AN INTERVIEW WITH COZY MYSTERY AUTHOR JACKIE LAYTON

Today we sit down for a chat with cozy mystery author Jackie Layton. Learn more about Jackie and her books at her website, where you’ll also find links to her other social media. 

When did you realize you wanted to write novels?

I’ve dreamed of writing most of my life. A couple of times, I began writing, but when my youngest son was in high school, I decided it was time to try, or I’d always regret it.

 

How long did it take you to realize your dream of publication?

At my first conference, a speaker said it takes the average person ten years to get published, and that’s what happened for me. 

 

Are you traditionally published, indie published, or a hybrid author?

I’m traditionally published.

 

Where do you write? 

I mostly write in my home office. When our house was being built, my husband asked if the builder could make the porch an office, and that’s where I write. My husband always thinks of special ways to support my writing.

 

Is silence golden, or do you need music to write by? What kind? 

I like music in the background. When it comes to writing, I usually listen to blues or instrumental music. I even created a playlist for NaNoWriMo.

 

How much of your plots and characters are drawn from real life? From your life in particular? 

I draw bits and pieces from real life, but I do a lot of research for my stories.

 

Describe your process for naming your character?

I try to come up with interesting names and I often study what they mean. For instance, Kate means pure. Sloan is of Irish origin and means warrior. Kate is a professional organizer, and she likes things nice, orderly, and clean. But Kate will stand up for her family and loved ones, no matter what it takes. She learns to become a warrior for the sake of her brother, Paul Wright, in Clutter Free.

 

Real settings or fictional towns? 

I love fictional towns loosely based on some of my favorite places. I enjoy planning my settings. 

 

What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?

Kate keeps her purse neat and organized with pouches. One pouch is for makeup, one is for receipts, and one is for pens and paper. 

 

What’s your quirkiest quirk?

Because of allergies, I always take Kleenex and Tic Tacs with me. If you ever need a tissue, feel free to ask me. 

 

If you could have written any book (one that someone else has already written,) which one would it be? Why? 

The Firm by John Grisham. It was one of the first twisty crime thriller I ever read. I felt the panic Mitch McDeere felt. I write cozies, but I hope they make readers feel.

 

Everyone at some point wishes for a do-over. What’s yours? 

I wish I had begun writing earlier in my life. 

 

What’s your biggest pet peeve?  

I have worked with the public most of my life, and some people start the conversation by complaining about something ‘you’ did, and you had no part of the incident. So, you can’t throw someone else under the bus, and you don’t want the situation to escalate, and you quickly need to find a solution. Most people are nice, but getting attacked like that is my pet peeve. And it doesn’t just have to happen to me. If I see it happen to someone at another store, it also upsets me. 

 

You’re stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?

A floppy hat, my favorite pillow, and my Bible.

 

What was the worst job you’ve ever held? 

Without naming names, I had a boss lie to me about a serious issue. When I discovered there were a lot of lies, I quit. 

 

What’s the best book you’ve ever read? 

I thought about this question a lot and chose A Garden in Paris by Stephanie Grace Whitson. It’s one of the books I’ve packed and moved with me at least three times. When you downsize, you have to make some hard decisions. This book touched my heart, and I’ve read it multiple times. It’s about hope, love, and living. 

 

Ocean or mountains? 

Ocean.

 

City girl/guy or country girl/guy? 

City girl.

 

What’s on the horizon for you? 

In 2024, the sixth book of A Low Country Dog Walker Mystery series will release. Also, the second book in A Texas Flower Farmer Cozy Mystery series and the second book in An Organized Crime Cozy Mystery series will release. 

 

Anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself and/or your books?

It’s never too late to start writing. If that’s your dream, give it a try. 

 

Clutter Free 

An Organized Crime Cozy Mystery, Book 1

 

Returning to Fox Island where she grew up, Kate Sloan begins her career as a professional organizer. When a woman accuses Kate’s police chief brother of having an affair, Kate’s priority shifts from organizing to proving her brother’s innocence. Kate visits the woman, hoping for a confession. The woman won’t admit she lied, and to make the situation worse, the accuser is found dead the next day by Kate and her business partner.

 

Kate has an eye for seeing what’s out of place, and she knows how to fix problems. Can she utilize her organizational skills to toss red herrings and focus on legitimate clues? Emma’s business is at risk as well as her brother’s career. The clock is ticking, and this could be the deadliest deadline of Kate’s life. She must discover the truth behind the victim’s vicious lies, but most of all, she needs to solve the murder before she becomes the next victim.

 

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BOOK CLUB FRIDAY--AN INTERVIEW WITH COZY MYSTERY AUTHOR JACKIE LAYTON

Today we sit down for a chat with cozy mystery author Jackie Layton. Learn more about Jackie and her books at her website.

When did you realize you wanted to write novels? 

I always dreamed of writing, but it didn’t seem possible or practical. When my youngest son was about to graduate from high school, it occurred to me if I didn’t try writing, I’d regret it. 

 

How long did it take you to realize your dream of publication? 

