The Cozy 52: Q&A with author Wendy Ledger

Wendy Ledger joins us for this week’s The Cozy 52 interview. Learn more about Wendy’s love of talking cats, the culinary adventure she’s embarking on and what’s coming up next for this cozy mystery author!

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 Wendy Ledger

NAME: Wendy Ledger

LIST ALL YOUR COZY MYSTERY SERIES: I’m just starting out. So it’s Boardwalk Betrayal, Book 1 of the Maggie and Pepper Mysteries.

HOW ARE YOUR COZY MYSTERIES PUBLISHED? Self-published.

The Q&A

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF

I’m a writer who lives in the Gold Country of California with my husband and our three cats. We live among the big trees in our neighborhood, where only a few of us live full time. It’s quiet and lovely.

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

1. When I was in college, I was a freeform radio d.j. at a 90-watt radio station. Freeform means you play different types of music—pop, jazz, rock, reggae, show tunes, country, folk, r&b, soul—and explore the connections between genres. It was one of the best experiences of my life.
2. My husband and I are about to embark on a tea adventure, where we try all different kinds of tea. A few weeks ago, my husband told me he was going to cut down on coffee, and I decided to join him. So we’re going to try tea in the afternoon. I’m very excited as in the Fall of 2023, I plan to start a paranormal tea shop series, and I want to know a lot about tea before I begin. If you would like to join us, we’re going to try August Uncommon Teas, where you can buy sample packs. My husband and I don’t always agree on flavors. I LOVE chai. He can’t stand it. I want to try their banana blend. He’s unenthused at that opportunity. But we both generally love dark, smoky teas, and I want to try it all.
3. I love to wear crazy colors on my nails.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO WRITE COZY MYSTERIES?

I love this genre because it encourages quirkiness and eccentricities. For the past ten years, I have lived in small towns, and I love the connections and dramas that can occur in these types of places. When I was young, I loved Harriet the Spy. I have always loved the idea of girls and women solving mysteries.

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

Pets! Specifically, a talking cat named Pepper. I like to have a talking cat in my books.

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

When I was a child, we vacationed in a boardwalk town every year. It was a place my mom and her family had gone to every year when she was growing up. I wanted to create a town that reminded me of this magical place. I also spend a great deal of time with cats. I strive to be a top-tier cat valet, and I want to celebrate that bond that can exist between a person and her cats.

WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE LOVE TO READ COZY MYSTERIES?

I think we love to figure out the puzzle, and I think the knowledge that justice will prevail is comforting and powerful.

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

I also work as a transcriber, editor, proofreader, and audiobook proofer.

WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE WRITERS?

I love quirky, complex characters. Elinor Lipman, Anne Tyler, M. C. Beaton, and Agatha Christie are some of my favorite writers.

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

I would want audiobooks! That’s the way I read. I’m currently listening to John Hopkins narrate Death of a Hollow Man by Caroline Graham. I think that’s a must-listen for Midsomer Murder fans. I love Imogen Church’s narration on Ruth Ware’s The Death of Mrs. Westerway.  Last, I would take Kenneth Branagh’s narration of Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile.

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

I’m currently working on Book 2 of the Maggie and Pepper Mysteries, Sandcastle Secrets. I’m not a fast writer. I imagine it will probably be out in mid-January 2023. Then I hope to have Book 3 finished by September 2023. Next fall, I’ll also be starting another series, the aforementioned paranormal teahouse cozy. There will be a talking cat, of course!

The Quickie 5

• FAVOURITE FOOD: Jeni’s ice cream, either Skillet Cinnamon Roll or Sweet Cream Biscuits and Peach Jam
• BEVERAGE OF CHOICE: Sparkling water.
• MOST PRIZED POSSESSION: Whatever notebook I’m currently writing in.
• SUMMER OR WINTER? What about spring or fall?  🙂
• FAVOURITE VACATION SPOT? New York, where the rest of my family lives.

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To keep up to date with Wendy Ledger online, you can connect with her on:

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM