Guest post – A Mysterious Mixup by J.C. Kenney

Book Ten

Good morning from Indianapolis, which in January means cold and snow. Otherwise known as perfect weather to stay indoors with a warm drink and a good book.

Speaking of books, I’m thrilled to share with you the fact that A Mysterious Mix Up is my tenth published novel. My first seven novels were written in a different genre under a different name. When I moved to writing cozies, I took on a new pen name and got the rights to those novels back from the publishers. That way I could focus all of my energies on my mysteries. While that means those stories are out of print, I have every intention of publishing them again when the time is right.

One of the things I learned during my journey to double digits was to recognize my strengths, and weaknesses, as a writer. That’s what helped lead me to the mystery genre, especially cozies. Now, three books later, I’ve learned some valuable lessons that have helped me find my niche.

I’ve learned I love the whodunnit aspect of the cozy. I like the fact that justice prevails in these stories. It’s a lot of fun getting to know the characters over the course of a cozy series. There’s enough blood and gore in real life. I appreciate those things not being a part of cozies.

This writing journey of mine has followed an unpredictable path of self-discovery. One of the most exciting things is not knowing where this journey will take me. I’m confident it will include cozy mysteries. Shoot, I have a contract to write three more Allie Cobb Mysteries, so I’ll be spending time with the Rushing Creek crowd for the foreseeable future. But after that, who really knows? Not me, that’s for sure.

I’m proud of reaching double digits. I’m proud of the stories I’ve written and I’m looking forward to the ones I’ve yet to write. Maybe, when I finish book twenty, I’ll still be writing Allie’s adventures. Maybe, I’ll be writing about an entirely different sleuth.

I can’t wait to find out.

So, how about you? Do you have any accomplishments or hallmarks you’d like to share? Tell me, so we can celebrate together. Big or small, all successes are worth celebrating.

About the book

Murder hits the stacks when literary agent Allie Cobb investigates a fatality in the local library . . .  

Allie Cobb returns home from a book conference armed with hugs for her cat and her boyfriend, and dreams of a long, hot bath. She’s also getting ready to take the plunge by hiring an intern for her expanding literary agency. But it’s one for the books when Allie finds the town’s librarian—and her longtime role model—seconds away from death on the library floor.
 
Who would want to poison Vicky Napier—one of Rushing Creek’s most beloved citizens—on the eve of her retirement? But it seems there were toxic people in her life, like the handyman with an obsessive crush, and a wood carver with a hair-trigger temper. The list of suspects includes Allie’s boyfriend, Brent, who’s in the running to take over as town librarian. Avenging her friend’s murder could be a trap as she goes up against a killer determined to write Allie’s epitaph . . .

About the author:

J.C. Kenney grew up in a household filled with books by legends Agatha Christie and Lilian Jackson Braun, among many others, so it was no surprise when he found himself writing mystery stories. When he’s not writing, you can find him following IndyCar racing or listening to music. He lives in Indianapolis with his wife, two kiddos, and a cat who is the inspiration for Ursula in the Allie Cobb Mysteries.

Learn more about J.C. Kenney at www.jckenney.com/