Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading The Harlot of St. Cecelia's by Darcy Graves. This book is the first in the Inspector Garrett Mystery series and was released earlier this year. 

As Eden Brior has no plans and wants to finish up some work she volunteers to stay and close St. Cecelia's library for the night. After witnessing some unexpected drama with a stunning French woman and a bright young thing she accidentally gets locked in the library vault with that very bright young thing, a playboy named Simon Cross. Released by the police in the morning Eden wonders how they knew to rescue them. The problem is that the police weren't there to save them, but because there was a dead body in the library - that of the French woman. Even with his supervisor leaning on him to make a quick arrest, along with saddling him with an incompetent sergeant, Detective Inspector Garrett intends to fully investigate the murder, even if the evidence is pointing to Simon Cross. Eden believes Simon is innocent. After all, he was trapped with her and simply didn't have enough time to kill the woman. Both Inspector Garrett and Eden will follow the clues to find the killer, but is that person closer than they think?

The Harlot of St. Cecilia's - An Interview, Excerpt, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Darcy Graves to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Darcy writes the Inspector Garrett Mystery series. THE HARLOT OF ST. CECILIA'S is the first book in the series and was released earlier this year. I hope you'll return to the blog Friday when I'll share my review.

Kathy: It is said that THE HARLOT OF ST. CECILIA'S is steeped in the style of the Golden Age of detective fiction. Who are some of your favorite authors of this time period and how did they influence this book?

DG: Ngaio Marsh is probably my favorite, but I also love Dorothy L. Sayers, Josephine Tey, Christianna Brand, and, of course, Dame Agatha.

I love the puzzles, so obviously that’s foundational. But sometimes even the older mysteries can feel flat if they are all about the puzzle.

What I really react to, and I think a lot of readers do, is the people and the world around the puzzle. For one thing, it’s simpler. A dear friend of mine recently said: “Sometimes I don’t want to deal with all the forensics and sexual assault and just want someone to get strangled by a string of pearls.” That resonates with me.

What I love and want to recreate is all the cleverness and wit in the Golden Age mysteries, which in some ways is just a characteristic of the time. Think of Dorothy Parker and Dash Hammett and all that snappy, smart wit. I love that.

I also really appreciate the writers who deliver meaningful character. Sayers, in particular, created characters who had rich lives outside the mechanics of the murder. Lord Peter Wimsey changes in those books. His relationships matter.

That was something I wanted for The Harlot of St. Cecelia’s. I wanted a mystery that could be solved, with clues that mattered, and sparkling repartee — but I also wanted Eden, Garrett, Simon, and the other characters to feel as though they had lives that existed before a body appeared and that those lives would continue meaningfully after the murderer was caught.

Kathy: In this, the first Inspector Garrett Mystery, Eden is accidentally locked overnight in the St. Cecelia’s Library vault. While I may not like being locked in a library vault, I would certainly enjoy being locked in a library. What about you?

DG: Hah! If it were a library like St. Cecelia’s, maybe… with its comfortable reading room, deep chairs, and far too many books, I think I could manage.

But I’ll be honest: there is something about libraries after dark that is slightly unnerving. Is there a more likely place to find ghosts than hiding in books? You have all those voices of people who have been dead for hundreds of years sitting quietly on the shelves, waiting for somebody to fall asleep in a reading room.

Kathy: While Detective Inspector William Garrett thinks he has an open-and-shut case, Eden follows the truth from the bright footlights of the London stage through the sleek drawing rooms of Jazz Age society. If you were in London in 1923, what would you most like to see and do?

DG: I would go straight to Gordon Square and people-watch.

I studied the Bloomsbury Group a lot when I was younger. I still have shelves full of their letters, diaries, monographs, biographies and whatnot. (I have a draft of a play about Vanessa Bell in my unfinished projects folder.) So I would absolutely sit on a bench in Gordon Square, hoping John Maynard Keynes or Lytton Strachey wandered past in the thick of an argument.

After that, I’d want to see London at night.

I’d find one of the nightclubs beginning to spring up around the city, order a cocktail, and watch everybody. The early 1920s are fascinating because you have so many different generations occupying the same city at once: Victorians, Edwardians, veterans of the Great War, and of course, the Bright Young Things.

So yeah, I’d probably spend most of my time snooping and eavesdropping.

(For research purposes, obviously.)

Kathy: Why did you choose this time period for your series?

DG: Britain between the wars was my minor field as a historian, and the 1920s have fascinated me for a very long time.

I think what interests me most is that it was a society trying to decide what came next after everything shattered. The First World War broke all the assumptions about class, duty, empire, masculinity, technology — civilization really. Then everyone had to go home and just pick up and carry on.

At the same time, technology was changing daily life at an astonishing pace. Motorcars, aviation, radio, cinema, telephones, mass advertising. Women’s lives were changing. Social and sexual conventions were changing.

And we forget, this was not just a handover to a new generation. There were still Victorians still alive who were clinging to an Empire gone by. There were Edwardians, who had grown up believing in a social order that the war had blown enormous holes through. And then, yes, there was this younger generation coming along saying, essentially, ‘the world has collapsed, so let’s just drink and dance.’

And we think we have generational conflict now.

For a novelist, it’s an irresistible mix. Everyone in that world can look at the same event and understand it completely differently.

Kathy: What first drew you to historical mysteries?

DG: Mysteries have been part of my reading life for as long as I can remember, but the history is what makes them matter. Really, the two forms ask surprisingly similar questions.

A historian looks at surviving evidence, considers who created it and why, notices what is missing, and tries not to assume that the obvious explanation is necessarily the correct one.

So does a detective.

I remember reading about how in WWII the best codebreakers were medieval scholars, because they were best at understanding material from arcane clues, without all the facts. So history and mystery are perfect companions.

I’m also interested in historical fiction that is immersive and makes you feel what it felt like before people knew what was going to happen next. We know which technologies became ordinary, which social movements succeeded, which wars came later. The people living in 1923 didn’t.

A mystery gives me a wonderful way to explore that uncertainty because the characters are already trying to make sense of incomplete information. If that makes sense.

Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

DG: I do! Although I keep them under separate pen names because they are very different.

I write YA dystopian science fiction, and under a third pen name I write very spicy Greek mythology romantasy/retellings.

The separation is partly practical. I would hate for someone who enjoyed a fairly traditional 1920s murder mystery to innocently wander into one of the spicy books and need therapy.

And they’re very different stories, but I suspect I return to some of the same things in all of them: complicated characters, power, identity, and people discovering that the story they’ve been given may not be entirely true.
 

Tell us about your series.

DG: The Inspector Garrett Mysteries follow Detective Inspector William Garrett but also a supporting cast who at various times step into the limelight.

That is Eden Brior, an American expatriate librarian (and, spoiler alert, future journalist), and then the charming Simon and Meg Cross, who are siblings from the upper middle class. Their paths cross in the first book, but they’ll go on to intersect as they solve a series of murders in 1920s Britain.

Inspector Garrett is the spine of the series, of course. And each book has a self-contained mystery, but the relationships and unfinished business among the characters continue from one book to the next.

Kathy: Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?

DG: That has to be Simon Cross.

I feel slightly guilty saying that, because Inspector Garrett does have his name on the series, and Eden is technically the secondary amateur sleuth in THE HARLOT OF ST. CECILIA'S.

