I'm pleased to welcome Joy Ann Ribnar to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Joy Ann writes the Bay Browning Mystery series. SHAKE-SPEARED IN THE PARK is the second book in the series and was released last month. Be sure to return Friday, when I'll post my review!
Kathy: In SHAKE-SPEARED IN THE PARK Bay Browning helps direct the Flourish College summer theater production of Shakespeare's Couch. As a theatre major I'm curious, have you ever been involved in mounting a production?
JAR: I’ve been an assistant director in high school productions, but most of my time has been on stage from high school through community theater musicals and comedies. I understand the process of producing and directing a show because in community theater, everyone’s involved from painting sets, to creating costumes, to doing make-up and finding props. I love theater. My favorite shows I performed in are White Christmas, The Music Man, and Drinking Habits, where I played a wine-making nun trying to save the convent.
Kathy: Shakespeare was integral to my training and I still love the bard. Are you a fan?
JAR: Huge fan! I’ve never acted in a Shakespeare play, but I’ve performed monologues. As a high school and college educator, I’ve taught many of The Bard’s plays. We always take parts and read aloud the plays together in class, and that is the key to helping students understand and love The Bard, too. My favorite plays: Othello and Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Kathy: The Bay Browning Mystery series has a paranormal bent. Why choose to add something otherworldly?
JAR: Bay needed a good partner to contrast and complement her; Cassandra. I named Cass after the Greek maiden Cassandra, who has the gift of prophecy, but nobody believes her predictions. I decided my Cassandra would be a modern version from Greek mythology. Her gift is part of her character arc. As a child and teen, her gift makes her an outcast. Then, Cass uses her gift to perfect her grifting skills. Now she’s out of prison and trying to use her gifts for good.
Kathy: What first drew you to mysteries?
JAR: My older sister read the Trixie Belden series, so I grabbed them as she moved on to the next one. My local library had shelves of Nancy Drew mysteries, too, so there was always something new to check out. I loved the adventures, the puzzles to solve, and the brave young women taking risks. I graduated to Agatha Christie, Phyllis Whitney, and Taylor Caldwell. Reading women authors writing about smart, confident female characters, made me feel confident, too. When I decided to write something, mysteries were a natural fit.
Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?
JAR: I wrote a few flash fiction shorts of various genres, and essays as well. I used to be a newspaper reporter, so I feel comfortable writing non-fiction, too.
Kathy: Tell us about your series.
JAR: The Bay Browning mysteries are literature-themed and edgy with a paranormal twist. Bay, a college professor, and Cassandra, an ex-con with the gift of extra-sensory perception meld their talents and contrasting personalities to solve crimes in a small Wisconsin city.
The Deep Lakes Mystery series offer a light-hearted look at murder, recipes included. Frankie Champagne, together with best friend Carmen, own Bubble & Bake, a bakery/ wine lounge in a Wisconsin tourist town where murder is an occasional visitor. Frankie somehow lands in the middle of crime scenes and dives right in to investigate, proving she can go toe-to-toe with the pros.
Kathy: Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?
JAR: All of them in one way or another because they all serve a purpose, but that’s a coward’s answer. I love Cassandra because she’s gritty and imperfect. Like all of us, she’s a genuine work in progress, and readers can see her evolution and her struggle to overcome a troubled past, learn from it, and redefine herself. She’s relatable and heartwarming.
Kathy: Did you have a specific inspiration for your series?
JAR: I wanted my second series to be something quite different from my first cozy bakery/winery series. I had recently retired from teaching and missed having rich discussions about literature, poetry, classics, and Shakespeare with my students. That’s when it dawned on me to bring literature into a new series with an English professor as one of the main characters (Bay Browning). I think it’s interesting to have a reluctant sleuth as a lead character in a mystery series. Bay would prefer reading books or sitting in her office preparing lessons, but she’s dragged into a complicated murder investigation as a consultant because of her literary skills. The notion of creating literature-themed mysteries sounded worthwhile and fun.
Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?
JAR: My husband and sisters nudged me after I wrote my first mystery. I sent it to a publisher, was rejected, then sent it on to a smaller publisher where I found someone who would hold my hand through the process. Together, we published the first four books I wrote, and then I went on to publish independently.
Kathy: If you could have a dinner party and invite 4 authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite?
JAR: J.R.R. Tolkein, Maya Angelou, Julia Child, and Jane Austen. No party would be complete without Jane.
Kathy: What are you currently reading?
JAR: THE GLASSMAKER by Tracy Chevalier, a novel about a female glassmaker during the Renaissance in Murano, an island near Venice.
Kathy: Will you share any of your hobbies or interests with us?
JAR: I love hiking, sight seeing anywhere in the world, history, and baking. I enjoy experimenting with different spices and combining flavors to create recipes for my first series.
Kathy: Name 4 items you always have in your fridge or pantry.
JAR: Fresh fruit (berries, apples, grapefruit), hard boiled eggs, brie cheese, and butter.
Kathy: Do you have plans for future books either in your current series or a new series?
