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Lucky Lexie Mysteries #1
Interview with a Dead Editor
Worst Job Interview Ever!
Alexa “Lucky Lexie” Lincoln has always had a nose for news and a knack for being first on the scene whenever there’s a big story. Now her luck seems to have run out. First, she loses her reporting job. Then she gets an interview for a job at a small-town paper, only to find the editor dead on the newsroom floor. That makes her a suspect in the eyes of local policeman Wes Mosby.
To make matters worse, someone sabotages her alibi, and a freak ice storm strands her in town. That’s when she learns that this idyllic little town right out of a movie set is full of secrets, including people with uncanny abilities and the ghost who really runs the newspaper.
To clear her name (and get the job), Lexie will have to find the real killer—a killer who seems to think she knows a lot more than she does. If she’s not careful, she could be the next victim.
Alexa “Lucky Lexie” Lincoln has always had a nose for news and a knack for being first on the scene whenever there’s a big story. Now her luck seems to have run out. First, she loses her reporting job. Then she gets an interview for a job at a small-town paper, only to find the editor dead on the newsroom floor. That makes her a suspect in the eyes of local policeman Wes Mosby.
To make matters worse, someone sabotages her alibi, and a freak ice storm strands her in town. That’s when she learns that this idyllic little town right out of a movie set is full of secrets, including people with uncanny abilities and the ghost who really runs the newspaper.
To clear her name (and get the job), Lexie will have to find the real killer—a killer who seems to think she knows a lot more than she does. If she’s not careful, she could be the next victim.
168 pages, ebook
First published October 1, 2020
26 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
Shanna Swendson
39 books1,132 followersOnce upon a time ...
A little girl learned to amuse herself by making up stories in her head. She turned everyday activities into exciting adventures, and she made up new adventures for characters from her favorite movies, TV shows and books. Then one day she realized that if she wrote down those stories, she'd have a book! But that was crazy, she thought. Real people don't become novelists. That was like deciding you were going to be a movie star. You couldn't just go and do it.
But, it turns out, you can, and she did. She realized her dream of becoming a novelist and seeing her stories in bookstores.
And then she started to wig herself out by writing about herself in the third-person.
This is her story.
The Novelist's Journey
As I said above in that bit of silliness, I've always been a writer at heart. My favorite way to play was to create stories and act them out with my Fisher-Price people, my Barbie dolls or myself and a box of play clothes. If none of those things were available, I could just sit and make up stories in my head. I occasionally got into trouble for being a little too creative, such as the time when I embellished a bit on my kindergarten experiences (where's the dramatic hook in coloring, cutting out and pasting?).
When I was in seventh grade and a bit old for Fisher-Price people, Barbie dolls or the dress-up box, I started writing these stories down in spiral notebooks. Later, I found an old manual typewriter, taught myself to type, then wrote a lot of first chapters of novels on it. I still hadn't figured out how to actually be a working novelist who gets paid for writing (finishing a book instead of writing a lot of first chapters might have been a good start), so when it came time to go to college, I went to journalism school at the University of Texas. While getting my degree in broadcast news, I managed to structure a curriculum that might also help me in my real career plans. I took fencing (which I thought would be useful for writing fantasy novels), an astronomy course on the search for extraterrestrial life (in case I wanted to write science fiction), psychology, interpersonal communication, and parageography (the geography of imaginary lands).
I got serious about pursuing my novel-writing ambitions soon after I got my first job in public relations (TV reporting, it turns out, would have taken away from my writing time) when I started joining local writing organizations and reading books on how to write a novel. Then I took the big step of registering for a writing conference. With the registration fee, you could enter two manuscripts in a contest that went with the conference. I figured if I was paying that much money, I'd get the most out of it, so I wrote two entries. At the conference, I met a real, live editor, who encouraged me to submit, and one of my entries won the science fiction/fantasy category of the contest. I hurried to finish the novel the editor had asked for, then mailed a proposal.
She ended up rejecting the book, but encouraged me to keep trying. I ended up selling that novel elsewhere, then sold two more books to that publisher before I had another idea for that original editor. That book ended up selling, and then one more.
And then I hit the wall. Due to a number of circumstances, some of which weren't my fault and some of which were, I didn't sell anything else for eight years. But then I had the idea that became Enchanted, Inc., I wrote it, sold it, and here I am.
