Vanessa A. Ryan's Blog, page 4

Four of the Best Cozy Mystery Series Available

Agatha Raisin by M.C. Beaton
Agatha Raisin is a woman in her fifties who moves from the city of London to the Cotswolds after retiring. The testy, outspoken and brash Agatha is always jealous of other women and is always looking for the next good looking guy. When it comes to being a sleuth, she’s a genius, and she always manages to catch her criminal and solve her crime.
There are 23 books in this series, and the first one is called “Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death.”
Coffeehouse by Cleo Coyle
A successful coffeehouse owner in New York called Clare Cosi helps a local detective solve murders as her handsome ex-husband Matteo helps her run her coffee shop. A very entertaining series that is currently comprises 11 novels—the first one is called “On What Grounds” and is highly recommended.
Aunt Dimity by Nancy Atherton
An American moves to the Cotswolds in England to claim an inheritance left to her by her mother’s best friend, who is strangely enough named Aunt Dimity. Lori soon stumbles upon a local murder and finds a blank journal—possessed by the helpful ghost of none other than Aunt Dimity.
One of the most cozy of cozy series with few deaths. The “Aunt Dimity” series is currently made up of 18 books and begins with “Aunt Dimity’s Death.”
Hamish MacBeth by M.C. Beaton
An intelligent Scottish policeman called Hamish MacBeth prefers to spend time in the rural settings rather than solve crimes and unmask murders. He is, however, talented at solving crimes but is known as the village idiot.
This series is comprises 28 books and starts with “Death of a Gossip.”


Vanessa A. Ryan is the author of:
 Horror At The Lake, A Vampire Tale mystery trilogy:
Book 1, The Legacy Of Fear -- order now 
Book 2, The Trail Of Terror -- order now Book 3, The Blood Of Redemption -- order now


A Palette For Murder - order now

Follow  Vanessa A. Ryan  at:
  https://twitter.com/vryan333
http://vanessaryanwriter.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/VanessaRyan33
http://www.amazon.com/author/vryan

The Disappearance of Agatha Christie

On Friday, 3rd December, 1926, Agatha Christie kissed her sleeping seven-year-old daughter goodnight and went downstairs. She left the house and climbed into her Morris Cowley and drove off into the night—not to be seen again for almost two weeks.
Her disappearance was the stuff of which her own books were made—the most famous writer in the world had one thousand policemen searching for her—along with scores of fans; and for the very first time, planes were used to search for the missing cozy mystery writer.
With the Home Secretary, William Joynson-Hicks, urging the police to find the missing celebrity, two of her contemporaries, Dorothy L. Sayers and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, were asked to join the search and use their unique knowledge to help find Christie. Neither proved to be of much use.
The police did eventually find her car—abandoned on a slope near Guildford—but there were no clues to the whereabouts of Agatha Christie, and there was nothing to suggest that she had been in an accident.
As the days rolled on, there were still no leads. The press were wild with theories and ideas, and there was even talk that the author had drowned herself in a spring near to where her car had been abandoned.
Her body was not found, and suicide was ruled out. The police investigated her private life and found no reason to suspect any kind of personal hardship. Her latest book was selling, and she was a huge household name.
There were critics who said that her disappearance was all a publicity stunt to promote her latest book. There were those who said she had been murdered by her husband, Archie, who was well known to have a mistress. As the rumours kept spreading, the story hit the front pages of the New York Times.
Eleven days after her disappearance, she was found safe in a hotel in Harrogate. Christie had no idea how she had ended up there, and the police had no clues to help them put together the story. They concluded that she had left home, travelled to London and had crashed her car on the way. They say she had taken a train to Harrogate and checked into the Swan Hotel with no luggage of any kind. She used the name Theresa Neele, which happened to be the name of her husband's mistress.
Christie never spoke about the eleven days she spent missing. Many have tried to piece it together, but no living person knows the truth. It’s the perfect mystery from the biggest selling author of all time. 