JAR: I’m working on the next Bay Browning mystery: POETRY SLAMMED, featuring a newly-discovered Emily Dickinson poem and a missing English professor from Bay’s department.
Kathy: What's your favorite thing about being an author?
JAR: 1) Talking to readers at in-person events or online author takeovers. 2) Creating a world and playing in it!
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SHAKE-SPEARED IN THE PARK
by Joy Ann Ribar
March 17th - April 11, 2025 Virtual Book Tour
Synopsis:
A BAY BROWNING MYSTERY
When Bay Browning helps direct the Flourish College summer theater production, “Shakespeare’s Couch,” she doesn’t plan for murder at the first practice.
Someone wants revenge against the elite cast members, as more terror unfolds on stage and backstage with each rehearsal. What should be a lighthearted parody on The Bard and his characters is cursed from the start, even without someone shouting “Macbeth” in the theater. Detective Downing takes charge of the crime, but Bay and her puzzle-solving cohort, Jen Yoo, follow their own script behind the scenes. Cassandra, Bay’s extraordinary sister, makes her own dramatic entrance on the case. After all, Cass is now the personal assistant to one of the elites living the high life on the bluff above Prairie Ridge. How many tragic scenes will be scripted before the villain faces the final curtain?
Praise for Shake-speared in the Park:
"A clever cozy that reads like an elusive buried treasure, that, once uncovered, shines with a burnished gold. Shakespearean scholars can revel throughout, as a college summer play, Shakespeare’s Couch, features a myriad of familiar characters, representing their plays. A costume party with more Shakespearean identities milling about provides sheer fun and frolic. The best part, however, is the thorough depiction of humanity, characteristic of Ribar’s writing. Even secondary characters come alive with strengths and foibles that delight and endear."
~ Saralyn Richard, author of the Detective Parrott mystery series, Bad Blood Sisters, and Mrs. Oliver’s Twist
"Ribar serves up wicked, clever fun in 'Shake-speared in the Park,' the second installment in her Bay Browning mystery series. A young man with much promise falls from a stage-prop balcony. He's dead when he lands, but that's not what killed him. Was his brother, the wayward son, involved? His best friend? Or one of the wealthy equestrian crowd? Then, another death, this time in a greenhouse. It's like 'Knives Out' meets Agatha Christie. Suspects abound. Two sisters—one a killer magnet, the other an ex-con—are determined to find out. The escalating tempo keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the end!"
~ Laurie Buchanan, author of the Sean McPherson crime thriller novels
"In this fast-paced mystery and nod to Shakespeare, the murderous shenanigans would please the Bard himself! Professor Bay Browning’s play rehearsals go awry with deadly weapons, poisons, and just about anything else a playwright might use to scare or 'off' someone in dramatic fashion. As in 'Romeo & Juliet,' differences of class and money between families put a small Wisconsin college and Bay in the crosshairs. Replete with a twisty costume party, this novel opens the curtain on an entertaining theater production with actors poised to take their final bow, pun intended. Ribar balances scenes effectively between amateur detectives Bay and her sister Cass, the latter a plant aficionado and former prison inmate. To borrow from the Bard, 'To read or not to read?' The answer is easy: This is fun."
~ Christine DeSmet, author, Fudge Shop Mystery Series and Mischief in Moonstone Series
Book Details:
Genre: Blended Mystery: Traditional Mystery with Paranormal Twists
Published by: Wine Glass Press
Publication Date: February 2025
Number of Pages: 359
ISBN: 9781959078272 (ISBN10: 1959078275)
Series: Bay Browning Mysteries: Book Two
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads
Read an excerpt:
Carillon Tower Park was buzzing with activity when Bay arrived for rehearsal. Desmond Carver, the director, was only steps ahead of her, so she dashed to catch up. Bay smiled at his signature bobbing walk on those extra-long legs that might belong to a pro basketball player instead of a theater professor.
“Desmond, hey. Looks like the students are psyched about the show.” Bay nodded toward the outdoor theater area where a portable tech booth had been set up. People inside were testing spotlights and sound effects.
The stage was midway through set construction showing false stone walls and two framed second story balconies. Someone was sweeping the stage free of pine needles, while a couple of others were taping the floor where furniture would go. Bay waved at Jen Yoo, her art professor friend, who was painting a flat with some students.
“It’s a positive sign when they show up early. Believe me, once we’re in the trenches, some will find reasons not to show up at all.” Desmond set a stack of scripts on one of the seats near the middle of the theater. “Actors,” he said using air quotes around the word.
Bay’s optimism didn’t dwindle. She was pleased with the turnout for auditions, considering it was a summer production, meaning many students were gone or working. The fact she and Desmond had backups for the main roles revealed enthusiasm for the show.
Desmond handed her a theater badge and key for the rooms beyond the stage. “By the way, in case I forget later, thanks so much for volunteering to help with the play. It can be a thankless job.”
Bay grinned but wondered why Desmond was being so pessimistic. He wasn’t close to retirement, maybe ten years older than Bay, and she’d pegged him as carefree and upbeat. Then again, in the two years she’d been a Flourish professor, she’d had a handful of short conversations with him.