Other Life Stuff
I think I need to get a few more hobbies or something else going on in my life that isn't related to reading or writing because currently my bio in my books is shorter than the "about the typeface" section. Yes, a typeface has a more interesting life than I do.
When I'm not writing, I'm most often reading. Otherwise, I enjoy watching science fiction TV shows and then discussing them on the Internet, working crossw
A little girl learned to amuse herself by making up stories in her head. She turned everyday activities into exciting adventures, and she made up new adventures for characters from her favorite movies, TV shows and books. Then one day she realized that if she wrote down those stories, she'd have a book! But that was crazy, she thought. Real people don't become novelists. That was like deciding you were going to be a movie star. You couldn't just go and do it.
But, it turns out, you can, and she did. She realized her dream of becoming a novelist and seeing her stories in bookstores.
And then she started to wig herself out by writing about herself in the third-person.
This is her story.
The Novelist's Journey
As I said above in that bit of silliness, I've always been a writer at heart. My favorite way to play was to create stories and act them out with my Fisher-Price people, my Barbie dolls or myself and a box of play clothes. If none of those things were available, I could just sit and make up stories in my head. I occasionally got into trouble for being a little too creative, such as the time when I embellished a bit on my kindergarten experiences (where's the dramatic hook in coloring, cutting out and pasting?).
When I was in seventh grade and a bit old for Fisher-Price people, Barbie dolls or the dress-up box, I started writing these stories down in spiral notebooks. Later, I found an old manual typewriter, taught myself to type, then wrote a lot of first chapters of novels on it. I still hadn't figured out how to actually be a working novelist who gets paid for writing (finishing a book instead of writing a lot of first chapters might have been a good start), so when it came time to go to college, I went to journalism school at the University of Texas. While getting my degree in broadcast news, I managed to structure a curriculum that might also help me in my real career plans. I took fencing (which I thought would be useful for writing fantasy novels), an astronomy course on the search for extraterrestrial life (in case I wanted to write science fiction), psychology, interpersonal communication, and parageography (the geography of imaginary lands).
I got serious about pursuing my novel-writing ambitions soon after I got my first job in public relations (TV reporting, it turns out, would have taken away from my writing time) when I started joining local writing organizations and reading books on how to write a novel. Then I took the big step of registering for a writing conference. With the registration fee, you could enter two manuscripts in a contest that went with the conference. I figured if I was paying that much money, I'd get the most out of it, so I wrote two entries. At the conference, I met a real, live editor, who encouraged me to submit, and one of my entries won the science fiction/fantasy category of the contest. I hurried to finish the novel the editor had asked for, then mailed a proposal.
She ended up rejecting the book, but encouraged me to keep trying. I ended up selling that novel elsewhere, then sold two more books to that publisher before I had another idea for that original editor. That book ended up selling, and then one more.
And then I hit the wall. Due to a number of circumstances, some of which weren't my fault and some of which were, I didn't sell anything else for eight years. But then I had the idea that became Enchanted, Inc., I wrote it, sold it, and here I am.
Other Life Stuff
I think I need to get a few more hobbies or something else going on in my life that isn't related to reading or writing because currently my bio in my books is shorter than the "about the typeface" section. Yes, a typeface has a more interesting life than I do.
When I'm not writing, I'm most often reading. Otherwise, I enjoy watching science fiction TV shows and then discussing them on the Internet, working crossw
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
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October 3, 2020Shanna's Rebel Mechanics series is some of my favourite YA (The Sound of Music meets Hamilton...WITH MAGIC.) so I'm super excited to dive into her new cozy small-town mystery series. The second book is coming out at the end of October, so there's not long to wait to carry on the story.
October 7, 2020
First book in a series by one of my favorite authors? Yes please! Loved Lexie from the start, she's a very interesting character and I love the interactions with everyone in the small town. I've already pre-ordered book 2, can't wait to read it!
October 15, 2020
Lexie has just been laid off from her job as a newspaper reporter when she gets a call asking her to interview for an assistant editor position at a small newspaper in a town she's never heard of. Unfortunately, when she arrives for her interview, she discovers the body of her prospective employer on the floor behind his desk. With a storm on the horizon, Lexie is anxious to get back on the road to Dallas, but first the local police must verify her alibi, which becomes far more difficult when her car's electrical system is inexplicably fried. Luckily, the job she was to interview for comes with a furnished apartment, so she's allowed to stay there until she can be cleared. With nothing better to do, she begins exploring the town, asking questions as she goes.
