SUSPENSE SISTERS: Interview with Julie B. Cosgrove

Hi, y’all! Marji Laine here and I’m chatting today with award-winning, multi-published author Julie B. Cosgrove who has recently released her latest “Wordplay Mystery” book. Book 1 in the series is Word Has It and involves an eerie Scrabble® game that gives clues to more than one mystery that hovers over the small town of Scrub Oak, Texas. Book 2 of the series has just released Word Gets Around involving a missing person nightmare.

I’m so glad you were able to join us here at Suspense Sisters today. Now, I know you have a lot of things that you’re good at. Certainly writing. But what would you consider to be your passion?

For the past eleven years it has been to let people know that God is there and He cares. I try to show that in my writings, whether it in woven into my novels, the devotionals I am contracted to write, or on my blog Where Did You Find God Today.

That is why I write “Mysteries with a Message”, and why I love to read mysteries as well. Mysteries have a common theme―seeking justice through discovering the truth. That hopefully leads the way to repentance. As it says in Malachi, what God requires of us is that we seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our Lord. Don’t we all want to do that?

So many people seem to need His presence but often cannot see the ways the Holy Spirit is moving in our lives. Their faith-eyes have installed blinders due to hurt, anger, guilt, or a myriad of other reasons. I pray the Holy Spirit uses my writing to help remove some of those obstacles as my readers follow my characters through the mystery.

Oh, I’m with you on that. I love how the Lord shows me things about Himself even through everyday events. Especially through what I read! But you have a unique niche in today’s market . . . sort of an Agatha Christie thing going on. Why do you write about senior sleuths?

I am a senior, so I relate to these characters more than mystery solvers in their thirties. But my main reason goes a bit deeper. There is so much worry out there about Alzheimer’s and other dementias in the elderly it is assumed all people over sixty are becoming feeble-brained. Not so at all. My mother was blessed to have life-long friends who had wit and charm well into their mid-eighties. I so admired those women. Therefore, to dispel that misnomer, I wanted to write about witty, savvy, and sharp senior women, all widowed friends like my mom and hers. They each have their quirks and personalities. They are hardly perfect but they love each other and forgive each other when snarkiness creeps up. These spirited fillies aren’t ready for the pasture yet.

You’re right about that. Wanda is anything but “ready for pasture.” She’s a hoot, and Word Gets Around shows some great examples of her character and the inter-workings of a small town. Tell us about the theme from your latest book?

Word Gets Around is the second of five, maybe six, planned books in the Wordplay Mysteries. Each book is based upon a word game, which is another love of mine. In this one, one-word notes are left on the windshield of cars around town and the women scramble to decipher the message thinking it to be a ransom note for a missing reporter. Underlying the story, the message in the mystery, is that jealousies can become destructive, especially when combined with ambition. When we start comparing ourselves to others in order to receive glory rather than striving to improve ourselves for God’s glory, we open the door for all sorts of negative decisions and reactions.

Yes, that creeps up throughout the story. Now every time we chat, you’re working on some new project. What’s next for you?

I am continuing the Wordplay Mysteries series. In Other Words is in edits, and I have recently turned in Hang on Every Word to my publisher, Write Integrity Press. I plan to start writing the fifth one, Away with Words soon.

But I’m taking a detour and writing, along with six other mystery writers, The Visitor series. They are planning to release in 2023.

Yea! I’m getting to write on that series with you. I’m having so much fun with it.

Each novella involves a thirty-eight year-old woman who has inherited her parents’ non-profit foundation, and inevitably bumps into in a mysterious crime.

All seven of us have chosen people for our Visitor to visit along with fundraising plans for the foundation and a juicy mystery to solve. Your story idea is clever. I can’t wait for you to share that soon. Are you doing any other writing?

I continue to write devotionals for three publications, as I have since 2009, and produce my own blog as well. I’ve also recently become contracted with two publishing companies as an editor and continue to accept freelance editing for both fiction and nonfiction faith based works on the side.

One busy lady. Thanks so much for visiting with us today, Julie. We’ll have to chat with you again when your next puzzle hits the stands.

Here’s a little about Julie’s release: Word Gets Around

Random Notes,

One-Word Messages,

And a Puzzle that Might Be Too Hard to Solve.

Wanda Warner loves word games, but when she and her friends find random words stuck to their windshields, even her skills are challenged. A rising star reporter has disappeared and the newspaper office is trashed.

Could the words be clues as to why?

And can Wanda decipher the meaning of the complete message before it's too late to matter?

Get your copy of Word Gets Around at this HERE or click the cover image. And don’t forget to leave a comment. Got a question for Julie or Marji? By all means, ask! One commenting reader will receive a free e-copy of Word Gets Around. Be sure to leave your email address in the comments and make your comment by September 3, 2021.