The Cozy 52: Q&A with Marilyn Levinson / Allison Brook

Marilyn Levinson, who also writes under the pen name Allison Brook, joins us for this week’s The Cozy 52 interview. Read on to find out more about her books, her favourite authors, and how she stays involved in the Cozy Community.

Who or What is The Cozy 52? Each week I will be sharing an interview with someone involved with Cozy Mysteries – an author, blogger, Facebook Group host, podcaster, cover designer – so that we can showcase this amazing community! I hope you’ll discover some new authors, plus learn more about what goes on behind the scenes with the people who write, publish and promote cozy mysteries!

Introducing Marilyn Levinson

NAME: Marilyn Levinson (also writes the Haunted Library series as Allison Brook)

LIST ALL YOUR COZY MYSTERY SERIES:

• Haunted Library series (written as Allison Brook)
• The Twin Lakes series and the Golden Age of Mystery Book Club series (written as Marilyn Levinson)

HOW ARE YOUR COZY MYSTERIES PUBLISHED? Traditionally. I did initially publish one book in my Golden Age of Mystery Book Club series myself because I was unhappy with the publisher of the first book in the series. Since then both books have been in print for Harlequin’s book club edition.

The Q&A

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF

I’m a New York girl–born in Brooklyn, went to Syracuse University, and I’ve been living on Long Island most of my life. Each move has taken me further east on the Island.

LIST THREE FUN FACTS ABOUT YOURSELF THAT WE WOULDN’T READ IN YOUR ‘OFFICIAL’ BIO.

1. When I was young, I wanted to be a writer or a ballerina. Guess which won.
2. When I hear lively music I love to dance by myself.
3. I hardly ever wear shoes when I’m home.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START WRITING? WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO WRITE COZY MYSTERIES?

I started writing when I was in elementary school and first learned how to write. I write cozy mysteries because I love creating a world where people live in a warm and friendly small town.

WHAT SUBGENRE(S) OR THEMES OF COZY MYSTERIES DO YOU WRITE?

I often include a cat in my mysteries. The Haunted Library series has a ghost as a main character, but I don’t always have a ghost in my books.

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR COZY MYSTERY SERIES. WHAT INSPIRES YOUR SERIES?

The Haunted Library series takes place in Clover Ridge, CT. My sleuth is Carrie Singleton, the head of programs and events. The library is housed in one (eventually two) centuries-old buildings that face the large Green in the center of town. Carrie’s father’s family is from Clover Ridge. She grew up in a dysfunctional household. She decides to stay in Clover Ridge when she’s offered the library position. She develops good friendships and falls in love as she solves mysteries with the assistance of Evelyn Havers, the ghost of a former library aide.

I love developing my characters’ relationships and seeing Carrie develop self-confidence as she becomes a responsible and active member of her community.

WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE LOVE TO READ COZY MYSTERIES?

I think they love to read cozies because cozies give them a warm and cozy feeling. Vicariously, readers experience the close relationships the characters have with friends and relatives. Sure, there are problems and murders, but problems are solvable and murderers are caught and order is restored. Readers sometimes wish they could live in the towns that cozy writers create.

ASIDE FROM BEING AN AUTHOR, ARE YOU INVOLVED IN THE COZY COMMUNITY IN ANY OTHER WAY?

I’m very involved in the cozy community via Facebook and my newsletter. I’m part of a small group of cozy authors. We email each other constantly throughout the day. I occasionally do author takeovers on Facebook groups.

WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE WRITERS?

Joy Fielding, Lisa Jewell, Anthony Horowitz

IF YOU WERE MAROONED ON A DESERTED ISLAND, WHAT 3 BOOKS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU?

Three books that I have yet to read by three of my favorite authors.

DO YOU HAVE ANY PROJECTS COMING UP THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?

DEWEY DECIMATED has just come out September 6th. I’ll be sending the seventh book in the Haunted Library series to my editor as soon as I finish my third readthrough. That book will be published next fall.

The Quickie 5

• FAVOURITE FOOD: pasta
• BEVERAGE OF CHOICE: white wine
• MOST PRIZED POSSESSION: my large Chinese rider on camel
• SUMMER OR WINTER? summer
• FAVOURITE VACATION SPOT? Côte d’Azur

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To keep up to date with Marilyn Levinson/Allison Brook online, you can connect with her on:

WEBSITE | PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS | MARILYN’S TWITTER

ALLISON’S TWITTER | MARILYN’S BOOKBUB | ALLISON’S BOOKBUB | PINTEREST | INSTAGRAM