This book is set in February, but it feels like late fall. The town is straight out of a Hallmark movie--which is intentional and to which Ms. Swendson alludes in the opening scenes--making the book feel like a warm hug, despite the freezing weather and paranormal oddities. I love that all the female characters are strong and independent. No foolishness here! Lexie makes some smart moves to help save herself when the killer threatens her at the end. Plus the police officer is competent and intelligent. This makes the hint of future romance a lot more plausible.
The main characters are white, and supporting characters include an army vet who lost her lower legs in combat, a couple of ghosts, and a mixture of Latinx, African American, and white townsfolk, many of whom are descended from members of a traveling sideshow.
For readers' advisors: story and character doorways are pretty strong, and setting is also a factor for anyone who loves Hallmark movies. Or hates, I suppose. Minimal on-screen violence that mostly involves the killer briefly attacking Lexie. No sex or swearing. Some sub-plots & mini-mysteries are set up and left to be resolved in future installments of the series. Book #2 comes out in a few weeks, so readers won't have to wait long for the next chapter in Lexie's life.
This book is set in February, but it feels like late fall. The town is straight out of a Hallmark movie--which is intentional and to which Ms. Swendson alludes in the opening scenes--making the book feel like a warm hug, despite the freezing weather and paranormal oddities. I love that all the female characters are strong and independent. No foolishness here! Lexie makes some smart moves to help save herself when the killer threatens her at the end. Plus the police officer is competent and intelligent. This makes the hint of future romance a lot more plausible.
The main characters are white, and supporting characters include an army vet who lost her lower legs in combat, a couple of ghosts, and a mixture of Latinx, African American, and white townsfolk, many of whom are descended from members of a traveling sideshow.
For readers' advisors: story and character doorways are pretty strong, and setting is also a factor for anyone who loves Hallmark movies. Or hates, I suppose. Minimal on-screen violence that mostly involves the killer briefly attacking Lexie. No sex or swearing. Some sub-plots & mini-mysteries are set up and left to be resolved in future installments of the series. Book #2 comes out in a few weeks, so readers won't have to wait long for the next chapter in Lexie's life.
November 13, 2020
4.5 Stars
This was such a fun read! I loved Swendson's Enchanted, Inc. series, so I was super excited for something new from her. This cozy mystery did not disappoint.
Small town Stirling Mills is everything recently unemployed reporter Lexie Lincoln could've dreamed of for her perfect hometown. But it's not long before the veneer of perfection wears off and she sees the dark side of the town when she goes in for an interview at the local newspaper and finds the editor dead. Her day goes from bad to worse when she becomes the prime suspect in the murder. She vows to find the real killer and clear her name before anyone else winds up dead.
Right off the bat, I was completely immersed in this story. The mystery was compelling, the characters likable, and the town charming. I couldn't get enough of it. And while I did figure out who the guilty part was pretty early on, there were quite a few other plausible suspects that had me doubting my original guess from time to time.
All in all, I really enjoyed Interview with a Dead Editor and am eager to check out the sequel. I highly recommend it to fans of paranormal cozy mysteries.
This was such a fun read! I loved Swendson's Enchanted, Inc. series, so I was super excited for something new from her. This cozy mystery did not disappoint.
Small town Stirling Mills is everything recently unemployed reporter Lexie Lincoln could've dreamed of for her perfect hometown. But it's not long before the veneer of perfection wears off and she sees the dark side of the town when she goes in for an interview at the local newspaper and finds the editor dead. Her day goes from bad to worse when she becomes the prime suspect in the murder. She vows to find the real killer and clear her name before anyone else winds up dead.
Right off the bat, I was completely immersed in this story. The mystery was compelling, the characters likable, and the town charming. I couldn't get enough of it. And while I did figure out who the guilty part was pretty early on, there were quite a few other plausible suspects that had me doubting my original guess from time to time.
All in all, I really enjoyed Interview with a Dead Editor and am eager to check out the sequel. I highly recommend it to fans of paranormal cozy mysteries.
