Author Spotlight: Simone Stier

Cafe Crime Cozy Mystery Books 1-18

What inspired your first cozy mystery?

My inspiration came from the small North Carolina town where I live. I’d moved from the big city to start over and instantly fell in love with the downtown charm—the events, the people, the whole vibe. There was this old building I dreamed of turning into a coffee shop, but it was way out of my budget. So I thought, what if I create a character who does exactly that—moves from the city, opens a cafe and leaves her true-crime podcasting days behind? And what if the town she lands in is full of secrets and scandals? That’s how the Cafe Crimes series came to life.

How do you research and create the cozy elements in your books, such as the setting and community?

I love walking around town or hanging out in coffee shops, chatting with people who’ve lived here forever. That’s where I find the best stories and character ideas—and yes, I’m always jotting notes. Since I don’t actually drink coffee, I do a lot of online research to get the drinks right. I also dig into North Carolina history because Parker’s dating the town historian, who just launched a history podcast. There are so many fun state facts that end up woven into my stories.

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

Outline, outline, outline. Without a roadmap for where the story’s headed—or how Parker or Libby crack the case—I’m lost. I like to know, at least in broad strokes, what happens in each chapter and scene before I start writing. Sure, I’ll tweak things along the way if they’re not working, but for the most part, I stick to my formula.