Tag: An Organized Crime Cozy Mystery Series

Cozy mystery

A Slight Delay

Jackie Layton

Some of you may remember that today is the release day for Killer Secrets. Sadly, there has been a delay.

But that’s okay. I decided to share more about Kate Sloan and hopefully build excitement for the new book.

Kate Sloan is an empty nester who moved to her hometown of Fox Island to start an organizing business with her best friend, Bess Walker.

Clutter Free is the first book in An Organized Crime Cozy Mystery Series, and Kate will solve her first mystery.

In The Con, Kate will rely on her organizing skills to solve another murder.

Have you ever stayed at a resort? I’ve been blessed to visit a couple of resorts in my life. They are like little cities. There are many employees, guests, and events. Fox Island, Georgia is a popular vacation spot. So, it made sense to add a resort on the island. And if you’ve read The Con, you know one murder takes place at the resort.

Killer Secrets takes us back to Fox Island’s popular resort Seaside Hideaway.

If you haven’t read this series yet, here are a couple of links.

Clutter Free https://amzn.to/3PuLRuL

The Con https://amzn.to/4fYAhmR

The books are also available at Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and other places.

Have you ever hired a professional organizer? Has it helped?

Or are you naturally organized? I’d love for you to share some organizing tips.

Until next time,

Happy reading!

Cozy mystery

Save the Date

Jackie Layton

I’m excited to share that my newest book, Killer Secrets, will release on November 11.

Here’s the back cover copy…

Speed dating sabotage?  

Or straight-up murder? 

 Kate Sloan’s best friend Bess Walker decides to try speed dating and convinces Kate to go with her for moral support.  

The night of the event is filled with many emotions. Excitement, hope, jealousy, fear, greed, and even anger. Emotions spiral out of control for one person. 

Before the second round, the event’s host is murdered. 

Kate will use her skills at organizing, list-making, and questioning to try and solve the murder. Can she unravel the mystery before the killer leaves town for the next weekend of singles events? 

And now, drum roll please, the cover reveal.

Life

Editing and Such

Jackie Layton

I’ve been busy the past week working on Developmental Edits for Killer Secrets, the third book in An Organized Crime Cozy Mystery Series. I can’t wait to share this book with you all in the next few months.

This is not the cover, but there may be a kayak in the story.

Meanwhile, is anybody ready to say goodbye to summer and hello to fall?

Do you have any organizing tips as you prepare for a new season? I’d love to hear them.

In the Low Country, we don’t have many fall colors, and right now our focus turns toward disturbances in the Atlantic. Yes, it’s hurricane season.

I want to share a list of items you might want to keep in a disaster supply kit. This can come in handy if you’re leaving your home due to floods, fires, hurricanes, or other disasters.

I keep a first aid kit handy. In my disaster kit, you’ll find a portable radio with extra batteries, a NOAA weather radio, cash, mobile device chargers, bottled water, bedding and clothing, rain gear, blankets, towels, hand sanitizer, non-perishable food, pet supplies, toiletries, insect repellent, sunglasses, sunscreen, and important documents.

I hope the next few weeks are great for you. Stay safe and read good books.

Take Care!

Jackie

Cozy mystery

The Writing Process

Jackie Layton

I have a deadline coming up next week. It’s for the third book in An Organized Crime Cozy Mystery Series, Killer Secrets.

One thing I have struggled with in the past is timelines. So, I check and double-check to make sure the timing is right.

I have an editor at Level Best Books who goes through my story for developmental edits and redline edits. Still, when I turn it in, I want it to be as polished as possible.

Getting a book cover is one of the fun things. I’ve been blessed with great book covers, and it’s always exciting to see what the publisher has created.

After a cover is chosen, you get Advanced Readers Copies. Then, you get your author copies near the release date.

Do you have questions about the writing process? Feel free to ask in the comments or via social media.