At seven p.m. on the dot, the clock tower bell rang out the hour and Desmond spoke through a megaphone he’d brought to rehearsal. “Let’s get going. We start on time. We end on time. That’s my number one rule.”
To Bay’s surprise, every student hushed without delay. She’d heard Desmond was respected, and he knew these students from past plays. Many were seniors doing a final postgraduation show before entering the real world.
“For the first few rehearsals, we’re going to need to work around the set builders and the tech crew setting up lights and testing sounds. This isn’t a typical show. Summer theater is a shortened schedule, so we’re putting an entire production together in short order.” Desmond handed printed schedules to Bay, who passed them out to the actors and crew.
It wasn’t quite June, thankfully, because performances were marked for the last week of that month, just past the celebration of Midsummer on June twenty-fourth.
“You’ll notice on the schedule that all lines must be memorized by June tenth. That’s two weeks, my friends. Let’s make it happen.” Desmond used his teacher voice. Even Bay snapped to attention.
“Places everyone. We’ll start with the prologue and go straight through from act one as far as we can until eight-thirty. The script notes some introductory music, but we won’t add that for a couple of weeks. Proceed, Kitt.”
Bay and Desmond watched from the back third of the theater, taking notes as lines were delivered, stopping when necessary to help with enunciation or cadence. At the end of the second act, Desmond announced a seven-minute break, then headed to the tech booth to talk about lighting.
Bay noticed he seemed nervous about the tech crew being run by an intern. His normal production partner, Leo, another theater professor, was spending summer break in New York City at a Broadway intensive master class. Leo recommended a theater grad student from Madison to take his place.
As lights flashed on and off in different positions, Bay watched the techies at the booth. Desmond pointed at the script as intern Evan made notes, then flashed the light Desmond asked for. Bay noticed Evan’s body posture: alert, attentive, like a golden retriever eager to please. In contrast, Desmond alternated running a hand through the twists on top of his head, placing his hands on his hips, then rubbing the back of his neck before repeating the moves again.
“That looks intense.” Jen Yoo was sitting by Bay, a clean paint brush in one hand.
“Hey, Jen. Yes, I’ve never seen this side of Desmond. How about you?”
Jen shrugged. “I haven’t worked on a summer production in some time. The younger Desmond was laid-back. But some of us lose our patience as we age. Thankfully, I don’t have that problem.” She snickered.
Bay turned her full attention to Jen. “Why are you working on this production, anyway?”
“Two reasons. One: It fulfills my volunteer hours for the whole year. Two: It’s a show you wrote. I’m proud of you and want to see how it turns out.” Jen leaned her head over to meet Bay’s.
With break wrapping up, chatter from the stage echoed around the quiet outdoors. When a commotion ensued, Bay chalked it up to high energy from a new show, the honeymoon period. But then a loud thud sounded, someone began shrieking, and a cacophony of shouts and running feet ensued.
Bay, Jen, and Desmond ran to the stage, with the tech crew close behind. The adults vaulted onto the stage where the lead actor, Talon Hunt, lay crumpled in a twisted heap.
“Everybody back up,” Desmond shouted.
“He fell off the balcony,” one of the students called out.
“I didn’t mean to. We were goofing around, practicing a duel.” Jackson Lange knelt over Talon, his chest heaving, his face distraught.
Desmond, Jen, and Bay knelt beside Talon too, and Jackson stood up and looked away. Desmond checked Talon’s pulse, shook his head, listened for a heartbeat, and shook his head again. Bay called 911.
“Let’s straighten him a bit so I can do CPR.” Desmond motioned for Jen and Bay to get on either side of his legs and they gingerly turned him.
Desmond was still administering chest compressions and breaths when the emergency team arrived to take over. Thirty minutes later, the EMTs pronounced Talon dead.
***
Excerpt from Shake-speared in the Park by Joy Ann Ribar. Copyright 2025 by Joy Ann Ribar. Reproduced with permission from Joy Ann Ribar. All rights reserved.
Author Bio:
Joy Ann Ribar is an RV author, writing on the road wherever her husband and their Winnebago View wanders. Joy’s cocktail of careers includes news reporter, paralegal, English educator, and aquaponics greenhouse technician, all of which prove useful in penning mysteries. Her cozy Deep Lakes Mysteries, feature baker/vintner Frankie Champagne, who moonlights as an investigative reporter. Joy’s Bay Browning Mysteries blend edgy, traditional, and paranormal elements twisted around classical literary themes. Joy loves to bake, read, research wines, and explore nature. Her writing has received awards and recognition from WWA, PenCraft Book Awards, Book Fest, Reader’s Favorite, and Chanticleer Cozy and Not-So-Cozy awards.
Catch Up With Joy Ann Ribar:
JoyRibar.com
Joy's Substack
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads
BookBub - @ribarjoy
Instagram - @authorjoyribar
Facebook - @JoyRibarAuthor
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