Cozy Mysteries discussion
"Featuring" author...
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M.J.M.
The Camilla MacPhee series
Speak Ill of the Dead
1999
Fiona Silk series
Too Hot to Handle
2007
Charlotte Adams series
Organize your Corpses
2007
V.A.
A Book Collector' s series
The Christie Curse
2013
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Day 1 MARY JANE MAFFINI & VICTORIA ABBOTT
M.J.M.
The Camilla MacPhee series
Speak Ill of the Dead
1999
Fiona Silk series
Too Hot to Handle
2007
Charlotte Adams series
Organize your Corpses
2007
V.A.
A Book Collector' s series
The Christie Curse
2013
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She writes 3 series under MJM
Camilla MacPhee series
Fiona Silk series
Charlotte Adams series
Victoria Abbott
Only one series so far under this name:
A Book Collectors series
*Victoria Abbott is a collaboration between Mary Jane Maffini and her daughter, Victoria Maffini
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Charlotte Adams series
Organize Your Corpses 2007
The Cluttered Corpse 2008
Death Loves a Messy Desk 2009
Closest Confidental 2010
The Busy Woman's Guide to Murder 2011
Fiona Silk series
Too Hot to Handle 2007
Lament for a Lounge Lizard 2013
Camilla MacPhee series
Speak Ill of the Dead 1999
The Icing on the Corpse 2001
Little Boy Blues 2002
The Devil's in the Details 2004
The Dead Don't Get Out Much 2005
Law and Disorder 2009
Victoria Abbott
Book Collector's series
The Christie Curse 2013
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Let me thank you again for inviting me here to socialize with you and your friends. I feel honored. As you know, I am also half of Victoria Abbott and so have included a bit of info about the other half, my daughter, Victoria Maffini. Together we write the book collector mysteries.
#1 Where do you see yourself as a writer in 10 years? Writing mysteries was a dream for me. I really hope to be still writing them in ten years and I'd like to improve as I go along and maybe try some challenges. In the meantime, I'd like to finish the 'story arc' for the three and a half series I have going and I have some more ideas that I'd like to explore. I am also interested in writing a play. Not sure if ten years is enough time!
Victoria would like to have her own series as well. I can tell you it when that happens, it will be funnier than mine! She's also interesting in writing and illustrating children's books.
#2 If you could live anywhere regardless of the weather, where and why?
I love where I live now, the village of Manotick on the outskirts of Canada's capital (as we spell it!), but I have always dreamed about spending winters in the south of France.Itremains a dream though, but what a dream. All that wine and cheese and those ancient castles and cobbled streets. Sigh.
#3 What genres do you like to read when you are not writing? I always read a lot of mysteries and read right across the genre from cozy to darker crime fiction. I love humor. I read humor, other fiction, non-fiction and cookbooks. That reminds me: I blog on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month with the wonderful women at www.mysteryloverskitchen.com
#4 Do you do book signings, if no do you have plans to, when and where?
I love book signings and do quite a few. I find they are a wonderful way to connect with readers. A writer's life can be a bit solitary and I get a lot of energy from readers. Readers help us to feel validated too. Victoria and I have had a number of book signings around Ontario this spring after The Christie Curse came out, but it's a bit quieter now. We plan to do more signings in the Ottawa area in the fall and when The Sayers Swindle, the second book in the book collector series, comes out in December.
In the spring, I usually to go to Malice Domestic conference in Bethesda, MD, and there are always signings after panels. With luck the Festival of Mystery will be held in Oakmont, PA. It's run by Mystery Lovers Bookshop. That's an amazing event for meeting authors and getting books signed. Of course, all the authors are readers too!
I am also planning a trip to the east coast of Canada this October as research for the seventh Camilla MacPhee mystery. I'll work in a few signings on the way.
BTW, I see that you are from Ohio. I had a great series of signings there a few years ago, with my friend, Brenda Chapman, including one at the wonderful Foul Play bookstore and a reading/signing at the Cuyahoga library, Euclid branch. You have a lot of terrific readers out your way!
#5 Do you" base" any of your fictional characters in your books from people in your personal life?
Let's just say that people never recognize themselves, but they have a way of working their way into a story. Most characters have some basis in reality, but are changed to meet story needs. But no one is safe. No one. Anyone who has every made me mad or hijacked a meeting died in one book or another. Just sayin'.
