Welcome Back Guest Libby Klein

I’m not sure when I first met Libby–wait yes I do–it was at a Chesapeake Chapter of Sisters in Crime event in Arlington, VA. We had a great talk and soon after Libby was published and we started doing events together. You always know you’re going to laugh when you’re with Libby! The eighth book in her Poppy McAllister series, Mischief Nights Are Murder, just released last Tuesday.

Who Says a Good Murder Can’t be Funny?

Few things in life are more enjoyable for the reader than finding a cozy spot with a good book. For me, the best books are the ones that make you laugh. I like to think that when you laugh while reading one of my books, we’re laughing together. Because you can believe I was laughing when I wrote it.

Like other kids of the seventies, I watched enough TV growing up to thoroughly rot my brain. It didn’t matter what the subject matter was, if it was funny, I was a fan. I Dream of Jeannie, Bewitched, I Love Lucy, Laverne and Shirley, Carol Burnett – all my favorites. My introduction into cozy mysteries was as much Scooby Doo as it was Nancy Drew.

I write a very funny cozy mystery series completely by accident. I didn’t set out with the intention to add humor to my story of a plus sized middle-aged widow returning to her personal “Beach Hell” of Cape May. Instead, I wrote the story I wanted to read. Infused with how I see the world. I guess I’m just weird, because the more pressure you put on me, the funnier I get. Apparently, sarcasm is my go-to.

Concept and design front of Coffee Shop with black board and black seating

Sometimes I’ll add humor to my writing that’s just for me. Maybe it’s an inside joke, like the neighbor bringing you more kohlrabi from their garden than anyone could ever want. Or it’s a little jab of social commentary like “Wake Up! South Jersey” the Millennial Morning Show that comes on at ten a.m. I giggle every time I think about these things.

breakfast concept – milk, corn flakes and cookies on the table in modern kitchen

In Mischief Nights Are Murder, Poppy agrees to participate in a Gourmet Dinner Tour. Only she finds out at the eleventh hour that Aunt Ginny has actually committed them to a Ghost Tour. One that includes telling stories about the ghosts – that they don’t have. Easy. Except somehow Aunt Ginny has also signed a contract with Paranormal Pathfinders, a Ghost hunting television show. Allowing them to do a week-long investigation into the Bed and Breakfast’s otherworldly activity – that doesn’t exist. And Sir Figaro Newton has his paws full with the B and B’s newest guest, Owen Rodney – Pet Psychic, who is convinced he knows Figaro’s every thought and is determined to psychoanalyze the black smoke Persian.

Life is hard enough. Humorous cozies are like a vacation. Reading isn’t supposed to be work – unless you’re my editor in which case it is work, but even then I want you to have fun while you’re doing it. When you return to Poppy’s world, I want you to feel like you’ve come home. Everyone belongs. These are your friends. They are going to be crazy. Their lives are messy, and funny, and chaotic, but you are in for a treat. Because for the next few hours they will get themselves into the most ridiculous trouble and make mistakes and things will probably go off the rails at some point, but no matter what happens, you know it will be a wild ride and you’ll love every minute of it.    

Readers: Do you like to laugh when you read?

Bio:  Libby Klein graduated Lower Cape May Regional High School in the ’80s. Her classes revolved mostly around the culinary sciences and theater, with the occasional nap in Chemistry. She writes culinary cozy mysteries from her Northern Virginia office while trying to keep her naughty cat Figaro off her keyboard. Libby was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that prevents her from eating gluten without exploding. Because of her love for cake, she now creates gluten free goodies and includes the recipes in her Cape May based Poppy McAllister series. Most of her hobbies revolve around eating, and travel, and eating while traveling. She insists she can find her way to any coffee shop anywhere in the world, even while blindfolded. Follow all of her nonsense at www.libbykleinbooks.com