It took about ten years. That probably seems like a long time, but at the beginning of my journey, I was working full time and had family commitments. It took a lot of juggling, and my family was supportive, and at last the dream came true.

 

Are you traditionally published, indie published, or a hybrid author? 

I’m traditionally published. 

 

Where do you write? 

A few years ago, we moved to South Carolina. We converted a porch to an office for me. Like I said earlier, my husband has always been supportive of my dreams. 

 

Is silence golden, or do you need music to write by? What kind? 

I have a playlist with Michael Buble, Brett Eldredge, Craig Morgan, The Fifth Dimension, John Legend, Trisha Yearwood, Reba, Stevie Wonder, Thomas Rhett, and many more. 

 

How much of your plots and characters are drawn from real life? From your life in particular?

The setting, Heyward Beach, is a combination of my favorite beaches. In Caught and Collared, the victim is a podcaster. I couple years ago, I began listening to crime podcasts and I began to wonder…what if? 

 

Describe your process for naming your character? 

I look up names that are age appropriate, and I try to choose names that are popular in the region. In South Carolina, it’s popular to be called by your first and middle name. My main character is Andi Grace, and her sister is Lacey Jane.

 

Real settings or fictional towns? 

Fictional. 

 

What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has? 

Marc Williams was raised in foster care. The best family he had was an older couple. Marc’s in his early thirties, but some of his expressions sound like a much older man. 

 

What’s your quirkiest quirk? 

I became a sports fan when I had sons. Now that we’re empty nesters, I still watch ballgames on TV and cheer and clap. I attended the University of Georgia, so in football season I ALWAYS cheer for the Georgia Bulldogs. I was raised in Kentucky, and my husband and oldest son graduated from the University of Kentucky, so I cheer for the Kentucky Wildcats during basketball season.

 

If you could have written any book (one that someone else has already written,) which one would it be? Why? 

Truth Be Told by Hank Phillippi Ryan is a fabulous story with twists and turns. 

 

Everyone at some point wishes for a do-over. What’s yours? 

I wish I’d been brave enough sooner and tried my hand at writing.

 

What’s your biggest pet peeve? 

Poor customer service.

 

You’re stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves? 

I assume there’s no wifi. I’d want my Bible, my journal, and I guess I’d need a pen. 

 

What was the worst job you’ve ever held? 

One summer I was a candy striper and worked in the hospital’s physical therapy department. Burn patients had treatment in whirlpool baths. Afterward, I had to clean the tubs and all the dead skin was on it. 

 

What’s the best book you’ve ever read? Ever? 

As a child I read The Best-Loved Doll. It was the first love story I ever read. I begged my mother to check it out of the library every chance we had. She finally found and bought a copy for me.

 

Ocean or mountains? 

Ocean! I live five minutes from the nearest beach.

 

City girl/guy or country girl/guy? 

City girl.

 

What’s on the horizon for you? 

I’m contracted to write two more books in A Low Country Dog Walker Mystery Series. I also have contracts for a series set in Texas and one set in Georgia. 

 

Anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself and/or your books? 

I try to bravely face challenges, and I want the heroines in my stories to be brave and kind. As a pharmacist, I connect with people in my community. One of the best things about writing is connecting with readers all over the world. 

 

Thanks for having me on your blog today. It’s been fun connecting with you and your readers. 

 

Caught and Collared

A Low Country Dog Walker Mystery, Book 4

 

When a scavenger hunt turns up a dead body, dog walker Andi Grace Scott will have to make a dogged effort to collar the culprit . . .

 

Setting out for a day of fun on her town’s first-ever scavenger hunt, Low Country dog walker Andi Grace Scott is dismayed to find an unattended dog wandering the streets—but that’s nothing compared to the shock she gets when she finds a dead man floating in the swimming pool of the dog’s owner. What’s more, she’d seen the very same man having a very public altercation with his wife just the night before. Despite being warned off the case by the local sheriff, Andi Grace can’t help nosing around to find out who’s behind the foul deed.

 

It turns out the victim was a well-known radio personality who focused on cold-case investigations and was rumored to be breaking a huge story on his next show. As Andi Grace digs deeper to learn who may have wanted him dead, she’s faced with a suspect list that includes a cold-hearted widow who stands to inherit a bundle, a local country star with family demons to hide, and any number of unknown criminals who may have been the focus of the victim’s big reveal. Whether the motive was love gone bad, a career under duress, or a killer’s deadly secret, Andi Grace knows she’ll have to act fast before she becomes the next cold case herself .

 

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MYSTERY AUTHOR JACKIE LAYTON COLLECTS SHELLS ON PAWLEYS ISLAND

Mystery author and former Kentuckian Jackie Layton loves her new life in the Low Country. Jackie enjoys time on the beach despite one vacation that ended with cracked ribs from riding her boogie board with the kids and another trip that ended up with a hook in her foot and a trip to the emergency room. There’s nothing like time at the beach, although she tends to be a bit more cautious these days. Learn more about Jackie and her books at her website. 

