Sleuths, I am thrilled for today’s featured author—because it’s not one author, but several! A Bookworm of a Suspect: A Cozy Mystery Tribe Anthology contains thirty short stories by thirty authors. And it’s almost here—the anthology will be out April 11th. To celebrate, I invited as many of these authors as I could to participate in a different Cluesletter feature: rapid-fire mini interviews. In the interview below, thirteen authors answer three questions about cozy mysteries.
A Bookworm of a Suspect is available for preorder now for just 99 cents! The best part? All proceeds will be donated to “The Free Book Bus,” a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Grab a copy now from your favorite eBook retailer.
Today I am joined by thirteen of the authors behind A Bookworm of a Suspect, a new cozy mystery short story anthology. Huge thanks to all authors who participated!
Question 1: What qualities make a great amateur sleuth?
I believe the qualities that make a great sleuth are a culmination of several personality traits. A cunning eye for detail, keen observation skills, a determination to follow the clues until the truth is revealed and, the ability to solve puzzles with their problem-solving skills. Using their connections to find out answers and being in the right place at the right time (or sometimes the wrong time) to connect all the dots and solve the mystery.
— Polly Holmes
My favorite amateur sleuths take everyday skills and turn them into sleuthing skills. They are often persistent and insightful, sometimes full of quirky humor, and they have a doggedness to right the wrongs of this world.
— Denise Jaden
An amateur sleuth can be any age, with an inquisitive streak and a pet for a sidekick. Preferably a “nasty, small poodle,” in my opinion. 🙂
— Anne Shillolo
To be a great amateur sleuth, one must be nosy and stubborn. Some people might call these “negative character traits” but without natural curiosity and determination, no murders would ever be solved . . . especially by the bumbling small-town police force.
— Brittany E. Brinegar
Question 2: What cozy mystery trope is your pet peeve?
I don’t have too many pet peeves since I love all things mystery. But if I had to pick one, it’s the protagonist who can’t seem to do anything right and yet will be able to solve a mystery.
— Nicolette Pierce
Amateur sleuths who rely too much on overhearing clues than investigating. Also, I have a hard time swallowing the “everyone is white and straight” trope that is present in so many cozy mysteries.
— Elle Wren Burke (Cluesletter author!)
My cozy mystery pet peeve is the ditzy/dumb sleuth, especially when that sleuth is a woman. It’s one thing to be bumbling or awkward, but the portrayal of people as unintelligent really irritates me. 🙂
— ACF Bookens
Seriously, how does the amateur sleuth who owns a bakery have time to bake delicious treats AND solve a crime? Do they have some kind of superpower that allows them to function on zero sleep? Because I need that. STAT!
— Kelly Brakenhoff
I do have a pet peeve for cozy mysteries in general: I don’t like when the mystery is wrapped up in just a few sentences and we don’t get to really think about it. I want to really, really understand why the baddie did what they did and how. I want the sleuth to muddle it over. I want the closing scene to continue figuring it all out and wrap everything together.
— Iris March (Cluesletter author!)
Question 3: Who is your favorite literary detective, and why?
Hercule Poirot is my favourite literary sleuth because he encounters mysteries wherever he travels, and uses his quirky brain and keen eye to solve the cases.
— Jennifer S. Alderson
Nancy Drew is hands down my favorite literary detective. She’s bold and loyal and made me want to be a detective when I was younger! I suppose I have done that, just through my books.
— Stella Bixby (Cluesletter author!)
Father Brown, for three reasons: 1) I love all Chesterton’s writing; 2) Father Brown’s mysteries are unusual, of a type not often seen, but also universal in their appeal to human nature; and 3) Father Brown is an interesting character, always different from the way people expect him to be. Another detective I enjoy is Rabbi Small because his stories are well-written accessible logic puzzles and I love puzzles.
— Kate Darroch
My favorite literary sleuth is Beryl Helliwell from the Beryl and Edwina Mysteries because she’s very independent, intuitive, and follows her own rules while also having a soft side for her friends.
— Jessica Baker
Thanks so much to these authors for the interviews. Sleuths, I hope you enjoyed it! If you aren’t already subscribed, please be sure to sign up for the Cluesletter and get author features like this alongside other mystery goodies, delivered to your inbox every other Tuesday.