Happy National Cozy Mystery Day to all who observe – which is a lot of us. September 15th was chosen to honor the genre because it’s the birthday of the legendary mystery author, Agatha Christie. But there was another birthday last week that I want to celebrate. California, my adopted state, turned 175. If you’re thinking, wait, one of these things is not like the … Continue reading Happy Birthday, Dame Agatha – and California!
Jen here, and I’m thrilled to welcome Amanda Chapman (a.k.a. Amy Pershing) to the blog. As you know, I’m an avid Christie fan, so I’m delighted Amanda is our guest and that she’s written a mystery with a huge nod to Dame Agatha. Plus, our very own Ellen Byron blurbed the book! Take it away, Amanda/Amy! Getting to Know the Queen of Crime In Her … Continue reading Guest Chick: Amanda Chapman
I’ve been asked many times in a panel whether I’m a plotter or pantser. I generally land in the middle. (Although since my publisher prefers having a synopsis, I’ve veered more toward plotting.) For traveling, though, I’m a serious plotter. I’ve tried before to be more “spontaneous,” and it just ends up with people sitting around staring at each other and doing nothing. To maximize … Continue reading Travel Style: Plotter or Pantser?
April brings Spring-ier weather (usually), holidays, the Malice Domestic conference for mystery lovers, and…the Agatha Awards! This year the Chicks will be well-represented in Bethesda—can’t wait to see many of you there. Here Lisa takes us behind the scenes as she tries to reason with unsinkable Frankie impersonator Joey Romano from her nominated short story, “Fly Me to the Morgue”… Continue reading Livin’ the Author Dream, Baby: Uncle Joey’s Big Night
Lisa here, delighted to welcome amazing author, anthology editor, publishing entrepreneur, and our good friend Judy Penz Sheluk to Chicks today. Even though we can’t imagine the prolific Judy ever procrastinating on anything, she’s sharing a little secret… Continue reading Guest Chick: Judy Penz Sheluk
Lisa here! I just flew from Bethesda to Brooklyn after a trip to Albuquerque via Boston, and are my wings (and beak) tired. Actually, I took a few buses and trains in there, but you get the idea…Who wants to see a few Malicious pix? Continue reading Chicks on the Road: Malice Domestic 2022
Chicks on the Case readers are some of the most creative folks on the planet. Come play Chick Pic with us! Who is this character? What’s their back story? Victim, murderer, nosy neighbor, innocent suspect? The more ridiculous, the better! Each comment can build on the next–or, start a new one. Writing is all about rewriting, after all. Continue reading Time for a Chick Pic!
Greetings, Mystery Fans, from the Acela Express! Lisa here, chugging home from the annual Malice Domestic conference in Bethesda, MD. I haven’t even begun to process all the amazing events of the weekend–but here are just a few from my Chicks highlight reel. Continue reading The Chick on the Train (from Malice 2019)
So what happens when a mystery author (me) attends an Agatha Christie-style dinner in an actual mansion? Does she solve the crime and command everyone to gather in the drawing room for the astonishing reveal? Let’s just say I may never get a shot at that guest star role on Murder, She Wrote… Continue reading Whoddunit? No Clue.
Happy anniversary – to us! To celebrate the first anniversary of Chicks on the Case, we’re sharing our first-ever group post. Check out our fave mystery authors and books, and share some of your own in the Comments section. Ellen Byron My all-time favorite mystery is Agatha Christie’s last published novel, Sleeping Murder. It features some familiar Christie tropes, but I don’t care. Every time I read it – … Continue reading The Chicks Pick Our Favorite Mysteries
Continue reading “Chick Chat: What’s your favorite mystery?”
Chicks on the Case 