Edith here, luxuriating in the rebirth of life (finally!) north of Boston – salad greens, flowering shrubs, fresh eggs, book ideas, and so much more. Make sure you read to the end for a special giveaway.
Mulch Ado About Murder releases today! I am delighted that the Local Foods Mysteries has continued through book five. I originally conceived of organic farmer Cameron Flaherty way, way back in 1994. At the time I operated and co-owned the smallest certified organic farm in my county tucked away up here in the northeast corner of Massachusetts.
When A Tine to Live, a Tine to Die finally came out in 2013, it introduced Cam, her great-uncle Albert, the town of Westbury, and the cast of regular characters who have kept Cam company throughout the series. The book opens on June 1, the first day her CSA customers are coming to pick up their shares of the produce she harvested that morning: herbs, greens, asparagus, and more.
In Tine we meet the cast of continuing characters: Lucinda, the devoted Brazilian locavore. Felicity, a committed volunteer with a long gray braid and an infallibly cheery manner. Albert, of course, who gave Cam his farm. A younger volunteer, Alexandra, and the even younger girl scout Ellie who loves helping out. Plus State police detective Pete Pappas, who is back in every book but takes on an additional role in book two.
The books release once a year at the end of May, but book time is different. ‘Til Dirt Do Us Part, the second book, takes place in early October.
One of Cam’s more difficult shareholders is murdered the day after a farm-to-table dinner and her stepson Bobby is wanted for questioning. Cam doesn’t think the hunky carpenter who rebuilt her barn is involved – but is he?
Farmed and Dangerous is the winter story, with a blizzard, someone murdered in Albert’s assisted living residence, Cam under suspicion because she provided the produce that was poisoned, and an apparent attack on Cam herself.
I was delighted Cam’s farm cat Preston finally appeared on a cover. He’s our senior cat here at home and he deserves his moments of fame.
Book four, Murder Most Fowl, was a fun one. I got to set a couple of scenes in a New England town meeting very much like the one I used to attend in West Newbury, which Westbury is closed modeled on.
The wasn’t fun for the murdered poultry farmer, of course, but I loved that Cam acquired chicks, and I learned about foxes, too. I got the murder weapon from a talk the Poison Lady (Luci Zahray) gave, and the book just came out in paperback.
And now we’re up to Mulch Ado About Murder, book five, where Cam’s peripatetic parents come to visit. Both of them are immersed in a good deal of trouble, and Cam gets to know them more intimately. Over the course of the series Cam has grown to know herself better, too. This nerdy introvert, a former software engineer, had no idea when she acquired the farm that growing and selling food would involve hanging out with people, not just vegetables. What blossomed in her is a realization that she likes it.
The story takes place right now, so the series has come around the full cycle of the farming year. I decided to celebrate by throwing a fifth birthday party on June 1!
Come on over to the Facebook event page between 6:30 and 9:30 PM eastern time. Twelve authors, including many of the Wickeds, are going to pop in every fifteen minutes and each will have a giveaway to a commenter during that period. I have a slew of items I’ll give away, too.
And the grand prize is a signed set of all five books in hardcover. We’ll have virtual cake – carrot, of course – and bubbly, too.
But for today, let’s celebrate Mulched‘s release by me giving away one of my author aprons to a commenter here!
Congratulations on Book 5! And thank you for Cam and all my new friends in this series. I think I eat more veg now because of them!
Thanks, Mary! I’m so glad you love the series.
Would love to win a book. Thank you for the opportunity. Congratulations on Book 5!
Thanks!
New to this blog and your books! Would love a cute apron 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!
Congrats and have fun with your celebration! I didn’t realize you had a small farm too, at one point!
Thank you. I sure did!
Congratulations on the new release. Sounds like a great series.
Thanks. I really enjoy writing this one.
Yeah! A new book. Can’t wait to read it.
Aw, thanks so much!
It’s such a joy for readers to follow a cast of character-friends as they share their book-lives with us. With each adventure they become more real, more a part of our own circle of friends. Thank you for all of the people (and cool animals) you’ve shared. Congratulations on Book 5!
Thanks so much, Carol. It’s a joy to write that family of continuing characters, too.
I love this series and can’t wait to read the new book. Cam is one of my favorite cozy characters! I’m looking forward to meeting her parents…
Have fun with William and Deb, Christi! So glad you love the series.
Reblogged this on passthebookplease.
Thanks!
Congratulations, Edith! I’m so delighted for you!
Thanks dear Sherry. You are one of the reasons readers love the books!
Love the series and the characters
Thank you Mary!
Congratulations, Edith! It’s always nice when nice people are successful.
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/-P4SWUhT0aw/maxresdefault.jpg
Thanks, Aimee!