November 12, 2020
I'm a huge fan of Shanna Swendson's Enchanted, Inc. series, but I've never been much of a mystery fan, even cozies. However, I am now a huge fan of Lucky Lexie! I really, really enjoyed this book, and just ordered the second in the series. The characters are great, and surprisingly well-rounded for a book on the shorter side. (I'm one of those who loves long, detailed books; this was a snappy, fast-paced 216 pages). I really love that Lexie can take care of herself, and Jean, the former editor, is a hoot. The mystery kept me guessing up until the end. I can totally see this as a Hallmark-type mystery series. My only disappointment? That the books are numbered 1 of 2 and 2 of 2. I hope there will be more Lucky Lexie!
October 12, 2020
Lexie arrives at her job interview to find her prospective boss dead on the floor. There goes her job opportunity - or does it? With an opinionated ghost, a handsome police officer, a bunch of mysteries, and a small town out of all of her daydreams, this might just be the turning point of Lexie's life.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's well written with engaging characters and a mystery that's not too obvious but still plausible. I can't wait for the next instalment in the series!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's well written with engaging characters and a mystery that's not too obvious but still plausible. I can't wait for the next instalment in the series!
October 10, 2020
I enjoyed the small town Texas setting, the cozy mystery with a paranormal twist was well-plotted, and Lexie is pleasant company with a plausible reason to investigate a suspicious death. I'm looking forward to the second Lucky Lexie mystery. Readalikes include books by Sophie Kelly, Joanne Fluke, Donna Andrews. Shanna is the author of the Enchanted, Inc. series.
March 15, 2021
New Shanna Swendson series = I am thrilled. Some thematic overlap with the Enchanted, Inc. books (protagonist is one of a small number of people with the ability to see things outside the ordinary—magic in the Enchanted world and ghosts in this one—and she's more or less offered a job sight unseen due to that ability), but otherwise it's different enough to be very fun. Interview with a Dead Editor finds Lexie in small-town Texas for a job interview...but one that is abruptly cancelled when Lexie finds said editor dead behind his desk.
I guessed the whodunnit eventually, but it took a while; there were enough suspects and red herrings to keep things interesting and it looks like a lot of the background will come up again in future books. Nicely diverse cast of characters, and promise of a low-key romance. One of my favourite things about the Enchanted books is that the romance is entirely lacking in drama: external forces routinely complicate the romance, but Katie & Owen are secure in their mutual interest. This feels similar, as even when Wes is investigating Lexie as a murder suspect, she figures out soon enough that he's just being thorough, and they're able to be pretty relaxed and playful about the whole thing. My kind of romance.
I guessed the whodunnit eventually, but it took a while; there were enough suspects and red herrings to keep things interesting and it looks like a lot of the background will come up again in future books. Nicely diverse cast of characters, and promise of a low-key romance. One of my favourite things about the Enchanted books is that the romance is entirely lacking in drama: external forces routinely complicate the romance, but Katie & Owen are secure in their mutual interest. This feels similar, as even when Wes is investigating Lexie as a murder suspect, she figures out soon enough that he's just being thorough, and they're able to be pretty relaxed and playful about the whole thing. My kind of romance.
May 21, 2024
I’ve always thought I wasn’t one for cozy mysteries, apart from the miss Marple books. Apparently I am wrong, because I’ve found a second and third cozy mystery series I love.
For those of you who aren’t sure what a cozy mystery book is: “Cozy mysteries (also referred to as cosy mysteries or cozies), are a sub-genre of crime fiction in which sex and violence occur offstage, the detective is an amateur sleuth, and the crime and detection take place in a small, socially intimate community.”, according to Wikipedia.
For those of you who aren’t sure what a cozy mystery book is: “Cozy mysteries (also referred to as cosy mysteries or cozies), are a sub-genre of crime fiction in which sex and violence occur offstage, the detective is an amateur sleuth, and the crime and detection take place in a small, socially intimate community.”, according to Wikipedia.
June 17, 2024
Cozy small town slightly paranormal mystery
Lexie shows up for a job interview at a small town newspaper only to find the editor she's supposed to interview with is dead. Lexie is asked to stick around so they can make sure she didn't do it. She decides to investigate to clear her name. That part of the story is very low stakes. The story was well written and kept me interested the whole time. The paranormal aspect was fun. I'm just not sure how much I actually like Lexie. She was a bit self-involved. I am planning on continuing with the series though.
