Category: cozy mystery

Guest Blogger ~ C.B. Wilson

~ patyjag ~ 3 Comments

Research

A doggone nightmare or puppy love?

Research is a crucial part of writing for many writers. Some love it, while others hate it. Some writers enjoy it so much they go down that rabbit hole and never get around to writing the story. Others dread it, afraid facts will irrevocably change the story. I fall somewhere in between. Research inspires me. In my latest book, Labradored to Death, Barkview Mysteries book 8, not only did the focus of my book change but a spin-off series was born. You see, I fell in love. (Don’t tell my husband.)

I must admit that I’ve never been a big baseball fan. Sure, I enjoy a sunny afternoon at the ballpark once in a while, but the 7th inning stretch was my cue to scado. Then I met baseball’s bat dogs! These dogs are the new bat boys and work in about ten minor league baseball stadiums. Ripken, Finn, Rookie, Brooks, Turbo, and Miss Lou Lou Gehrig, to name a few. These dogs are amazingly well-trained athletes. I know. I had the pleasure of spending a game on the baseball field with Ripken, the Durham Bulls’ bat dog.

I confess I am starstruck by the black Labrador Retriever. Here’s what happened: It was the bottom of the second. Score 0-0. No hits. Durham Bulls are at bat. The batter hits a double. The crowd cheers. Ripken runs past home plate and down the first base line to retrieve the hitter’s discarded bat. The ENTIRE stadium comes to its feet, chanting, “Ripken, Ripken!” 

The dog didn’t even take a bow. He glanced up at the crowd, bobbed his head (Yes, he did), and returned the bat to the dugout. It was exciting. I was ready for more. Unfortunately, the Bulls weren’t a hitting machine that night. However, they did win 3-2. The real surprise came after the Lab left the field. I figured it was time for a well-earned treat. Not a chance. Ripken barely made it off the grass before fans surrounded him. (Brought a whole new meaning to paw-o-graphs.)  Is it any wonder the dog’s a fan favorite? With 500,000 social media followers, Ripken, the bat dog, is Durham’s dog.

Talk about a game-changer. Ripken’s story needed to be told. I started by going back to school—puppy school, to be exact—and learning what it took to train these special bat dogs. Black and yellow Labs, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds all make popular candidates. The first skill a bat dog must have is the desire to retrieve.

I won’t get into how to train a dog to retrieve. If the skill is natural, that’s the easy part. To be a bat dog, not only does the dog need to learn to fetch the bat, but he also needs to learn NOT to return with anything except the bat, which is problematic. Who knew the baseball diamond had so many distractions? A successful bat dog must ignore everything from shin guards and baseballs to unwanted food items. The dog must retrieve JUST the bat. Every time. Without fail. Did I tell you the bat likely has sticky pine tar on the handle? (ICK! I don’t even want to know what that tastes like.) Wait a minute. The dog must also remain laser-focused while 20,000+ people call out his name.

Have all the above bases been covered? (Pun intended!) Now, get ready for ambassador duty. That’s right. Bat dogs are required to sit for selfies, pets, hugs, and baseball cards while being mobbed by hundreds of fans coming at them from every angle. To say this job isn’t for every dog is an understatement.  

It takes a special dog—a one-in-a-million star. So, why are these dogs ONLY used in the minor leagues? They are all fan favorites. With millions of social media followers, why is Major League Baseball dissing these talented athletes? It looks like a serious case of dog-crimination.  I hope Major League Baseball does some research and comes to the same conclusion about the bat dogs’ contributions. Please encourage them by joining me in signing a petition that I will send to Ron Manfred, the commissioner of Major League Baseball, to encourage them to include these pups in major league play. You can find the petition on my website at www.cbwilsonauthor.com. 

:Labradored to Death

A daring heist, an epic fire, and a dog who holds all the cards. 

Has America’s pastime gone to the dogs? Bat boys replaced by bat dogs! Cat Hawl, KDOG’s editor-in-chief, has a bone to pick with professional baseball. When a million-dollar baseball card is stolen and a celebrity bat dog’s collar is discovered at the crime scene, she learns exactly how high the stakes are.

Barkview’s iconic candy company, Canine Caramel, teeters on bankruptcy while stolen sports memorabilia flood the market and sabotage strikes the baseball museum. The evidence neatly leads to the missing baseball card. Or is it just a diabolical misdirection?

With the town full of die-hard baseball fans, Cat and the fearless bat dog must uncover a conspiracy before the seventh-inning stretch.

