When I’m not writing murder mysteries, I’m teaching (or grading…) mostly first generation college students. To keep my classes engaged and interactive, I incorporate a lot of different games into my lessons. Anything from Jenga to Clue to some more obscure games like MicroMacro (think: Richard Scarry books or Where’s Waldo meets a whodunit) or Sign, which is a cooperative roleplaying game or storytelling game about creating a shared language. I like bringing in these alternative activities to make my classes more dynamic, to meet my students where they’re at, and to get them to apply the ideas we’re talking about onto different texts.
This past week was a double whammy for games. In my lower level literature class, I brought in different versions of Clue and we examined the box art and settings in order for them to consider how they will complete their Clue(re)do assignment in which they modernize the game for their world. We talked about closed circle mysteries (in which there is a limited number of suspects, each with a motive, means, and opportunity to commit the crime: think a class Agatha Christie like Murder on the Orient Express or And Then There Were None). Then my students came up with alternative isolated locations that could serve as backdrops for their own Clue boards. Some suggestions were a summer camp, a movie theater, and a fraternity/sorority house – all excellent possibilities for a whodunit.
In my upper level communication class, we’ve been playing a roleplaying game that requires students to collaboratively tell a story based on prompts they pick. They then need to write letters to each other’s characters, expressing what has happened based on the prompt cards and how their characters feel. After they write their letters, they then create a keepsake, remediating their story into their crafted object. Some draw pictures, some use pipe cleaners, feathers, and felt, some use modeling clay. (My office has become a mini-Michaels chockful of art supplies…) Today, as they were sharing their stories, one student was surprised how quickly she had adopted talking about her character in the first person (e.g. “I did this” instead of “my character did this”). This is pretty common when playing a roleplaying game, but it also got me thinking about how we do this in writing too.
With all of my characters, there has to be some point of empathy, some point of identification where I can understand who they are and what their motivations are. Writing and roleplaying often go hand in hand as we try to understand who our characters are and what makes them tick. Sometimes I get asked how much of myself x,y,z character is. None of them are photocopies of me on the page. They’re more like a kaleidoscope of different characteristics I’ve plucked from people (some who I know, some who I’ve merely people-watched and jotted down a memorable quirk or a phrase…). For example, Wren and I are both pretty loyal to our friends, possibly to a fault. But then again, I’m also very much like Charlie: to the point and a bit more introverted (okay, a lot more introverted). Like Jo, I can be very logical (though I may rush to conclusions faster than her…). And while Esther and I are the most different, I can be pretty blunt just like her (though far less charismatic! And far less extroverted). But each of the characters have shiny shards of this and that, refracting together to form their unique identity.
Aside from playing a roleplaying game, the way Wren and the gang are doing in Murder, She Rolled, another great way to express ourselves or to have some fun trying out a new identity is to dress up in costume or cosplay. With Halloween just around the corner (eeks!), I need to start planning my outfit. Last year I was a sheet of notebook paper (because what could be scarier for a writer than the blank page?). This year I might cut out some felt letters and pin them to my costume so I can go as a work in progress…
What might you dress up as (or roleplay) for Halloween? Are you a more traditional ghost or witch? A Marvel superhero? A classic literary figure ala Sherlock Holmes or Miss Marple? Or do you have a favorite costume from your childhood (Snoopy for me) or one that your children or grandchildren wore?
About the author
Shelly Jones is a professor by trade and a nerd by design. Woefully introverted, their pockets are full of post-it notes and their head is full of (unsaid) witty come-backs and un-won arguments from years past. When they aren’t grading papers or writing new cozy mysteries, Shelly can often be found hiking in the woods or playing a board game while their cats look on.
There’s a crispness in the air, pumpkins on porches, and just the slightest chill that says: it’s time to curl up with a good book. And what better companion than a cozy mystery full of clever clues, charming towns, and sleuths who always follow their instincts?
This October, Tule Publishing is celebrating the season with our Mystery Month Sale, and it’s as comforting as your favorite sweater (with just a dash of murder on the side 😌).
🧁 What’s the scoop?
From October 1 to 31, we’re offering exclusive discounts on all Tule mystery titles published through September 2025. That means plenty of cozy capers, clean mysteries, and small-town secrets—perfect for fall reading.