Lexie shows up for a job interview at a small town newspaper only to find the editor she's supposed to interview with is dead. Lexie is asked to stick around so they can make sure she didn't do it. She decides to investigate to clear her name. That part of the story is very low stakes. The story was well written and kept me interested the whole time. The paranormal aspect was fun. I'm just not sure how much I actually like Lexie. She was a bit self-involved. I am planning on continuing with the series though.
August 7, 2022
A new cozy mystery with an otherworldly twist!
Shanna Swendson kicks off a new cozy mystery series with a hint of the supernatural. This was a great start to a series I'm looking forward to reading. I loved the small-town vibes and was intrigued by the supernatural elements. This was a sweet, cozy read, I'd rate it PG for mention of a makeout scene, murder and attempted murder. I've loved Shanna's other books and am excited to have a new series to dive into!
Shanna Swendson kicks off a new cozy mystery series with a hint of the supernatural. This was a great start to a series I'm looking forward to reading. I loved the small-town vibes and was intrigued by the supernatural elements. This was a sweet, cozy read, I'd rate it PG for mention of a makeout scene, murder and attempted murder. I've loved Shanna's other books and am excited to have a new series to dive into!
December 20, 2020
New series from an auto buy author
Shanna Swenson is an auto buy author for me. In her new series we get crimes with a wee flavor of the supernatural. Lexie Lincoln comes into town for a job interview and ends up a murder suspect. This book was straightforward and enjoyable. I look forward to getting to know the townspeople and their special skills more as the series continues.
Shanna Swenson is an auto buy author for me. In her new series we get crimes with a wee flavor of the supernatural. Lexie Lincoln comes into town for a job interview and ends up a murder suspect. This book was straightforward and enjoyable. I look forward to getting to know the townspeople and their special skills more as the series continues.
September 10, 2025
This was cute… murder in a small Texas town with some ghosts. I really loved this author’s Enchanted Inc series, so I’m hoping this series will be good too. First book was ok, not great, but I’ll definitely read the next one in hopes that the series gets better now that the main characters have been established.
January 13, 2021
Okay, this was a lot of fun. I wasn’t expecting a whole lot, but I enjoyed every minute of the book, and lucky me, there’s a second one in the series available already. It just went to the top of my buy-now list.
October 6, 2022
I have been a fan of this author for years and somehow missed this series. She has realistic, likable characters and good plots. I really liked this book! It’s more of a fluffy read compared to what I usually read, and really fun to read.
October 18, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. It's the start of a great new series and I look forward to more!
November 10, 2020
Fun easy read - I liked the premise
March 15, 2021
Super adorable
April 7, 2021
3.5 stars
May 30, 2021
Fun start to a new series!
September 7, 2021
Quick interesting start to a new series.
September 8, 2023
Cute mystery with a side of supernatural characters.
November 25, 2023
3.5 stars -
January 19, 2024
Shanna Swendson is one of my favorite authors, and I'm already really enjoying this new series.
March 8, 2025
I enjoyed reading this, not the greatest read ever, but I was into mood for something light.
July 17, 2024
A quick-reading cozy mystery with a fun cast and an interesting paranormal twist.
October 15, 2020
Good start of a new series. This small town and the people are very interesting, so although mystery is not my first choice of genre, I want to know more about them. And as the details of the story really show Shanna's writing style, it is an enjoyable read.
September 19, 2023
Shanna Swendson does know how to genre-bend, doesn't she?
She enters into cozy-mysteryland very well (although I really thought from the cover it was another YA series. It is not.)
A touch of the paranormal, which I normally don't approve of, but the hint is not as toxic as it would normally be to me. I'm looking forward to future books with less necessary series set-up!
She enters into cozy-mysteryland very well (although I really thought from the cover it was another YA series. It is not.)
A touch of the paranormal, which I normally don't approve of, but the hint is not as toxic as it would normally be to me. I'm looking forward to future books with less necessary series set-up!
October 21, 2023
Investigating crime can be a bit spooky
I thoroughly enjoyed this, I can see this being a book I will read again and find more interesting bits I missed the first time.
I'm looking forward to book 2
I thoroughly enjoyed this, I can see this being a book I will read again and find more interesting bits I missed the first time.
I'm looking forward to book 2
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews