You’ve created three successful mystery series: The Allie Cobb Mysteries, The Darcy Gaughan Mysteries, and The Elmo Simpson Mysteries. What inspired you to create these diverse characters and their unique worlds?
Allie came about when my literary agent challenged me to try writing cozy mysteries. I was writing in another genre at the time, and decided, “why not?” I decided Allie had earned a break from solving crime after six books. It was great fun spending time with her and the residents of Rushing Creek, Indiana but after “A Parting Shot,” it was time for a new group of characters. That led me to Darcy, my record store manager turned amateur sleuth. Music has always been a big part of my life and I love the vibe I get when visiting an independent record store. When you add the fact that my younger kiddo was studying Music Education at the time, writing a series with a strong musical influence was a total no-brainer. Elmo and the Paradise Springs oddballs introduced themselves to me in a completely different way. I was on vacation with my wife in Panama City Beach, Florida when the idea came to me to write a cozy mystery along the lines of Catriona McPherson’s Last Ditch Mystery Series with a healthy serving of Carl Hiaasen Florida craziness and Jimmy Buffett tropical seasoning. When it comes to Elmo’s stories, I try to push that envelope every chance I get and have a blast doing so!
As a co-host of The Bookish Hour webcast, how has discussing books with other authors and readers influenced your own writing?
The Bookish Hour is so much fun because I’m a reader and fan every bit as much as I am a writer. I think the biggest personal takeaway is how much creative energy there is in the world. And that everyone crafts their stories in their own way, which is completely okay. That helps remind me to keep an open mind and be open to possibilities when I’m writing.
IndyCar racing is a passion of yours. Have you ever incorporated this interest into your mystery novels, and if so, how?
My Allie and Darcy books are set in small towns in Indiana, so the Indy 500 and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway have been mentioned more than once. That’s been it, so far. A mystery series set in an IndyCar-type world would be so much fun to write. A driver by day who solves mysteries by night. The stories practically write themselves. They do in my head, at least.
Music seems to be a significant part of your life. Does it play a role in your writing process, and do you have any favorite genres or artists that inspire your work?
Music is truly a huge part of my life, and I am so grateful for that. I’ll listen to instrumental music when I’m writing. Jazz and calypso are my go-to genres. They help keep the energy up without being too distracting. Overall, Jimmy Buffett is far and away the individual with the most influence on my writing, especially the Elmo Simpson Mysteries. His music provides a perfect backdrop for Elmo’s fictional hometown of Paradise Springs, Florida. More than that, though, Jimmy’s books, especially Tales from Margaritaville and Where is Joe Merchant?, taught me so much about writing stories
filled with unique characters in bizarre situations.
Living in Indianapolis, how does the city and its surroundings influence your storytelling and the settings of your mysteries?
During the more temperate months, I love being able to write outside. Listening to the birds and the wind rustling through the trees relaxes me, which helps get the creative thoughts going. I’m fortunate to live in an old neighborhood with a lot of mature trees. Having said that, I also appreciate the lure of the small-town vibe so prevalent in cozy mysteries. The change in scenery from city to smaller community is like taking a vacation without having to leave the house.
What do you find most rewarding about writing mystery novels, and what do you
find most challenging?
The most rewarding thing is when people tell me they enjoy my stories. I write because it makes me happy. And I mean that literally. I live with depression and writing helps keep that ever present black cloud at arm’s length. While having something to help me manage my depression is huge, knowing that my stories have a positive impact, even a tiny one, on someone’s life is the most gratifying thing ever. The most challenging thing as a mystery writer is walking that tightrope between writing an engaging whodunnit while playing fair. When readers finish one of my stories, I hope they are surprised by the reveal, but also think the ending makes sense. On the other side of the coin, I don’t want to make clues so obvious that it takes all the fun out of trying to figure out who the murderer is.
You have two grown children. Have your family experiences or relationships
influenced any characters or plots in your books?
Absolutely. My older kiddo lives with a number of physical and mental health conditions. Between their challenges and my depression, it’s become natural for me to include a character or a subplot involving mental health. I’m trying to do what I can to erase the stigma associated with mental health diagnoses. On a happier note, my younger kiddo is a music teacher. I tap into his knowledge of all things musical to make sure I get certain things right. My wife is a genetic counselor who loves genealogy, so the plot of one of my Allie Cobb books involved a twenty-year-old unsolved murder. Getting the genetics and forensic genealogy correct in that book was a challenge, and I couldn’t
have done it without her.
Your cat likely provides some unique company while you write. Does your feline
friend ever inspire any aspects of your characters or stories?
A total lap cat, Maria is my constant companion. Since I work from home for my day job, constant is not an exaggeration! In one way or another, she’s been the basis for all three cats in my books; Ursula, Ringo, and Oscar. My goal is to convey the idea that, despite their reputation to the contrary, cats can be very attentive and loving companions. That’s Maria. Well, that and the fact that she’s always ready for her next meal!
As a bestselling author, what do you think are the key elements to writing a
compelling mystery that keeps readers hooked until the last page?
To me, it all boils down to having characters the readers find compelling. As a cozy mystery author, my amateur sleuths and their friends and family need to be people readers care about and want to root for. Next, the mystery needs to be interesting enough to keep readers following along while also providing enough clues to make the story fair. At the story’s conclusion, I want a reader to be either surprised when the whodunnit is revealed or pleased that they figured it out. A unique setting is a big plus, too.
What advice would you give to aspiring mystery writers who are looking to build
their own successful series?
Remember that writing is a long game. You need time to build a following, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t sell a boatload of books right away. It’s also important to surround yourself with people who will lift you up when you’re having a tough day, tell you the truth when you need it, and care about you as a person. Also, the only competition you have as a writer is with yourself to write the best story you can.
BONUS: What is one book that you would consider to be your comfort read that
you will always reach for?
When I’m in a reading funk, I go to Agatha Christie. I got my start with mysteries when I read And Then There Were None when I was in high school. Murder At the Vicarage and Evil Under the Sun are my personal favorites. I enjoy historical mysteries because they really take me away from the here and now. And you can’t beat a whodunnit by the Queen of Crime Fiction.
About The Author
J.C. Kenney is the bestselling author of The Allie Cobb Mysteries, The Darcy Gaughan Mysteries, and The Elmo Simpson Mysteries. He’s also the co-host of The Bookish Hour webcast. When he’s not writing, you can find him following IndyCar racing or listening to music. He has two grown children and lives in Indianapolis with his wife and a cat.
