Author Spotlight: Camille Cabrera

Author of the Cozy Christmas Series

Camille Cabrera is the author of A Very Coastal Christmas. Image credit: Camille Cabrera

Camille Cabrera is the author of the Cozy Christmas Series. This series features Christmas-themed mysteries with small-town cozy vibes and a new main character in each book.

Cozy Crime Reads Interview with Camille Cabrera

What attracted you to the cozy mystery genre?

I have always felt drawn to mystery. As a child, I enjoyed watching mystery-related shows like Scooby-Doo and Wishbone. In retrospect, perhaps I specifically liked solving mysteries alongside amicable pups. As I grew older, I began reading cozy mysteries written by Agatha Christie. The intrigue and lighthearted slant immediately captured my heart. I couldn't get enough!

What are a few of the essential elements that make a cozy stand out to you as a reader?

As a reader, a cozy mystery requires a few key elements, ranging from a strong setting to a lighthearted tone. For example, a cozy mystery usually requires a clear and creative isolated setting. Isolated? Well, it depends. A cozy mystery can be set on an island just as easily as in a small town. Physical isolation can be just as important as social isolation. The smaller the "small" town, the more likely a death or crime will include familiar characters.

Do you have a favorite amateur sleuth?

My answer tends to vary depending on my most current read. I like so many amateur sleuths that it's difficult to choose a favorite. A personal classic? Miss Jane Marple, written by Agatha Christie.

I enjoy reading and creating amateur sleuths because they tend to function outside of societal norms and expectations. An amateur sleuth's quirks and outside perspectives allow them to solve unsolvable crimes. For example, Miss Marple, was an outsider in her 1930s (and beyond) society. Miss Marple was an older unmarried woman pushed aside in a society and a time when women had few rights or autonomy. Her unique experiences helped her to see crimes and clues differently. She lived an alternative life from the people in the police force and, therefore, was able to access more diverse perspectives and underused strengths.

In some ways, amateur sleuths also bring attention to systematically belittled but fundamentally important methods of garnering information. One great example? Town gossip. While not always right, gossip or the dissemination of information between group members has the potential to highlight groundbreaking knowledge. Gossip is still commonly dismissed as frivolous due to its association with femininity and moral wrongdoing. Gossip's value within society has remained largely undermined due to the patriarchy intentionally framing it as a negative trait related to poor feminine morals. However, such a connection, for the most part, remains untrue. Historically speaking, the dissemination of knowledge between people is one of the most valuable pathways to share warnings, stories, and breakthroughs. The negativity surrounding feminine attributes, like gossip, is rooted in a longstanding patriarchal tradition aimed at intentionally discouraging communication between women and isolated groups.

Cozy Christmas Series Books 1-4

What inspired your first cozy mystery?

I wanted to write a cozy mystery based on family dynamics and the essence of time. The Mystery of Mistletoe Motel follows two sisters as they try to navigate how to save their family’s crumbling motel. The story slowly took on a life of its own as I developed the characters and key plot points. I have always felt strongly about the likelihood of ghosts and past timelines. The story came to me one night when I was watching a reality television show and reading a book about a haunted house. I decided to branch out and create a lighthearted Christmas cozy mystery with more than just a present resolution at stake.

How do you research and create the "cozy" elements in your books, like the settings and community?

I like to visit small towns and unique isolated settings to really get a feel for the environments I am creating. I find that it’s much easier to describe a place to readers after having spent a few days somewhere similar. In all honesty, it’s also an excellent excuse to travel to tiny beach towns and charming distant lands.

When creating community, I tend to reflect on my own curated community as well as the larger social picture. We tend to have multiple subsets of community, and I enjoy exploring the mess and overlap often experienced within groups. I think that’s one of the reasons that I enjoy exploring the world of cozy mysteries. It’s a rarity to have the opportunity to sit down and contemplate both the inner and outworking of a community. Even a small town often has social dynamics that are implicitly and explicitly followed. I like to play with the unknown variables while creating characters prone to imperfections and, at times, a social faux pas.

Main characters seated in cozy settings and close communities usually deviate from societal expectations. It’s not uncommon for a main character to have a redeeming quirk or two. I try to envision my main characters when I travel to small towns and observe community interactions. After so many years, I’ve found that real life tends to be the best blueprint for believable characters.

What is one key step in your writing process that helps you transform an idea into a finished book?

I love plotting out the key concepts and spending time at local coffee shops. Writing from new locations helps me to stay sharp. When every morning feels new and exciting, so does my writing. I try to pop between at least two to three different locations when writing my draft. The change in scenery keeps me on my mental toes.

I’m currently reflecting on this process as I place the finishing touches on Christmas at Lone Tree Lodge. I wrote the draft from multiple different places in an effort to keep my writing sharp. The story flowed as soon as I found a general idea that I wanted to explore. It also helped to drink a full cup of black coffee or more along the way.

What advice would you give aspiring cozy mystery authors who want to start writing their first novel?

Read and write as much as possible! Writing a cozy mystery is so much fun. One of the best ways to start the process is to begin reading as many cozy mystery classics as you can. If you have some time, read a few nonfiction books as well. I’m personally a fan of reading economics and psychology books between cozy mystery novels. The more information you have at your disposal, the better.

How can readers connect with you online?

Sure! Readers can reach out on platforms like Instagram to find out more about upcoming books and author events. My Instagram and YouTube channels tend to be strictly informative, but I’m trying to be better. It’s always a treat when readers reach out and share how much they enjoyed a specific book.

Camille Cabrera’s Cozy Christmas Books

Use the arrows on either side of the images below to see Camille Cabrera’s Cozy Christmas books. Click on the images to see the books on Amazon.