But it’s Simon, always and forever for me. I remember reading somewhere that Dorothy Sayers was accused of falling in love with Lord Peter Wimsey, and let’s just say I COMPLETELY understand this problem.

Simon is charming, intelligent, funny, maddening, deeply loyal, wounded, and so, so much more damaged than he wants anyone to notice. He’s also capable of walking into a scene I have carefully planned and upending it.

Unfortunately, like Lord Peter, he is entirely out of my league.

Kathy: Did you have a specific inspiration for your series?

DG: The period itself was really the inspiration, but as far as literary catalysts, I’ll say Robert Graves was particularly important. You may know him as the author of I, CLAUDIUS, but he also wrote a wrenching Great War memoir called GOODBYE TO ALL THAT. That book had an enormous influence on how I thought about the war and that generation. It’s so heartbreaking.

Both Simon Cross and Garrett grew directly out of a fascination with the men who returned from the war expected to resume their old lives, but were profoundly changed by what had happened to them. Simon in a really broken way, and Garrett, who is someone who believes deeply in institutions and order — in a world where both are being challenged.

Alan Hodge’s THE LONG WEEKEND, about life in Britain between the wars, was another formative book. And the young war poets like Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen.

Two movies that didn’t exactly influence plot but that I found evocative and inspiring of the time were Chariots of Fire and Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle. Both have such a strong sense of place and character. I wanted to tap into that.
 

Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

DG: Oddly enough, Andy Weir.

I have been writing for years, and had done querying and even had an agent at one point. But various threads of that publishing journey had petered out over time, due mainly to timing or luck, and my books were sitting under the proverbial bed.

Then I heard Andy Weir talking with Neil deGrasse Tyson on his StarTalk podcast, and his advice to writers was essentially: “Self-publish. There has never been a better time.”

Something about hearing him say it just clicked for me. Publishing had always felt like this enormous gate you had to somehow persuade somebody else to open. Suddenly I thought: Well, what exactly am I waiting for? At the very least, I’ll have a copy of this book for my own shelf, and it won’t be a file that dies with my laptop.

So I pulled out the file and my shelved cover design, and I went for it.

Kathy: If you could have a dinner party and invite four authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite?

DG: This is such a hard question, and I might answer it differently tomorrow. But today, I’m choosing entirely for witty conversation.

Dorothy Parker, P. G. Wodehouse, Robertson Davies, and David Sedaris.

I’d expect a dinner conversation you could sharpen knives on.

Parker and Wodehouse bring just extraordinary wit from completely different directions. Robertson Davies was enormously erudite but also so funny and interested in wonderfully strange subjects. And David Sedaris would probably have so much fun provoking them and then summing it up. I’d just love to see how that conversation would progress.

I would mostly sit there drinking wine and hoping nobody turned their attention or sharp tongue on me.

Kathy: What are you currently reading?

DG: At the moment, nothing. Which is very unusual for me, except when it’s not.

I’m not allowed to read while I’m writing. That’s a rule that goes back to a very unfortunate incident involving reading some P. G. Wodehouse, which resulted in several chapters requiring serious reworks. A lot of gentlemen’s club shenanigans.

So yeah, I’ve learned that I’m a little too susceptible to other writers’ rhythms and voices while I’m writing fiction. Now, I mostly read around the book instead: history, letters, biographies, research material, things like that.

I’m actively drafting the second Inspector Garrett mystery, and my TBR is growing in the background. Once this draft is finished, I’ll go back to it.


Kathy: Will you share any of your hobbies or interests with us?

DG: Travel and museums are probably where most of my discretionary income disappears.

I’m happiest wandering through a house museum, historic neighborhood, gallery, library, archaeological site, or basically anywhere somebody will let me look at old things. Love things. The Victoria and Albert Museum in London is my happy place.

I also read constantly when I’m not actively drafting, and I genuinely enjoy research far more than any sensible person probably should. That’s my medieval historian roots. I can lose an alarming amount of time to an old magazine.
 

Kathy: Name four items you always have in your fridge or pantry.

DG: Nutella.

Harney & Sons tea. (I have an unreasonable number of Harney & Sons tea tins.)

Nespresso pods. Can’t live without a morning latte.

And popcorn. So much popcorn. (But specifically the big “mushroom” kernels that pop into those enormous round pieces that hold butter.)

I apparently require caffeine, chocolate, and snacks in order to write!

Kathy: Do you have plans for future books either in your current series or a new series?

DG: Yes!

The second Inspector Garrett Mystery is underway. It’s called THE TREASURE OF MAYFAIR. Eden, Garrett, and Simon all return as POVs (Meg is away for most of this book). This time, the victim is a young Mayfair socialite who is murdered during a country-house treasure hunt with a group of friends.

The victim and suspects have connections to Simon, and Eden gets pulled into the investigation, and the mystery becomes tangled up with money, family history, old grudges, and the First World War.

I’m having a great deal of fun with the puzzle in this one. I think (I hope) the murderer will be harder to guess.

Beyond that, I already have ideas sketched for at least a half dozen more Garrett books. There is so much about the 1920s that I still want to explore. I’d love to move Garrett through some different corners of Britain and different themes and subcultures as the series develops.

Kathy: What’s your favorite thing about being an author?

DG: The characters. Hands down.

There’s a point in writing a book where someone you invented stops feeling like a handful of choices you made and starts feeling like a person you are discovering.

They tell you what they would say or never say. You get surprised by what frightens them or what they find funny or infuriating. And for a little while, you get to be them.

That is probably the strangest and most wonderful part of writing for me. I can live inside lives I will never have, in places and periods I can never actually visit, and see the world through new pairs of eyes.

Then, if I’m super lucky, readers get to meet those people, too. 

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THE HARLOT OF ST. CECELIA'S

by Darcy Graves

September 21 - October 16, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

An Inspector Garrett Mystery

 

London, 1923. American expat librarian Eden Brior thinks things are bad when she is accidentally locked overnight in the St. Cecelia’s Library vault with the charming and unreliable Simon Cross. Then she emerges to find the body of his estranged wife — a celebrated French actress — draped over a chair upstairs.

Detective Inspector William Garrett is methodical, quietly perceptive, and already fairly certain he has his man. He tells Eden firmly to go home and leave the detecting to the professionals. But how can she?

Racing to clear their names before Garrett closes the case, Eden follows the truth from the bright footlights of the London stage through the sleek drawing rooms of Jazz Age society, and into secrets that someone will kill to keep buried.

Steeped in the style of the golden age of detective fiction, The Harlot of St. Cecelia’s captures a London still glittering on the surface and shadowed underneath — where every drawing room hides a secret and every secret has a price.

Perfect for fans of Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs series.

Praise for The Harlot of St. Cecelia's:

"This novel consistently delights, from the spicy title to the last page."
~ Kirkus Reviews

Book Details:

Genre: Historical Mystery
Published by: Independently Published
Publication Date: May 3, 2026
Number of Pages: 306
ISBN: 979-8195315580
Series: Inspector Garrett Mystery Series, Book 1
Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads | BookBub

Read an excerpt:

 

 

Author Bio:

Darcy Graves grew up in Boston and holds an MA in English history and a BS in copywriting. A marketing content writer for over thirty years, she brings to her work a deep love of the golden age of detective fiction — particularly Agatha Christie and P.D. James — and the whimsy of P.G. Wodehouse.

Darcy lives in the Berkshires with her daughter, two ragdoll cats, and a very naughty terrier named Merial. The Harlot of St. Cecelia's is her first novel.

