I'm pleased to welcome Lucy Carol to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Lucy writes the Cozy Mystery Holiday series. THE SKETCHY CHRISTMAS TREE is the first book in the series and was released last month.
Kathy: THE SKETCHY CHRISTMAS TREE is told from the point of view of Sir Percival, who happens to be a cat. Why choose to have a cat as your protagonist instead of a human?
LC: It’s because my real life cat, also named Sir Percival, inspired me. My Sir Percival loves to lay across my forearms while my hands are typing out my current story, although, he’s too heavy to allow it for more than a few minutes. He’s adorable and a complete clown. But when he goes into imaginary playtime, he wildly zooms back and forth like a crazed superhero on a desperate mission to save the day. I often wondered if he had an inner story that he was playing out. I was so charmed by the notion that he’s playing pretend, I got the idea to write out some murder mysteries, and use him as the detective who figures it out, and saves everyone! I’m sure he would love it if he could read. Lol!
Kathy: The town of Bisque, in particular Sir Percival's neighborhood, is a close knit community. I love the whole concept of a neighborhood Christmas party. Did you ever live in a neighborhood like this? Would you like to?
LC: Yes, I’ve been lucky enough to have experienced that, years ago. And one year we were the ones to host it. There was so much food! Everyone brought something, and I had set up the table with make-your-own cocktail spirits, and wine. Quickly the table was loaded down with holiday foods and cheer. Our small house was so packed with people I could barely get to the dining table to swap out an empty tray of hors d’oeuvres for a new tray of fresh from the oven goodies. And yes, I had to look up proper spelling of hors d’oeuvres just now, haha. Conversations from every corner blended in with Christmas music, and I could hear laughter throughout the house. It was madness, but I loved every minute of it.
Kathy: I love Sir. Percival's attitude toward the sketchy Christmas tree as well as other sketchy trees. While my other cats don't mind plants and my Mystic doesn't bother the Christmas tree he makes it so I am unable to have houseplants anymore. Sigh. Are you able to have plants and cats?
LC: No, and I share your sigh! I love plants and flowers, but Sir Percival chews on them the moment my back is turned. I had a beautiful bouquet in a vase of water, sitting on my desk. Sir Percival likes to nap on my desk while I write. He was showing marvelous restraint, ignoring the flowers and falling asleep. So I felt safe to run into the other room to refill my coffee. And … you guessed it … when I got back the vase was on it’s side, water all over the desk, and a flower in Sir Percival’s mouth. No more bouquets. If someone sends me one, I put it right outside my sliding glass door so I can still see it every day.
Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?
LC: I started reading kid’s mysteries when I was about seven years old. I always had my nose in a book. My tastes obviously changed as I grew older, but I grew to miss the simplicity of those childhood books. I eventually realized that the cozy mystery genre is more gentle, like those earlier books, but more complex for an adult mind. I read Agatha Christie and Janet Evanovich, and enjoyed those kinds of stories.
Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?
LC: I do. Mostly fantasy romance. I hope to publish in that genre.
Kathy: Tell us about your series.
LC: In the whimsical small town of Bisque, filled with fur babies and friendly faces, the unthinkable can still happen, and somewhere a body drops. But also in Bisque, Sir Percival, a dapper cat detective with a gentleman’s code, stands sentinel. THE SKETCHY CHRISTMAS TREE is the first in a series of novellas that each have a different holiday theme.
I also write the Madison Cruz Mystery series. This series has a young woman sleuth, and a romantic side story that arcs over the course of the series. Madison is an actress, her mother is FBI, her grandmother is ex-KGB, and I have a blast writing the dialogue dynamics of this trio. It has over a thousand positive reviews and ratings. There are currently 6 books in that series. I’m considering marrying her off to her love interest, and starting a new series with them as a married couple. So much trouble and fun to get into together! Full disclosure: Clean words, no gore, violence is pretty mild. This series is technically a cozy mystery series, but there are moments when it’s barely a cozy due to the mildly steamy nature of Madison gradually falling in love. The sex is kept behind closed doors, with details left to your imagination.
Kathy: Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?
LC: Right now, it’s Sir Percival! I’m having so much fun trying to see the world through the eyes of a brilliant cat detective who has to sneak out of the house to go investigate his latest case. I can’t wait for you to see what he gets into next.
