Author Spotlight: Christine Knapp

Christine Knapp practiced as a nurse-midwife for many years before combining her love of midwifery, mysteries, and writing and transforming it into a career as a fiction author. She currently writes the Modern Midwife Mysteries and narrates books for the visually and print impaired.

Cozy Crime Reads Interview with Christine Knapp

What attracted you to the cozy mystery genre?

I love to read every genre, but nothing makes me happier than finding a cozy series that I have not read. Right from the first chapter, it feels like coming home.

What essential elements make a cozy stand out to you as a reader?

First and foremost, the sleuth must be an amateur. Then, I’m always fascinated to see how the sleuth’s actual career aids in solving the mystery. Setting is also paramount to me since cozies are often set in delightful places I want to visit. Finally, it always helps when the sleuth has a band of quirky characters who are delightful to get to know.

Do you have a favorite amateur sleuth?

My all-time favorite is Agatha Christie’s Miss Jane Marple. I’ve always admired her never needing to leave St. Mary Mead to solve the crime. In her quiet way, with her incredible powers of observation, she is a master of detection.

What inspired you to write your first cozy mystery?

I am a nurse midwife myself, and for a long time, I felt that the profession was not well understood. Since I love cozies and have wanted to write one for quite a while, I decided that I could show a midwife who was also a great amateur sleuth.

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

The professional piece was easy for me as a nurse midwife. As for the setting, I live in a small seaside town in New England, which is a perfect place to set a mystery. It’s where I often walk the beach, even in winter, thinking about various plots. For this series, I created Maeve’s community based on the wonderful people I have met at work and where I live.

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

Outlining! But even though I’ve come to realize how important that step is to me, I still wish I was more dedicated to doing a more detailed one. For me, it is essential to plot and work out the elements of the mystery before I do the actual writing.

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

Read as many cozies as you can. Sketch out your sleuth and their close friends. And always remember that a first draft is just a first draft. Every book takes a lot of editing, and there are no exceptions to this rule. Finally, never, ever give up!

How can readers connect with you online?

My website is thoughtfulmidwife.com. I am also on Facebook and Instagram.

Explore Christine Knapp’s Books

Christine Knapp's books can be purchased in ebook, paperback, and audio from many booksellers, including (but not limited to) Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookshop.org, and Books-A-Million.