Catch Up With Darcy Graves:

DarcyGravesAuthor.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads
BookBub - @darcygravesauthor
Instagram - @darcygravesauthor

 

Tour Participants:

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Crime and Croissants - A Review

 Review

 

CRIME AND CROISSANTS by Emmie Lyn
The First Cooking Club Murder Mystery 

Milly Rosebush's husband left her for a yoga instructor half her age. The good news is that she got the lovely lake house in New Hampshire in the divorce. With her teenaged daughter away at camp Milly and her best friend, Carla arrive at the house, Milly intending to spend the rest of her life there and Carla the weekend. But an unexpected cat leads Milly upstairs only to find her husband's mistress in her bedroom, dead. With the detective in charge eyeballing her and the quaint town looking at her suspiciously and gossiping Milly decides she needs to investigate. With her bestie, a good looking neighbor who's a bit too helpful, and a dynamic senior duo they will pull out all the stops to find a killer.

I really enjoyed meeting Milly and seeing her refresh her life. I appreciate the fact that she's in her 40s with a lot of life experiences yet a lot more to come. While I don't like that Carla doesn't like animals, surely a serial killer trait, but she makes a good foil for Milly. Brody the well known artist, is ever so helpful and readers have to question, is he really that helpful or is he the killer, or could he be a future love interest. Of course, my favorite characters, aside from Hazel the cat and Tango the dog, are Ivy and Nadine. I can't wait to learn more of their covert backstory.

The mystery was good with lots of plausible suspects. I'm not sure if adding the issues from Milly's past was a good thing. While hinting at possible future storylines I think it just muddied the waters in the first Cooking Club Mystery and didn't think it necessary.

Good food and a quaint setting help make CRIME AND CROISSANTS a delectable new mystery series. 

Crime and Croissants - A Spotlight & Giveaway

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on a new series. CRIME AND CROISSANTS is the first book in the Cooking Club Murder Mystery series and was released earlier this month. Look out for my review which will be coming later this week.

 Crime and Croissants (Cooking Club Murder Mystery) by Emmie Lyn

About Crime and Croissants

Crime and Croissants (Cooking Club Murder Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Setting - New Hampshire
Publisher: ‎ Tule Publishing
Publication Date: ‎ September 16, 2026
Print Length: ‎ 280 pages

Milly Rosebush thought the hardest part of starting over would be moving into the lakeside home she once owned with her ex-husband. In a small New Hampshire town where everyone knows her history, she’s determined to rebuild her life—with good food, fresh starts, and her best friend by her side.

Then she finds a woman in her upstairs bedroom. Dead.

Worse, a stranger walks in to find Milly holding the murder weapon—and just like that, she’s the prime suspect.

As gossip spreads faster than a kitchen fire, clearing her name means asking questions no one in Fox Hollow wants answered. Because the deeper Milly digs, the more unsettling the truth becomes.

With the help of her cooking club—a group with sharp opinions and sharper instincts—plus a too-helpful neighbor, Milly finds that every gathering comes with good food… and a side of suspicion.

But in a town built on secrets, getting too close to the truth can be dangerous.

If Milly wants a second chance, she has to catch a killer—before she ends up on the menu.

With lakeside charm, mouthwatering recipes, and a dash of danger, the Cooking Club Murder Mysteries serve up the perfect bite of cozy crime.

About Emmie Lyn

Emmie Lyn has written several cozy mystery series and a romantic suspense series.

Emmie lives in a small New England town, the kind where everyone knows your name—and your secrets. It’s no surprise that her fictional worlds are filled with the same charm: scenic, close-knit communities full of quirky, unforgettable characters. She loves crafting mysteries laced with clever twists and turns, the kind that keep readers guessing and turning pages well into the night.

She lives with her husband and a black cat who rules the house with a velvet paw and a terrible attitude. Their twelve-acre homestead is a haven for deer, bunnies, turkeys, and a chorus of songbirds. When she’s not plotting fictional murders, she’s out hiking wooded trails, or spending time with her grandchildren.

Author Links: 

Webpage: https://emmielynbooks.com/  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emmielynauthor  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/18404840.Emmie_Lyn  

Mystery on the Menu newsletter: https://authoremmielyn.substack.com  

Purchase Link - Amazon

One of Our Darcies is Dead - An Interview, Review, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Grace Caldwell to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Grace writes the Hawthorne Cove Mystery series. ONE OF OUR DARCIES IS DEAD is the first book in the series and was released earlier this month.

Kathy: ONE OF OUR DARCIES IS DEAD features a Jane Austen Festival. What do you think makes Jane Austen so popular? And why choose her for your series opening festival?

GC: I think she has a broad appeal because she’s working with timeless themes and deeply relatable characters. Her writing is witty and layered, and she’s a master of both comedy and romance. I chose her for the opening festival for several reasons. I think, as far as classic literature goes, she’s fairly approachable, and she’s in the zeitgeist enough that, even if you’re not an Austen expert, you’re likely to get most of the references. The Regency Era is also just a fun one to play with, and I knew I would enjoy researching costumes and events and decorations that I could inject into the festival.


Kathy: To be honest, I've never been a huge fan of Mr. Darcy. Why do you think he's the epitome of a romantic hero?

GC: It’s funny you should say that because I literally just wrote a whole blog post talking about why I think Darcy is actually not Austen’s best romantic hero. I do love him, but his arrogance at the beginning is challenging for me. That said, the enemies-to-lovers trope is classic for a reason, and there are few couples who execute that better than Darcy and Elizabeth. He also grows— genuinely grows— throughout the course of the novel. He listens to Elizabeth. He accepts criticism. He loves her for who she is and never asks her to be smaller. He not only tolerates the fact that she challenges him, he actually likes it and grows as a result. For me at least, though, the thing that made me love Mr. Darcy was Colin Firth.


Kathy: Chloe Sinclair is a literature professor. Are you a fan of classic literature? Do you have a favorite author or time period?

GC: I am! Like Chloe, I’m actually also a literature professor. Modern adaptations of classic works are one of my main areas of specialization, which no doubt informs how much I enjoy infusing classic literary references and scenes into a modern world while writing these books. Academically, I’ve probably focused most on Shakespeare, but if I’m reading a classic for fun, you’re more likely to see me with something from the modernist period.


Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

GC: They let me build a world I want to live in. I love the rich settings and the quirky characters that tend to inhabit these sorts of novels. I love the slow burn romance and the witty dialogue. Honestly, they’re just super fun to write, and I often find myself wishing I could get back to my computer at the end of the workday because I want to spend just a little more time in this place with these people.


Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

GC: Yeah, I’ve bounced around a lot of different genres over the years. I started in creative nonfiction before moving into romantic suspense and romantic comedies. I’ve worked as a screenwriter for film and television. I’m also published as a humorist. But there’s nowhere I feel more at home than cozies.


Kathy: Tell us about your series. 

GC: Each book in the Hawthorne Cove Mystery series wraps a fresh whodunit around the charm of a beloved literary classic and is perfect for readers who love their murder with a side of scones.


Kathy: Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?

GC: I have a soft spot for the protagonist, Chloe. When we meet her, she’s really been through it, and this series represents a new start for her. I find myself really rooting for her, and I hope readers will too. I’m also a sucker for Jack, her love interest, who is charming and British and a fabulous baker.


Kathy: Did you have a specific inspiration for your series?

