Behind the story of Hollyberry Homicide by Sharon Farrow

Sharon Farrow is the latest pen name of award-winning author Sharon Pisacreta. A freelance writer since her twenties, she has been published in mystery, fantasy, and romance. Hollyberry Homicide is the second book in her Berry Basket cozy mystery series.

Bring on the holidays

Sharon said that because her last Berry Basket mystery, Mulberry Mischief, took place during Halloween week, she decided to set the next one in December. “This meant the town of Oriole Point would be in full holiday mode involving giant Christmas trees, a Santa parade, and the local theater production of ‘A Christmas Carol’. Once I knew my main character Marlee would be performing in the play, I jumped at the chance to work the ideas of ‘A Christmas Carol’ into my own story. I fell in love with Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol’ when I was a child and first saw the Mister Magoo cartoon version on TV. I have seen every film adaptation of ‘A Christmas Carol’ and read the Dickens’ tale many times. It’s a timeless story because it deals with redemption, family, morality, forgiveness, and the ghosts of the past. Perfect ingredients for a murder mystery.”

And the family

“For each Berry Basket mystery, I start with a murder victim. I figure out how that person died and how my heroine Marlee Jacob will find that body. Then I brainstorm who would want this person dead, which leads to the creation of suspects. But before I come up with subplots and red herrings, I choose a one-word theme that permeates every aspect of the story. The themes in my previous four Berry Basket mysteries have been secrets, jealousy, greed, and justice. But in Hollyberry Homicide, the theme is family. However, there is little that is heartwarming or sweet about the family relations explored in the book. Family members share a history, a bloodline, and a past it can be difficult to escape from. And Hollyberry Homicide examines how the past often haunts the present, sometimes with dire results.”

Berry good choice

Although she loves berries, Sharon said she did not pick a berry-themed shop as the focal point of her series on a whim. It was, in fact, a very purposeful choice. “I live along the shoreline in western Michigan, which is where I set my Berry Basket Mysteries. And this region is known as ‘the fruit belt” for the entire country. The proximity to Lake Michigan affords us milder weather, ideal conditions for berries, peaches, apples, and grapes. Lots of vineyards are here, too. I was also inspired by The Blueberry Store in nearby South Haven, which served as a template for Marlee’s Berry Basket shop.”

From history to mystery

Sharon started out writing historical novels, but felt she needed a more in-depth feeling for the era. She said, “I jumped at the chance to volunteer as a docent for a historical park that recreated a 19th century farming town. I even convinced my mother-in-law to sew a lovely blue and white period dress for me to wear. (Although she was quite surprised that I didn’t know how to sew.) Each week, I worked in a different historic building in the village, greeting visitors and acting as their tour guide. My favorite buildings to present were the one-room schoolhouse, the general store, and a little Gothic revival farmhouse. Not only did I learn a great deal about that time period in the region, but I used that Gothic Revival farmhouse as the setting for a book I was writing at the time.”

These days, Sharon is writing mysteries, and her Berry Basket series is a valentine to the lakeshore town of Saugatuck, Michigan. “After spending several vacations in this charming village, my family and I decided to move here over a decade ago. A few months before we moved, my father died after a long, painful illness, which was emotionally draining for all of us. Because a fresh start was high on our agenda, we were drawn to the tranquility and scenic beauty of Saugatuck. Although I was writing a historical mystery series, I also wanted to find a way to thank my new home for giving us such a restorative experience. Both Saugatuck and nearby South Haven served as inspirations for my cozy series, with their quaint downtowns, Lake Michigan beaches, and colorful history. But I wrote my Berry Basket mysteries first and foremost as a way to say ‘thank you’ to this beautiful place that I am lucky to call home.”

Learn more about Sharon Farrow at sharonfarrowauthor.com