Congratulations, Edith! I love this series, and even made the carrot muffins from Murder Most Fowl. They were so good, I kept telling myself, “It’s ok if you eat another one, they’re healthy!”
You are so sweet, Mia! And you are right, of course. Those muffins ARE healthy.
Oh, Edith, I love book #5. Before reviewing it, I had to go back and read the first four. What a fantastic binge read I had. I feel as if the characters are my friends and I want to go visit them. And would love to buy a bunch of those organic veggies. I’m friends with the owners of a very small organic farm nearby and love playing with the pygmy goats while the geese and chickens flutter around. I took advantage of her offer to grow organic veggies in her large garden. I had 5 tomato plants that yielded 450 tomatoes! Organic gardening certainly is viable.
Congratulations on the birth of your 5th book. May you have many more!
So glad you going organic, Ginny. And pleased you loved your binge. I have done that with certain authors in the past. Such a treat.
Congratulations and Happy Fifth Birthday!
Thanks!
Reblogged this on Hobby Reads.
Thank you for sharing!
Congratulations, Edith!
Thank you, Barb. And for your strategy suggestion a few weeks ago, too. 😉
Congratulations Edith, love this series especially as we know a couple CSA farmers in our rural area here in Oregon It just makes it that much more intriguing. Keep them coming! Thank you.
Great, Jeanette! I am so pleased you love the series.
Wow, would I love to be the lucky individual to receive your gift package. I enjoy your books so much and would sure like to have your latest. There is nothing better than buying produce directly from the farmer. It is my favorite time of the year when I can go to the farmer’s market and do this. Congrats on your latest book.
I appreciate the congrats, and totally agree about the farms.
You Wicked Cozy Ladies are amazing! Congratulations to you Edith!
Thank you, Doris.
Congrats on your upcoming release and your 5th book anniversary!!! Looks like a fantastic read
Thanks so much.
Congrats on book 5 in this series. I finished it over the weekend and loved it!
Oh good, Mark! I am delighted.
Congratulations!!! I can’t wait to read it!
Thanks, Amanda.
Happy Book Birthday my friend!!
Thanks, dear! It never gets old.
I am an Edith Maxwell fan, but why did I miss this series? I am excited about the “Local Foods” theme with organic farming. I’ve picked up book 1 “Farmed and Dangerous” to start my journey.
Yay! I hope you love it.
Yes I’m an Edith Maxwell fan. I love the series and I’m upset that I wont be able to enter in the even on FB this evening. We start a two day Jewish Holiday and we’re staying at DD#1’s house to celebrate it.
Maybe I’ll be the lucky winner of the apron. I can always use another one.
NoraAdrienne (at) gmail (dot) com
I am sorry for bad planning on my part! Thanks so much for being a fan.
Happy book birthday! Wow…5 now! That is something to celebrate 🎉 I’ll have girls that will be starting their own locavore badge this fall. I think I shall gift them each a copy of a Tine to Live, a Tine to Die.
I LOVE that your girls will be doing their Locavore badge and would be honored if they read TINE. I’d be happy to talk or Skype with them, if they want. Maybe they can do an Author badge, too?
You are the randomly selected winner of the apron! Please send your mailing address to edith at edithmaxwell dot com.
Felicitations! I shall try and remember to attend at least the start of your party before crashing for the night. Rising at 4:30 am your time means I cannot stay up too late.
Oh, know the feeling, Barbara.
Happy New Book!!!!
Thanks!
Congrats on #5! Love this series and I’m looking forward to reading “Mulch Ado About Murder”.
diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks!
congratulations. will be attending the facebook event. need a new apron. always looking for new mystery to read.
See you there!
Looking forward to the new book. Now I’m retired, I’m also anxious to go to more farmers’ markets.
Sally
They are such a delightful scene. Thanks for looking forward!
Congratulations on your new book. Can’t wait to read it. I’m a big fan of Cam and company.
Aww, that’s sweet, Dee!
I’d love to be the winner! lindaherold999@gmail.com
On Tue, May 30, 2017 at 1:33 AM, Wicked Cozy Authors wrote:
> Edith Maxwell posted: “Edith here, luxuriating in the rebirth of life > (finally!) north of Boston – salad greens, flowering shrubs, fresh eggs, > book ideas, and so much more. Make sure you read to the end for a special > giveaway. Mulch Ado About Murder releases today! I am deligh” >
Thanks, Linda.
I’ll be looking forward 50 the June 1 party. Thanks for today’s contest.These are really fun books.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Cool! See you there.
Congratulations on #5 Edith! See you at your party!
Thanks, Sandy. It’s going to be fun!
Your books look like so much fun to read. I am adding them to my summer reading list.
Thanks!
Love healthy eating recipes and of course I love a good mystery!
I’m right there with you!