Author Spotlight: Adrian Andover
Author of the Mixology Lounge Mystery Series
Whiskey Business is Adrian Andover’s debut cozy mystery. Image credit: Adrian Andover
Adrian Andover is the author of the Mixology Lounge Mystery Series. This series features mixologist and amateur sleuth Reece Parker, the owner of Subplot, a literary-themed underground cocktail lounge in Hope Mills, Pennsylvania.
Cozy Crime Reads Interview with Adrian Andover
What attracted you to the cozy mystery genre?
I first started reading mysteries in elementary school. I loved Cam Jansen and The Boxcar Children, among other series. I also spent a lot of time with my grandparents growing up, and I had a grandmother who often had the Hallmark Channel playing on TV. I remember one particular summer where we'd watch Murder, She Wrote. Then, years later in 2020, I started reading cozy mysteries during the pandemic—not only because they entertained me, but because they allowed me to "visit" places I couldn't otherwise while in quarantine. At the time, I was living in a 200-square-foot studio apartment, hours away from my family, so I wasn't getting a lot of social interaction. But I admired the sense of community I was finding in cozies, and it got me hooked on the genre.
What are a few of the essential elements that make a cozy stand out to you as a reader?
Ooh! For me, it boils down to two main elements. The first is the sensory detail. I love the way cozies bring the senses to life through descriptive imagery. I've learned about hobbies and professions that I've never tried because the descriptions appeal so strongly to my senses. The second element that makes a cozy stand out to me is a sense of community. I love the way characters interact. When picking up the next installment in a series, I feel like I'm reconvening with old friends.
Do you have a favorite amateur sleuth?
I think I have to go with Sloan Krause from Ellie Alexander's series. I admire her strength and wisdom, especially in the advice she gives her son. Her profession as a craft brewer fascinates me. Plus, the subplot surrounding her adoption really brings dimension to her character.
What inspired your first cozy mystery?
As a gay man, I don't often see a lot of characters like me in the cozy mystery genre—especially as a protagonist. There have been some amazing series over the past several years that do feature LGBTQ+ characters and protagonists, but I knew I wanted to bring my own voice and experience to the genre.
In terms of what inspired the hook, there's an amazing underground speakeasy in Asbury Park, NJ that I love. It's called Laylow, and it's located behind a secret door in an Eastern Mediterranean restaurant. They're music-themed—the menus are in CD jewel cases, and the check arrives in a cassette case when you close out. I'd been wanting to write a cozy set in a fictionalized New Hope, PA, and I thought, What if I put Laylow in New Hope, but made it literary-themed instead? This series grew from those seeds of inspiration.
How do you research and create the "cozy" elements in your books, like the settings and community?
I may have tasted a fair amount of cocktails to do "research" for Whiskey Business! I love trying craft cocktails and asking bartenders and mixologists about their process while I'm sitting at the bar. Plus, I watched the mixology competition show Drink Masters on Netflix, which gave me some good insights. It was my goal when writing to not be overly technical when it came to the mixology side of things. I wanted to share enough detail to be realistic, but I didn't want to alienate anyone who doesn't drink or necessarily care about the profession. Instead, my focus was on establishing an atmosphere.
As for creating that atmosphere for the town and lounge featured in my book, I took a notebook with me on multiple occasions to various locations, including Laylow and New Hope. I jotted down pages and pages of notes to capture every sensory detail I could. I also took a ton of video clips that I referenced while writing to make sure I was bringing as much vivid imagery to the story as possible.
What is one key step in your writing process that helps you transform an idea into a finished book?
Ideas are important, but the magic of storytelling lies within how characters respond to challenges you put in front of them. The most important thing I can do is have a deep, intimate understanding of my characters. When I have a great idea for a challenge or roadblock for my characters, it's almost like they take over and work through them on their own. When I feel like I "know" my characters and how they react to conflict, I can step aside and let the story tell itself.
What advice would you give aspiring cozy mystery authors who want to start writing their first novel?
Build a community around yourself. There are courses you can take which will not only teach you the mechanics of mystery writing, but they'll also connect you with other writers. There are cozy mystery Facebook groups where you can connect with others. There are conferences like Malice Domestic and organizations like Sisters In Crime. Not only will those folks serve as your support system and cheer you on, but you'll also find critique partners and beta readers and mentors and other champions for your book there. Writing may be a solitary act, but building a community can be a game-changer in your writing journey.
How can readers connect with you online?
I love to connect with readers! On my website—adrianandover.com—you can sign up for my newsletter, where I share exclusive content, giveaways, and various sneak peeks behind the scenes. I'm also on all social media platforms as Adrian Andover (@AdrianAndover). On Wednesdays, I post a brief update video to Instagram and Facebook called "Waffle Wednesday." Think of it like a casual one-way FaceTime with a friend who talks about what he's reading, what he's writing, and what's going on in his life. It's been a wonderful way for me to hear from readers, too.
Whiskey Business
Whiskey Business is the first book in the Mixology Lounge Mystery Series by Adrian Andover.
This cozy mystery features amateur sleuth Reece Parker, a mixologist who opens a literary-themed underground cocktail lounge called Subplot in his quaint hometown of Hope Mills, Pennsylvania.
With his personal life on the rocks, Reece decides to throw himself into work. But then he finds a body behind the bar after a whiskey club meeting gone wrong.
With his innocence called into question, the reputation of his bar on the line, and his ex-fiancée's police officer brother on the case, Reece decides to seek out the killer himself.
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