Please welcome Peggy
Rothschild to the blog today. Her new book is scheduled to come out on February
22nd.
RESILIENCE
AND THE AMATEUR DETECTIVE
by
Peggy Rothschild
In amateur sleuth
mysteries, it is not uncommon for the protagonist—or someone they care about—to
be accused of a crime. In order to clear their name or prove a loved one’s innocence,
they start investigating on their own. This trope has been a staple of the
mystery genre since its beginning. Even Wilkie Collins’ THE MOONSTONE has this element
with Franklin Blake investigating the theft of the famous diamond in hopes of clearing
his name. This idea has been used in cozies to great effect—forcing the main
character outside their comfort zone to face new challenges and grow.
Like the callouses
that develop from going barefoot over the course of a summer, resilience isn’t
something these characters get because it’s needed in the moment. While some of
them start their stories with a wealth of resilience, others grow tougher as
their adventure progresses.
In Mia P.
Manansala’s Agatha and Lefty-nominated debut, ARSENIC AND ADOBO, Lila Macapagal
moves home after an ugly breakup and tries to save her Tita Rosie’s restaurant.
Enter her ex, a spiteful restaurant critic. When he drops dead after a
confrontation with Lila, she becomes a prime suspect. To stave off arrest, Lila
begins investigating the crime.
In the
Lefty-nominated humorous cozy, MIMI LEE GETS A CLUE, Jennifer J. Chow
introduces intrepid pet groomer, Mimi Lee and her cat, Marshmallow. When a
local breeder is murdered, Mimi winds up at the top of the suspect list. With
the help of Marshmallow, Mimi Lee hunts for clues, facing dangers she never
imagined—or ever imagined she’d have the courage to face.
DEATH BY DUMPLING
is another wonderful restaurant-themed cozy. Written by Vivian Chen, the
mystery features Lana Lee. Lana has quit her job and is waiting tables at the
family restaurant to pay her bills. When the restaurant’s property manager dies
from a severe allergic reaction to his meal, the entire staff comes under
suspicion—since they all knew about his deadly food allergy. To protect her
family and co-workers, Lana searches for the truth—and also finds her footing
in life.
All of these
characters show their resilience as they face new challenges and track down the
guilty party. It’s not about what knocks or wears them down—it’s about how they
get back up again. And sometimes they get up only to fall again; it’s all part
of the journey.
In my new mystery,
A DEADLY BONE TO PICK, after losing her husband, career and reputation, Molly Madison
makes a fresh start in Pier Point, California. As she settles in, the last
thing she expects is to become a murder suspect. For the second time. With the
help of two loveable dogs, she digs to find out who is really responsible for
the crime. And, along the way, makes new friends and develops a sense of
belonging in her new community.As Molly faces suspicious cops and tracks a
killer, she grows tougher and more resilient with every step—just like those
summer callouses.
I aim to be like Molly.
Peggy Rothschild ©2022
After losing their home during a California wildfire, Peggy Rothschild and her husband moved to the beach community of Los Osos along the central coast. Peggy’s had short stories published in The Best Laid Plans, Heartbreaks and Half-Truths, and Avenging Angelenos anthologies. She also illustrated the children’s book Angie’s Great Big Beautiful Life: Tales of a Rescue Cat.
Peggy is a member of Sisters in Crime. When not at her desk or out walking, you
can usually find her in the garden. A DEADLY BONE TO PICK is her
first cozy mystery.
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