GC: I grew up watching Gilmore Girls, and it had a huge impact on my sense of pacing and humor. I like to say this series is basically Stars Hollow with more corpses. Obviously, I’m pulling inspiration from classic literature as well, and my own profession and preferences influenced the creation of Chloe and her world quite a bit.


Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

GC: A little over a year ago, my best friend passed away. She left behind one of the single greatest novels I have ever read. It was unpublished at the time, so the world never really got to experience it, which breaks my heart because it was such beautiful work. I didn’t want to die with a dozen manuscripts still sitting in a digital drawer, so I decided to take the leap and start putting my work out there.


Kathy: If you could have a dinner party and invite 4 authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite?

GC: Ooh, that’s a good (and hard!) question! Probably Dorothy Parker, Nora Ephron, Amy Sherman-Palladino and Tina Fey, partially because I admire all of their writing, but also because I feel like that would just make for the world’s best, most entertaining dinner party.


Kathy: What are you currently reading?

GC: FIRST AMONG SEQUELS by Jasper Fforde. It’s the fifth book in the Thursday Next series.


Kathy: Will you share any of your hobbies or interests with us?

GC: I love baking (several of my recipes are actually included in each book) and gardening. I have two cats who keep me very entertained and a four-year-old daughter who is the most hilarious person I know. I’m also fairly sure she’s part tornado. She keeps me very happy and very on my toes. I also volunteer at an animal rescue.


Kathy: Name 4 items you always have in your fridge or pantry.

GC: Rao’s farfalle pasta, dark chocolate cherry cashew KIND bars, mozzarella string cheese, some sort of berries.


Kathy: Do you have plans for future books either in your current series or a new series?

GC: I do! I’m currently working on the second book in the Hawthorne Cove Mystery Series, entitled A TALE OF TWO KILLERS, which features a murder at a Dickens-inspired Christmas festival and releases November 1st. It’s available for pre-order now. I plan to write at least seven books in this series, releasing one every two months.


Kathy: What's your favorite thing about being an author?

GC: Writing, for me, is the ultimate form of play. There are few things on earth that bring me more joy than getting to imagine a world and then live in it for a while.

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Review

ONE OF OUR DARCIES IS DEAD by Grace Caldwell
The First Hawthorne Cove Mystery

Left at the alter and passed over for promotion, literature professor Chloe Sinclair is feeling low. When her best friend, Daphne, suggests she travel across the country to visit her, Chloe balks, even if she would also be supporting her friend's new job hosting Hawthorne Cove's inaugural Jane Austen Festival. Austen isn't the only person dealing with persuasion and soon Chloe and her cat, Mr. Darcy, arrive. Hawthorne Cove is as delightful as Daphne said and Chloe is enjoying the town, the company, and the first event, a ball, complete with actors portraying several of Jane Austen's leading men. But before dinner is served Daphne asks Chloe to find Mr. Darcy, the actor portraying him for the ball, not her cat scrounging for leftover pastries at Daphne's. She finds him...dead. With first Chloe under suspicion, then Daphne, the two friends decide they must figure out who actually killed the man.

What an absolutely delightful start to a new series! You don't need to be a Jane Austen fan to appreciate the first Hawthorne Cove Mystery, though if you are, you'll love it even more. Chloe is a great protagonist, she's intelligent, although downtrodden, yet willing to keep trying. Hawthorne Cove is such a delightful town with amazing food from more than one source. It doesn't hurt that one source happens to be a smart, kind, and talented chef who also happens to be drop dead gorgeous with a British accent. Daphne is an amazing friend and an incredible event planner. I was dying to participate in all of the activities from parasol decorating to fencing and everything in between. And did I mention the food? Scrumptious descriptions had me salivating and happily recipes are included!

The mystery in ONE OF OUR DARCIES IS DEAD is also fun. With lots of suspects and good motives, but very few clues, Chloe and Daphne had their work cut out for them. I enjoyed seeing them figure out how to investigate as well as the manner in which they did so. And how they caught the killer... a major adrenalin rush. The book is fast paced and you'll be quickly turning pages to keep up!

A charming town with a backdrop of Jane Austen and her works provide a captivating setting for ONE OF OUR DARCIES IS DEAD wherein likable characters deal with murder and lots of delectable food with plenty of wit and literary references. 

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 One of Our Darcies is Dead: A Hawthorne Cove Mystery by Grace Caldwell

About One of Our Darcies is Dead

One of Our Darcies is Dead: A Hawthorne Cove Mystery
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Location: Hawthorne Cove, a seaside town in New England
Publisher: ‎ Paper Lantern Press
Publication Date: ‎ September 1, 2026
Print Length: ‎ 193 pages

The residents of Hawthorne Cove are determined to prove their seaside town deserves a place on every literary lover's travel list. With a brand-new Jane Austen Festival, charming boutiques, and enough Regency flair to satisfy even the most devoted Austen fan, they're ready for their grand debut. But when opening night ends with a dead Mr. Darcy, literature professor Chloe Sinclair, in town to escape a life that hasn't gone to plan, learns that the most captivating stories aren't always the ones written in books.

About Grace Caldwell

 

Grace Caldwell writes cozy mysteries for people who'd bring a book to a murder. An award-winning screenwriter and a professor of creative writing and literature, she's published across more genres than she can reasonably list at a dinner party, but cozy mysteries are where she feels most at home. She lives in Central Florida with two fluffy feline assistants, Elsa and Anna, who supervise every page and approve of none of her deadlines.  

Author Links: 

Website https://www.gracecaldwell.com/  

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Holmes Away from Home = A Guest Post, Review, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Samantha Larsen to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Samantha writes the Althea Adler Mystery series. HOLMES AWAY FROM HOME is the first book in the series and will be released October 6, 2026.

Miss Althea Alder’s Character Report 
By Samantha Larsen

1911, London. Lord Sheffield (William) first meets Miss Althea Adler in a department store when she steals a pearl pin from Miss Rosie Watson’s hair. He lifts the pin from Althea’s gloved hand and returns it to Rosie and wangles an invitation from her friends to a house party at Twickenham Towers. His true purpose is to look for the leader of the anarchist group, the Red Dawn. William follows Althea home and sees that she is staying at 221b Baker Street with Sherlock Holmes. Why was a beautiful thief staying with a world-famous detective? William adds her to his little black book of suspects:

Miss Althea Adler: Daughter of Irene Adler. Father unknown. Pickpocket. College student. Generous.

Approximate age: 19–20

Height: 5’2”

Weight: 105 pounds

Physical description: blue eyes, brown hair, face of an angel, nice figure.

While staying at Twickenham Towers, Althea breaks into William’s room and finds his little black book. She updates the information about her.

Miss Althea Adler: Daughter of Irene Adler. Father unknown. Pick-pocket. Student. Generous. Exquisite Soprano.

Approximate age: 19-20-22

Height: 5’2”

Weight: 105 pounds 110. It’s terribly rude to guess this sort of thing.

Physical description: blue eyes, brown hair, face of an angel, gorgeous figure. You are too kind.

William discovers his little black book open on the side table with a white knight chess piece. He realizes that Althea has seen his book and is aware that he is investigating her. But what William really wants to know is whether or not Althea intends to kiss him or kill him. Find out in, HOLMES AWAY FROM HOME (October 6, 2026).