#6 What are working on now?
Victoria and I (as Victoria Abbott) are working on the third (!) book collector mystery: The Wolfe Widow. I am part way through the seventh Camilla MacPhee book. It's tentatively called You Light Up My Death.
#7 Do you have any talents other than being a great writer? Aw! I love to cook and knit, especially dog sweaters (see attached jpg and by the way, do you recognize these pooches?) I enjoy planning and puttering in my garden. I think I have a talent for curling up with other people's books. She won't tell you this, but Victoria Maffini (the other half of Victoria Abbott) is a talented artist, gardener and photographer. She did the painting that was used for the cover of Too Hot to Handle!
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I have only read her Charlotte Adams series so I can only comment on that one.
Charolotte Adams is a professional organizer. She has two miniature dachshunds name Truffle and Sweet Marie. She left a cheating ex-fiance behind and started a new life. Wherever Charlotte goes, she seems to find dead bodies. She helps the police to solve the mur
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MJM books have plenty of mystery and humor. I have only read the Charlotte Adams series but I''ve enjoyed them so well it makes me want to read her other series. I especially can't wait to read her latest series, the collaboration between her and her daughter. I recommend Mary Jane Maffini and Victoria Abbott's books!
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Up and coming releases:
Mary Jane Maffini
Camilla MacPhee series
You Light Up my Death TBD
Victoria Abbott
Book Collector's series
The Sayers Swindle December 2013
The Wolfe Widow September 2014
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Day 1 KAREN MACINERNEY
Tales of an Urban Werewolf
Howling at the Moon 2008
The Gray Whale Inn series
Murder on the Rocks 2006
The Margie Peterson series
Mother' s Day (ebook) 2012
The Beading Mysteries
(The sequel to Barbara Burnett Smith 's Bead on Trouble)
Beads of Doubt 2007
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TALES OF AN URBAN WEREWOLF
THE GRAY WHALE INN SERIES
THE MARGIE PETERSON SERIES
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Tales of an Urban Werewolf
Howling at the Moon 2/2008
On the Prowl 11/2008
Leader of the Pack 7/2009
Gray Whale Inn series
Murder on the Rocks 5/2006
Dead and Berried 2/2007
Murder Most Maine 11/2008
Berried to the Hilt 2010
Blueberry Blues (short story) 2012
The Margie Peterson series
Mother's Day Out 2012
The Beading Mysteries
Beads of Doubt 2007
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Tales of an Urban Werewolf
Sophie Garou is a werewolf. She keeps her "changing" under control by drinking wolfsbane tea. Her mother runs a magic shop while helping Sophie control her "inner wolf" . She struggles with having a relationship with her human boyfriend.
Mystery/ Paranormal
Gray Whale Inn series
Natalie Barnes quit her job to run a B&B on Cranberry Island in Maine. While trying to get her new business up and running, she runs across a dead body which of course she is the #1 suspect.
Cozy Mystery
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I have read both series, Tales of an Urban Werewolf and Gray Whale Inn series. They are both different in their own right. I enjoyed both series. The Urban Werewolf series is a little racy to be considered a cozy. In my opinion if you like her you will like any of the books she writes. I recommend her books!
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Newest Release
Gray Whale Inn series
Brush with Death 5/2013
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A Jaine Austen Mystery series
This Pen is for Hire
6/2003
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THE JAINE AUSTEN MYSTERY SERIES
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This Pen is for Hire 6/2003
Last Writes 6/2004
Killer Blonde 5/2005
Shoes to Die for 5/2006
The PMS Murder 6/2006
Death by Pantyhose 6/2007
Killing Bridezilla 6/2008
Killer Cruise 5/2009
Death of a Trophy Wife 6/2010
Pampered to Death 6/2011
Death of a Neighborhood Witch 8/2012
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Jaine Austen series
Jaine Austen is a freelance writer during the day and an amateur sleuth at night. One of the main characters is Jaine's cat named Prozac, who is constantly getting into trouble. If her parents emails don't drive her crazy that it's her best friend,Lance who lives next door. He means well but can still be irritating at times.
