The Mystery Blog
Monster Mashing in Paradise Springs
Greetings, victims, I mean, friends, and welcome to my not-so-spooky Tule Halloween Festival post. If you’ve read any of my Elmo Simpson Mysteries, you know the town of Paradise Springs, Florida is filled with unusual characters. If you haven’t, there’s no better time...
Mistletoe, Mochas, and Murder: Candy Canes and Crimes Release Day
Mistletoe, mochas, and murder. When a Christmastime killer strikes, can one amateur sleuth save the festivities from chocolate-covered ruin? Ava Decker craves clarity. Stuck in limbo while her maybe-boyfriend takes flight overseas, the sarcastic pastry chef buries her...
Murder, She Taught: Games, Characters, and Costumes in the Classroom with Shelly Jones on Release Day!
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...
Murder, Mayhem & Maple Leaves: October’s Mystery Book Haul
GIVEAWAY: Because who doesn’t love FREE books? We will pick ONE winner to receive a digital book of their choice from the September mystery releases. Comment down below saying which book you’re looking most forward to reading! Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY. The...
Cozy Up with a Good Mystery — It’s Mystery Month at Tule!
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...
5 Signs You Might Secretly Be a Phoebe Halliwell Witch (and Just Forgot)
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...
The Charm (and Chaos) of Writing a Talking Cat Character
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...
Crime Scenes & Cream Puffs: This Month’s Mystery Line-Up
GIVEAWAY: Because who doesn’t love FREE books? We will pick ONE winner to receive a digital book of their choice from the September mystery releases. Comment down below saying which book you’re looking most forward to reading! Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY. The...
Books, Board Games, and Breadcrumbs: Why I Finally Wrote a Cozy Mystery
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...
A Brush With Murder: Adventure or Danger?
“Don’t worry; we’re having an adventure!” 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...