Interview With Cozy Mystery Author Darci Hannah
Wonder Women Sixty’s best new cozy series pick for 2021 was Darci Hannah’s Beacon Bakeshop Mysteries. Both books in this series are simply stellar – filled with warmth, charm, a dash of humor and plots as solid as a brick wall. If you want a super sleuthing cozy with a truly “feel good” ending – you’re gonna love this series from Kensington Publishing. A special thanks to Darci for taking time out of her busy “writing” schedule for this exclusive interview:
When you were a young girl, did you ever dream of becoming a writer?
I specifically remember thinking as a young girl, “Who would ever want to write a novel?” Oh, if young Darci could see me now! Although I’ve always loved reading and have been blessed with an active imagination, back then I just couldn’t imagine anyone taking the time to sit down and write all those words to create a novel! It wasn’t until I was in my mid-thirties and was a stay-at-home mom to my three little sons that I finally heeded the voice in my head and surrendered to my overactive imagination.
What was your inspiration to write your first book in this series: Murder At The Beacon Bakeshop?
My agent encouraged me to come up with a new series when my previous publisher closed its doors. I was already focused on a lighthouse, ghosts, and baking, so I decided to keep those elements in this new series. I also knew that I wanted it set in Michigan, where I now live. I toured quite a few lighthouses in Michigan and fell in love with the Point Betsy Lighthouse in Frankfort, MI. There was something about that lighthouse and its history that spoke to me. I also felt that it would make a cool location for a bakery. Then Lindsey Bakewell’s character and her Newfoundland dog popped into my head. I also knew that Lindsey’s lighthouse was not only going to have an interesting history, but that it was going to be haunted too. Then I started writing.
Your Beacon Bakeshop Mystery series is in an old lighthouse – I love that! How did you come up with the idea?
I’ve been inexplicably drawn to lighthouses for most of my life. My very first published novel, The Exile of Sara Stevenson, was set in the old, historic lighthouse on Cape Wrath, in Scotland. I loved writing about that lighthouse. My character Rory Campbell, the love interest in this series, was directly inspired by William “Willy” Campbell, who was the first light keeper on Cape Wrath.
When brainstorming the details of the Beacon Bakeshop series, my husband (who likes to play around on the internet) asked me if I wanted to buy a lighthouse. Of course, I said yes — I mean, who wouldn’t, right? I thought he was joking. But as it turns out you can actually buy a Michigan lighthouse on the internet! Most aren’t as cool as the Beacon Harbor Lighthouse that Lindsey buys, but I just had to include that little tidbit in the story too.
Your series also features a very subtle ghost who stays quietly in the background. It’s a charming touch. What made you decide to add this character?
I’m personally fascinated with the paranormal and unexplained phenomena. I don’t have much experience with ghosts, but my younger brother (who at one time also owned a bakery) became a paranormal investigator after catching quite a few unexplained images on his camera after a trip to Gettysburg. That sparked a lifelong interest for him, and we would always talk about his crazy experiences. Now whenever I tour a lighthouse, I always ask the docent to tell me about the lighthouse ghosts. Most lighthouses have a history of lingering spirits and some can be seen emitting eerie or ghostly light. These stories captured my imagination and helped me to create Captain Willy and the ghost lights of Beacon Harbor.
After you launched your first book, did you already have the plot in mind for your second book, Murder At The Christmas Cookie Bake-Off?
Yes, I knew that I wanted Lindsey to host her first Christmas at the lighthouse, and I knew that I wanted to bring a lot of Christmas cheer to the town of Beacon Harbor. I really love writing about these characters and wanted to explore their relationships more. I also knew that I wanted the story to revolve around Christmas cookies. I came across an article about a Christmas cookie “walk of Inns” in a small town here in Michigan. Each inn in this town was offering a special Christmas cookie that visitors could sample and judge. The cookie competition got so competitive that three unidentified women went to the inn that was winning and stole all the cookies in an effort to sabotage that inn! It was so outlandish that I decided to have my own little (extremely competitive) Christmas cookie bake-off in Beacon Harbor. The rest of the story just sort of fell together.
I understand there’s more books in this series coming out. How do you view your overall series?
I actually think of this series a bit like a sitcom, with an engaging, familiar cast of characters and a charming place that readers enjoy reading about. I like to think that every book will be entertaining and unique in its own way while staying true to the essence of this series. In each book the reader will learn a bit more about the characters and what makes them tick.
Since baking is one of your passions, what are your favorite things you love to bake?
I really love making desserts. The only reason I eat dinner at all is for the promise of dessert, whether it’s a fruit cobbler, some variety of cake, pie, cream puff, brownie, trifle, ice cream sundae, or a delicious pudding creation — I love them all! I love trying new recipes, baking bread and cinnamon rolls – there’s just something about the smell that fills your kitchen when you’re baking!
I simply can’t wait for book #3. What is the title and can you give us a “hint” as to the plot and the release date?
Murder at the Blueberry Festival comes out July 26th of this year. Beacon Harbor is hosting its annual Blueberry Festival, the town’s biggest festival of the year. Visitors and tourists flock to the town for the entertaining blueberry parade, blueberry pie bake-off, vendor booths, art fair, and the highly anticipated blueberry fashion show. Lindsey and the Beacon are hosting the last event of the festival, a blueberry pie eating contest. But once the festival begins, it soon becomes clear that there is a prankster in town making a mess of the scheduled events. The pranks begin to escalate, throwing the town into a frenzy. While Lindsey and Rory join in the search to find the prankster before the festival is ruined, someone turns up dead.
Anything else you’d like to add for our readers?
First off, I really want to thank you for having me on your lovely blog! And I would also like to thank all the wonderful readers out there who have taken a chance on the Beacon Bakeshop Mystery Series. As an author I’m keenly aware that there are so many great books out there to choose from. It can be mind boggling and overwhelming at times. However, knowing that readers are choosing my books and enjoying them makes it all the more significant and special for me, and I greatly appreciate it!
I’d also like to share a little bit of great news. There are going to be at least two more Beacon Bakeshop mysteries after Murder at the Blueberry Festival. The first one will be a Halloween book titled, Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant that will come out in 2023. You can bet the lighthouse ghost will be around for that one. The second one I’m keeping a surprise, but I think you’re going to love it too. Happy reading!
READ FULL REVIEWS OF THE BEACON BAKESHOP MYSTERIES on this site under the category: books/mystery
The Beacon Bakeshop Mystery series is published by Kensington Publishing, a paid sponsor of Wonder Women Sixty.
Authors and publishers can contact us at: ann@wonderwomensixty.com