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I have read quite a few of her books. She is a very funny writer. I laugh throughout the entire book. If you love a great mystery, fantastic humor and cats, you'll definitely enjoy her books!
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NEWEST RELEASE
KILLING CUPID 1/2014
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The Magical Cat Mystery Series
"Curiosity Thrilled the Cat" 2011
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Mini Interview with Sofie Kelly
#1 Where do you see yourself as a writer in 10 years?
S.K. I hope I’m still writing. I’d like to write more short stories and I’d like to try writing a screenplay. (I’ve been playing with the screenplay idea for a long time. It may take me another ten years to write it!)
#2 If you could live anywhere regardless of the weather, where and why?
S.K. I have this fantasy of living in Paris, but I don’t know if I’d actually do it. My spoken French isn’t very good. Paris seems like such a creative city.
#3 What genres do you like to read when you are not writing?
S.K. I read everything—cozies, suspense, steampunk, urban fantasy, romance. I read a lot of non-fiction as well.
#4 Do you do book signings, if no do you have plans to, when and where?
S.K. Right now I don’t do book signings because it’s just too complicated to step out of my everyday life—I have a family and a parent with Alzheimer’s Disease. And I confess I’m not crazy about flying. But I recently read about author James Rollins doing a book tour on a custom bus and that sounds very intriguing.
#5 Do you" base" any of your fictional characters in your books from people in your personal life?
S.K. I don’t base my characters on real people, but I do collect names from real people. For example, Roma, the vet in the Magical Cats books got her name from a wonderful nurse who worked in my allergy doctor’s office. If someone’s name intrigues me it will probably turn up in a book eventually. When I needed a first name for artist Ruby Blackthorne’s grandfather I used the name Idris, which I’d seen on a tombstone.
#6 What are working on now?
S.K. I’m just finishing the sixth Magical Cats book and then I’m going to start on the second book in my new series, the Second Chance Cat mysteries. I’m writing those as Sofie Ryan. And I’m also working on a series of poetry collage panels. Most of the poetry that I write ends up in some kind of art project.
#7 Do you have any talents other than being a great writer?
S.K. Thank you for the compliment. I’m not sure if it’s a talent, but I like to cook and invent recipes. I can knit and sew. And I’ve been making mixed media journals recently, using paper, fabric, paint and found objects.
I sing with great enthusiasm—but no talent!
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As Sofie Kelly
The Magical Cat Mytery Series
As Sofie Ryan
Second Chance Cat Mysteries
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Curiosity Thrilled the Cat 2/2011
Sleight of Paw 10/2011
Copycat Killing 5/2012
Cat Trick 2/2013
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Kathleen Paulson lives in a small town, Maysville Heights, Minnesota. She adopts two cat (who really adopt her) , Owen and Hercules. They both have magical powers. They each have powers unique to themselves. Owen and Hercules are as much a main character ad Kathleen. Kathleen helps solves the murders in the town with Owen and Hercules s help, of course.
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From the first word to last of each book, I have enjoyed the tales of Owen and Hercules. Cat lovers and cozies lovers will both enjoy these humor and mystery filled stories. You will not be disappointed if you give Sofie Kelly' s books a chance. Read one meow!
Just wanted to tell you how much I am enjoying this "feature". You have moved several authors higher up on my tbr list and added some new ones.
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Magical Cat Mystery series
Final Cat Call 10/1/2013
(Ms. Sofie Kelly was so sweet in to giving me a ARC [advanced reading copy]. I loved each page of magic, mystery and some romance thrown in there. I don't want to give away any spoilers, I will just say you will be pleasantly surprised! :) You will applauding the ending.
Sofie Ryan
Second Chance Cat Mysteries
The Whole Cat and Caboodle TBD
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Day 1 ROBERTA ISLEIB
Golf Lover's Mysteries
Six Strokes Under 2002
Advice Column Mysteries
Deadly Advice 2007
As Lucy Burdette
Key West Critic Mysteries
An Appetite for Murder 1/2002
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Roberta Isleib
Golf Lover's Mysteries
Advice Column Mysteries
Lucy Burdette
Key West Food Critic Mysteries
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Golf Lover's Mysteries
Six Strokes Under 2002
A Buried Lie 2003
Putt to Death 2004
Fairway to Heaven 2005
Final Fore 2006
Advice Column Mysteries
Deadly Advice 3/2007
Preaching to the Corpse 12/2007
Asking for Murder 2008
As Lucy Burdette
Key West Critic Mysteries
An Appetite for Murder 1/2012
Death in Four Courses 9/2012
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GOLF LOVER'S MYSTERY SERIES
Cassandra Burdette is a professional golfer.While trying to accomplish her dream of a position on the Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour, dead bodies seem to find her instead. Mystery and humor.
