Happy Release Day to Leslie!

Happy book birthday to Leslie Karst, whose newest Orchid Isle mystery, MURDER, LOCAL STYLE, releases today–hurrah! About Murder, Local Style: Retired caterer Valerie Corbin investigates a suspicious poisoning in this Orchid Isle cozy culinary mystery, featuring a feisty queer couple who swap surfing lessons for sleuthing sessions in tropical Hilo, Hawai‘i.A dinner to die for! It’s been an eventful transition, but retired caterer Valerie Corbin … Continue reading Happy Release Day to Leslie!

Chicks on the CaseApril 7, 2026February 12, 202610 Comments

Leslie Karst

My Mom, the Potter

Tomorrow marks the official release of my newest Orchid Isle mystery, Murder, Local Style. The book is set in a small neighborhood reminiscent of the street where Robin and I live in Hilo, Hawai‘i, and concerns the local orchid society that my protagonist, Valerie Corbin, joins in order to make some friends in her new-found home. Robin and I adore our neighborhood and are eternally … Continue reading My Mom, the Potter

Leslie KarstApril 6, 2026April 1, 202634 Comments

Patricia Sargeant

Will we ever learn?

Personal experience provides the best life lessons. I firmly believe that. To be clear, I’m grateful when people share their experiences with me. It shows a generosity of spirit when someone takes the time to explain a lesson they’ve learned just to spare us the same unpleasant experience. Continue reading Will we ever learn?

patriciasargeantApril 3, 2026April 3, 202625 Comments

Giveaway, Guest Post

Guest Chick: Maddie Day

Marla here, welcoming Maddie Day back to the blog. One of the most fun parts about having guest Chicks is learning the interesting backstories of our fellow cozy mystery authors, and today’s story is the perfect example. Read on to hear about the time Maddie took on a traditionally male-dominated job — and comment for a chance to win a copy of A POISONOUS POUR! … Continue reading Guest Chick: Maddie Day

Chicks on the CaseApril 1, 2026April 1, 202637 Comments

Lisa Q. Mathews

The 90s Called: They Want (the Real) You Back

Titanic. Forrest Gump. Jurassic Park. Harry Potter. Bridget Jones’s Diary. Clueless. Pulp Fiction. Whitney. Grunge, prep, and hip hop. The 90s nostalgia is real. Did we ever really say Bye-Bye-Bye? Continue reading The 90s Called: They Want (the Real) You Back

Lisa Q. MathewsMarch 30, 2026March 29, 202637 Comments

Marla Cooper, Mysteries

Behind the scenes of a book relaunch

Friends, I did it. I finally relaunched my Destination Wedding Mysteries on Tuesday, starting with book one, Terror in Taffeta. Now that the dust has settled and the flurry of last minute duties is over, here are some thoughts I wanted to share. I loved the cover design process as much as I thought I would. About a month before launch, I had a perfectly … Continue reading Behind the scenes of a book relaunch

Marla CooperMarch 27, 2026March 27, 202635 Comments

Guest Post

Guest Chick: Michelle L. Cullen & #Giveaway

Jen here. Excited to host Michelle on the blog today! We did a recent panel together, and I’m excited about her debut mystery. A cross-generational sleuthing duo? Yes, please! Michelle has also enjoyed the exciting traveling life of her main character Harry–see her amazing pics below! Who’d have thought that thirty minutes on a Saturday morning as a kid in front of a TV would … Continue reading Guest Chick: Michelle L. Cullen & #Giveaway

Chicks on the CaseMarch 25, 2026February 18, 202632 Comments

Book Birthday, Mysteries

Happy Book Re-Birthday: Terror in Taffeta

Join us in celebrating a very special book birthday with Marla Cooper! Today marks the relaunch of her Destination Wedding Mysteries. Originally published in hardback by St. Martin’s, TERROR IN TAFFETA is now available in paperback for the first time ever! Amazon | Goodreads ABOUT THE BOOK: Wedding planner Kelsey McKenna is just a few hours away from wrapping up her latest job: a destination … Continue reading Happy Book Re-Birthday: Terror in Taffeta

Chicks on the CaseMarch 24, 2026March 24, 202624 Comments

Mysteries, Vickie Fee

Snowpocalypse comes to town

I usually glance at the next day’s weather forecast on my phone, so I have a general idea of what’s supposed to be coming our way. For about a week recently, I was constantly checking the weather. As most of you know, I live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We get more snow than most people, and I’m accustomed to that since we moved … Continue reading Snowpocalypse comes to town

Vickie FeeMarch 23, 2026March 22, 202632 Comments

Jennifer. J. Chow

Is Writing Really Like A Marathon?

We recently had the Los Angeles Marathon, and two of my family members (spoiler: not me) ran it! It’s been said that writing is like a marathon, but is it really? The quote is often attributed to Robert McKee, and as I combed through running pics, I reflected on this analogy. Here’s my takeaway: SIMILARITIES Mileage 26.2 miles. Friends, this is long. Runners trekked from … Continue reading Is Writing Really Like A Marathon?

Jennifer J. ChowMarch 20, 2026March 18, 202649 Comments

Mysteries

Guest Chick: Laura Jensen Walker #giveaway

Hi, Ellen here, welcoming Laura Jensen Walker back to Chicks. Enjoy her journey from inspiration to publication for her latest mystery – and a giveaway! Authors, have you ever been told, “It won’t sell?” Laura was. But it didn’t stop her… Senior Sleuths – A Look Behind the Scenes of my New Cozy (Giveaway) Thanks so much to Ellen and the Chicks for having me … Continue reading Guest Chick: Laura Jensen Walker #giveaway

Ellen ByronMarch 18, 2026March 5, 202653 Comments

Mysteries

Left Coast’s Author-Reader Connections

I’ve yet to meet a mystery convention I didn’t love. Each offers its own benefits. Thanks to Malice Domestic’s William F. Deeck-Malice Domestic Grant for Unpublished Writers, I have a mystery writing career. I have filled my belly with free hors d’oeuvres at Bouchercon parties hosted by publishers. And Left Coast Crime offers something you won’t find anywhere else: Author-Reader Connections. The concept is simple. … Continue reading Left Coast’s Author-Reader Connections

Ellen ByronMarch 16, 2026March 16, 202636 Comments