Why do I write Christian cozy mysteries? My Piper Haydn Piano Mysteries bring together several things I love: a good mystery, music, vintage treasures, and stories with an element of faith.
A childhood love of mysteries
I enjoy several cozy mysteries: Murder, She Wrote, Monk (is he cozy? not sure), the Seaside Knitters Mystery series, and several random cozy mysteries.
I grew up in love with Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew and read almost every one, except for the book in the series that had something about witches. My mom didn't allow that.
The piano connection
I've played the piano for over four decades, though I'm still new to this author gig and doing a little "fake it 'til you make it."
I majored in piano pedagogy in college until working to pay my tuition put the kibosh on that. My grade depended on hours spent practicing, and I had to work to pay my way through school.
Unlike Piper, I did not train at Juilliard. Piper is richer, skinnier, and better at the piano than I am, but I still like her.
Vintage treasures and a Wisconsin setting
Rosie comes from my vintage-loving self. If I were young and thin, I'd dress like Rosie for sure. Perhaps not the '70s groovy stuff, though (shudder).
Cranberry Harbor, Wisconsin, is fictional, but I imagine it's like Cedarburg, Wisconsin.
Faith and my approach to fiction
My stories don't shy away from hard circumstances, but I want to explore those subjects without explicit sex, graphic violence, or strong language. An element of faith belongs in my fiction alongside the friendships, music, and mysteries.
Start the Piper Haydn Piano Mysteries
If you'd like to meet Piper and Rosie, start with Murder Goes Solo, the first Piper Haydn Piano Mystery. Follow their adventures in this reading order:
Stick around for more Piper mysteries. I'm glad you're here.