*This is the only series I have read by this author
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I have only read her Golf Lover's Mysteries. I really enjoyed it. Once I am completed read that series I would like to try her titles under Lucy Burdette. I am sure they will be just as good as the ones that I have read already.
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MOST RECENT RELEASE
As Lucy Burdette
Key West Critic Mystery series
Topped Chef 5/2013
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Appleseed Creek series
A Plain Death 7/2012
India Hayes series
Maid of Murder 2/2012
As Isabella Alan
Amish Shop Quilt Mysteries
Plainly Murder 8/2013
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Mini Interview with Amanda Flower
#1 Where do you see yourself as a writer in 10 years?
A.F. I hope that I will have a steady career of writing cozy mysteries and feel confident enough in the stability of that career to leave my day job as a librarian. When the time comes, it will be a very difficult decision for me because I love being a librarian almost as much as being an author.
#2 If you could live anywhere regardless of the weather, where and why?
A.F. That’s a tough question for me. I travel a lot and have been to so many beautiful places, but I think ultimately, I would still pick Ohio because it’s where my family is. It’s the people that are more important to me than the place.
#3 What genres do you like to read when you are not writing?
A.F. I write cozy mysteries, but I am also a huge cozy mystery fan. Those are always the books I gravitate to in the library or the bookstore. It’s hard for me to leave a bookstore without picking up a cozy or two. I also love children’s chapter books, which is another genre I write.
#4 Do you do book signings, if no do you have plans to, when and where?
A.F. I do a lot of book signings. Because I’m a librarian most of them accompany book talks at libraries. I love meeting readers and talking about books. Readers can find my list of signings on my website on the Events Page. I update it regularly.
#5 Do you" base" any of your fictional characters in your books from people in your personal life?
A.F. That depends on whom you ask. I have had family member ask me “is that me” after reading my novels. I do take quirks and characteristics from the people in my life, but then I mesh them together to create someone new. No one character is exactly like a real person.
#6 What are you working on now?
A.F. Right now, I am working on my second middle grade mystery novel, Andi Under Pressure. I’m so happy to be writing fun mysteries for adults and children. I am blessed to have three novels releasing this September. They are three different publishers, so their releases just happened to fall in the same month. They are Andi Unexpected, the first Andi Boggs novel (mystery for children ages 8-12); Murder, Plain and Simple, the first Amish Quilt Shop Mystery (I write as Isabella Alan); and A Plain Disappearance, the third Appleseed Creek Mystery.
#7 Do you have any talents other than being a great writer?
A.F. I don’t know if you can call them “talents,” but I do love to dabble in the visual arts, such as painting, drawing, and crafting. Thankfully, I am a better writer than I am an artist.
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Appleseed Creek series
Andi Boggs series
India Hayes series
As Isabella Alan
Amish Shop Quilt series
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Appleseed Creek series
A Plain Death 7/2012
A Plain Scandal 2/2013
India Hayes
Maid in Murder 2/2012
Murder in a Basket 2/2012
As Isabella Alan
Amish Shop Quilt Mysteries
Plainly Murder 8/2013
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(only read the India Hayes series)
India Hayes is a college librarian and a vegetarian. She shares the vegetarian lifestyle with her family. She has her hands full trying to solve murders in her town and dealing with her hippie-generation parents.
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I have only read the India Hayes series but it was really funny and had great stories. I am looking forward to reading her other series which I have no doubt will be just as good!
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Newsest Releases
Appleseed Creek series
A Plain Disappearance 9/2013
*New Series
Andi Bogg series
Andi Unexpected 9/2013
As Isabella Alan
Amish Shop Quilt Mystery
Murder Plain and simple 9/2013
As far as I could find she doesn't have anything new coming out yet.
Here is her website again if you want more information about each book.
www