Murder Mysteries as Puzzles: Author Interview with Valerie Taylor

What inspired you to write your first cozy mystery?
It’s not what inspired me, it’s who! Readers of my romantic comedy trilogy (fondly known as the What’s Not series) suggested I write a cozy mystery. They believed my fluid writing style, relatable characters, and true-to-life dialogue would work well with cozies. If it weren’t for readers’ encouragement, I probably wouldn’t have begun the Venus Bixby Mystery series that so far consists of A Whale of a Murder, published in 2024, and Switched at Death, releasing on April 22, 2025.

How did you create your imaginary town setting?
When I visited New Bedford, MA, in 2016 (the year I retired from corporate America), I couldn’t have predicted that this historic whaling village would be the model for my cozies. But when I began imagining my story, my day in New Bedford popped into my mind. Since it’s situated between Providence and Cape Cod, I named my fictional town Chatham Crossing. From there, I made the whaling museum the focal point of the story. Next, I created my amateur sleuth who owns an oldies music store and cookie bakery. And since the town borders a bay, it was easy to build out the town from there.

How do you go about plotting your mystery?
Unlike my romcom, which I truly wrote by the seat of my pants, I learned from an online course how important it is to outline a mystery, cozy or otherwise. A cozy must have a sleuth, a detective, a victim, a villain, and a cast of supporting characters who may or may not be suspects. On top of that, it needs a setting people will love and a murder they know occurred but never witness. Bonus points for things like pets, food, book, music and red herrings sprinkled along the way. It’s a recipe for disaster for the writer who doesn’t think through most of this ahead of time. For my mysteries, I use multi-colored markers and sketch pads to mind map those key elements, drawing pictures and arrows to depict how and when they interact.

Do you pick the victim or the murderer first?
In both A Whale of a Murder and Switched at Death I knew who the primary victim would be at the start. However, I actually changed who the murderer would be halfway through the first draft of Switched at Death. You could say I kept with the theme of that story!

What do you think makes for a perfect murder mystery?
A murder mystery is a puzzle. People love puzzles! Look at the millions of people who play Wordle each day! A perfect murder mystery, then, is a puzzle cloaked in intrigue that implores the reader to search for clues as to whodunit. The clues can either be blatant or hidden, but the story should motivate a reader to reflect on what they caught or missed after they’ve turned the last page and closed the book.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
Throughout my career I was a writer, in one form or another. For most of my life I wrote business or marketing communications. As such, I was stifled by having to comply with rules, especially legal ones. In the last few years before I retired, I shared the idea for my first novel with colleagues. To a person, they all encouraged me to go for it. Get that book written! If I hadn’t heeded their advice, I wouldn’t have five books under my belt today.

Marketing is the biggest key to getting sales. What is the best marketing source you've used that has produced more sales rather than just clicks?
Friends and family might not agree, but I really am an introvert. So, you’d think online marketing would suit me just fine. Yet, I find, I’m also like the Energizer bunny. Once you wind me up, I can talk about my author journey, writing, and the stories I tell for hours. So, for me, participating in book fairs and craft fairs are generally worthwhile and fun. You just never know who you’ll meet!

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?
I don’t think I ever thought of writing as an addiction. But it is! I can’t believe I’m in the process of writing my sixth book. I bet I think about writing during most of my waking hours. Even reading or watching television provides fodder for a future story.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
Don’t compare yourself to other authors. While that’s commonly-given advice, I suspect it’s difficult for many of us to adhere to. Whether it’s a writer’s storytelling talent or an author’s trajectory to a best seller’s list, I believe it’s human nature to put ourselves in their shoes and wish it were us.

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?
Know thyself. Sounds like an answer to the above question! What I mean to convey is this: write the book you want to write. Switch genres, as I did, if it makes you happy. Be honest about how much time, energy, and money you’re willing to invest in a career where people you’ll never meet will have much to say about what you put your heart and soul into. If you’re thin skinned, don’t read reviews!

What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?
The second book in the Venus Bixby Mystery series  was published this week. In Switched at Death, Venus Bixby and her meddlesome sister are back. When the beloved mayor of historic Chatham Crossing collapses and dies when the Christmas tree explodes in flame during the annual tree lighting, Venus drags her feet before getting involved in the investigation that follows. Once her cookie bakery is implicated in the mayor’s death, she has no choice. As clues begin to emerge, Venus fears someone she knows and loves may also be involved. Will her clever sleuthing skills save the Christmas holidays for one and all in this charming whaling town?

That's all for today's interview. Hope you'll check out Valerie's books. Here are the links to do just that...

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B084JGPQX1  
Website: https://www.valerietaylorauthor.com  

Subscribe to my newsletter, Behind and Ahead: https://www.valerietaylorauthor.com/subscribe  

Facebook.com/valerietaylorauthor  

Twitter @ValerieEMTaylor  Instagram @ValerieETaylor

And here's a bonus for my readers... Leave a comment on this post and we'll pick one reader who'll receive a copy of one of Valeria's eBooks. Their choice of either A Whale of a Murder or Switched at Death! So do that now. It can be as simple as I want to be in the giveaway. We'll chose a winner next weekend!