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.com/Holmes-Away-Althea-Adler-Mystery/dp/1448322405

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/holmes-away-from-home-samantha-larsen/1150070590

GoodReads Link

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/250253909-holmes-away-from-home

Connect with the Author!

www.SamanthaHastings.com

https://www.instagram.com/samanthahastingsauthor/

https://www.facebook.com/SamanthaHastingsAuthor

https://x.com/HastingSamantha

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/samantha-hastings

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Review

 

 HOLMES AWAY FROM HOME by Samantha Larsen

The First Althea Adler Mystery

 

Althea Adler is a thief wanted in several countries who would like nothing better than to quit the family business and lead a respectable life in London. Unfortunately, she can never say no to her mother, the infamous Irene Adler. Never one to receive heartfelt letters from her mother, Althea receives the usual postcard with a clue and location of her next task. Instead of a location the most recent postcard features a picture of a cozy study with the phrase "Holmes away from home". Althea manages to infiltrate the great detective's home, but only has more questions when the only thing in his safe is a picture of her mother from years past. The hunt for answers leads Althea to a house party at Twickenham Towers. But before Althea makes any progress with her own mission the horrible Lord of the Manor is murdered. Althea teams up with the too handsome Marquess of Sheffield who is there for his own government mission. With despicable characters above stairs and very few servants downstairs will the pair solve the murder in time to complete their original tasks?

 

The game's afoot in this Sherlock Holmes adjacent mystery. Although neither he nor Irene Adler make an appearance both are intrinsic characters who are key to the story. Let me also say that I absolutely love Althea Adler, even more than Holmes or her mother! Highly intelligent, cheeky, and kind underneath that polished exterior she's a delightful protagonist. I also really like William and chuckle as Althea gives him a run for his money!

 

Aside from a well written fun historical story HOLMES AWAY FROM HOME is an intricately plotted mystery that also delves into addiction, sexual assault, and 1911 political themes, most notably Irish home rule. These serious themes are treated with respect and definitely add gravitas to a story that's also quite humorous.

 

Deft plotting, compelling themes, and delightful characters make HOLMES AWAY FROM HOME a thoroughly captivating mystery and an outstanding start to a new series. I absolutely loved it!

 

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 Holmes Away From Home (An Althea Adler Mystery) by Samantha Larsen

About Holmes Away From Home

Holmes Away From Home (An Althea Adler Mystery)
Historical Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Setting - London, 1911
Publisher: ‎ Severn House
Publication Date: ‎ October 6, 2026
Hardcover Print Length: ‎ 240 pages

Introducing Althea Adler, accomplished thief and daring heroine with a mysterious link to Sherlock Holmes.

A heart-racing game of wits, murder and romance is about to commence . . .

London, 1911. Althea Adler receives a mysterious postcard with just four words, ‘Holmes away from home.’ Surely her mother, notorious thief and opera star Irene Adler, is instructing her to break into Sherlock Holmes’s safe? But when she does, Althea makes a shocking discovery . . .

Still reeling from events at 221b Baker Street, Althea accepts an invitation to a party at Twickenham Towers, the ancestral home of Lord Slough, where a murder throws her into further turmoil―as does handsome fellow guest William, the Marquess of Sheffield, who has been tasked with staking out Slough by the British Government.

Althea and William form an unlikely alliance as they set about catching a killer. But can they trust each other when they both have something to hide?

An addictive new cozy mystery trilogy featuring a super smart, lively heroine, a dashing lord and a fiendishly good whodunnit, perfect for fans of Sherlock Holmes's classic mysteries, Deanna Raybourn's Veronica Speedwell Mysteries, and Netflix's The Residence.

About Samantha Larsen

Samantha writes cozy mysteries under Samantha Larsen and historical romances under Samantha Hastings. She met her husband in a turkey sandwich line. They live in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she spends most of her time reading, eating popcorn, having tea parties, and chasing her four kids. She has degrees from Brigham Young University, University of North Texas, and University of Reading (UK). She's the author of: The Last Word, The Invention of Sophie Carter, A Royal Christmas Quandary, The Girl with the Golden Eyes, Jane Austen Trivia, The Duchess Contract, Secret of the Sonnets, The Marquess and the Runaway Lady, and A Novel Disguise. Learn more at: www.SamanthaHastings.com

Author Links Website Instagram Facebook X BookBub

Preorder Links Amazon - B&N

The Hanged Man - An Interview & Review

I'm pleased to welcome Jane Brookwood to Cozy Up With Kathy. Jane writes the Raven-Verse Mystery series. THE HANGED MAN is the first book in the series and was released earlier this year.

Kathy: In THE HANGED MAN we meet Fiona Miller who runs a metaphysical gift shop where she reads tarot, sells crystals, and mixes tea. This is my kind of shop! There are so many things that make metaphysical shops amazing. What's your favorite thing about them?

JB: Another kindred spirit! I absolutely love standing in front of a great crystal display—the energy is a wonderful little pick-me-up, especially since I gave up caffeine a couple of years ago. Some of my favorite stores carry fresh, wild-harvested teas, which I love to purchase and mix for my own home health brews. Beyond the crystals and teas, I can spend hours just browsing through the tools, sound bowls, books, and of course, the tarot decks.


Kathy:I am a crystal reader and also collect and read oracle and Tarot decks. Do you use crystals or use other forms of divination?

JB: Yes, I was introduced to pendulum dowsing fifteen years ago through Lynn Grabhorn’s book, EXCUSE ME, YOUR LIFE IS WAITING. Aside from dowsing, I am a very active dreamer. Which is how my tarot practice truly began—it grew out of a deep desire to untangle the symbols and meanings hidden inside my dreams.


Kathy:Rosie is Fiona's cat and familiar. I love all animals, but especially cats and currently have four. Do you have any cats? Is Rosie based on a real cat or is she completely fictional?

JB:  Rosie is absolutely based on a real cat! She originally "worked" alongside her brother at the construction company I was with. When her brother passed away, she came home with me, and she was the most perfect real-life introduction to the feline world I could have ever imagined. Prior to Rosie, I genuinely thought I was strictly a dog person. It turns out, I’m a cat at heart.

Rosie was an exceptional example of a feline—regal, delicate, completely self-aware, and incredibly sweet when she wanted to be. She lived with us for a few years before choosing to move on to another home in our neighborhood. While her departure left a big hole in our lives, I deeply respected her decision; she was simply living her best life, which is exactly what her character does in THE RAVEN'S FAMILIAR. A year after she moved on, we adopted another female ginger cat named Poppy, who is much more content to stay close to home. She is my best friend and roommate.


Kathy:What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

JB:  I’m pretty sure the first true cozy I ever read was The Cat Who... series by Lilian Jackson Braun. Around that same time, my roommate introduced me to the first book in Robert B. Parker’s Spenser series. While the Spenser books are hardboiled crime novels rather than cozies, I absolutely loved his obsession with cooking. He was actually the original inspiration for my very first explorations in the kitchen!

There was such a comforting, cozy feeling to those culinary scenes. That exact texture was then beautifully mirrored by Lilian Jackson Braun’s books. Her work was my very first introduction to cats, showing how life is a blessing despite the occasional darkness that comes our way—or perhaps, because of it.
 

Kathy:Do you write in any other genres?

JB: Not really, though I am always exploring my options! I have a very specific, intimate writing style that wouldn't lend itself well to certain genres. For instance, I love reading massive, long-anthology sci-fi and epic fantasy, but I couldn't imagine writing them. Historical fiction is likely beyond me as well. To be completely honest, I do best when I'm keeping track of a small handful of close-knit characters—which makes the cozy mystery genre the absolute perfect home for me.