Vanessa A. Ryan is the author of:
 Horror At The Lake, A Vampire Tale mystery trilogy:
Book 1, The Legacy Of Fear -- order now 
Book 2, The Trail Of Terror -- order now Book 3, The Blood Of Redemption -- order now


A Palette For Murder - order now

Follow  Vanessa A. Ryan  at:
  https://twitter.com/vryan333
http://vanessaryanwriter.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/VanessaRyan33
http://www.amazon.com/author/vryan

The Ingredients of a Cozy Mystery

1. The villain is always caught and punished at the end of the story.
2. Extensive violence, sex, or bad language is never shown on scene. There may be references to these off scene.
3.  The murders are usually bloodless and, in many cases, committed before the story even starts.
4. The sleuth solving the case is normally an amateur, likeable person with few faults and a lot of good values. He or she usually has a job that is unrelated to her detective work and is normally an everyday person.
5. The sleuth is usually extremely analytical and can pick up clues, make connections and discover possible suspects with relative ease.
6. There are rarely serial killers or mass murderers in cozy mysteries. The usual crimes in cozy mysteries are greed or a big dose of revenge.
7. The setting for a cozy is usually limited so there is a small pool of suspects for the sleuth to interrogate. It may be a small town, neighborhood, an English manor or even a circus.
8. The sleuth often ends up being the target of the murderer due to her investigation.
9. The cozy mystery is normally a slow, unfolding story that gradually reveals the clues and normally has a surprise ending.
10. There is often a romance in the cozy mystery—but it is never overdone.


Vanessa A. Ryan is the author of:
 Horror At The Lake, A Vampire Tale mystery trilogy:
Book 1, The Legacy Of Fear -- order now 
Book 2, The Trail Of Terror -- order now Book 3, The Blood Of Redemption -- order now


A Palette For Murder - order now

Follow  Vanessa A. Ryan  at:
  https://twitter.com/vryan333
http://vanessaryanwriter.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/VanessaRyan33
http://www.amazon.com/author/vryan

Five Unsolved Mysteries That May Never Be Solved

The Loch Ness Monster
People have been hearing about the mystical Loch Ness Monster now for a long, long time. There have been so many sightings and photographs over the years that it is still unclear whether or not the monster exists. The monster is thought to be a sea serpent or a long-forgotten relative of the dinosaurs. Ask anyone today about the Loch Ness Monster, and they will have an opinion—but nobody knows for sure what lurks under the water of that Scottish loch.
Bermuda Triangle
The legendary Bermuda Triangle can be found between Miami, Bermuda and Puerto Rico. Over the years, there have been many stories from pilots of their instruments going crazy and many shops have been lost in that stretch of water. Some say gas bubbles cause the problems—others say aliens are to blame. The truth is… Nobody knows what causes planes and ships to disappear in the Bermuda Triangle.
Shepherd’s Monument Inscription
In Stafford, England, intellectuals from around the world have gathered to decode the description on a monument that was built in the 18thcentury. None of them can work out what the inscription that reads DOUOSVAVVM means—and many believe we never will.
Zodiac Killer
During the late ’60s and early 1970s, a criminal in San Francisco, California was identified as none other than the Zodiac Killer. Why was he called that? He had a penchant for sending letters to the police and press—letters written in code. Only one was ever decoded and contained a disturbing message. The other three have never been cracked.
The Bigfoot
The Bigfoot is a creature that has been seen across the mountainous regions of Canada and the United States. Some have said it is a gorilla, some say it’s a creature from another world. Those who have looked closely at pictures and video footage all state that it walks like a man. Will we ever know what—or who—the Bigfoot is?

