Dream Jobs: A Conversation with 4 Cozy Mystery Pros
By Crime HQ
October 25, 2021
Tell us your dream job in the comments below for your chance to win a copy of all four series debuts:
- The Rocky Road to Ruin – #1 in the Ice Cream Shop Mysteries by Meri Allen
- Getaway with Murder – #1 in the Mountain Lodge Mysteries by Diane Kelly
- Chapter and Curse – #1 in the Cambridge Bookshop Mysteries by Elizabeth Penney
- Death in Bloom – #1 in the Flower House Mysteries by Jess Dylan
How did you decide on your protagonist’s occupation?
Meri Allen: I love characters who aren’t exactly what they seem so the contrast between Riley Rhodes’ present running an ice cream shop on an organic farm—complete with mischievous baby goats—and her past as a librarian at the CIA has been fun to write. Having been a CIA librarian who did occasional undercover missions also added another layer to Riley’s character and gave her some advantages when it comes to sleuthing.
Diane Kelly: I came up with the idea of running a mountain lodge when my husband and I recently fulfilled a long-time dream of buying a vacation home in the mountains. On our way to our cozy little cabin, we pass a couple of long-neglected, defunct mountain lodges. I thought it was a shame the inns weren’t being rehabbed and put to use, especially the one that has a gorgeous view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Not long after I began to write Getaway with Murder, the one with the view finally sold to new owners and contractors are fixing it up now. I can’t wait to see how it turns out!
What would you be doing if you weren’t a writer (and didn’t work your day job either)?
Elizabeth Penney: I can’t imagine not writing, no matter what I’m doing. Before my first novel was published, I was a small business consultant, banker, and nonprofit executive. All those positions required writing. An area of passion, though, and one I might explore again, is local food and small farm advocacy. I love food (my readers comment on this focus in my books) and helping small farms thrive is a way to support families while improving local menus and health.
Jess Dylan: I’d probably be doing something else with books, perhaps working in a library or bookstore. Or maybe I’d work in publishing. One way or another, I’d put my English major to use and try to make a living doing something I love: reading!
What’s your main character’s biggest job challenge?
Diane Kelly: The biggest challenge for innkeeper Misty Murphy is running an old-fashioned mountain lodge at a profit. With the advent of Airbnb and other online vacation rental sites, the nature of travel accommodations has changed a lot since the lodge was built decades ago. When people can rent an entire cabin or condo for a relatively affordable price, why would they choose a traditional lodge? Misty uses her business acumen to show them why. She markets to small groups who want to stay together in close proximity and could benefit from a sizable central meeting space. Her first guests are a group of yoga students on a retreat. The lodge’s great room and deck provide a place for yoga and meditation classes, as well as a space where they can all hang out together in the evenings. No condo or cabin can beat that!
Elizabeth Penney: Housed in a quaint Tudor building, Thomas Marlowe Manuscripts and Folios has been around since the 1600s. The bookshop has an impeccable reputation, but, in these days of online sales, desperately needs to enter the digital age. Molly decides to create a social media strategy that includes books photographed around Cambridge, taking advantage of the gorgeous architecture and setting. She also frequently posts pictures of beloved shop cats, Clarence and Puck, customer favorites.
What are three things you love about the fall?
Meri Allen: Number one, wearing sweaters. Like any good librarian, I have many cardigans—way too many cardigans.
Number two, fall colors. Living in New England, I love how the trees change color and the leaves blaze gold, orange, and scarlet against the deep blue October sky. It’s a marvel I look forward to every year.
Number three is a little different, but I love back to school time. True confession: Office supplies are my weakness! Even though it’s been years since I was a student, every September I treat myself to new notebooks, markers, and post-it notes. I use post-its for plotting, so I go through a lot of them.
Jess Dylan: There are so many things to love about fall! Here are three: the smell of dried leaves and damp earth, annual trips to the pumpkin patch, and cuddling on the couch to watch old favorite Halloween specials on TV.
Enter the Sweepstakes!
Sign in and comment on this post for a chance to win a copy of each of the author’s series debuts!
To enter, make sure you’re a registered member of the site and simply leave a comment below.
The Cozy Conversation Comment Sweepstakes: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A purchase does not improve your chances of winning. Sweepstakes open to legal residents of 50 United States, D.C., and Canada (excluding Quebec), who are 18 years or older as of the date of entry. To enter, complete the “Post a Comment” entry at https://www.criminalelement.com/dream-jobs-a-conversation-with-4-cozy-mystery-pros/ beginning at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) October 25, 2021. Sweepstakes ends at 4:59 p.m. ET November 8, 2021. Void outside the United States and Canada and where prohibited by law. Please see full details and official rules here. Sponsor: Macmillan, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271.
Comments
Comments are closed.
Bookstore owner
I would love to own a bookstore in a small mountain town. I would carry books and items from local artists.
Thanks for the chance.
My dream job is to be a travel reviewer // writer and go around the world …..
I would work in a library
To work at a bookstore or own one.
I’ve worked in libraries a lot. It’s a lot of fun! I would love to own my own bookstore cafe someday.
I’d like to be an architectural historian. I just can’t get enough of those old buildings!
