Hello Sleuths,

Welcome to the very first edition of Let’s Get Sleuthy! A Bi-weekly publication that showcases cozy alerts, monthly interactive mysteries and sprinkled with my personal writing updates.

It’s Personal.

In 2024, I spent the year experimenting with different genres to figure out where I wanted to take my writing dream. After many, many trials and errors, I finally landed on Cozy Mysteries. Why? Easy. I binge-watch Murder, She Wrote, SVU, Cold Case—you name it. PLUS, cozy mysteries leave room for that Hallmark movie-style, low-heat romance. Trust me, I love reading all the spice, but writing it? That’s a different story entirely. And let’s not forget the spinoff subgenre of paranormal cozies—Supernatural fans, anyone?

Now that it’s 2025, it’s time to start chasing the dream. This month, I’ve been loving the process of writing my very first cozy mystery novella (just dipping my toes in) set in the charming small town of Snowy Brook. Sophie and Tom are rekindling their long-lost romance after a fallout years ago—but their reignited spark comes with complications, including a few missing persons and a hint of blackmail to keep things interesting!

Cozy Alert

This is the part of the article where I share my favorite cozy finds:

When I was 16, my friends in high school gifted me the DVD box set of Murder, She Wrote with a card that said, “Happy Birthday, Grandma.” Needless to say, they knew me well. So, you can imagine my excitement when I discovered that Murder, She Wrote is available on Peacock! That’s right—Jessica Fletcher and all her sleuthing glory are ready for your next binge session.

Case 1—The Murder at Willow Manor

Now for my personal favorite part of the newsletter—it’s time to show off your sleuthing skills! Each month you’ll get the chance to solve a fictional cold case using the evidence provided. I’ll lay out the facts and list the possible suspects, and you’ll comment who you think did it and why. In the next post, I’ll reveal the culprit and their motive.

Without further ado, here’s your first case!

The Crime:

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At 9:15 PM on January 3rd, famed novelist Lydia Ashmore was found dead in the study of Willow Manor, her sprawling countryside estate. Her death appears to have been caused by blunt force trauma, but no weapon has been found. Three people were at the estate that night: her assistant, her brother, and her best friend.

Lydia was last seen alive at 8:00 PM when she left the table muttering "Perfidy knows no bounds". Her body was discovered by Amelia, her assistant, who said she found the study door locked and had to force it open.

The Suspects:

1. Amelia Reed (Assistant):

• Motive: Amelia was recently fired for “mismanaging funds.” Could she have retaliated?

• Evidence: Lydia’s journal entries mention tension with Amelia over the last few months. However, Amelia insists she and Lydia had resolved things and were on good terms.

2. Peter Ashmore (Brother):

• Motive: As Lydia’s only sibling, Peter stands to inherit her fortune.

• Evidence: In Peter’s suitcase was a letter to addressed to him written by Lydia that she planned to remove him from her will. Peter argues he came because of the letter to make amends.

3. Clara Davenport (Best Friend):

• Motive: Clara recently published a scathing memoir that Lydia called “a betrayal.”

• Evidence: A wine glass with Clara’s fingerprints was found in the sink. Clara insists Lydia invited her to talk things over that evening.

Key Evidence:

• A threatening letter addressed to Lydia was found in her study drawer. It reads: “You’ll pay for this betrayal.”

• Security cameras show the study door opening and closing at 9:05 PM but with no clear image of who entered.

• Lydia was holding a pen in her hand, despite no paper or notebook being present on her desk.

• A faint trace of red wine was found near the body, but Lydia’s toxicology report shows no alcohol in her system.

The case is in your hands reply back with your answer!

Happy Sleuthing!