Pawleys Island Shell

I moved to Pawleys Island, South Carolina in April 2019. My husband and I have always loved the beach, and when he was offered a job in this area, we were excited. There are so many reasons we love the beach, and looking for shells is one of them. Where else can you go for a walk and discover so many treasures? I mean, the ocean hits the beach and leaves behind a variety of shells. On a really good day, you can hear them jingle against each other in the water before hitting land. 

 

When we settled here, I heard people talking about the Pawleys Island shell before I ever found one. I’ve collected shells for years, and of course I wanted to find this shell.

 

Locals told us the Pawleys Island shell could only be found here, but I struggled to find one. We asked for clues. Some people told us to look at the north end of the beach. Others suggested we should look near the walkways onto the beach at low tide. Others said look around the pier. 

 

We tried these tips. My husband and I often thought we had found one of these unique shells until we picked it up. A Pawleys Island shell is fan-shaped. It comes in colors like red, brown, tan, and even green on a creamy background. The ridges are thick and smooth. It’s a calico scallop shell, and it can also be found on the neighboring Litchfield Beach. 

 

We found our first Pawleys Island shell at the most northern point of the island at low tide. After we found our first one, it became easier to find more. We’ve developed an eye for these little gems. If you ask me for tips, my only advice would be to keep looking.

 

A local jeweler created a collection of silver and gold Pawleys Island shells, and he helped increase the popularity of this unique ocean treasure.

 

It turns out the Pawleys Island shell is also known as the Imperial Venus Clam. I won’t argue with science, but I’ll always think of it as the Pawleys Island shell.

 

A Low Country Dog Walker Mystery series is set in this area of South Carolina. The town of Heyward Beach is a fictional setting based on some of my favorite beaches, including Pawleys Island.

 

Bite the Dust

A Low Country Dog Walker Mystery, Book 1

Secrets can be deadly.

One steamy South Carolina morning, Low Country dog walker Andi Grace Scott discovers a client’s dead body. Police quickly decide she’s the prime suspect. Horrified, she knows she’ll have to turn detective if she’s going to convince them they’re barking up the wrong tree.

 

Proving her innocence could be a tall order. The local police never solved the hit-and-run that killed her parents; Andi Grace isn’t sure they’ll solve this crime either…not when they have a convenient suspect—one caught with the possible murder weapon in her hand. She’ll have to follow every clue and call in every favor, even if that puts her in danger.

 

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INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR JACKIE LAYTON'S DOG WALKER SLEUTH ANDIE GRACE SCOTT

Today we sit down for a chat with Andie Grace Scott from Jackie Layton’s A Low Country Dog Walker Mystery Series.

What was your life like before your author started pulling your strings? 

I walked dogs and spent time with my family and friends.

What’s the one trait you like most about yourself? 

I don’t back down from a challenge.

What do you like least about yourself? 

I talk too much, and once I get going it’s sometimes hard to stop.

What is the strangest thing your author has had you do or had happen to you? Can you believe she made me inherit a plantation? I’m a beach girl. I had to go through old, dirty barns and sheds to track down clues. 

Do you argue with your author? If so, what do you argue about? 

Once Jackie tried to lead me toward the wrong suspect. I had to convince her a different person was the killer.

What is your greatest fear? 

I’ve faced so much death in my life, my biggest fear has been fully committing to a romantic relationship. But I’m in love with a local man now, and I’m trying to be brave and not give in to this fear. 

What makes you happy? 

Family, dogs, coffee and chocolate.

If you could rewrite a part of your story, what would it be? Why? 

I wouldn’t have so many people die, but then I’d be a boring dog walker. 

Of the other characters in your book, which one bugs you the most? Why? Regina really bugs me. She used to date my mentor, Peter Roth, and she’s from Charleston. She’s so uppity, and I just can’t connect with her. Maybe I should try harder. 

Of the other characters in your book, which one would you love to trade places with? Why? 

Juliet is my best friend, but if I had to choose, Hannah Cummings would be the answer. She’s running for State Representative in order to make a difference in our world. Two of her major goals are to stop human trafficking in South Carolina and to help our youth have a bright future.

Tell us a little something about your author. Where can readers find her website/blog? 

Find Jackie's website and blog here.

Jackie Layton is an author and pharmacist. She spent most of her life in Kentucky, but she lives on the coast of South Carolina now. Some days she can even hear the waves from her home. Jackie is married to the love of her life, and he’s her biggest encourager. She loves her family and vacation days are used to visit family in Kentucky and Texas. 

What's next for you? 

I’m going to have one more mystery to solve and it’ll involve cats! There will be a few life-changing surprises for me and my family in the third book. I hope readers will like the choices I make in Bag of Bones.

Dog-Gone Dead

A Low Country Dog Walker Mystery, Book 2

Who’d have thought mulch could cause such a stink?

Low Country dog walker Andi Grace Scott is happy to get mulch from one of her brother’s landscaping jobs—until she discovers the dead body buried beneath the bark.

Worse, her brother’s landscaping tools were used to commit the murder. Once the police arrest her brother and seem happy to have “caught their man,” Andi Grace has no choice but to track down the real killer. She’ll risk everything to prove her brother’s innocence. Even if it means turning over every rock in town.

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