Beth Farrar joins us for this week’s The Cozy 52 interview. Read on to find out more about her books, how she got into writing cozy mysteries, and what she has coming out next.
Who or What is The Cozy 52? Each week I will be sharing an interview with someone involved with Cozy Mysteries – an author, blogger, Facebook Group host, podcaster, cover designer – so that we can showcase this amazing community! I hope you’ll discover some new authors, plus learn more about what goes on behind the scenes with the people who write, publish and promote cozy mysteries!
Introducing Beth Farrar
NAME: Beth Farrar
LIST ALL YOUR COZY MYSTERY SERIES:
- Ellie McLellan Genealogy Mystery series
HOW ARE YOUR COZY MYSTERIES PUBLISHED? Indie published through Amazon, ebook, print and KU. Hoping for audio in the future!
The Q&A
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF
I’ve been writing most of my life, reading all of my life and have way too many books to read and too little time to complete the task! I was born in Montreal, Quebec and now live in a log cabin on a lake north of Montreal. I finally published my first book when I was 62 (you’re NEVER too old to follow your dreams), but had a monthly column for over fifteen years for the only English language newspaper in the Laurentiens. I also own a legal transcription business (which I hope to retire from sooner than later) and have too many notebooks with story ideas in a pile on my desk. My husband and I raised three boys in this cozy home, and while they have all moved into Montreal for school and life, they love coming home whenever they can. And I’ve found that the best ideas for stories always come when I’m out for my daily walk around the lakes, and I’ve forgotten my notebook!
LIST THREE FUN FACTS ABOUT YOURSELF THAT WE WOULDN’T READ IN YOUR ‘OFFICIAL’ BIO.
- I have a pen pal in England that I’ve had since we were 17 and we’ve never met!
- I learned to ice skate young and dreamed of playing for the Montreal Canadiens (needless to say, being a 5ft tall woman wouldn’t fly – amongst other things).
- I am a cross-stitch maniac, as I need to have something in my hands while watching TV (Christmas themes are my favourite and Dureen Jones designs tops the list).
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START WRITING? WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO WRITE COZY MYSTERIES?
I’ve always written, in some form or another, whether articles for a newspaper, journals for my own venting, letters to my pen pal, attempts at tv scripts (Magnum P.I.! gosh, I’m dating myself!), and many novels that helped me learn. For my Ellie McLellan Genealogy Mystery series, I love the idea of a group of seniors solving mysteries while learning to write their memoirs. And while there are no murders, there is tension and personal stakes to overcome. Just being able to dive into another story with the same characters you’ve come to love is probably the best thing – besides dark chocolate!
WHAT SUBGENRE(S) OR THEMES OF COZY MYSTERIES DO YOU WRITE?
My stories are about genealogy and family, solving mysteries and coming to terms with the whole idea of aging, with lots of friendship and a touch of romance thrown in for good measure.
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR COZY MYSTERY SERIES. WHAT INSPIRES YOUR SERIES?
Ellie McLellan lost her husband and daughter to a texting driver and is slowly coming back to life. She also lost her parents at a young age and was raised by her aunt and uncle, and grew up with them and her cousin, Sophie. The first book sets up the dilemma of finding out that Sophie is not the biological daughter of Ellie’s aunt and uncle. Ellie’s senior genealogy group keeps her on her toes and each story finds them learning new ways to find records and interesting things to document about their own lives. Ellie meets her beau while saving the life of his nephew and from there the romance flows, slowly. The small fictional town of Percyville is vaguely based on my own small town, and I try to incorporate some of the culture of Quebec. Ellie’s best friend, Maggie, is the owner of the Cozy Corner Café, an exceptional pastry baker, and has opened her Café to the group for their meetings. The stories are all stand alone but benefit from being read in order. To be honest, I can’t wait to see what happens next! What inspires me about this series is that I’m writing my own memoir at the same time as writing all the books, so as I learn new things, so do the seniors!
WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE LOVE TO READ COZY MYSTERIES?
Cozy mysteries allow you meet a group of characters that you get to know over the course of many books (hopefully), some that you’ll love, some not so much. Cozy is about being with people and places that make you comfortable.
ASIDE FROM BEING AN AUTHOR, ARE YOU INVOLVED IN THE COZY COMMUNITY IN ANY OTHER WAY?
At the moment, I’m only an author and reader! I love finding new authors and am always amazed at the unique twists authors come up with.
WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE WRITERS?
My favourite authors are very eclectic and change as I age. I started with Stephen King (Salem’s Lot), moved through a dystopian era, found Elly Griffiths, Sarah Painter, Richard Osman, Louise Penny, and am now devouring Jenny Colgan’s books. The funny thing is when I had my first son, I couldn’t read scary books anymore! Oh, and also Emma Davies!
IF YOU WERE MAROONED ON A DESERTED ISLAND, WHAT 3 BOOKS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU?
Great question! Probably a survival guide to start with. Then something really long, as you never know when that rescue is coming! I’d say War and Peace, but I probably wouldn’t finish it. There is one book that I’ve read over and over which is Son of the Morning by Linda Howard. I remember the first time I read that book and it took my breath away with all the “what ifs” about time slip travel. Oh, and that’s when I started looking specifically for those types of books!
DO YOU HAVE ANY PROJECTS COMING UP THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?
I actually have something swirling through my head and I’ve written the outline for the first three books in a new series called Tiny House Haven Cozy Mysteries. It’s set in the same town as my genealogy series and will have a few cross over characters, but this will have murders! I can’t wait to get started on this and will probably have the first out by fall 2024. And, of course, more Ellie McLellan stories to come!
The Quickie 5
- FAVOURITE FOOD: Dark chocolate (at least 85%)
- BEVERAGE OF CHOICE: Water, tea, ginger ale
- MOST PRIZED POSSESSION: Claddagh engagement ring my hubby gave me
- FAVOURITE SEASON? I live in Canada – so, I have to say winter because I love to skate, and I hate the bugs in the summer. But perhaps fall would be more accurate. That in between time is gorgeous.
- FAVOURITE VACATION SPOT? I’m not a traveller, but the best times I’ve had in the past were with the family camping at Provincial Parks.
To keep up to date with Beth Farrar online, you can connect with her on:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE
Stephanie, thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of this! I’ve already found new authors to follow and books to read!