GUEST BLOG: Why an Advice Columnist Makes a Good Amateur Sleuth by Kathleen Bailey

When beginning a new cozy mystery series, one of the early decisions in developing the protagonist is deciding what they do for a living. Some considerations: the job must be flexible (gotta have time to sleuth during daylight), pay a decent wage (gotta provide kibble for the kitty or puppy), and impart a unique skill set (gotta outwit and outmaneuver the police).

Olivia Penn is a syndicated advice columnist living and working in Washington, D.C. As Where the Light Shines Through opens, she is traveling to her hometown of Apple Station, Virginia, to visit her dad before moving to New York to advance her career and pursue her publishing dreams. A quick box check … flexible job? She needs only her laptop and a Wi-Fi connection. Got it. A decent salary? She lives in Georgetown (that’s not cheap!), and she just got a promotion. Her dad’s beagle puppy will be well-fed during her visit. A unique skill set? She’s a writer attuned to understanding behavior and psychology and can remain objective, seeing all sides of an issue. Excellent for amateur sleuthing. All boxes checked, and off we go.

The idea of making Olivia an advice columnist actually was born a long time ago. It stems from the days of my childhood when I would study the various advice columns in the style section of the newspaper, poring over readers’ questions and imagining how I would respond. Admittedly, my skill set as a ten-year-old was quite limited in being able to address the heartache of a difficult break-up or on how to deal with a gossiping co-worker, but I could confidently rattle off five uses for vinegar in under a minute. To this day, if you say “casserole” to me, I say “cream of mushroom soup” back to you.

Olivia’s advice column, though, is not about recipes or household tips. She’s straight-up about advice. She’s adept at listening to what is being said and to what is NOT being said. Often, it’s the space between the words that says more than the words themselves. She is curious, determined, and an excellent communicator. All of these impart a foundational skill set for her sleuthing.

In Where the Light Shines Through, we see Olivia in action, answering questions from the followers of her “Penn’s Pals” advice column as well as tackling other pressing matters posed by townsfolk such as how to clean a stubbornly stained coffee pot (vinegar) and how to increase the rise on a sheet cake (vinegar). Is she capable, though, of taking her own advice? When push comes to shove, will she be able to remain objective, allowing for the possibility of the unimaginable as she seeks to solve the murder of someone dear to her?

I turn it over to you … the next time you hear or read about some matter that calls for advice, think about your first response, and then ask yourself, “What would be the opposite of that response?” By reflecting prior to reacting, you’ll become more adept at understanding other’s behaviors and motivations and then, one day, you too may become an amateur sleuth!

Happy Reading!

About The Book

An Oliva Penn Mystery: Book 1
Publication Date: November 30, 2021

Castle meets Clue in this fun, fast-paced, fresh take on the cozy mystery.

Olivia’s syndicated advice column is about solving problems … not murders. But when she returns to her hometown of Apple Station in Virginia to visit her dad, she has five days to expose a killer or fall prey as the next victim.

Olivia had planned for a week of rest and relaxation before her move to New York for a promotion and a chance to pursue her publishing dreams. Within hours of arriving home, her world changes forever with the death of someone dear. A promise to a grieving mother leads her to uncover secrets from the past that put her life in danger, leaving her at a crossroads. Does she risk investigating further or settle for the security of the life that awaits? Will she chase after what she thinks she wants or listen to what her heart needs?

With the support of friends and family, a tenuous alliance with the lead police detective, and the bravery of an intrepid beagle, she races to protect her dad, rescue an unlikely ally, and bring a murderer to justice.

When all seems lost, will Olivia summon the strength and courage she needs to see where the light shines through?

Join the journey in the first novel of The Olivia Penn Mystery Series. If you grew up reading Nancy Drew, you’ll love this cozy mystery that entertains with heart and humor amid a charming cast of characters set in a small Southern town.

Escape to enjoy a captivating, heartwarming story that will inspire you to be the hero of your own life.

Excerpt

PDF-img

Buy Links

Amazon Barnes & Noble iBooks Kobo
Add to Goodreads

About The AuthorKathleen Bailey is the author of Where the Light Shines Through, the first novel in The Olivia Penn Mystery Series. She writes mysteries with heart and humor that keep to the traditional and cozy sides of crime. Kathleen has degrees in English, psychology, and physical therapy. She previously worked as a pediatric physical therapist for over twenty years with children who have special needs. She now spends her days obsessively plotting and sleuthing in Virginia. When she is not incognito, she is a member of Sisters in Crime and the James River Writers.

WebsiteGoodreadsAmazon-SocialBookbubNewletter

Blog Tour Schedule

November 29 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

November 30 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – GUEST POST

November 30 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

December 1 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

December 2 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 3 – I Read What You Write – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 4 – Diane Reviews Books – REVIEW

December 4 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 5 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

December 6 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

December 7 – Novels Alive – GUEST POST

December 8 – Nellie’s Book Nook – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 9 – I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT

December 9 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT

December 10 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – REVIEW

December 11 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – GUEST POST

December 12 – BookishKelly2020 – SPOTLIGHT

December 12 – ebook addicts – SPOTLIGHT

Dayna Linton
Dayna Lintonhttp://dayagency.com
Dayna is the owner of not only Novels Alive but of Day Agency, a full-service self-publishing agency for independent authors. She has been assisting independent authors to achieve their dreams of becoming published authors for over 15 years. From New York Times and USA Today Bestselling authors to the first-time author to every author in between. Dayna is a self-professed bibliophile. While dancing has always been her first love, reading came as a very, very close second, with gardening coming in as a close third. Dayna is also the divorced mom of four adult children and a very proud grandma. She is also a web designer, social media specialist, book blogger, and reviewer. She's a long-time Disney lover and a Utah Jazz, Utah Utes, and Dallas Cowboys fan. See Dayna's reviews here: Dayna's Reviews

2 COMMENTS

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

- Advertisement -