QUOTE:

***** Its quirky humor and intelligent banter give it the feel of a Nancy Drew and Miss Marple murder mystery hybrid with an even more exciting conclusion. Reviewed by Essien Asian for Readers’ Favorite

BUY LINKS:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CWPYZH9D

The award-winning author of the critically acclaimed Barkview Mysteries series, C.B. Wilson’s love of writing was spurred by an early childhood encounter with a Nancy Drew book where she precociously wrote what she felt was a better ending. After studying at the Gemology Institute of America, she developed a passion for researching lost, stolen and missing diamonds–the big kind. Her fascination with dogs and their passionate owners inspired Barkview, California, the dog friendliest city in America.

C.B. lives in Peoria, AZ with her husband. She is an avid pickleball player who enjoys traveling to play tournaments. She admits to chocoholic tendencies and laughing out loud at dog comics.

Socials:  https://linktr.ee/cbwilsonauthor

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/cbwilsonauthor

Instagram: www.instagram.com@cbwilsonauthor

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1HfOVqN7aBccTW70_wlL0w

tikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@author.cb.wilson

Merging Fact With Fiction by Karen Shughart

~ kshughart47 ~ 2 Comments

I’ve been a contributing blogger for Ladies of Mystery for roughly five years, and initially, at the beginning of each year, I made a list of the topics I wanted to write about for each month. But a year or two ago I decided to be a bit more flexible and instead of sticking to the script, so to speak, to write about what motivated me at the time.

When I began to think about what to write for this month’s blog, at first I came up with a blank–some months are easier than others–and after that I considered writing something about Valentine’s Day or Presidents’ Day. Somehow neither felt right, and I couldn’t think of anything original to say about the topics. Then I decided that because February is also Black History Month I’d write about the third book in my Edmund DeCleryk cozy mystery series, Murder at Freedom Hill, which is about the murder of the beloved, biracial mayor of the fictional village of Lighthouse Cove, NY, whose body is found on the path leading to the beach at a historical site called Freedom Hill on the south shore of Lake Ontario

Freedom Hill is a real historic site a short drive from our house where before and during the Civil War, through an intricate, dynamic and well-developed Underground Railroad system, escaping slaves fled down a path to boats that would transport them across the lake to freedom in Canada. At that same time Maxwell Settlement, upon which the fictional Macyville in the book is loosely based, was a thriving community of freed people of color who worked along side abolitionists to help those slaves escape.

In the book, when criminal consultant, Ed, is hired to investigate the mayor’s murder he wonders if the crime might be racially motivated and related to an exhibit the mayor had been working on with Ed’s wife, Annie, head of the local historical society and museum. The exhibit’s focus is on Macyville and the mayor’s ancestors, both Black and White, who lived there, but a critical piece of information the mayor had promised to provide is missing.

The historical society, with help from the mayor, has also obtained a grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to restore Macyville, which had fallen into disrepair after its residents left for better opportunities after the Civil War, and a fire destroyed it in the 1920s (the real settlement remains in ruins, but there’s a historic marker designating the site). Annie is working with contractors to assure the project will be completed in time for July 4th weekend festivities, but she suspects that someone is trying to stop it from moving forward. Is the mayor’s death related, or is something else afoot?

I enjoyed doing the research for this book and merging fact with fiction- as I do with all the books in my series- but for some reason this particular period of history has always fascinated me. It was gratifying to learn how so many of our residents played a critical role in helping to shelter fleeing slaves from capture before transporting them to freedom.

Karen Shughart is the author of the Edmund DeCleryk cozy mystery series, published by Cozy Cat Press, including the award-winning book three, Murder at Freedom Hill.  All books are available in Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, paperback, and Audible. She is a member of CWA ( Crime Writers Association of the UK-North America Chapter) and F.L.A.R.E ( Finger Lakes Authors and Readers Experience).

The Peace That Follows Chaos by Karen Shughart

~ kshughart47 ~ 4 Comments

December is chaotic here on the south shore of Lake Ontario in New York state, but in a good way. It’s busy and a lot of fun, but by New Year’s Day we’re exhausted and ready for some quiet time. The season starts the weekend after Thanksgiving, but then the entire month is filled with parties, shopping flings, festivals, gift exchanges, impromptu gatherings, and food – lots, and lots of food – both the cooking and eating of it.

Decorating is big up here, and although we don’t do much of that, just a little festive touch or two both in-and-outside our house, many friends and neighbors go full bore, hoping to win or place in a contest sponsored by our Neighborhood Association for the best outdoor decorating. And many of them do.  Frankly, it’s quite impressive, and more than a little magical.

