Thanks so much, Debra for having me back to your blog.
My next Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery, Murder at Cape Costumers, releases August 26th. It’s the seventh in the series of stories that take place in fictional Westham on upper Cape Cod. Bike shop owner Mac Almeida and her Cozy Capers book group sometimes never get to the cozy mystery of the week because they’re too busy investigating murder.
As I was writing it, Cape Costumers was the last book under contract. I didn’t know whether my publisher would renew the series for more books or if the seventh would be the last.
I’ve been in that position before. I wrote book three AND book five in the Local Foods Mysteries without knowing about a contract extension. Both times I left Cam Flaherty and her friends at the farm in a good position. If the series ended there, I’d be satisfied, but I didn’t burn any bridges to prevent it from continuing.
It did end with book five, and the books have been re-released as ebooks authored by Maddie Day.
Ending my seven-book Quaker Midwife Mysteries series was my business decision.
I was also in charge of deciding to finish the Country Store Mysteries at book thirteen, despite knowing how much I’d be disappointing dedicated fans of Robbie Jordan and her gang in South Lick, Indiana.
With both those series, I left everybody with all loose ends tidied up and the characters in a good place.
But with the Cozy Capers Book Group stories, I wanted
the series to continue, except I didn’t know if Kensington would offer me a contract for more.
I’m not much of a plotter, and as the book went along, I realized something big was going to happen in Mac Almeida’s personal life beyond the murder investigation.
And it did. Once again I ended the book feeling satisfied that I could walk away from Mac and Tim and her family and the Cozy Capers book group and Mac’s Bikes if I had to.
But I didn’t have to! I was offered a contract extension.
I’m now polishing book eight, Murder at the Toy Soldier. It’s my fortieth novel, so yay, me! I’m not sure what’ll happen in book nine, but I’ll figure it out. I always do.
Readers: Have you been able to end a job, a project, or a chapter in your life to your own satisfaction? I’ll send one commenter a copy of the new book (toward the end of the month after I get my copies).
Just in time for Halloween, a new costume shop has opened on Main Street in Westham, Massachusetts. Cape Costumers is a cut above the usual seasonal pop-up stores with their flimsy mass-produced outfits and cheap plastic masks, mostly due to co-owner Shelly, a former Broadway costume designer. But when Shelly discovers her elderly boyfriend Enzo—a Broadway star who retired to Westham—dead of unnatural causes, Halloween suddenly gets a lot scarier.
Sleuthing, Mac has found, is a lot like riding a bicycle: once you learn how, you never forget. Far from being spooked, Mac and the members of the Cozy Capers Book Group put down their weekly book selection and put their heads together to see past a bag of tricks and find a malice-making murderer who’s hiding in plain sight . . .
Maddie Day writes the Country Store Mysteries, the Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries, the Cece Barton Mysteries, and the historical Dot and Amelia Mysteries. As Edith Maxwell, she writes the Agatha-Award winning historical Quaker Midwife Mysteries and short crime fiction. She’s a member of Mystery Writers of America and a proud lifetime member of Sisters in Crime. Maxwell/Day lives north of Boston with her beau and their cat Martin, where she writes, cooks, gardens, and wastes time on Facebook. Find her at her website and at Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen .
OH the will they or won’t they banter always makes a good book looking forward to reading
Thanks!
Thanks for stopping by … it definitely is a topic that creates banter and “fear” for readers who love a series.
Thanks Debra for introducing me to a new author. Not sure which series to start first.
I’m so glad there will be more Cozy Capers Book Group series.
I’ve ended jobs and chapters in my life to start new ones.
Thanks, Dru Ann! You’ve started a big new chapter now.
Thanks for stopping by. You certainly understand this topic. Wishing you the best in your new life chapters. It takes work, but it can be so rewarding.
I know the feeling! With the sixth in the Kate series coming out in December, I have no idea if they will want a seventh. But I left a bit of unfinished stuff at the end. Hmm. In the meantime, I’m writing something completely new. Wish I wrote faster!