📚 Where can you find them?
Visit us at TulePublishing.com or on Amazon to grab your next great escape.
🍂 Why you’ll love it:
Because cozy mysteries are more than just solving the case. They’re about:
Baked goods and bookshops
Gossip and gardening
Cats who always seem to know more than they let on
Lovable locals and stubborn sheriffs
Amateurs with big hearts and even bigger instincts
Whether you’re returning to a beloved series or discovering a new fictional town to fall in love with, we’ve got the perfect read to pair with your favorite blanket and a mug of something warm.
So light a candle, settle in, and get ready for a month full of charming mysteries and cozy vibes. 🕯️📖
A Halloween checklist for the magically suspicious
Waking up with no memory is rough. Waking up with no memory, a talking cat and psychic visions of murder? Your next thought might: Maybe I’m a witch! That’s ✨classic✨ Halloween chaos and exactly what happens to Sakara Decker, Ava’s cousin in The Witch Wears Prada.
Here’s a spooky season checklist to find out if you might be a witch… and just forgot.
1. You touch people and immediately know too much
Suddenly you’re picking up vibes, thoughts, or full-blown flashbacks.
Did you gain a sixth sense or just get cursed by a love potion gone wrong?
2. A black cat won’t stop following you
And not in a “feed me snacks” way.
He’s watching you like he knows something — and honestly?
You’re starting to believe he might talk.
3. You keep getting déjà vu… for things that haven’t happened yet
You knew your ex was going to text you before he did.
You predicted your coworker’s weird Halloween party drama before it unfolded.
You might call it intuition.
The universe calls it premonition.
4. Your diary/journal/spellbook is full of spells and potions you don’t remember writing
Did you actually jot down “How To Get Over Your Ex By Giving Yourself Amnesia,”
or is that just your inner witch trying to protect you from getting back together with your ex?
5. You showed up for Halloween… and it felt like someone else showed up with you
You swear you were just here for the pumpkin cupcakes.
Now you’re in the middle of a murder investigation with your cousin, hearing voices and possibly cursed.
Oops.
Bonus points if there’s frosting involved.
If this all sounds familiar, there’s a story in Clover Creek you might want to read this Halloween.
It’s short, spooky, and involves a mind-reading witch with amnesia, a cousin who just wants a chill October, and a talking cat who’s had enough of your memory problems.
Check out my fun Halloween short-story:The Witch Wears Prada that finally explains where Ava’s missing cousin Sakara went off to and what she’s been up to for the last ten years!!
About the author
Lisa Siefert is a USA Today Bestselling Mystery Author who writes humorous cozy mysteries. She dedicates all of her free time to testing out different latte flavors at every coffee shop she comes across and has never once skimped on dessert because life is too short not to. She lives in San Diego with Lucky, her own devious but adorable Abyssinian kitten. She excels at recounting every Hallmark Movie plot ever conceived and can also whip up a mean batch of mint chocolate chip ice cream.
Her books feature amateur women sleuths that always believe in silver linings despite all of the murderous clouds surrounding them. Be sure to check out her website: www.lisasiefert.com.
Hi, cozy reader friends! This is DeAnna Drake, author of the Purr-fect Relic Cozy Mysteries, and today is extra special for me—I’m celebrating the release of Whiskers and Ciphers, the sixth book in the series, and I’m absolutely thrilled to be back to share a little peek behind the scenes of how I write these stories.
When I first sat down to brainstorm the Purr-fect Relic series, I knew two things for certain: there would be an offbeat antique shop filled with Egyptian artifacts, and there would absolutely be a talking cat. What I didn’t realize then was just how much life (and delightful chaos) that talking cat would bring to the series.
Aneksi, the fluffy feline who partners with Rebecca Cuthbert, wasn’t just an afterthought—she was the first character to spring to life. I wanted a cat who wasn’t simply cute (though she certainly is that), but one who had her own wisdom, her own voice, and her own secrets. In fact, Aneksi’s roots stretch all the way back to Cleopatra’s court, which gives her a timeless charm—and a slightly mischievous streak—that fits perfectly with the cursed artifacts and small-town mysteries swirling around Citrus Grove.
