Author Spotlight: Emmeline Duncan

Author of the Ground Rules Mysteries and Chaos at the Lazy Bones Bookshop

Emmeline Duncan's mystery series include the popular Ground Rules Mysteries and the Halloween Bookshop Mysteries. Fresh Brewed Murder is the first book in the Ground Rules Mystery series. Chaos at the Lazy Bones Bookshop is the first book in the Halloween Bookshop Mystery series. Photo credit: Emmeline Duncan.

Emmeline Duncan is the author of the critically acclaimed Ground Rules Mystery series, which features a barista with a coffee cart in Portland, Oregon, and the new Halloween Bookshop Mystery series, which features a bookstore owner in a Halloween-themed town called Elyan Hollow. She is a member of multiple writing groups and has served on the boards of the Columbia River Chapter of Sisters in Crime and the Northwest Chapter of the Mystery Writers of America.

You can find Emmeline online at www.EmmelineDuncan.com, where she shares news, information about her books, and details about upcoming appearances and events.

Cozy Crime Reads Interview with Emmeline Duncan

What attracted you to the cozy mystery genre?

I love so many things about cozy mysteries that narrowing down an answer is tricky. Cozies always end with hope, both for the main characters and the community they live in, which makes the books comforting to read and to revisit. The main characters tend to follow their dreams, and it's fun to think of turning a passion into a fulfilling career, even if it's only on the page. The puzzle within the story is one of the key elements that keep me turning pages. While I enjoy the occasional police procedural or darker mystery TV show, I appreciate that cozy sleuths don't rely on forensic evidence to solve crimes but on their knowledge of the community around them. I also like that while the rationale behind the murders might be bleak, the stories don't spend time dwelling in darkness.

What are a few of the essential elements that make a cozy stand out to you as a reader?

When I pick up a new release in a cozy series I like, reading it feels like checking in with friends I haven't seen for a while. Generally, the cozies I read are based in locations I'd love to visit (even if they're fictional or historical).

As a reader, I also look for an intriguing narrator. I don't need to feel like I could be the main character or make the same decisions, but I enjoy exploring a unique point of view.

Of course, the central puzzle needs to be fun. I love watching the main character identify all potential suspects. I appreciate the story introducing multiple valid suspects (plus maybe one or two zany options). I also find it important that even if the funniest of cozies, the murder victim is treated with respect.

Do you have a favorite amateur sleuth?

This is a tricky question to answer! I don't know if she's my favorite, but Agatha Christie's Jane Marple is a fantastic amateur sleuth. I love the idea of a little old lady, sitting in the corner knitting, who sees through everyone's façade to the unflinching truth underneath. She's strong, independent, intelligent, and observant, traits the people around her don't necessarily notice. I recently read about the Matlock revival, which has Kathy Bates playing the title role as an older woman, and (according to the article) one thing the show plays with is the concept that older women tend to be overlooked and underestimated. Miss Marple is an excellent example of how doing so can be a mistake.

What inspired you to write your first cozy mystery?

When I became serious about writing for publication, my first manuscripts weren't cozy mysteries, but I'd always loved reading cozies. When I decided to write my first cozy, everything basically fell into place. My voice suits cozies well, and the lighter (versus dark) side of cozies also works with my writing interests.

I started my first cozy mystery while visiting the Oregon coast over Thanksgiving several years ago. I'd picked up some new-to-me books, and one was a cozy mystery series I hadn't read yet. I went to high school on the Oregon coast and thought about how the version of the coast I grew up with—beautiful but with troubled elements not seen by tourists—could be fun to write about. I ended up starting my first cozy mystery, which I still love. I eventually signed with my agent for this project; sadly, no publisher snapped it up. But my second cozy, Fresh Brewed Murder, did sell!

Emmeline Duncan's Ground Rules Mysteries include the books Fresh Brewed Murder, Double Shot Death, Flat White Fatality, and Death Unfiltered.

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

When I decided to write my Ground Rules Mystery Series, I was inspired by the food cart pods of Portland, Oregon. So, part of my research was visiting local food carts!

Before I wrote Fresh Brewed Murder—before I even had the concept in mind—I got to know a few food cart owners, including the owner of Ole Latte, a fantastic coffee cart with a suspended coffee board. My black lab and I were frequent customers, dropping by for an iced coffee and a biscuit. I realized the food cart pod was a small community of its own, all set in the backdrop of a larger city, which seemed like a great concept for a cozy.

For Chaos at the Lazy Bones Bookshop, I did drop by St Helens, Oregon, as the town inspired Elyan Hollow. But I decided I wanted to create my own 'Halloweentown' so I had the flexibility to create the businesses and town elements that would serve my story.

I've been interested in Oregon towns that were filming sites for movies for quite a few years (one of the most famous is Astoria, Oregon, and their annual Goonies Day festival, along with St Helen's annual Halloweentown celebration). So I enjoyed leaning into the concept of creating a town whose identity is shaped by something fictional. I grew up in a beach town that attracted tourists all summer, especially during a huge mid-July festival. While vitally important to the town, events like this create unique frustrations alongside opportunities, which I've tried to show in Elyan Hollow.

Image 1: Emmeline's current dog, Waylon, learning about coffee cart treats from Todd, the owner of Ole Latte. Image 2: An example of a food cart pod in Portland. Photo credit: Emmeline Duncan

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

The crucial part of my process is sitting down and writing. Having an idea I'm exploring and dreaming about is fun, but putting words on paper is essential. That being said, taking time to let a new story idea marinate in my brain and see the community and friends my main character has around them is vital since I want my characters to feel like they live in a vibrant world that doesn't exist solely to serve the narrator's journey during the story. I try not to rush, creating a world of mystery.

Also, editing is where a novel comes to life, which I discuss below!

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

Just sit down and start writing your first novel. Maybe this means you'll start by writing an outline, or perhaps you just jot down ideas and see the story take shape in your mind. Or maybe you just start writing and see where the story goes. Some people like to outline, and others explore their stories by writing. Both are valid paths with unique challenges and potential pitfalls.

Once you have a rough draft, you've hit the fun part: editing, where a novel starts to shine. Your local library most likely has books on editing and storytelling, and after you've written a draft, it's a great time to read one or two. Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody is a great option, or you can check out a bunch and see what works best for you.

Always remember: there's no correct or wrong way to write a novel. The only thing that matters is the end result.

Also, if you want to be a writer, don't overlook the importance of being a reader. You'll learn so much about writing by reading purposefully. I highly recommend checking out any programming your local library offers, as well as attending readings and events at your local bookstore(s).

A Ground Rules Recipe From Emmeline Duncan

Emmeline includes delicious recipes in her Ground Rules Mysteries. She shared this Espresso Brownie Recipe with us. It comes from Flat White Fatality, the third book in the Ground Rules Mystery series. The recipe can be made dairy-free.

Ground Rules Espresso Brownies. Photo credit: Emmeline Duncan

Buy Emmeline Duncan’s Cozy Mysteries

You can get autographed, personalized copies of Emmeline Duncan’s books from Annie Bloom’s Books, an independent bookshop in Portland, Oregon. The books can be shipped through the mail. Emmeline’s books are also available through many booksellers, including (but not limited to) Amazon, Bookshop, Books-A-Million, and Barnes and Noble. You can find all of the books in libraries as well. If your local library does not have the book, you should be able to request it.