Christina Hamlett joins us as the final interview of the year – can you believe we’ve done 52 interviews for The Cozy 52?! A special thank you to Christina for agreeing to do this interview at the last minute and also during a very busy time of year! Read on to learn more about her books, her other writing projects, and what inspired her to write cozy mysteries.
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 Christina Hamlett
NAME: Christina Hamlett
LIST ALL YOUR COZY MYSTERY SERIES:
- A Little Larceny in Lynmouth, A Little Scandal in St.Andrews, A Little Drama in Dunster.
- Coming in January: A Little Poison in Paisley.
- Coming in Spring: A Little Tumble in Tintagel and A Little Burglary in Bibury.
HOW ARE YOUR COZY MYSTERIES PUBLISHED? Self-published through Draft2Digital
The Q&A
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF
My credits to date include 47 books, 266 stage plays and squillions of articles, blogs and interviews. I’m also a script consultant for stage and screen, a distance learning instructor and a professional ghostwriter. I spent 16 years treading the boards as an actress and theatre director and I credit this experience to my skill at crafting snappy dialogue, compelling characters and settings which readers feel as if they could walk right into.
LIST THREE FUN FACTS ABOUT YOURSELF THAT WE WOULDN’T READ IN YOUR ‘OFFICIAL’ BIO.
- When I’m not writing books, I dabble in architectural design.
- My husband and I are both gourmet chefs and believe in making every meal—even breakfast—an occasion.
- We exchanged our wedding vows at Stirling Castle (Scotland) in the same chapel where Mary was crowned Queen of Scots.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START WRITING? WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO WRITE COZY MYSTERIES?
I was a voracious reader when I was growing up (and still am). I’ve been a writer for as long as I can remember and love all of the research that goes into making each project authentic. In March 2022, I decided to give cozy mysteries a try because I very much enjoy reading them. I was also inspired by my prolific mentor, Peter S. Fischer, who created the character of Jessica Fletcher in Murder, She Wrote. While I continue to pen plays, business books and standalone novels, what appeals to be about doing a series is that I won’t have to say goodbye to my characters for a long, long time.
WHAT SUBGENRE(S) OR THEMES OF COZY MYSTERIES DO YOU WRITE?
The common theme is all of my cozies is the romance between the two lead characters and the fact that each new plot unfolds in villages and towns throughout the UK.
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR COZY MYSTERY SERIES. WHAT INSPIRES YOUR SERIES?
In the first book, A Little Larceny in Lynmouth, my lead character (Rocky) and her romantic interest (Jon) are actually suspects in the mysterious offing of their landlady with a box of chocolates. Four recurring characters are also introduced, along with a plethora of red herrings, lots of humor, sassy flirtations and plenty of history about this particular village. What inspires me is my deep affection for the United Kingdom, a love which is also reflected in the number of scripts I continue to write for my British publisher, Silver Birchington.
WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE LOVE TO READ COZY MYSTERIES?
I believe it’s because they like to play armchair detective, be amused by light romance and offbeat characters, and not be subjected to anything heinous and gruesome which will keep them up at night. When murders occur, they politely transpire “offstage”. Even if they’re set in the US, that’s very British of them, isn’t it? Cozy mysteries also embrace a fond sense of community, something which we seem to be getting farther and farther away from in reality.
ASIDE FROM BEING AN AUTHOR, ARE YOU INVOLVED IN THE COZY COMMUNITY IN ANY OTHER WAY?
On Facebook, I belong to Cozy Mystery Village and Cozy Mystery Blogger and Author Promotion. Starting in Spring 2023, I will be teaching an online cozy mystery class through Wow! Women on Writing (https://www.wow-womenonwriting.com).
WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE WRITERS?
Rhys Bowen, Richard Osman, Alexander McCall Smith, Simon Brett, Kathryn L. Scott, Oscar Wilde.
IF YOU WERE MAROONED ON A DESERTED ISLAND, WHAT 3 BOOKS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU?
Magic Kingdom for Sale by Terry Brooks, Simple Survival by J.W. Meyer, The Poetry of Impermanence, Mindfulness, and Joy edited by John Brehm.
DO YOU HAVE ANY PROJECTS COMING UP THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?
At least three more books in my cozy series and a dozen new plays and monologues for Silver Birchington.
The Quickie 5
- FAVOURITE FOOD: Shrimp
- BEVERAGE OF CHOICE: Champagne
- MOST PRIZED POSSESSION: A toss-up between my Art Deco wedding ring and my 1906 upright grand piano
- SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter
- FAVOURITE VACATION SPOT? Anywhere that I am with my husband
To keep up to date with Christina Hamlett online, you can connect with her on:
