The Mysterious Case of the Missing Motive - An Interiew, Review, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Michele Pariza Wacek back to Cozy Up With Kathy. Michele writes the Redemption Detective Agency Mystery series. THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING MOTIVE is the first book in the series and was released October 15, 2024.

Kathy: The Redemption Detective Agency Mystery series is a spin off of your Charlie Kingsley Mystery series. What called you to make a spin off?

MPW: I was feeling called to do a cozy series that was lighter and funnier than the Charlie Kingsley Mysteries. (While the Charlie Kingsley Mysteries does have humor, I would say the emphasis of that series is on the mystery—similar to an Agatha Christie book). A couple of the side characters also stepped up to let me know they wanted to be in the new series, so really, I didn’t have much choice in the matter.


Kathy: In THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING MOTIVE Emily Hildebrandt moves in with her eccentric Aunt Tilde in Redemption, Wisconsin. Have you ever gotten caught up in an eccentric relative's schemes?

MPW: I have not, but it might be because some of my relatives might consider me the eccentric relative. [Looks around furtively.]


Kathy: Other than the Charlie Kingsley mysteries, was there a specific inspiration for this story?

MPW: I always loved cold cases, so having a series based cold cases was very appealing to me. I also loved the trope of opening up an investigation into a convicted murderer’s case to discover the actual truth, which is what this case is about.


Kathy: This series is set in the 1990s. Why that time period instead of modern day or earlier?

MPW: The Charlie Kingsley Mysteries is actually a spin off from the Secrets of Redemption series, which is a psychological thriller series that takes place in modern day. Charlie is dead in that series and has willed her house to Becca, her niece, who begins the series moving to Redemption. When I started writing that series, I never thought Charlie would turn into such an important character, but here we are.

So, it’s set in the 1990s because Charlie needed to be alive and it also needed to be before some of the major events that happened in Becca’s life. That said, what I discovered while writing it was how much I loved writing in that time period, so I may end up with a lot more books and series that take place in the 1990s.


Kathy: When it comes to writing I understand there are 2 general camps-plotters, who diligently plot their stories, and pansters, who fly by the seat of their pants. Are you a plotter, a panster, or do you fall somewhere in between?

MPW: I’m somewhere in between, but more pantser than plotter. For years, I thought I was a plotter because I do create rough outlines (emphasis on rough). Then a fellow writer in an author group I’m in posted a sample of how they plot, which was when I realized I was more pantser than plotter. I need to get inside and live my stories before I can put them on paper.


Kathy: Authors are required to do a lot of their own marketing, especially for a new release. What's your favorite part of marketing your work? What do you dislike about marketing?

MPW: My other business is actually an online marketing business. Unlike a lot of other authors, I truly enjoy marketing, although I’m not as keen about posting a lot on social media (that would be what I dislike the most).


Kathy: Will you share any other upcoming books?

MPW: Thank you for asking! On November 2, I’m releasing another Charlie Kingsley Mystery, A ROOM FOR MURDER, which is Charlie’s first case. Then I’ll be moving on to a brand new psych thriller series (another spin-off from Secrets of Redemption) before returning to The Redemption Detective Agency. The goal is to release 2 more books in that series in 2025.

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Review

THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING MOTIVE by Michele Pariza Wacek
The First Redemption Detective Agency Mystery

 

Doing the right thing cost Emily Hildebrandt her job, her fiance, her home, and even her car. Desperate, she takes up her Aunt Tilde's offer of not only a place to stay, but a job in Redemption, Wisconsin, even though her aunt is incredibly vague on details. Though grateful, Emily has more questions than answers, especially when she discovers that not only has Aunt Tilde opened a detective agency, but Emily is the new office manager and a detective as well! Surprisingly, they get a case, a case that Emily is certain they should not take. But if they don't help a desperate mother, who will?

 

Aunt Tilde is amazing. What a wonderful woman whose caring heart and intuitive knowledge shine in a totally unique and eccentric body. I also love the "creepy" town of Redemption. Hints are given and there is much more to the town, and its residents, than meets the eye. One thing that really bugged me about Emily was her attitude towards pets. It really turned me off from liking her. However, I think her attitude is going to change, and that's a very good thing. 

 

THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING MOTIVE is a very funny story with a very well plotted mystery. I love how the ragtag team gets together to solve a case. Aunt Tilde and her friends may not know how to run a business, but that's where Emily comes in. I also like the subtle romantic interest which got even more interesting at the end of the tale.

 

With lots of laughs, a little intrigue, and a great cast of characters THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING MOTIVE is a great start to a new series!

 

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 The Mysterious Case of the Missing Motive (The Redemption Detective Agency) by Michele Pariza Wacek

About The Mysterious Case of the Missing Motive

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Motive (The Redemption Detective Agency)
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Setting - Wisconsin
Publisher: ‎ Love-Based Publishing (October 15, 2024)
Number of Pages ~200 pages

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Or maybe a gin and tonic.

Emily Hildebrandt has run into a bit of a rough patch. She's lost her job, her fiance and her apartment. Still, she never expected to be desperate enough to accept an invitation to live with her eccentric Aunt Tilde in Redemption, Wisconsin.

But, beggars can't be choosers. Even if part of the deal is she has to pretend to work at her aunt's latest hair-brained scheme, The Redemption Detective Agency.

Seriously, the woman is a retired nurse. Why does she think she's remotely qualified to run a detective agency, especially in a creepy little town like Redemption?

But, when a strange phone call suddenly thrusts them into an actual case, Emily finds herself hoping her aunt really does know what she's doing ... or an innocent person may be the one to suffer the consequences.

A spin-off from the Charlie Kingsley Mystery series! The Redemption Detective Agency is a funny, twisty cozy mystery series set in the 1990s featuring silver sleuths solving cold cases. Great for fans of the Thursday Murder Club.

About Michele Pariza Wacek

 

A USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author, Michele taught herself to read at 3 years old because she wanted to write stories so badly. It took some time (and some detours) but now she does spend much of her time writing stories. Mystery stories, to be exact. They're clean and twisty, and range from psychological thrillers to cozies, with a dash of romance and supernatural thrown into the mix. If that wasn't enough, she posts lots of fun things on her blog, including short stories, puzzles, recipes, and more, at MPWNovels.com.

Michele grew up in Wisconsin, (hence why all her books take place there), and still visits regularly, but she herself escaped the cold and now lives in the mountains of Prescott, Arizona with her husband and southern squirrel hunter Cassie.

When she's not writing, she's usually reading, hanging out with her dog, or watching the Food Network and imagining she's an awesome cook. (Spoiler alert, she's not. Luckily for the whole family, Mr. PW is in charge of the cooking.)

Author Links: 

Website https://MPWNovels.com  

Facebook https://Facebook.com/MichelePWauthor  

Instagram https://instagram.com/themichelepw  

Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N 

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