Kathy:Tell us about your series. 

JB: I write a metaphysical cozy mystery series structurally based on the deep themes and archetypes of the Major Arcana of the Tarot. The story features Fiona Miller, an intuitive gift shop owner who must lean on her cards, her sharp instincts, and the guidance of her witty rescue cat familiar, Rosie, to unravel the sudden murder of her best friend’s son


Kathy:Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?

JB: That is a great question, and it's honestly hard to say! Of course, Rosie is the absolute easiest and most fun to write. She is the epitome of self-possession; she never second-guesses herself, and her pure reliance on instinct allows me to write her scenes forward without having to overthink her motivation.

But I would have to say Fiona is my ultimate favorite, precisely because she is my most challenging character to craft. I never truly know what she’s thinking or how she’ll react until the words hit the page, so I write her with a very interesting mix of confident insecurity.


Kathy:Did you have a specific inspiration for your series?

JB: It was truly a combination of factors. Years of studying tarot collided with a period of great loss and upheaval in my life. It was born out of the presence—and eventual absence—of one remarkable ginger cat, right on the heels of my best friend sitting down to write and publish her own memoir.


Kathy:What made you decide to publish your work?

JB:  I didn’t start writing thinking I was just doing this for myself, although I did write that very first draft in a kind of desperation to just prove I could finish it. However, once I’d refined the characters, sharpened the story, and received feedback from a couple of brilliant editors, I realized that Fiona and Rosie needed—and absolutely deserved—to have their voices out in the world.


Kathy:If you could have a dinner party and invite 4 authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite?

JB:  That is such a tough question! There are so many incredible authors on my list, making it hard to narrow it down to just four. But since I write a cat mystery, I would definitely want to speak to the maven herself, Lilian Jackson Braun. Sara Donati was my very first introduction to using tarot in fiction, and I deeply admire her rich writing style. I’d want Stephen King there so I could pick his brain and ask him questions about the grit and discipline of the craft. And lastly, I would invite Andy Weir for my late husband, who fell completely in love with his books near the end


Kathy:What are you currently reading?

JB:  I’m finally halfway through THE CASUAL VACANCY by J.K. Rowling. I couldn’t get into it for the longest time, but I think I finally know why. She writes from a massive array of different points of view—which is a structural format I actually experimented with in revision four of THE HANGED MAN before eventually abandoning it. Reading it now is perfect timing, and I’m learning an immense amount from her execution. I think I’ll return to this multi-POV format in one of my upcoming 0.5 series companion off-branches!

Beyond that, my To-Be-Read (TBR) pile is massive—it’s actually a little embarrassing! On audiobook, I’ve just started my author coach Evan Parrott’s WIND'S EMBRACE, which is the start of a sweeping sci-fi series, and I’m really digging his world-building. Also on my immediate list is Carl Jung’s SYNCHRONICITY, Matthew Syed’s BLACK BOX THINKING (just recommended to me by my cousin), Alexis Hall’s 10 THINGS THAT NEVER HAPPENED (it’s eerie reading someone with a very similar comedic style—I keep wondering if I wrote it in my sleep!), THE LONDON SEANCE SOCIETY by Sarah Penner, and Maggie O’Farrell’s THIS MUST BE THE PLACE. To name just a few!


Kathy:Will you share any of your hobbies or interests with us?

JB:  I love to bake bread and biscotti! The bread is generally an everyday white slicing loaf, though I like to experiment with a wide array of recipes. The biscotti is my mom’s absolute favorite, so I’ve worked really hard over the years to perfect that crunchy, classic texture. 

Aside from baking, I strength train (primarily to offset impending menopause), I love to draw—which is a creative skill I actually feature inside my books—and I go for long walks. Oh, and then there’s the day job! While I certainly get paid for it, it honestly feels like a supportive hobby that keeps my life stable and allows me to do what I love most, which is write.


Kathy:Name 4 items you always have in your fridge or pantry. 

Yeast: Essential for my everyday bread-baking therapy. 

Candied ginger: My acupuncturist tells me I’m "too damp" and need more internal heat, so I try to eat it every morning—whenever I actually remember! 

Beans: Protein and fiber have suddenly become absolutely vital to my basic functioning as a human being. 

Frozen blueberries: Perfect for smoothies, baking, or just to use as ice in my water. It cools the drink down, and then becomes a sweet reward at the end for actually finishing my water. I work incredibly well with an awards-based system!


Kathy:Do you have plans for future books either in your current series or a new series? 

JB: Yes! I am currently writing the final chapter on the first draft of THE RAVEN'S FAMILIAR: PART TWO, which is just about to be sent off to my editor. We haven't locked down the exact release date yet, but it's coming fast. If you love Rosie, you’re going to love her detective work in this one. It is again written in her point of view and it explores how Fiona and Rosie’s relationship evolves prior to THE HANGED MAN. It’s their very first mystery together (where no one dies). 

I've also just broken the back of Book Two in the main series, titled THE FOOL. I still have a long road to completion there, but I am aiming for a December 1st, 2026 release. It is a Christmas-themed novel where Fiona gets roped into acting as the understudy for Katharina in Pineridge Hollow’s holiday presentation of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW. Rosie’s scored a bit part in the theatrical show as well, so she’ll be even more front-and-center than she is in THE HANGED MAN!

For my Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) readers, I’ve also tucked a massive Easter egg at the end of THE HANGED MAN. Elsie Greene discovers something shocking in the final pages, and if you’ve been lucky enough to receive one of my physical Golden Tickets at a live event, you'll be able to enter my website vault to see what she unearthed. Her private investigation will eventually be published as a special 0.5 companion off-branch novella. It has a distinct I Know What You Did Last Summer vibe involving Fiona’s best friend, Maggie, which will eventually tie directly back into the main storyline. 

Finally, my next big wish is to release Book Three, THE LOVERS, in time for next Valentine’s Day. Fiona’s love life really starts picking up steam in Book Two, so exploring that passionate avenue in the third installment is going to be so much fun!


Kathy:What's your favorite thing about being an author?

JB: To be honest, I never thought I’d be able to write like this, nor did I think the lifestyle would suit me. But I absolutely love the freedom of just going somewhere, laptop in tow, and sitting down to write.

Sometimes it’s hard work, but compared to what I’ve done in my past corporate work life, the stress that comes with writing is entirely manageable. At the end of the day, I’m really just making stuff up! 

It deeply excites me to write for that reader out in the ether who will truly "get" me. If something I write lifts someone up, makes them feel cozy, or inspires them to pause and brew a hot cup of tea, I am incredibly happy. 

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Review

THE HANGED MAN by Jane Brookwood
The First Raven-Verse Mystery 

When Fiona Miller keeps drawing the hanged man from her Tarot deck she certainly doesn't expect to see it come to pass literally. But Henry Reynolds Jr. was found hanging at the building site his brother, Sam, was working on. Henry Jr. was a charismatic dealmaker, could he really have committed suicide? Chief Albright suspects murder and quickly takes Sam into custody. Fiona has known the brothers since they were little boys and things aren't adding up. With the help of her friends and the grudging acceptance of the chief of police Fiona starts looking into things. Will she be able to solve the murder before something else dire happens?  

