I'm happy to welcome Abby Collette to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Abby writes the Ice Cream Parlor Mystery series. A GAME OF CONES is the second book in the series and was released
Kathy: In A GAME OF CONES a developer has come to Chagrin Falls. Having lived in Cleveland and visited the picturesque village of Chagrin Falls the very thought of a mall encroaching is enough to make me ill. I much prefer the small, individual shops. Do you enjoy unique little shops or big malls?
AC: I love the small individual shops in a setting like Chagrin Falls. But when I’m doing a lot of shopping, I love the convenience of a mall. But then again, shopping is one of my favorite pastimes and I’ll do it whenever and wherever I can.
Kathy: Bronwyn Crewse has restored her family's ice cream parlor to its former glory, but now her aunt wants to take over. Have you ever been in a similar situation?
AC: No. I have never been in a similar situation, but I would handle it the same way that Win did.
Kathy: I have to ask: waffle cone, sugar cone, or dish?
AC: Ha! All three are divine, but I do always order a sugar cone, so it must be my favorite.
Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?
AC: I love writing the light, humorous side of mystery. I tried my hand at writing a fast paced, action-packed mystery and it just wasn’t me at the time. Cozies are fun and I enjoy smiling through a book.
Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?
AC: Yes. I will be writing a women’s fiction book. It is called WHERE WILD PEACHES GROW and will release in 2022 from Lake Union.
Kathy: Tell us about your series.
AC: My series are usually fun and funny and I think they have a good mystery to them as well.
Kathy: Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?
AC: My favorite character is Miss Vivee from my Logan Dickerson series. Another reason why is because I framed her after my mother. She’s smart but doesn’t take no mess!
Kathy: Did you have a specific inspiration for your series?
AC: No. No specific inspiration, I just wrote about things I enjoyed, professions I thought about going into, and people that I like.
Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?
AC: Well, I wrote a book and I thought, what do I do with it now? Easy answer was to publish it.
Kathy: If you could have a dinner party and invite 4 authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite?
AC: Matthew and Paul authors of various books in the Bible, Celeste Ng author of LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE and Zora Neale Hurston.
Kathy: What are you currently reading?
AC: A little bit of everything. BLUEBIRD BLACKBIRD by Attica Locke, HALSEY STREET by Naima Costa and WASHINGTON BLACK by Esi Edugyan.
Kathy: Will you share any of your hobbies or interests with us?
AC: Sure. My favorite thing to do is go to the movies and travel. Can’t do much of that any more. And I like listening to 60s and 70s R&B soul music.
Kathy: Name 4 items you always have in your fridge or pantry.
AC: Butter. Eggs. Potatoes and rice.
Kathy: Do you have plans for future books either in your current series or a new series?
AC: Yes! And let’s hope that my publisher has that same idea as well!
Kathy: What's your favorite thing about being an author?
AC: Holding my finished book in my hand!
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Review
Although not yet a member, Bronwyn Crewse attends a meeting of the
Chagrin Falls shop keepers association when things get heated. Zeke
Reynolds claims a mall will be built in the midst of the village. No one
in the charming village wants a mall and everyone openly shows their
disapproval. The next morning Zeke is found shot dead. Happy with the
success of her family's ice cream parlor since she's taken the helm Win is content to make ice cream and let the police solve the
murder, but her good friend Maisie has
other ideas. Will Bronwyn become embroiled in another murder?
Developers make great fodder for murder mysteries. So it's no surprise
when the spokesman for the company that wants to build a mall in the
picturesque village of Chagrin Falls winds up killed before the second
chapter starts! Revealing possible suspects and motives takes much
longer, continuing until the very end with clues finally clicking into
place in the last pages. It's a slower paced investigation, with Win
willing to allow the police to do their job without interference despite
Maisie's prodding...at least until things hit closer to home.
I really like Bronwyn and her down to earth attitude. She's the rock between her two over the top best friends. Another friend is added to the mix in the second Ice Cream Parlor Mystery, another over the top friend at that. Evidence, combined with her friend's questionable behavior lead Win to worrisome thoughts about her old friend. Could she be a murderer? Win also has to confront some unpleasant thoughts about her Aunt who has returned to town and is criticizing all of the changes Win has made to the family business. Does her aunt really want to resume management of Crewse Creamery? As
Win deals with these two women she learns more about herself, her
abilities, and what she wants out of life.
A GAME OF CONES is a fun mystery celebrating friends and family. I enjoy the close family relationships, the laughter, and the ice cream, and I can't wait to return to Chagrin Falls.