Fingers crossed, Connie. I love the Kate series – and something new sounds exciting, too.
Oh, I hope they want a seventh. It is such a good series. Good luck with your new project, too. Glad you stopped by today .. Edith hits the feelings you are having exactly.
I am also glad that you are to continue writing the Cozy Capers Book Group mystery series!
Fortunately, I was able to end my federal gov’t career in 2016 by choice, on my terms. And I was lucky to have worked on many climate change research projects as planned over 20 years.
Thank you, Grace!
Glad to see you hear today, Grace. Also glad you were able to end your government career on your own terms…. not being able to do so is frightening and unnerving. Much like waiting to see if a publisher will drop a writer or give them a new contract as Edith writes.
Thanks, Debra. I worked for the CANADIAN federal government, but we were going through similar situation then as happening now in the US. Massive layoffs of tens of thousands of government employees, severe budget cutbacks (our department’s budget was cut by 40%), muzzling of government scientists from speaking to the media, denying attendance at scientific conferences & meetings. It was pretty grim.
For me, closing a chapter of my life was both sad and very satisfying. Hubby and I were once clowns. It was back in the time when clowns were happy people that made folks smile and laugh. Clowns weren’t feared or made into madman monsters. I’m proud to say that I’ve clowned for the governor of our state, many events – big and small, and got to work alongside our dear friend Emmett Kelly Jr. We’ve loaded up the little Chevy Luv truck with my clown truck, hubby’s 18 inch motorcycle, all our wardrobe, makeup and props and headed out, while on vacation from the “regular” job, to as far as GA to AZ and from AR to MI. It was a great joy to clown at nursing homes. When a little boy takes his mom running across festival grounds, because he just wants to hug a clown, will surely bring a smile to ones face and a tug on ones heart. Clowning isn’t easy – working in full makeup and clothing (no skin exposed if doing it the old way) in the high heat of summer for 4-5 hours with no breaks can sure take it out of you but a smile from an adult or a giggle from a child make it oh so worth it. Clowning isn’t cheap – clown shoes alone cost over $700 a pair and honestly the pay usually won’t even break even on expenses. However, clowning was so rewarding is ways money can’t buy. I’m thrilled with my memories and photos showing where we worked and with whom. Due to the change of the proception of clowns, age and the start of medical conditions, it was time to retire the red nose, but I was more than satisfied with what we had done, succeeding beyond our wildest dreams and won’t trade our time clowning and our memories for anything.
Can’t wait for the opportunity to read MURDER AT CAPE COSTUMERS! I know it will be a fabulous read. Thank you so much for the chance to win a copy! <3
Bringing joy is so important, Kay! I have worn greasepaint makeup in the past – I don’t think I could tolerate it now.
The joy of what you did makes my heart sing. Glad you stopped by today.
Edith, your topic definitely crosses most writers minds who write traditionally published series. Thanks so much for stopping by today and for having a giveaway.
Thank you for having me!
That’s a jaw-dropping number of books that Day/Maxwell has written! I’m in awe.
Thanks, Saralyn! I do work hard at this job.
I like to finish a project and be satisfied that I did a job well done. That is one of the things I like to do feel organized and complete the job. Thank you for the chance. Deborah
I stepped away from a volunteer position in my church that I loved. The oversight of the team had recently changed and I was not comfortable in the direction it was going. A few months later, I was asked by the pastor to take on a more important role, not as visible but more supportive of the vision of the church with more leadership. Without knowing all the circumstances, he had faith in me which was enough to tell me my path was meant to be. I look forward to reading this book and would love to win a copy. egoehner(at)roadrunner(dot)com
Debrah and Edith, I’m relatively new at this whole book-publishing thing, and, at present, I remain pre-published. However, I think I’ve learned something about the path I hope will unfold before me in the future (one much like Edith’s if I’m lucky). As a writer, you seem to accomplish one goal only to find yourself back on the precipice of maybe/maybe not. I figure I’d best get used to it ( ;
It’s stories like this one that encourage me onward, knowing down into my writing bones that it can be done and it will never be easy ( ;