest Chick Grace Topping: Second Chances and Reinvention

We’re thrilled to welcome debut author Grace Topping to Chicks. Her journey from the Navy to mystery author is so interesting!  Who wouldn’t want a second chance or being able to reinvent yourself? That idea is so appealing, it’s no surprise cozy mysteries featuring second chances are so popular. Reading about characters reinventing themselves is always fun, but recently it had me thinking about the … Continue reading Guest Chick Grace Topping: Second Chances and Reinvention

Just a Friendly Note (more of this please edition)

Well, tax day has arrived. Following protocol, I already blared the song  “Taxman” as loud as possible. Now letting go of that for another year and turning our attention gently toward other topics to ponder… Dear Restaurants: Could we please have more names that are direct and fewer that string together what seems like an excessive number of words? For example, “toast and jam” versus … Continue reading Just a Friendly Note (more of this please edition)

Guest Chick: Connie Berry

I first met Connie when we shared a cab  ride from Dulles Airport to the Malice Domestic Convention. A few years later, I was thrilled to hear that not only was her first mystery being  published, the publisher was Crooked Lane Books, home to my own Cajun Country Mystery series. Connie, we Chicks can’t wait to learn about your series! A SENSE OF PLACE The … Continue reading Guest Chick: Connie Berry