I enjoyed my first entry into Raven-Verse. Fiona is a fine protagonist, wise, loyal, and spunky. My favorite character is Rosie, though. People need to pay more attention to her. She was doing everything possible to show them a clue and nobody was paying attention but me! I also really liked Chief Albright and the way he worked with Fiona. Perhaps my favorite part of the story was The Raven itself. To me metaphysical stores are like a balm to the soul. I could picture this comforting space and see myself spending much time there. Indeed, Fiona's shop is a character unto itself.

While this is the first book in the series, reading it it seemed like I was missing a lot. How the characters related, why it's automatically assumed they'll be investigating together and so on. There is a prequel, but it's recommended to read this book first.

The mystery was complex and I really appreciated the tie in to the Tarot. For those readers unfamiliar with the Tarot, never fear, major points are explained and you can completely enjoy the story without this knowledge. That being said, if you have a passing familiarity or are quite knowledgeable about the cards you'll love it even more. The villain here is truly villainous and what they have planned after the murder is truly diabolical.

An atmospheric novel infused with Tarot wisdom and a bewitching cat THE HANGED MAN is a captivating mystery and a wonderful start to a new series. 

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About the author:

Jane Brookwood writes cozy mysteries steeped in tarot symbolism, intuition, and the quiet magic that lingers in small towns. Though she lives just outside the fictional Pineridge Hollow, she knows its back roads and hidden corners by heart. Its shop windows, whispered rumors, and moonlit secrets inspire much of her work — and often feel as real to her as any place on a map. Jane has always been drawn to the moment when an ordinary day tilts into something strange, meaningful, or unexpected. She writes to capture that shift — the sense that something powerful is moving just beneath the surface, waiting for the right person to notice. When she’s not writing, she’s reading tarot, wandering through forests, visiting cafés that remind her of The Velvet Fig, or sharing quiet evenings with her cat, Rosie, who insists on chiming in whenever a mystery gets tense. Jane lives in British Columbia, where Pineridge Hollow grows a little more vivid with every sunrise. Learn more at: https://ravenversebooks.com/

Follow Jane Brookwood on social media:

Facebook: @ravenversebooks

Instagram: @theravenverse.world 

TikTok: @ravenversebooks

 

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading The Hanged Man by Jane Brookwood. This book is the first in the Raven-Verse Mystery series and was released earlier this year.

When Fiona Miller keeps drawing the hanged man from her Tarot deck she certainly doesn't expect to see it come to pass literally. But Henry Reynolds Jr. was found hanging at the building site his brother, Sam, was working on. Henry Jr. was a charismatic dealmaker, could he really have committed suicide? Chief Albright suspects murder and quickly takes Sam into custody. Fiona has known the brothers since they were little boys and things aren't adding up. With the help of her friends and the grudging acceptance of the chief of police Fiona starts looking into things. Will she be able to solve the murder before something else dire happens? 

Flimflam Fairy - A Review

 Review

 

FLIMFLAM FAIRY by Elizabeth Pantley
Book 1 in The Magical Cozy Mystery Bookstore Series

After years of working best friends Lucy Young and Willa Treadwell are ready to enjoy their retirement. First on their agenda is a trip. Unsure of their destination they decide to throw darts. Throwing them simultaneously the friends are surprised when the two darts hit the same location - Thistlebloom, Arizona. Upon their arrival the pair are are delighted by the charming town and even more so by The Enchanted Pages Bookstore and Coffee Shop. Completely captivated the manager tells them the shop is looking for new owners. What he doesn't mention are the magical excursions involved. Will Lucy and Willa move to Arizona to begin a new chapter in their lives? And what will they do when they discover what the job really entails? For this is no ordinary bookstore. It is a repository of books for book clubs worldwide and it will be their job to recommend the books, or not. However, they don't read the books, they actually journey inside and become a part of the story. Lucy and Willa's first trip inside a cozy mystery takes them to Whisperglow Village. Inhabited by fairies the pair finds the place delightful. But even in a  lovely world of fairies there's a murder...and a con artist. Will Lucy and Willa solve the murder and catch the scammer? More importantly, will they recommend the book? 

I love how reading whisks me away from mundane reality and into a new world. In the The Magical Cozy Mystery Bookstore series this literally happens to Lucy and Willa. It's every book lover's dream. Especially with some extra perks that I won't spoil. I like the fact that the protagonists are older women.  Ready for retirement, though certainly not a peaceful one, the two get the opportunity of a lifetime and take full advantage. I like how they complement each other, the effervescent Lucy and the more practical Willa. I adore Banjo, their guide who happens to be a cat, a very special cat.

The book can almost be divided into two parts, the opening and discovery of their new role and inside the book where the mystery resides. I equally enjoyed both parts. Their first mystery has a lovely unique setting that included delectable food and fairies yet was diabolical with its twists, turns, and red herrings.

While FLIMFLAM FAIRY is the first in the series, it is actually a spin off of the author's Magical Cozy Mystery Book Club series. You certainly not need read any of those to fully appreciate this book, but fans will find the tie ins fascinating and will also encounter an old friend. I was thrilled to see Bob! 

FLIMFLAM FAIRY, with its joyful outlook on life, is a fun start to a new mystery series.

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Flimflam Fairy by Elizabeth Pantley. This book is the first in the Magical Cozy Mystery Bookstore series and was released last week.

After years of working best friends Lucy Young and Willa Treadwell are ready to enjoy their retirement. First on their agenda is a trip. Unsure of their destination they decide to throw darts. Throwing them simultaneously the friends are surprised when the two darts hit the same location - Thistlebloom, Arizona. Upon their arrival the pair are are delighted by the charming town and even more so by The Enchanted Pages Bookstore and Coffee Shop. Completely captivated the manager tells them the shop is looking for new owners. What he doesn't mention are the magical excursions involved. Will Lucy and Willa move to Arizona to begin a new chapter in their lives? And what will they do when they discover what the job really entails? For this is no ordinary bookstore. It is a repository of books for book clubs worldwide and it will be their job to recommend the books, or not. However, they don't read the books, they actually journey inside and become a part of the story. Lucy and Willa's first trip inside a cozy mystery takes them to Whisperglow Village. Inhabited by fairies the pair finds the place delightful. But even in a  lovely world of fairies there's a murder...and a con artist. Will Lucy and Willa solve the murder and catch the scammer? More importantly, will they recommend the book?

Murder at the Agency - An Interview & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Kylie Forsythe to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Kylie writes the Cassidy Blayne Mystery series. MURDER AT THE AGENCY is the first book in the series and was released last month.

Kathy: In MURDER AT THE AGENCY Cassidy Blaine lands her dream job as Creative Director with an elite advertising firm. Have you ever landed your dream job?

KF: I have! From a young age, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I had a “classroom” set up in my basement and spent hours down there “teaching”. My dream came true when I got a 4th grade teaching position in the wonderful school district I had just done my student teaching in. 25 years later, I’m still there! Same grade, same classroom. I absolutely love it.

Kathy: After Cassidy finds one of the owners dead and herself a suspect she gets help from her new roommate. Have you ever had a roommate? Do you think they'd help out of your became a murder suspect?

KF: I actually lived alone for most of college. (I wanted to, believe it or not,) But for one year, I did have a roommate. She was studying to be a teacher too, so we were a great fit. She would absolutely help out if I became a murder suspect! She’d make it her mission and I know, she’d give the police a run for their money, lol.