Writing a talking cat character has been one of the most enjoyable parts of this series, but it also comes with its share of challenges. For one thing, Aneksi isn’t a human in a fur coat. She’s a cat—with a cat’s priorities, instincts, and worldview. That means she might notice things a human wouldn’t (a suspicious scent, a strange twitch of a tail), or she might stubbornly refuse to help unless there’s a promise of tuna involved. Keeping her reactions authentic to her feline nature while still making her an integral part of solving mysteries is something that’s always on my mind.
There’s also the matter of secrecy. Aneksi’s ability to speak is still a carefully guarded secret. Only Rebecca and a small circle of trusted allies know the truth. That adds an extra layer of tension (and comedy) to many scenes. Imagine trying to have a serious conversation with your talking cat about a cursed relic… while pretending she’s just purring in your lap!
In Whiskers and Ciphers, Aneksi’s talents take center stage like never before. When a visiting Egyptologist is murdered and a shadowy group known as the Consortium begins closing in on a dangerous artifact, Rebecca needs more than just her own sleuthing skills. Aneksi’s ancient knowledge, sharp instincts, and occasional tiger form become essential in unraveling the cryptic journal at the heart of the mystery. Her observations lead Rebecca down unexpected paths, and her magical abilities help protect the people she loves when danger strikes far too close to home.
I think part of why talking animal sidekicks are so irresistible in cozy mysteries is because they combine the comfort of a beloved pet with the cleverness of a true partner-in-crime-solving. They offer unconditional loyalty, a sounding board for the heroine’s worries, and in Aneksi’s case, a healthy dose of snark and sage advice. Plus, there’s something inherently magical about imagining that the creatures we love most might have a lot more to say than we realize.
Writing Aneksi has been, and continues to be, a purr-fect joy (and occasional hilarious headache). And in Whiskers and Ciphers, she proves once again that behind every great sleuth… there just might be an adorable talking cat.
About the author
DeAnna Drake is an award-winning author who writes witty and whimsical cozy mysteries filled with magical animals and feisty heroines who are always striving to balance the scales of justice in an offbeat world.
Under different names, DeAnna writes young-adult fantasy fiction, contemporary romances, and historical novels set in the Victorian and Edwardian eras.
When she isn’t plotting new adventures for her characters, she’s a craft addict, drinks too much tea, inge watches crime dramas, and escapes to Disneyland whenever she can.
She lives in Southern California with her family, which includes her two favorite people and one ridiculously pampered border collie.
For as long as I can remember, I have loved a good mystery. As a small child I devoured the Cam Jansen series about a young sleuth with a photographic memory, before eventually transitioning to Nancy Drew. I had stacks of those beloved yellow-covered Nancy Drew books and would stay up late, hiding under the blankets with a flashlight, to figure out whodunnit. I then turned to Sherlock Holmes, and as a pre-teen was reading Mary Higgins Clark novels. Of course, I also consumed lots of other mystery media as a child of the 80s and 90s from Scooby Doo to Murder, She Wrote to Columbo. Now shows like Ludwig, Death in Paradise, and Father Brown fill my to-be-watched lists.
Despite this lifelong love of mysteries, it somehow didn’t occur to me to write one until just a few years ago. Before then, I had written a lot of speculative short fiction and poetry, often focused on nature, another love of mine. Perhaps I was intimidated by the daunting task of leaving a trail of breadcrumbs for someone else. Or perhaps it was simply I had never written a novel – the sheer length of the medium overwhelming me. But after reading a few cozy mysteries for fun, my mind followed the path out of the woods, and I started plotting. So many cozies are about crafting or knitting (something I also do for fun), but there didn’t seem to be many about my other favorite hobby: board games.
In addition to the stacks of books that fill my house, there are also piles of board games. I am not a very social person (which is to say I am a major introvert). But I do enjoy sitting around a table with a few close friends and playing a game. This is probably because, ultimately, I love a puzzle. I love figuring stuff out. Whether it’s the mystery of the hidden staircase ala Nancy Drew, or which action I should take on my next turn, I enjoy mulling over all the possibilities and coming up with a solution to try out (“Colonel Mustard in the Library with the Wrench!”). Now that I think about it, this is probably why I also liked Chemistry in high school and was on the Science Olympiad team…did I mention I was a big nerd, or had you already figured that out?
