lf you love cozies, then you'll love meeting my cozy mystery author friends! This month I'm excited to introduce you to Libby Klein, who writes hysterically great cozies. I can't wait to tell you all about her and her upcoming new series. Check out this cover:
Her new series, the Layla Virtue Mysteries launches April 29th - and she's giving us a sneak peek:
Layla Virtue, a blue-haired, 30-something recovering alcoholic and former cop is trying to reinvent herself as a musician—between AA meetings, dodging eccentric neighbors at her trailer park, and reconnecting with her mysterious dad—in this unforgettable new mystery brimming with hilarity and heart for readers of Margot Douaihy, Jane Pek, and Darynda Jones.
Layla is taking her new life one day at a time from the Lake Pinecrest Trailer Park she now calls home. Being alone is how she likes it. Simple. Uncomplicated. Though try telling that to the group of local ladies who are in relentless pursuit of Layla as their new BFF, determined to make her join them for coffee and donuts.
Meanwhile, since her first career ended in a literal explosion, Layla’s trying to eke out a living as a rock musician. It’s not easy competing against garage bands who work for tacos and create their music on a computer, while all she has is an electric guitar and leather-ish pants. But Layla isn’t in a position to turn down any gig. Which is why she’s at an 8-year-old’s birthday party, watching as Chuckles the Clown takes a bow under the balloon animals. No one expects it will be his last . . .
Who would want to kill a clown—and why? Layla and her unshakable posse are suddenly embroiled in the seedy underbelly of the upper-class world of second wives and trust fund kids, determined to uncover what magnetic hold a pudgy, balding clown had over women who seem to have everything they could ever want. Then again, Layla knows full well that people are rarely quite what they seem—herself included . . .
About Libby:
Libby Klein graduated Lower Cape May Regional High School in the '80s. Her classes revolved mostly around the culinary sciences and theater, with the occasional nap in Chemistry. She writes culinary cozy mysteries from her Northern Virginia office while trying to keep her naughty cat Figaro off her keyboard. Libby was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that prevents her from eating gluten without exploding. Because of her love for cake, she now creates gluten free goodies and includes the recipes in her Cape May based Poppy McAllister series. Most of her hobbies revolve around eating, and travel, and eating while traveling. She insists she can find her way to any coffee shop anywhere in the world, even while blindfolded. Follow all of her nonsense at www.libbykleinbooks.com
Tell us the name of your main characters. If you had to describe them in only three words, what would they be?
Layla Virtue is strong, independent, complicated
Is there something your protagonist can't live without? What and why?
Layla can't live without her electric guitar or her knock off leather pants she wears on stage when she's working one of the terrible gigs she pulls as she's trying to launch her backup career as a musician.
Who would play your character in the tv/movie version of your book?
Olivia Wilde would be perfect. But so would Mila Kunis. They would both be sassy and strong while revealing Layla's edgier side.
Does your sleuth have a pet? If so, what's their name and animal type? If not, what kind of pet would they love to have?
A black Lab named Ringo lives next door to Layla, and somehow keeps showing up inside her trailer like he thinks he lives there.
If your sleuth was giving a tour of your town/setting, where would they take the reader to first? Why did they choose that spot?
Layla might take them to a pizza place because she doesn't know how to cook anything. She would avoid any bar, donut shops, and the Northern Virginia lakefront trailer park where she lives.
Any other fun things we should know?
You'll fall in love with the wacky cast of characters who make up Layla's world. MOM meets Gilmore Girls meets Stumptown meets MTV.
Now let's find out a little bit about you! Who or what first inspired you to write mysteries?
I had many nights of insomnia where I could not shut off the stories playing in my head until I finally got up and wrote them down.
Where do you do most of your writing? Do you have any rituals or must-haves?
I write from my pink office in Northern Virginia where I am constantly trying to see the monitor around my fluffy cat who insists on laying in the way. I have to have coffee with cream and sugar to get started.
Rapid fire questions!
Tea, coffee, or something else? Coffee
Cats, dogs, or another animal? Cats
Dream vacation spot? Tahiti
Favorite book? (besides your own, of course!) Anne Karenina. I also love to many cozy mystery series to name.
Favorite time to write: morning, afternoon, nighttime? Afternoon
A random fact about you that might surprise readers? I can't whistle, and I've become a little dyslexic over time.
Lastly, where can readers connect with you?
Note: links may be affiliate links in which I may receive some small compensation. You do not pay anything!