Vanessa A. Ryan is the author of:
 Horror At The Lake, A Vampire Tale mystery trilogy:
Book 1, The Legacy Of Fear -- order now 
Book 2, The Trail Of Terror -- order now Book 3, The Blood Of Redemption -- order now


A Palette For Murder - order now

Follow  Vanessa A. Ryan  at:
  https://twitter.com/vryan333
http://vanessaryanwriter.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/VanessaRyan33
http://www.amazon.com/author/vryan

A Palette For Murder -- Now Available

The New Cozy Mystery From Vanessa A. Ryan
Lana Davis arrives in New Mexico from Los Angeles, planning to look up a former boyfriend and take in some sightseeing. But this all-expense-paid trip is not a vacation. She's here to find Antonio Chavez, last seen in Santa Fe. He's the missing beneficiary of a large life insurance policy her company issued. 
The heat is on because a disgruntled heir insists he should receive the proceeds instead. However bogus his claim is, the public relations nightmare he causes for her company is real. If Lana doesn't find Antonio, her job is on the line.
 
Lana's search for Antonio brings her into the inner circle of a powerful art gallery in Santa Fe, owned by the daughter of a wealthy family. Although Lana's knowledge of art is limited to the one art history class she took in college, she soon discovers, when art and greed collide, the result is deadly. But her knack for finding dead bodies makes the police nervous. And finding herself a target for murder is more than she signed up for.
Kirkus Review "An insurance claims agent is drafted to play detective, first by her own company and later by the owner of a tony art gallery. . . good fun." 

Booklist Review "As Lana uncovers infidelity, art forgery, and theft while she investigates the gallery's employees and customers, several people are murdered and she is attacked. Framed with details of the culture of Santa Fe and that city's art scene, this mystery will appeal to those who enjoyed The Blank Canvas by Glen Ebisch."
Available now from
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
Barnes & Noble


Vanessa A. Ryan is the author of:
 Horror At The Lake, A Vampire Tale mystery trilogy:
Book 1, The Legacy Of Fear -- order now 
Book 2, The Trail Of Terror -- order now Book 3, The Blood Of Redemption -- order now


A Palette For Murder - order now

Follow  Vanessa A. Ryan  at:
  https://twitter.com/vryan333
http://vanessaryanwriter.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/VanessaRyan33
http://www.amazon.com/author/vryan

The Secrets of Cozy Mysteries

The cozy mystery is part of the crime fiction family that really gives readers the chance to be a part of a sleuth’s desire to solve a murder. These books are normally without any sex or violence, and the sleuth is normally an amateur crime fighter. The “cozy mystery” genre really appeals to the everyday reader and has a huge fanbase.
With my new cozy mystery, “A Palette forMurder,” on the market, I wanted to share three tips for success within the “cozy” market.
1. Try to Make Your Cozy a SeriesIf you are a fan of the cozy mystery genre, then you will already know that it’s always better to have a series. Try to bring the same characters back—especially reader favorites—and try to make your characters as interesting as possible, giving your character hobbies and building your book around that interest. Think “Murder She Wrote.” It will certainly add depth to your characters and your stories. If you can bring new life to your characters with each book, you may never need change your style.
2. Change Is GoodDon’t be afraid to try something new with your cozy mystery series. You can write about anything as long as you stick to the main rule—no explicit violence. This means you can really evolve as a writer, and you can allow your characters to grow. Readers today desire something more than the cozy mysteries of the past—they want that need to keep turning the pages. Don’t be afraid to hook your reader.
3. A Growing Market Is Always GoodThe market for cozy mysteries is still a thriving marketplace, and many cozies end up on the bestseller listings. Now, that doesn’t mean your first book will net you a huge advance, but you will be positioning yourself for some instant recognition with the market. 