If you also like the occasional board game or other nerdy hobbies, then my new cozy mystery, Player Elimination, might be a good fit for you. Wren Winters and her friends love to get together on a Thursday evening to catch up on each others’ lives and play games. Whether it’s a complex strategy game, a zany party game, or a cooperative story-telling game, Wren and the others know there’s something out there for everyone to enjoy. How about you? Is it Scrabble with your razor-sharp grandma who always triple-word scores, or Ticket to Ride with the kids, or Mahjong with your besties? What do you like to play on a cozy game night?
About the Author
Shelly Jones is a professor by trade and a nerd by design. Woefully introverted, their pockets are full of post-it notes and their head is full of (unsaid) witty come-backs and un-won arguments from years past. When they aren’t grading papers or writing new cozy mysteries, Shelly can often be found hiking in the woods or playing a board game while their cats look on.
My sister and I grew up hearing our fun-loving mom say ‘We’re having an adventure’ anytime best laid plans went awry. It was her way to spin a wrong turn into an enjoyable side trip. I began writing A BRUSH WITH MURDER knowing it’d be a high stakes sailing regatta story. Amidst the turmoil of the Shepherd sisters’ race to save their father, I realized that the three sisters were just different versions of me and my sister.
When I was eight, around Mollie’s age, my veteran-Marine-turned-high-school teacher dad became a sailor. He bought a used red sixteen-foot sailboat and named it Tomato Sloop. After building his captain skills and confidence, he slowly traded up until his final sailboat, a thirty-something-foot yacht named Snowbird. When he was sailing or racing in regattas on one of the Great Lakes, he was home.
One day, when we were still sailing on little Tomato Sloop, we encountered a storm while out on the water. The sky suddenly went dark, wind kicking up and tossing us into growing waves while we were pelted with small hailstones mixed into the rain. My mom’s words, “Don’t worry; we’re having an adventure,’ almost convinced me and my sister that all would be okay. But in a flash of lightning and clap of thunder, the sidestay keeping the tall mast upright snapped, the metal cable smacking against the rigging. The boat listed to one side from the weight of the partially untethered mast. The mainsail flapped and cracked in the wind, heavy lines and metal grommets whipping about. My sister and I scrambled to the high side of the cockpit and watched water pour over the railing into the boat. The top of the mast kissed the choppy, churning water. One of us screamed.
Somehow, my dad got control of the mainsail, tightening it and the boom and pulling the keeling boat back from the tipping point just long enough to sail aground onto a peninsula, bringing us to safety.
‘Don’t worry; we’re having an adventure,’ was a pretty effective way to tamp down any anxiety or fear in unpredictable situations. It usually worked. But that day on the boat, amid the chaos making eight-year-old me imagine I might die of drowning in a shipwreck, it was my dad’s calm that kept me from completely losing it. I’m sure he was scared. But he ordered us to the high side, checked our life jackets were tight and our white-knuckled fists grasped the deck railing and got us to safety. As a kid, I remember thinking the boat didn’t capsize because he refused to let it. I didn’t know the mast was still somewhat secured by the forestay and shrouds on the opposite side. My mother’s sunny point of view gave me the option to see a catastrophe as a quest. My dad’s quiet strength gave me the courage to embark on the journey.
Savanna Shepherd and her sisters never shy away from adventure—even when that adventure is disguised as a daunting or dangerous mission. I am certain their mother Charlotte has uttered those same words to them—‘Don’t worry; we’re having an adventure!’
About the author
Tracy Gardner is an Edgar Award nominated author of two cozy mystery series, one recent novel earning a spot on New York Public Library’s Best 100 Books list. Tracy also writes book club fiction with heart and grit under pen name Jess Sinclair. A Detroit native with one foot in the sand of Florida’s Gulf Coast, Tracy is a mother of three, the daughter of two teachers, and works as a nurse when not writing. She lives with her husband and a menagerie of spoiled rescue dogs and cats who inspire every fictional pet she writes.
