Murder By Page One, the latest novel by Olivia Matthews. Check out all the stops along her Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour!
Author Interview + Book & Author Info
Murder By Page One
Marvey, a librarian, has moved from Brooklyn to a quirky small town in Georgia. When she’s not at the library organizing events for readers, she’s handcrafting book-themed jewelry and looking after her cranky cat. At times, her new life in the South still feels strange…and that’s before the discovery of the dead body in the bookstore.
After one of her friends becomes a suspect, Marvey sets out to solve the murder mystery. She even convinces Spence, the wealthy and charming newspaper owner, to help. With his ties to the community, her talents for research, and her fellow librarians’ knowledge, Marvey pursues the truth. But as she gets closer to it, could she be facing a deadly plot twist?
This first in series cozy mystery includes a free Hallmark original recipe for Classic Peach Cobbler.
Murder by Page One: A Peach Coast Library Mystery
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Publisher: Hallmark Publishing (March 23, 2021)
Print length: 328 pages
Digital ASIN: B08KHPBDBS
If you love Hallmark mystery movies, you’ll love this cozy mystery with humor, intrigue, and a librarian amateur sleuth.
To buy the book, click on any of the following links: Amazon – Hallmark Publishing – Apple – Barnes & Noble – Bookshop – Fantastic Fiction – Kobo
Murder By Page One: Author Interview
Tell us about the town in Georgia where Murder By Page One takes place:
Murder by Page One is the first book in my new Peach Coast Library Mystery series.
These cozy mysteries are set in a small fictitious coastal Georgia town, which I christened Peach Coast.
I borrow a lot from St. Marys, Georgia, in part because a woman I adore and greatly admire has lived in St. Marys for decades. And she was so generous with her time and trouble when I asked her about St. Marys and Southern culture in general. I thank her on the novel’s Acknowledgement page.
Elena graduated from UGA in Athens, Georgia. She and Olivia both love Uga, the Bulldog mascot!
What drew you to locating your latest series in the south?
This is a fun question. I wanted to write a fish-out-of-water story. I really enjoy those. It seemed to me a fun way to make my character a fish-out-of-water was to make her a native New Yorker who relocates to a Southern state.
Like my main character, I’m from Brooklyn, New York. I’ve always been fascinated by the cultural differences between the Mid-Atlantic and Southern regions. For example, I went to dinner with a friend and her husband. Both were born and raised in Louisiana. My friend’s husband drove us to the restaurant. Once we were parked, he got out of the car. As I shifted to open my door—as women from New York do—my friend said, “Stay in the car.”
I’m from Brooklyn. So many questions flashed through my mind: Why should we stay in the car? Are we under attack? If so, shouldn’t we get out of the car to help your husband???
Then I realized, we were supposed to stay in the car so her husband could open our doors. I found that strange—and humorous. I included a scene similar to that experience in the story.
What should readers know about Marvey the librarian?
That’s a perfect question. Thank you. Marvey’s passionate about libraries because she’s passionate about people and communities. She clearly sees the direct connection between a strong library system and a successful thriving community. So her mission in life is to strengthen libraries so they can provide as many resources to their communities as possible.
I use these stories to help explain the vital resources libraries provide in addition to the lending materials.
Elena says, I love that connection between libraries and communities!
You also write romance novels under the names Regina Hart and Patricia Sargeant. Does your writing process differ writing cozies versus writing romance?
My writing process remains the same whether I’m writing romances or mysteries. I always start with my characters: Who are they? What do they want? What’s keeping them from their goal? What’s important to them; why? Who’s important to them and why?
Once I have a clear understanding of whose story I’m telling, I develop the plot.
Here’s where the difference lies between my approach to writing romances versus mysteries.
With romances, the focus of my plot is on developing the romance even if there’s a bit of a mystery in the story as in The Love Game: The Anderson Family, Book 1.
With mysteries, the mystery is the focus of the plot, even if there’s a bit of a romance in the story.
In addition to writing best-selling novels, you also teach writing craft workshops. Tell us about The Writing Mind.
I love studying and discussing the craft of storytelling, particularly plotting and characterization. I offer a Fun with Plotting workshop and a Building Character workshop.
I’m on LinkedIn as Patricia Sargeant where I share my writing craft articles as well as information about upcoming presentations. I’m planning a Fun with Plotting workshop this fall.
What are you working on now?
Thank you so much for asking. I’m excited to be working on the second book in the Peach Coast Library Mystery series, Murder Out of Character. There’s a serial killer in Peach Coast and one of Marvey’s friends is on the list.
Final Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Writers:
One thing I’d like aspiring writers to always remember: Writing isn’t easy. (Candidly, it’s not supposed to be.) Rejection isn’t fun. But if becoming a published author is your dream, don’t ever give up. It takes as long as it takes. Don’t ever give up on your dream.
Thank you so much for allowing me to visit with your community, Elena. You asked such fun and interesting questions! I wish you continued success. Happy reading!
Great to have you spend time with us! I loved hearing about your process and projects!
Olivia Matthews
Olivia Matthews is the cozy mystery pseudonym for Patricia Sargeant, a national best-selling, award-winning author.
Her work has been featured in national publications such as Publishers Weekly, USA Today, Kirkus Reviews, Suspense Magazine, Mystery Scene Magazine, Library Journal and RT Book Reviews.
For more information about Patricia and her work, click on her name, photo, or any of the following links: Facebook, Twitter, and BookBub
Visit all the stops along the tour!
March 18 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW
March 18 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
March 18 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
March 18 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – SPOTLIGHT
March 18 – I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT
March 18 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
March 19 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW
March 19 – Book Club Librarian – REVIEW
March 19 – Books to the Ceiling – SPOTLIGHT
March 19 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
March 19 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT
March 19 – I Read What You Write – REVIEW
March 20 – Literary Gold – CHARACTER GUEST POST
March 20 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW
March 20 – Baroness’ Book Trove – REVIEW
March 20 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
March 20 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
March 20 – Author Elena Taylor’s Blog – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
March 21 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
March 21 – The Book Diva’s Reads – SPOTLIGHT
March 21 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
March 21 – The Book’s the Thing – REVIEW
March 22 – Novels Alive – GUEST POST
March 22 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW
March 22 – Reading Reality – REVIEW
March 22 – Novels Alive – REVIEW
March 22 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW
March 22 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
Elena Taylor is the author of All We Buried, available now in print, e-book, and audio book format at all your favorite on-line retailers. And don’t forget many independent bookstores can order books for you and have them shipped to your home or for curbside pickup.
For more information on All We Buried, click on the link here to visit the home page.
Finalist: Foreword INDIE Award, Best Mystery 2020
Elena, thank you so very much for allowing me to visit with your community! You asked such wonderful questions. I really enjoyed the interview. Very best wishes for your continued success. I look forward to reading All We Buried.
Loved having you here! Please come back with your next releases. I’d love to introduce my readers to Patricia Sargeant’s work too!