I think I’d like to work in a library.
I would love to own a cat cafe that has a reading nook fills with cozy mystery – it has everything that I love :- cat, coffee and books! Thank you for the giveaway.
If money were not an issue I would own a small bookstore with a small cafe in it that serves some treats and drinks where people could sit comfortably and enjoy the books they purchased while having a snack.
Librarian or cat rescue. Thank you for the opportunity to win!
A travel writer would be fascinating and a real adventure.
To write books that readers love!
A children’s art teacher.
Photographer
wonderful set of books.
I’m sure it’s hard to believe but my dream job is having a “cozy” used bookstore.
I would love to be a book store owner. Thank you for the opportunity. I love cozy mysteries.
In for the win…
Thanks for the opportunity!!
I worked in a library when I had a massive heart attack and subsequent other health issues so I am not unable to work. But if I could, I would go back to the library. I loved finding books for people that they might not otherwise know about and seeing the faces of little kids when they find a book that they truly want to read.
I know it’s hardly original, but yeah, bookstore owner’s my dream life.
Cozy mysteries are very popular at my library!!
I love a good mystery!
Cemetery restorer or small town bookstore owner. Thanks for the chance to win these books!
Cajun chef
I want to read all of these!
love mystery books thanks
These four books look delightful!
Hello, I wanted to be an actor/singer on Broadway or Off Broadway!
Thank you,
Cindi
Looking forward to the new series’.
I love books mysteries with pets
A book buyer.
I’m adding these to my “to read” list. I really enjoy cozy mysteries with animals!
Still waiting for professional reader to become a legitimate job possiblity!
Bookstore owner or author. Love these authors, excited to see new series from them.
My dream job would be to travel and review restaurants and attractions.
PR Rep for a rock star
These look like great series! Win or not, I may have to venture to the bookstore…
I would love to use my artistic ability and design the interiors of private jets.
I am the steward of Little Free Library #66281 in Skokie, IL
Waffle House waitress so I could joke around all day with nice customers
I’d be happy just working in a bookstore or a library.
Have already been bookstore manager (lots of work; not enough time to read). So, now want to retire (to sit home and read).
I would own a genre based bookstore and gamestore.
What’s not to love about fall? It means summer’s still far enough away that you don’t have to stress about sweat!
bookstore worker
Since I’m retired, I would love to volunteer at my local library. I always loved to spend time at the library, with a minimum of 30 minutes or more on each visit.
I would like to be a librarian and would love to explore the library.
I was a K-1 teacher for 30 years and would do it all over again!
In my dreams, opera or symphony archivist at arts organization
Look like some great reads
Production assistant for Rebecca Eaton, when she was still working with Masterpiece on PBS.
mysterious books
I have always wanted to own a bookstore.
I would love a chance to to win!
There are so many things I would love to do. I would love to own a bookstore with cafe, arts and crafts section and sell yarn for the knitters!
Work in a small bookstore/cafe
I would have liked to be a veterinarian.
Bookstore with a cafe and a large community room. I would love to win. Thank you!
I work 9n a library but would love to own a bookstore.
Cozy mysteries are the best. The reader gets a great variety of characters with the story.
Bookstore and cafe with a large community room. I would love to win. Thank you!
When I was young, I wanted to be a singer. Now my dream job would be either a bookstore owner or a librarian in a really good library.
Looks like a great book to read.
Rom-com author
When I was young, working in a bookstore would have been a dream come true. Instead, I taught for 34 years and loved that, too.
Running a bookstore in Yellowstone!
I actually feel like I am living the dream. My husband and I run a small business, we home school our kids and we get to take time off to go to Disney about twice a week.
The New York Public Library would be my first choice.
My dream job would consist of something with books. I wouldn’t care if it was working in a library or book store. Books make me happy, and I’ve imagined myself getting blissfully lost in book shelves. I’ve even considered maybe writing to see if I would be any good at it.
It sounds amazing! I would love to read these books!
I would read all day, starting with these books!!
Awesome!
My dream job would to be a teacher.
Dream job – I do it. Caring for my family. We have an autistic grandson we are raising, an Australian Blue 🐾heeler🐾husband retired early due to prostate ca. I read📖, knit, read…
Re
I love these question and answer posts!
I need some new cozies in my life!
I’d be a published author, but if I couldn’t have that, I’d somehow work with animals.
My dream job would be owning my own bookstore and selling classic books
love the recipes based on mystery novels
My dream job would be to live in a library and someone would bring me my meals and I could read all day and night a mountain of books a day!!
My dream job would be to own a Bread Bakery!
Would love to read all of these books!
I would like to own a bed and breakfast that inspires writers.
My dream job would be decorating cakes and cupcakes!
My dream job would be working in a library, preferably in an archive with old, classic books.
My dream job would be to own a book with a bakery inside it!!!!!
As a child I wanted to own a bakery, but I grew up to own a comic book store instead! 🤗
My dream job is full time sugar pet and writer.
…
What? I can do both so long as I’m amusing. 😀
I’d like to work in a library.
I would want to own a small bookstore with a cafe. I would make the pastries for the cafe. So I guess that’s two dream jobs.
i worked in our local library when i was younger. was fantastic.
Bookstore /coffee shop/art gathering place
I would love to be a dog walker!
Actress, singer, photographer, sculptor…so many dreams. 🙂 Thanks for the chance.
I always envy movie soundtrack coordinators!
I would love to own a cat cafe that has a reading nook fills with cozy mystery – it has everything that I love :- cat, coffee and books! Thank you for the giveaway.
I’d love to own a bookstore, just like Molly in “Chapter and Curse”, which I’m reading now and loving it!
Thank y’all for taking the time to do a mini interview! I am always facinated by the reasoning, motives, inspiration & process of mystery writers & their books! All 4 of these sound like amazing stories, right up my alley! Thank you for hosting the interview & the awesome giveaway!
Forensic anthropologist!
I just Luv Cozy Mystery books, sit in your favorite compy chair let your mind go on journey.
I love everything about cozy mysteries – the usually quirky characters, interesting and fun plots, and the beautiful covers!
My dream job would be to own & work in a quaint little store that sells books & candles, two of my favorite things!!!
These are so fun!
All four sound interesting. Look forward to reading them.
Own a bookstore.
My dream job is to be a records keeper. I love working with numbers and files.
Dream job? Retirement 🙂
I’d love to own a bookstore
I volunteer in a library now that I have retired. Owning a bookstore would be lovely!
I have worked in university libraries and in a bookstore.
Please enter me in this sweepstakes.
Thanks!
If I could find a way to make a living taking high school kids for college visits, that would be fantastic.
very interesting information!
I love how an author can be on a trip to the vacation home and while glancing out the car window at dilapidated lodges, come up with a new book idea. Or how cozy authors give their main characters such interesting backgrounds that always seem to help with their sleuthing. I look forward to checking these new stories out.
I love crime books! The mystery and thrill of the hunt. Both for the criminal and the law enforcer.
I always wanted a three story business: a bookstore, yoga studio, crafting area!
My dream job would be a Teashop/bookshop…where I’d pair a particular tea with a mystery and senior rescued dogs roam around inside waiting to be read to. 🫖📖🐕
I would love to own an animal sanctuary and be an author.
My dream job? Famous author.
I’d like to be a librarian or work in a bookstore
My dream job is to get paid to read, so maybe an acquisitions editor.
Would love to win this, I love reading and stories like these.
I am working my dream job — a bookstore manager. The only thing better would be owning my own bookstore.
I love cozy mysteries.
I obsessively love reading📚 it expands my heart & mind, has helped me since I was a shy child.💕
I would love to work with my kids. My son is autistic and loves reading and watching movies. I would love to open a movie shop and book store with him. Or a bed and breakfast that has a theater room he can run. My daughter could have a small farm and petting zoo at our b and b.
I’m a retired teacher/librarian. If I had a 2nd career, I would like to do something with forensics.
My dream job would be to run a farm with workers who have special needs. It would supply flowers and vegetables for public purchase. This would provide a much needed service for those who are not able to find work in a regular job and still feel they have a purpose.
To be a Criminal Profiler would have been my dream job.
Bookstore cafe owner
Wow! I already love Meri’s (Shari’s) books, and would love to try the other authors as I’ve read great reviews of their works. Thanks so much for the chance!
My dream job would have been a sign language teacher. That is what I wanted to do. But that didn’t work out like I planned. Now I would have loved to be a crime scene investigator.
Thank you for the chance.
Bookstore owner with a cozy cottage feel. A place where people can feel like they are at home with a beverage of their choice and a comfortable area to read.
A cozy book store owner
My private library could use these new mysteries. Hope I win.
Nice post
Thanks for sharing excellent Blog. We provide a Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity Test in our DNA forensics lab.
Working at the New York Public Library would sure be interesting. However i’m pretty satisfied with my job at Tvangssalg bolig in Norway. 🙂
My ideal job would be to get compensated for reading, so perhaps an acquisitions editor.
I appreciate this article for the well-researched content and excellent wording. I got so interested in this material that I couldn’t stop reading. Your blog is really impressive.
I appreciate this article for the well-researched content and excellent wording. I got so interested in this material that I couldn’t stop reading. Your blog is really impressive.
I would like to say that this blog really convinced me to do it! Thanks, very good post.
I read that Post and got it fine and informative.
You ought to basically fantastic not to mention solid advice, which means notice:
I saw this article, and I think every person wants his dream job in his dream country but everyone does not get this opportunity, but I have searched a website that will provide you the best job opportunity in his dream country, just click the career explorer guide and visit the website
On this page, you’ll see my profile, please read this information.
This essay has great information and is written really nicely. As I read on, I found that I could not put the book down due to my growing interest in the subject. I’m blown away by your excellent blog.
Your article is very interesting. I really like your article .Thank you for sharing
Thank you for guidance it’s very interesting.
Thankful to you for your post; I’ve been looking for something like this for a long time and am delighted to have found it.
Huge selection of vacancies in successful hedge funds. Experienced professionals in the investment industry. Take the next step in your career – Paragon Alpha.
informative post.
Good post.