Now it’s January. The decorations have been stored away for another year, the snowbirds who flew north for the holiday have migrated south again to spend the rest of the winter in warmer, sunnier climes. The days are a bit longer, and while that’s certainly good news, they’re a bit grayer, too, and there’s more chance of snow. While we loved the hustle and bustle of the previous month, we breathe a sigh of relief.

We greet our like-minded neighbors when we walk each morning, but other than the roar of the waves crashing on the beach or the sound of the wind, it’s quiet. A couple restaurants and almost all the shops have closed until spring, and there’s not much traffic, hardly a vehicle to be seen traversing through our streets.

Now our gatherings are small ones: intimate dinners with friends at the restaurants that remain open; a pot of soup or chili with a small group at our house on a Sunday evening; a ladies’ night out; or for my husband, the regathering of his summer golf group for lunch and playtime at a virtual, indoor facility.  I happily resume my yoga classes. We venture to the city to take advantage of the cultural offerings there: a symphony; a Broadway show presented by a traveling touring company; or special exhibits at museums and galleries.

I’d been making good progress with the fourth book of my cozy series, but during December that project was mostly put on hold. This is the month when I commit to moving forward with my writing, and have been spending at least part of each day expanding the story as I continue with the first draft. Then, later in the afternoon, I read, fire burning in the fireplace, a cup of tea in hand.

Some friends and family who don’t live where we do wonder how we manage during this time of quiet and isolation, with weather that’s fickle and can change in a minute or two. For us it’s a time of centering and peacefulness, and it’s very beautiful with white caps on the water, grey skies intermittently clearing for brilliant blue and bright sun, starry nights, and a landscape dotted with wheat, rust, faded green and brown. Because many of the trees are barren of leaves, I can see the lake and bay and the tops of the two lighthouses that flank each end of our village beach from several rooms in our house.

By March, we’ll be ready for a change and begin to search for signs of spring: daffodils peaking above the thawing ground; buds starting to swell on trees and bushes; a greening of the grass. But for now, we’re enjoying the peace that follows chaos.

A member of Crime Writers’ Association of the UK ( CWA), North America chapter, Karen Shughart is the author of the Edmund DeCleryk cozy mystery series, published by Cozy Cat Press, including the award-winning Murder at Freedom Hill.  All books have historical backstories that provide clues to why the crime was committed, and recipes at the end. They are available in Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, paperback, and Audible.

Let There Be Light by Karen Shughart

~ kshughart47 ~ 2 Comments

My husband and I live in a charming maritime village on the south shore of Lake Ontario in New York, the prototype for Lighthouse Cove, the village where my Edmund DeCleryk cozies are set. This time of year in our village activities surrounding the holidays abound, and there truly is something to do for people of all ages: festivals; tree lightings; parades; caroling; shopping and dining opportunities, and a judged competition for the best outside holiday decorations.

 I especially like writing about the seasons in my books. In my third, Murder at Freedom Hill, the crime occurs just before Thanksgiving with the investigation continuing through the entire holiday season. I enjoy describing how the folks living in Lighthouse Cove celebrate, with light-filled activities that juxtapose the dark, horrific murder that has occurred.

Ed, a retired Navy SEAL and former police chief, now works as a criminal consultant who is hired by the current police chief to solve the crime. His wife, Annie, head of the local historical society and museum, curates exhibits, organizes special events, and because of the historical backstories that frame each crime, often becomes involved in the investigation.

One of these special events occurs early in December, when the days are short and darkness prevails. A Festival of Lights, held on the grounds of the museum, provides diverse groups with an opportunity to showcase the ways in which light plays an important role in their cultures during this time of year:

Photo courtesy of Lyle Shughart

“The Holiday Festival of Lights was held in the park next to the museum the following Saturday evening and started at dusk. Tall stadium field lights provided illumination, and the museum staff and volunteers had strung multi-colored holiday lights on bushes and around tree trunks. Several portable fire pits had been placed at strategic spots near park benches to provide warmth.

The Neighborhood Association maintained a booth that offered free hot chocolate and cookies. Other booths, with representatives from local Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu congregations, offered information about their holiday customs including the significance of light, and samples of traditional holiday food.

Santa ambled through the crowd passing out wrapped red and white candy. A group from near Tug Hill brought live reindeer, tame enough to pet. Children hopped on the back of a fire truck, a huge wreath on its hood, for a ride around the block, speakers blaring seasonal winter songs.

A large evergreen tree located in the middle of the park was festooned with multi-colored lights; a Chanukah menorah, Kwanzaa kinara, and clay diyas—oil lamps representing the Hindu holiday of Diwali—flanked the tree on large tables on either side.