Kathy: If you could have a dinner party and invite 4 authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite?
LC: Agatha Christie for cozy mystery, and Sarah J. Maas for fantasy. And I’d bet those two would get along great.
Kathy: What are you currently reading?
LC: Currently I’m reading TWO TWISTED CROWNS by Rachel Gillig. She’s a new-to-me fantasy romance author. I should probably invite her to dinner too!
Kathy: Will you share any of your hobbies or interests with us?
LC: Right now I’m so busy with my gardening hobby, I’m sore every day, lol. I’m planting a lot more vegetables and flowers than usual. I also love jigsaw puzzles, and of course reading. There’s never enough time in a day for all the books.
Kathy: Name 4 items you always have in your fridge or pantry.
LC: In the fridge there’s always half & half for my coffee, and butter for the popcorn. In the pantry there is always pasta to cook on a moment’s notice, and jars of marinara or alfredo sauces. This is making me hungry!
Kathy: Do you have plans for future books either in your current series or a new series?
LC: Yes, and yes!
Kathy: What's your favorite thing about being an author?
LC: Letting my imagination run amok!
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Review
THE SKETCHY CHRISTMAS TREE by Lucy Carol
The First Cozy Mystery Holiday
Brook and Theo Potter live a quiet and unassuming life in the quaint town of Bisque. They believe that their cat, Sir Percival, only goes outside with them in a wheeled cat carrier. Sir Percival has other ideas. You see he is a suave feline with a nose for detection. He also has a way to get outdoors to investigate when the needs arises and the night after a shifty tree arrives in his house, the need arose. Now Sir Percival will require the assistance of a new canine friend to solve a mystery and protect a neighbor.
THE SKETCHY CHRISTMAS TREE is an extraordinarily fast read. Both fast paced and short you could easily finish it in one sitting. Despite that, there is solid character development, especially with Sir Percival and Fidget. I love Sir Percival, a cat through and through he's stylish, good looking, and knows his worth. He had me laughing with his ability to be distracted, his thoughts about trees, and his method of leaving the house. His humans are a bit silly, but I think that's the point.
The story was well crafted with multiple mysteries to muddy the waters. I appreciated how Sir Percival lay out the facts as he knew them to help him, and readers, solve the mysteries. I especially loved the puzzle of the "ghost" as well as its resolution.
THE SKETCHY CHRISTMAS TREE is a quick fun read that brings the joy of community and Christmas together with the help of a smart cat and a cute pup!
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The Sketchy Christmas Tree: A Christmas Cozy Mystery
(Cozy Mystery Holidays)
by Lucy Carol
About The Sketchy Christmas Tree
The Sketchy Christmas Tree: A Christmas Cozy Mystery (Cozy Mystery Holidays)
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Setting - Pacific Northwest
Fevered Publishing (April 22, 2025)
Print length: 109 pages
Out on a limb for a killer!
In the whimsical small town of Bisque, filled with fur babies and friendly faces, lives a dapper cat detective, Sir Percival. With his keen intellect, a flair for the dramatic (and of course impeccable grooming), he believes he embodies the essence of a gentleman.
One fateful night, all seems well as Christmas lights and glittering snowflakes usher in a peaceful end to the day. But perched atop a towering Christmas tree, Sir Percival's vigilant gaze spots a shadowy intruder lurking near a home down the street! His concern for the spirited little dog who resides there, compels him to embark on a daring nighttime escapade. But the shocking discovery in the little dog's backyard is more than just a mischievous intruder--it's a dead body.
Determined to solve the mystery and protect their humans, Sir Percival enlists the help of his newfound friend, Fidget. Together, they unravel clues that lead them through a web of betrayal, eccentric neighbors, and buried secrets!
About Lucy Carol
Lucy Carol's top priority is to entertain you, and keep you turning pages. She writes mysteries for those who like it fun, fast, and don't mind losing a little sleep. Living and writing in the Pacific Northwest, she loves martinis, flowers, dancing, a good lipstick, and cake.
Author Links:
Website https://lucycarol.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lucycarolauthor/
Purchase Links - Amazon Books 2 Read
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