Meet J. C. Kenney Author of A Deadly Discovery

I met J. C. Kenney at Malice Domestic in May 2019. Dawn Dowdle is our agent, and J. C. spoke at the new author breakfast. This was before COVID was a thought, and he always had a smile on his face. I’m such an introvert, his ease with others impressed me. J. C. agreed to join us today.

Welcome, J. C., thanks for joining us.

Hi, Jackie! It’s a thrill to be visiting with you today to chat about A Deadly Discovery.

Where is the setting? How did you decide to pick it? A Deadly Discovery is the fourth book in my Allie Cobb Mysteries series. It’s set in the fictional southern Indiana town of Rushing Creek. It’s based on the real town of Nashville, which was established in the mid-1800’s as an artists’ colony. For decades, it’s been a quaint community and a tourist community. I live an hour north of Nashville, Indiana and visit often. I think it’s an ideal place to serve as the model for a cozy mystery community.

How long have you been writing? I started writing regularly in 2011. For years, I’d wanted to write a book, but had never come up with an idea that kept me going beyond the first few pages. It all changed in August 2011 when an idea popped into my head and wouldn’t let go. A Deadly Discovery is the eleventh book I’ve had published. It’s been a crazy ride!

Did you always dream of writing or have you always worked as an author? Writing has always been a big part of my day job career, even though that’s been more on the technical end. For example, for my current day job I’m in charge of my company’s policies and procedures. While that’s a quite different discipline from creative fiction writing, I think technical writing has helped me with things like clarity, grammar, and conciseness.

What are your hobbies? Reading’s my number one hobby. All my life, I’ve loved to read. I stick mostly to fiction for the escape from reality.

Do you have a favorite character? If you could spend a day with this person, what would you enjoy doing? Allie’s best friend, Sloane Winchester, is probably my favorite character. She’s such a kind soul and is so upbeat. It would be a pleasure to simply hang out with her and revel in her bubbly personality.

Do you have a favorite beach or vacation spot? I love the Florida Gulf Coast. It’s easy to get there from Indianapolis, whether its by plane or car. For my money, the soft, white beaches can’t be beat.

Is there a place you’ve always longed to visit? I’m of Irish heritage so someday my wife and I hope to visit Ireland. My parents vacationed there in 1979. To this day, I remember how excited they were to take that trip.

Have you been to the Indy 500?  I’m a big fan of IndyCar and the 500, in particular. I attended my first race in 1977, the year A.J. Foyt won his fourth race. It was really cool to be a part of that. I’ve only missed one 500 in the last ten years. It’s a big deal in my household!

Do you have a pet? What about the cat in your book? I do! Maria is a Russian Blue cat who is also known as the Princess of the House. She’s a rescue and has been with us since February 2014, so almost seven years. She has me totally wrapped around her little kitty paw. I based Ursula, the Cat in the Allie Cobb Mysteries, on Maria. I’m a total cat guy, so it’s tons of fun including felines in my books.

A Deadly Discovery Blurb

Certain she’s seen more than enough death for one lifetime, literary agent Allie Cobb is ready to close the book on her amateur sleuthing, even when she learns that an unidentified body has been unearthed in a local state park. But when a worn and haunted-looking woman shows up on her doorstep with a grim story about her young daughter’s disappearance twenty years ago—and the police confirm that the recently discovered body is hers—Allie can’t bear to turn the poor woman away.

Determined to uncover the truth about the young woman’s murder, Allie begins delving into the circumstances of her life and those she knew so many years before. And when she meets powerful resistance from those she questions—many of whom are now trusted leaders in her small, tight-knit community—she’s sure she’s on the right track. But as she narrows down the list of suspects, Allie realizes too late that a cold-blooded killer is dead-set on keeping the secrets of the past buried, and it will take all her wit and cunning to avoid becoming the second young woman to meet an untimely end…

J. C., thanks for joining us today.

If you’d like to reach out to J. C. Kenney, you can find him in the following places.

Website: https://www.jckenney.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JCKenney1

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JCKenney1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.c.kenney/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/j-c-kenney

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/jckenney