Towards the end of the evening, the high school student chorus handed out sheets for a sing-along and led the community in a diverse selection of melodies representing all the groups at the festival.”

A definition of the symbolism of light from the National Gallery of the UK states: “Across cultures, light is an ancient symbol of understanding and intellectual thought: it is the opposite of ignorance, or darkness. Almost universally, the dark is …frightening and sinister, associated with things we cannot understand. Light is said to conquer darkness and to bring order out of chaos.”

We all need a little light in our lives this time of year, so, let there be light!

Guest Blogger ~ Zaida Alfaro

~ patyjag ~ 1 Comment

Many years ago, I became an avid reader of cozy mysteries.  The story lines were intriguing, engaging, and funny at the same time.  I was so inspired by the authors’ novels, that I then decided to take my musical experiences, and put it on paper.  Because I write what I know, I would say that 80% of the plot and characters are drawn from real life experiences, except for the murders!  Luckily, I have never been involved in a crime investigation.  I was born and raised in Miami, and like the novel’s main character Vy, I am a singer/songwriter, Grammy considered, independent artist, and I was the lead singer for a cover band in Miami.  When I wrote my first book, The Last Note: A Miami Murder Mystery, the drummer of my band was a homicide detective, so when it came to the murders and the how to, he was the one I would go to with a list of questions.  For my sequel, In the Key of Dead: A Miami Music Mystery, I am fortunate enough to be friends with a retired homicide detective that helped me with the murders this time around.  I had to do extensive research on the weight of an electric guitar, and how fatal the swing of the guitar had to be in order to deem a person unconscious.   Vy’s phobias, the dream sequences, and the quirkiness of the other characters, are all based on facts as well.  No friend of mine is safe.  I do get their permission for use of characters, and I ask what they want their character to be named.  Surprisingly enough, many of my new supporting characters, wanted to use their birth-given name.  After getting their okay to continue, the same question was asked by each one of them, “Are you going to kill me off?”  I would always respond with, “Don’t make me upset, and I will consider keeping your character alive.”  Overall, the love I have for Miami, the Cuban culture, my family, and music, are drawn from my life, my experiences, and who I am surrounded by.

While reading my books, I hope readers will laugh, fall in love with a character, relate to a character, but most importantly, I want the reader to escape from the real world for a few hours.  Having readers say they enjoyed reading my book and commenting that they could not figure out the identity of the murderer is rewarding.  But the most rewarding feeling is knowing that I was able to make my dream of becoming an author a reality.

IN THE KEY OF DEAD: A Miami Music Mystery

Killer songs and a killer voice land Vy in yet another melodic murder mystery. Interlude Records has signed Vy to a long-anticipated record deal after years of rejections, but she never thought that murder would be part of the deal. Now, Vy finds herself, yet again, at the center of a murder investigation that may change the course of her music career.

It seems that someone doesn’t want Vy to record her album, and is doing everything to sabotage the release date, including murdering a key member of the production team. So Vy and her sister, Alexia, are back at it again—detecting in their own way. This time they’re using their quick-witted banter, and super sleuthing skills to ensure that Vy’s record makes it to the Billboard Top 100 list before the murderer makes it to the Miami Beach Police Department’s most wanted list.

They say the music industry is cutthroat, but Vy has never taken that statement literally. Could this be the strum of Vy’s guitar playing her last note IN THE KEY OF DEAD?

https://www.amazon.com/Key-Dead-Miami-Music-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0CDHHNMBP

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The Miami Music Mystery series’ main backdrop, the amazing city of Miami, Florida, is beloved and well-known to me.  I was born and raised in Miami, and like the novel’s main character Vy, I am a singer/songwriter, Grammy considered, independent artist.  All things relating to music or literature are my passion. 

Many years ago, I became an avid reader of cozy mysteries.  The story lines were intriguing, engaging, and funny at the same time.  I was so inspired by the authors, that I then decided to take my musical experiences, and put it on paper.  I published my first novel, The Last Note, a Miami Music Mystery.  Now, I have brought my characters back to life, in the sequel, In the Key of Dead, a Miami Music Mystery.  The phobia’s, the dream sequences, and the quirkiness of the characters, are all based on facts.  I hope that I was able to, once again, show the readers of my novels, the love I have for Miami, the Cuban culture, my family, and music.

You can visit the following websites for find out more about my books and music:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Zaida-Alfaro/author/B079TD61KP

FaceBook:  www.facebook.com/zaidaauthor

Instagram: www.instagram.com/zaidamusic

Twitter: www.twitter.com/zaidamusic

Website: www.zaidamusic.com