Kathy: She also gets help from twin childhood best friends. Are you still friends with anyone from your childhood?

KF: Yes. One of my very best friends and I have been friends for 35 years. We met back in 5th grade. I didn’t know her very well at the start of the year. But when she got a kidney infection and was hospitalized, my heart went out to her and I wanted to cheer her up. So, I wrote her a letter. Someone must have taken it to her because the day she came back, she thanked me. We’ve been close friends ever since, and she’s my favorite person to bounce plot ideas off of.

Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

KF: I loved cozy mysteries even before I knew they were a thing. Maybe it started with Scooby Doo… I loved the mystery, the clues, the friend group, the suspense (without being too scary), the way the bad guy was always caught in the end. As I got older, I devoured Nancy Drew books and would tune in every week for Murder She Wrote. After years of reading cozies and watching Hallmark mysteries, I decided to write my own!

Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

KF: No, not currently.

Kathy: Tell us about your series. 

KF: MURDER AT THE AGENCY is the first book in The Cassidy Blayne Mystery series. It centers around a woman who (not by choice) is starting over. New town, new job, new life, new friends (mixed with some old friends). Everything is looking up. But when her boss is murdered and she becomes a person of interest, she realizes it could all come crashing down if she doesn’t find out who the real killer is, and fast. With help from her friends, she sets out to do just that.

Kathy: Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?

KF: I had so much fun creating my characters, and I love all of them. But I think my favorite is Cassie, my main character. She’s the kind of person I’d want to be best friends with, someone who’s loyal, positive, sarcastic, smart, hardworking, kind, tenacious, fun, and doesn’t back down easily. Another reason is that she’s not perfect. She’s going through some stuff and because of that, she’s cautious with taking chances on herself. You can’t help but root for her to not only solve the crime, but realize her worth and go for the things that make her happy.

Kathy: Did you have a specific inspiration for your series?

KF: In addition to reading cozy mysteries, I also love to watch Hallmark mysteries. I think I’ve gotten inspiration from all of them. Specifically though, the setting of MURDER AT THE AGENCY, Brighton Lake, is inspired by a real life place I love to visit-Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. I take a girls trip there every summer where we get pedicures, make candles, do wine tastings, lounge by the resort’s pool, eat at delicious restaurants, and take in the beautiful scenery. It’s such a quaint, beautiful lakeside town. They have fun festivals, there’s a path around the lake in the backyards of beautiful mansions. When I thought about the perfect place for Cassie to start over, I knew it had to be somewhere like this.

Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

KF: I’ve always wanted to write and publish a book. Life was busy, but I spent years filling notebooks with ideas for this series. Plot ideas, characters, names for places, all of it, and thought maybe someday I’d give it a go. Then a few years ago, while my students were busy crafting their own stories, I mentioned that I wanted to write a book. They told me I should, to which of course, I responded by listing all the reasons why I couldn’t-it’s scary, I don’t know how, what if no one likes it, etc. And wouldn’t you know? They used my own words on me, reminding me of all the times I told them that they could do anything they put their minds to, no dream was too big, and you won’t know if you don’t try. They were right. What was I waiting for? I started drafting MURDER AT THE AGENCY that very day, and I thought “how cool for my daughters and my students to watch me live out my dream”. Hopefully, it encourages them to take risks and do the same.

Kathy: If you could have a dinner party and invite 4 authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite?

KF: Agatha Christie, Nora Roberts, Stephen King, and C.S. Lewis.

Kathy: What are you currently reading?

KF: I usually have a couple of books going, a physical book or ebook as well as an audiobook. Right now I’m currently reading AWL SHOOK UP, book 4 in the Hometown Hardware Mystery series, by Paula Charles. I’m listening to DEATH AT A SCOTTISH HALLOWEEN, book 5 in the Scottish Isle Mystery series, by Lucy Connelly. The narrator is amazing with the accents! I also love to read ARCs and post reviews for other authors, and most often have one of those going too.

Kathy: Will you share any of your hobbies or interests with us?

KF: I love to read, spend time outside by my pool, plant flowers, watch Hallmark movies, spend time with friends and family, make my house cozy, and oddly, I also love to clean and organize. Oh, and I love to write!
 

Kathy: Name 4 items you always have in your fridge or pantry.

KF: Iced coffee, dark chocolate, salty snacks, and a bottle of wine.


Kathy: Do you have plans for future books either in your current series or a new series?

KF: I’m currently writing book 2 in my current series, which continues Cassie’s professional journey, personal growth, and relationship with her circle of friends (as well as with a budding love interest). And you can probably guess that another murder will throw a wrench into things…

Kathy: What's your favorite thing about being an author?

KF: My favorite thing about it is meeting and getting to know other cozy mystery lovers. Whether they are readers or other authors, I’ve found the cozy mystery to be such a warm, welcoming place where authors build each other up and you can find camaraderie with fellow readers. It’s also exciting to hear from people who have read my book. Their positive words and encouragement means the world to me. 

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 Murder at the Agency: A Cassidy Blayne Mystery by Kylie Forsythe

About Murder at the Agency

Murder at the Agency: A Cassidy Blayne Mystery
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Setting: Fictional town of Brighton Lake, Wisconsin
Publisher: ‎ Rowan Prose Publishing, LLC
Publication Date: ‎ August 11, 2026
Print Length: ‎ 244 pages

“ An irresistible start to what’s sure to be a binge-worthy series.” -USA Today bestselling author Sarah Fox

Who knew the marketing world could be so dangerous?

Just when it seems like everything in twenty-eight year old Cassidy Blayne's life is falling apart, a thrilling coffee shop encounter leads to the opportunity of a lifetime. Landing her dream job as Creative Director with an elite advertising firm in a nearby lakeside town fills her with renewed purpose. She’s no longer going to allow herself to settle, and resolves to rebuild her life on her own terms.

But from the moment she steps foot out of the elevator, she senses things may not be as they seem at Turner & Nash Advertising. Despite her wariness, Cassie puts all her energy into landing her first big account. Arriving early on the day of the presentation, she's shocked to find one of the owners dead and herself a suspect.

She embarks on a desperate search for answers, unknowingly putting her and the people she cares about in danger. As she pieces things together with some help from her spunky new roommate, twin childhood best friends, an uptight detective, and a gorgeous up-and-coming rock star, warnings and threats escalate. It's clear the killer will stop at nothing to keep her quiet.

Cassie must risk everything to unravel the murder before someone takes her off the market for good.

Fans of “Olive You To Death” by Lynn Cahoon or “A Limited Edition Murder” by Lauren Elliott will enjoy “Murder At The Agency” by Kylie Forsythe.

About Kylie Forsythe

Kylie Forsythe writes cozy mysteries with smart amateur sleuths, close-knit groups of friends, and a touch of romance. Kylie is also a fourth-grade teacher and resides in Illinois with her husband, two daughters, and a rambunctious Weimaraner. When she’s not teaching, you can find her spending time with the wonderful family and friends she’s been blessed with, cooking, enjoying a good book or Hallmark Mystery movie, or crafting her next story.

Author Links: 

Facebook: facebook.com/KylieForsythe,Writer  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylieforsythewrites/  

Website: kylieforsythe.com  

Bookbub: Bookbub/KylieForsythe  

Newsletter: https://kylieforsytheauthor.substack.com/\  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/53583099.Kylie_Forsythe  

Purchase Links: Books2Read Amazon B&N Bookshop.org