Vanessa A. Ryan is the author of:
 Horror At The Lake, A Vampire Tale mystery trilogy:
Book 1, The Legacy Of Fear -- order now 
Book 2, The Trail Of Terror -- order now Book 3, The Blood Of Redemption -- order now


A Palette For Murder - order now

Follow  Vanessa A. Ryan  at:
  https://twitter.com/vryan333
http://vanessaryanwriter.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/VanessaRyan33
http://www.amazon.com/author/vryan

Vampires Make The Perfect Boyfriends

I was talking the other day to a lady who told me that she had seen a life size cut-out of Edward Cullen in a store and had put it in her basket, hoping she could buy it. Apparently, she had never much cared for Shaun Cassidy, had never gone gaga over Billy Joel, and couldn’t see any fascination with Bruce Springsteen; but that life size cut-out of one very famous film vampire had tempted her too much.
At first it seems a little strange that a 30-something year old woman with a husband and children might be so obsessed with Mr Cullen, but think about it this way—what girl can resist the ultimate bad boy who just happens to be a little on the dangerous side?
Perhaps the sexiest thing about those Vampire fellows is that they are dark, mysterious and, in many cases, disastrously handsome men who choose that one special girl… a special girl they can tell their secret to and, of course, being thousands of years old, a vampire hotty is going to be an experienced man who won’t ever get old, wrinkly and ornery.
For teenagers who have to put up with the ever-immature frat boys, the fascination must be that their dream Vampire gentleman is older, mature and experienced in the ways of life. It must be a huge plus that with such a big secret, he won’t have his dumb friends hanging around with him all day.
With the world’s fascination with Vampires continuing to grow, it doesn’t look like that dream man will ever go away. So instead of fantasizing over the latest teen idol, why don’t you try something immortal that won’t ever age or go bald? I think that’s a fascination worth having.


Vanessa A. Ryan is the author of:
 Horror At The Lake, A Vampire Tale mystery trilogy:
Book 1, The Legacy Of Fear -- order now 
Book 2, The Trail Of Terror -- order now Book 3, The Blood Of Redemption -- order now


A Palette For Murder - pre-order now -- coming in April

Follow  Vanessa A. Ryan  at:
https://twitter.com/vryan333
http://vanessaryanwriter.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/VanessaRyan33
http://www.amazon.com/author/vryan

6 Monsters That Terrorized American Indians

Windigo: Perhaps the most dangerous of the Indian would-be vampires. The cannibal Windigos are giants of the Chippewa and other northern Algonquin tribes. According to most versions of the old legend, the Windigo were once human beings who had become cannibals, causing their hearts to turn to ice. They are immortal, like vampires, but there are legends that state that the Windigo can be turned back into a human.
Mosquito Man: Some tribes have legends that concern man-eating creatures that were turned to mosquitoes—the end result is that they can continue to harass people and even feed on them—just in a less deadly way. There have been legends of the monster being able to suck its victims brains out using its proboscis—rather like a Vampire feeding on its victims’ blood.
Two-Face: The “Two-Face” monster is from the Sioux tribe and resembles humans in every way—except that they have a second face that happens to be on the back of their heads. According to the legend, if you make eye contact with them you will be stricken dead or paralyzed which, of course, enables them to kill you. If you want to avoid a grisly end with the “Two-Face,” don’t look at its eyes!
Bukwus: The “Bukwus” is the ghost of a drowned human being in Kwakiutl lore. It looks like a skeleton with a bloated face and long, greasy, tangled hair. Don’t be fooled by its beckoning and offer of food. Anyone who decides to take part in its meal will be turned into another undead Bukwus.
Skadegamutc: The “Skadegamutc” is actually a ghost witch from New England and is said to be the end product of the dead of an evil sorcerer. By all accounts, he rises from the dead deep in the night to kill and eat humans but returns to the grave and appears to be a normal corpse. If you run into one of these vampire creatures, your only chance is to destroy it with fire!
Rolling Head: The Iroquois believe that the “Rolling Head” is created when a wife is unfaithful and killed by her husband. Apparently, she returns as a disembodied head which flies or rolls around looking for revenge on the man who killed her. It is doomed to die, however, when it starts trying to kill neighbors or relatives of the couple. 

