Author Spotlight: Katherine H. Brown

What inspired your first cozy mystery?

Rest, Relax, Run for Your Life was my first cozy mystery and my first attempt at writing a novel in a month to see if I could do it full-time. I knew that I needed something familiar and a great setting. My husband and I were going on a vacation at the time (one of those test out the amenities to see if you can be sold on a timeshare lol) and we were given vouchers for a free spa day. That was my first time in a spa, and tada, my setting for my characters to visit and encounter mystery and danger was inspired! However, as a full-time occupation, I made my best friend MCs bakery owners because I enjoy baking (and eating) yummy desserts.

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

For the Ooey Gooey Bakery Mysteries, one of the only things I researched was unique dessert ideas. For example, in a summer mystery, I wanted to know if "watermelon pie" could be a thing - turns out, yes, there are actually recipes for watermelon pie all over Pinterest.

My research is much more thorough when I write steampunk or historical mysteries. I look at photos of places a long time ago, maps of London for my steampunk mysteries, and often check the vernacular relevant to a time period.

My 4th Belle Sisters Mystery book this year takes place in a Hawaiian rainforest, which I did quite a bit of research on because I have never been to Hawaii or a rainforest. I was surprised to learn that snakes are illegal in Hawaii because bringing them to the islands poses a threat to natural ecosystems (so there went that murder weapon), and I was interested to learn how much flooding occurs at Mt. Wai'ale'ale and the rainforest there, dubbed one of the wettest places on earth.

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

Believe it or not, designing a cover. I work so much better when I can take my ideas for a book and create an aesthetic of them on a book cover to be my inspiration to keep pushing forward when I get stuck.