Food for Thought and the Cozy Mystery - Guest Post & Giveaway

I'm pleased to allow Cassidy Salem to take over Cozy Up With Kathy today. Cassidy writes the Adina Donati, Accidental Sleuth, Mystery series. Killer Reputation is the third book in the series and was released last month.

Food for Thought and the Cozy Mystery

by Cassidy Salem

Can a cozy mystery be suspenseful and thought provoking at the same time? Of course, it can. The Adina Donati murder mysteries all touch on social issues and current events, such as animal welfare, environmental protection, immigration, or cybercrime. Adina’s workplace, a prestigious think tank, naturally lends itself to discussions of a wide range of issues.

This is particularly the case in the second book in the series. When I started writing Dying for Data, I didn’t set out to focus on social issues or educate readers. It just kind of happened. Sometimes, plots and characters have a mind of their own and take us where they want to go.  In the process of trying to help her neighbor’s boyfriend, Adina had to learn a lot about immigration – legal and illegal – and the pros and cons of sanctuary cities. Of course, this required research on my part, and I made every effort to present both sides of the issue – without endorsing either point of view.  Similarly, Think Murder and Killer Reputation both touch on quasi-political subjects and characters without sanctioning a specific position, and without endorsing (or opposing) any political party.

After I finished Dying for Data, I wasn’t sure what reaction to expect from readers. Had I gone too far?  I was pleasantly surprised to see reader’s feedback, ranging from “I loved the way the author weaves in current social and political topics without grandstanding,” to “Although immigration and the varying opinions on the topic form a large part of the plot, the book never gets political and does not preach.”  I hope that readers will feel the same way about the way issues are handled in Killer Reputation. 

**************************************************************************

Killer Reputation (Adina Donati, Accidental Sleuth) by Cassidy Salem

About the Book

 

Killer Reputation (Adina Donati, Accidental Sleuth)  

Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series 

Self Published (June 15, 2018)  

Paperback: 182 pages 

Adina can’t resist snooping when someone she knows turns up dead. Again.

When a colleague at a prestigious think tank meets a violent death, Adina’s not convinced any of the obvious suspects disliked him enough to want him dead. Can the young research assistant, a quirky neighbor, and a lovable rescue pup help the police put together the pieces of the puzzle?

About the Author

About the Author

Cassidy Salem has always been an avid reader. She is especially fond of mysteries (both cozy and traditional) and police procedurals. Cassidy also enjoys reading historical fiction focused on American and world history, as well as the classics. When she’s not reading, she enjoys music and spending time with family and friends, and travels with her husband and son whenever possible. Her travels have taken her to destinations throughout the United States, Europe, and Scandinavia.

Author Links:
Twitter: @csalem11  
Facebook: Adina Donati, Accidental Sleuth  
Blog: https://cassidysalem.wordpress.com/    

Purchase link: Amazon


 a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Dying for Data Interview & Giveaway

I'm happy to welcome Cassidy Salem to the blog today. Cassidy writes the Adina Donati, Accidental Sleuth Mystery series. Dying for Data, the second book in the series, was released August 21, 2016.

 
Kathy: Elena’s boyfriend is a bartender. If you were to ask him to make you a drink, what would it be?

CS: A mudslide – a delightful concoction with Kahlua and Bailey’s Irish Cream, vodka and chocolate.


Kathy: In Dying for Data Adina deals with illegal immigration. Is this an important topic for you?

CS: On a personal level, no. On an ideological level, yes. As an American, I am appreciative of the contributions immigrants have made to our country throughout its history. At the same time, I recognize the pros and cons of the various approaches to immigration policy. 


Kathy: Adina also deals with a case of mistaken identity. Have you ever been mistaken for someone else?

CS: My sister, more than once. In all fairness, we do look at lot alike.


Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

CS: I enjoy all kinds of crime fiction, including traditional mysteries, police procedurals, and cozies. Cozies are fun and usually entertaining. I enjoy trying to follow the plots set forth by other writers in hopes of identifying the culprit. And they are typically light and enjoyable reads.


Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

Kathy: No. But that could change in the future.


Kathy: Tell us about your series.

CS: The Adina Donati, Accidental Sleuth mystery series features a young college graduate and her experiences living alone in Washington, D.C. Adina works at a think tank that focuses on public policy, where current issues (environmental protection, immigration, cybercrime, and more) are a natural part of the agenda. Both Think Murder (Book 1) and Dying for Data (Book 2) are standalone mysteries.


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

CS: That’s a hard question. At this point in the series, I’d have to say Adina. Adina is smart and talented, and kind. She has an independent spirit, but is willing to accept help from others.


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

CS: Not really. I knew I wanted to write a cozy mystery and that I wanted it to be in a “new” setting. After graduating from college, I worked in two different think tanks, one of them in D.C. When I decided to try my hand at writing, I wanted to create a mystery centered around a character that I could identify with, in a setting and job that would hopefully ring true.


Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

CS: The decision to write my first novel was my way of challenging myself. After I had completed Think Murder, publishing was the natural next step for me. The positive feedback on Think Murder encouraged me to write and publish Dying for Data.


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

CS: Maya Angelou, Agatha Christie, Mark Twain, and Charles Dickens.


Kathy: What are you currently reading?

CS: In between books today. Just finished Terror in Taffeta by Marla Cooper – a very enjoyable cozy mystery.


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

CS: I love music, all most all kinds of music. I love to sing and dance.


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

CS: The sad truth: Diet-coke, ice cream, eggs, chocolate.


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

CS: I plan to continue this series. At the same time, I am exploring the possibility of collaborating with another author on a new series.


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

CS: The sense of accomplishment when I see the finished product or get a great review AND the sense of community I have found through networking with fellow authors on social media.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Think Interview

I'd like to welcome Cassidy Salem to the blog today. Cassidy writes the Adina Donati Mystery series.

Kathy: Setting plays such an important role in a mystery. How did you choose Washington DC as the setting for Think Murder?

CS: I wanted to choose a location with an international and metropolitan flavor. Besides, Washington D.C is one of my favorite cities. I spent a few years there immediately after college, and remember it well.

Kathy: You enjoy historical fiction. Do you have a favorite time period?

CS: That’s a tough question. If we are talking about American history, then the Civil War period. But I also like books set in 18th century Europe – A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens is one of my absolute favorites.


Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

CS: I enjoy all kinds of crime fiction, including traditional mysteries, police procedurals, and cozies. Cozies are fun and usually entertaining. I enjoy trying to follow the plots set forth by other writers in hopes of identifying the culprit.


Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

CS: Not yet.


Kathy: Tell us about your series.

CS: Think Murder is the first novel in the Adina Donati Mystery Series, a series of standalone mysteries featuring a young college graduate and her experiences living alone in Washington, D.C.


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

CS: I guess Adina would be my favorite character – she is independent and determined. I also really like her supportive friends, Bruce and Michelle. (They will be back in the second book.)


Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

CS: The decision to write a novel was my way of challenging myself. After I had completed it, publishing was the natural next step for me.


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

CS: Maya Angelou, Agatha Christie, Mark Twain, and John Grisham.


Kathy: What are you currently reading?

CS: My son complains that I read too many mysteries so in a departure from my cozy mystery addiction, I am reading “One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.


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

CS: I love music – almost all genres – and I sing in an a cappella ensemble.


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

CS: I probably shouldn’t admit it – Diet Coke, chocolate, peanut butter, and ice cream. Now you know where Adina’s terrible eating habits come from.


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

CS: I have just started working on the second book in the Adina Donati Mystery Series.


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

CS: The immense sense of accomplishment as I hold the final published version of the book in my hand.