Vanessa A. Ryan is the author of:
 Horror At The Lake, A Vampire Tale mystery trilogy:
Book 1, The Legacy Of Fear -- order now 
Book 2, The Trail Of Terror -- order now Book 3, The Blood Of Redemption -- order now


A Palette For Murder - pre-order now -- coming in April

Follow  Vanessa A. Ryan  at:
https://twitter.com/vryan333
http://vanessaryanwriter.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/VanessaRyan33
http://www.amazon.com/author/vryan

How The Vampire Became The Leading Man

Vampires, Angels, Werewolves and other supernatural outsiders that used to be considered the “bad” guys are now considered fiction’s hottest idols.
Creatures have always been able to thrill readers and moviegoers—from Karloff all the way through to Kruger—but it now seems that vampires do more than send shivers down the backs of women in bookstores and theatres. Fangs, fur and wings are now the biggest attraction, and any man with a pair of fangs and a cute smile will have no problem getting a date.
So what happened to cause the “bad boy” vampire to become the guy who got the girl? Is it their good looks? Great dress sense? In fact, when was the last time you saw an ugly vampire? I don’t think you saw one on “True Blood.”
Some of the appeal has to be the individualism of the vampire. The modern vampire—just like the traditional vampire—cuts a lonely, interesting and, now it seems, strangely attractive figure. The weirdness that would once have had him labelled as a freak now has him labelled as an individual who is just misunderstood. Perhaps the appeal is just down to the mystery of something new—something exciting. After generations of appealing biceps and strong, manly men, perhaps the world has turned and the idea of the sensitive, misunderstood hero is what gets the heart of women across the world?
In any case, the world’s fascination with vampires doesn’t seem to be dying away and doesn’t look like it will be a quick fad. Just one look at the upcoming movies and books list will tell you that vampires are here to stay, and those sensitive, academic, misunderstood heroes will keep the girls swooning. The vampire has replaced the leading man.

Vanessa A. Ryan is the author of:
 
Horror At The Lake, A Vampire Tale mystery trilogy:Book 1, The Legacy Of Fear -- order now
Book 2, The Trail Of Terror -- order now
Book 3, The Blood Of Redemption -- coming in April

A Palette For Murder - pre-order now -- coming in April
Follow  Vanessa A. Ryan  at:
https://twitter.com/vryan333
http://vanessaryanwriter.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/VanessaRyan33
http://www.amazon.com/author/vryan

The British Vampire Fascination

The British have only recently been fascinated by vampires. There are few stories of note prior to the 18th century—but what caused them to start fearing the undead?
In the 18th century, fear of vampires ran riot in Eastern Europe, with regular hunting and staking of vampires. Two specific cases did the most to bring vampires to the British Isles: those of Arnold Paole and Peter Plogojowitz.
Plogojowitz died in his 60’s but came back after his death several times asking his family for food. When his son refused to feed him, the son was found dead the following day. Then Plogojowitz came back and attacked others, many of whom died from a lack of blood.
The case of Arnold Paole is also a strange one. He was a soldier-turned-farmer who claimed to have been attacked by a vampire many years previously.  When he died, there were a rash of deaths in his vicinity, and he was said to be the one who had returned to kill his former neighbors.
Since these two stories were extremely hot news at the time and their stories told from person to person, the vampire “scare” grew—not to the lengths of Eastern Europe where villagers would dig up bodies and claim to have killed a vampire on a monthly basis—but it was still a great fear.
It took a French theologian, Dom Augustine Calmet, to get people thinking rationally again. When he wrote a respected document that stated vampires didn’t exist, it was listened to; and when Austrian Empress Marie Theresa passed laws prohibiting the desecration of graves and bodies, the vampire craze died down across Europe and vampires became the creation of authors…


Vanessa A. Ryan is the author of:
 
Horror At The Lake, A Vampire Tale mystery trilogy:Book 1, The Legacy Of Fear -- order now
Book 2, The Trail Of Terror -- order now
Book 3, The Blood Of Redemption -- coming in April


A Palette For Murder - pre-order now -- coming in April
Follow  Vanessa A. Ryan  at:
https://twitter.com/vryan333
http://vanessaryanwriter.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/VanessaRyan33
http://www.amazon.com/author/vryan