Welcome Back Esme Addison! #giveaway

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The winner’s from Esme’s giveaway are makennedyinaz and Kathy Laweryson! Watch for an email from Esme.

Sherry — the hydrangeas are blooming so it must be summer!

I’m so delighted to have Esme Addison back to talk about her new book, An Intrigue of Witches. It’s the first book in the Secret Society mysteries. After reading the blurb, I’m intrigued! Here it is:

Thirty-year-old Black woman Sidney Taylor is a talented early American historian, working in fast-paced Washington DC, with her eyes on promotion. She’s also currently persona non grata. Who knew that making an inconvenient historical discovery would see her stuck at her desk, shuffling paper?

So when she receives an anonymous and very cryptic invitation to visit historic small-town Robbinsville, North Carolina and hunt for a missing archaeological treasure – with a million-dollar pay out at stake – it’s one she can’t refuse. Besides, her beloved grandmother lives in Robbinsville, and it’s been too long since she’s paid her a visit.

Soon, Sidney’s on an exciting treasure hunt, following two-hundred-year-old clues that lead her ever closer to the artefact she’s searching for. But what is the artefact? And why is Sidney starting to feel like she’s at the heart of a terrifying conspiracy she doesn’t understand?

The answer blows Sidney’s world apart, plunging her into a dark, glittering world of secret societies, ancient bloodlines, witches and magic, linked to an ages-old conspiracy that could destroy the very principles upon which America was founded.

This delicious genre-blend of cozy thriller, contemporary fantasy and mystery is National Treasure meets the supernatural treasure hunts of Indiana Jones, with a dash of A Discovery of Witches. 

Secrets, Suspense, and Small Towns

Some of you may know me from my Enchanted Bay Mystery Series, a traditional cozy murder mystery with magic. However, today I’m discussing An Intrigue Of Witches, the first book in the Secret Society Mysteries.

An Intrigue Of Witches is a treasure hunt in the tradition of Indiana Jones… there’s a historian, a search for an artifact connected to a historical mystery and Da Vinci-style puzzles to decode… and there are witches. You may also be surprised to know I’ve set this story in a cozy small town.

In fact, it’s a question I’m asked often: Why do you set your stories in small towns? i.e. Even the stories that aren’t cozy mysteries. Recently, while attending a writer’s conference in NYC, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the city, I found myself reflecting on this very question.

As a native of North Carolina, the allure of small towns has always drawn me. The tranquility, the sense of community, these are elements that resonate deeply with me. While I appreciate the vibrancy of big cities—I’ve fallen in love with places like Los Angeles and Rome—there’s a comfort, a familiarity to small towns that I find irresistible.

But what is it about small towns that makes them such compelling settings for my mysteries? Small towns possess an intimacy, a closeness that magnifies the drama of a story. In An Intrigue Of Witches, for example, family dynamics play a central role, with Sidney’s strained relationship with her parents adding layers of tension to the plot.

And then there’s the element of suspense. In a place where everyone knows everyone else’s business, where secrets can simmer beneath the surface, even the quaintest of small towns can harbor dark mysteries. It’s this juxtaposition of coziness and suspense that I find so captivating.

But cozy towns are not without their complexities. While they may appear idyllic on the surface, they can also be hotbeds of drama and intrigue. It’s this duality—the contrast between the serene exterior and the tumultuous undercurrents—that makes them such rich settings for storytelling.

So, why do I set my stories in cozy small towns? Because they are microcosms of the human experience, places where the mundane and the magical coexist, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary. They are the perfect backdrop for exploring the mysteries of life, love, and everything in between.

And that’s why I set my stories in cozy small towns.

Readers: Do you have a preference for stories set in small towns or big cities? If you do, why or why not? Do you think the setting is a character? For example, if you have a favorite novel set in a small town, do you think it would be the same if it were set in a large city? How might it change the story?

In honor of the audiobook of An Intrigue Of Witches publishing on June 4th, I will giveaway two copies of the book to two commenters. You may choose audiobook or eBook formats.

Bio: Esme Addison is the bestselling author of the Enchanted Bay mysteries, the first of which was nominated for an Agatha Award, and the brand-new Secret Society mysteries. 

Esme lives in Raleigh, NC with her family and is a member of Sisters In Crime, International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America and Crime Writers of Color. When she’s not writing, you can find her reading, traveling, and indulging her love of history at museums and historical sites. You can find Esme at: https://esmeaddison.com/

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Published by Sherry Harris

Sherry Harris is the author of the Agatha Award nominated Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery series and the Chloe Jackson Sea Glass Mystery series.

40 Thoughts

  1. Sometimes the setting/location dictates the story plot. And sometimes a small town fits better than an urban setting and vice versa.

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    1. That’s a great observation! Yes, the setting can often shape the story’s plot and atmosphere in profound ways. Small towns and urban settings each offer unique dynamics that can influence the narrative direction. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

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  2. Welcome back, Esme! The new series sounds fantastic.

    I set my stories in small towns for the same reasons, although authors like Leslie Budewitz and Cleo Coyle do a great job at creating a small cozy community nestled within a big city.

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    1. I completely agree that the setting plays a pivotal role in shaping the storyline. It’s fascinating to see how different authors approach this, isn’t it? Another author that does the same is Jennifer Chow. Her series are set in Los Angeles but she’s able to create a cozy feel by sticking to a neighborhood within the larger city.

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    2. Edith – thank you for the warm welcome! I always enjoy my time on Wicked Authors. 🙂

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  4. I do view small towns, or specific locations, as a character. They come with their own history, looks, and way in which they make you feel. I prefer small town settings because the townspeople know each other, their family backgrounds and plus the shops and buildings are located close by. Probably this is due to the fact I was raised in a small town but have experienced city life, too, and know which I like better!

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    1. Hi Kathy. I agree – and you’re right. Each small town has it’s own vibe which may be more pronounced in a smaller area. NYC for example has a vibe too, but it’s a bit overwhelming, and you just have to let it wash over you lol, while the vibe of a smaller area can settle over you and allow you to just vibe with it and enjoy.

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  5. Congratulations on the start of a new series with the release of “An Intrigue of Witches”. Sounds like a fabulous story!

    Personally, I not only love small town settings, but when we retired and built our forever home, we moved to a small tourist town. I like to think we have the best of both worlds. From April to October, we have a great influx of tourist to all of our varied festivals from the Folk Festival to the Bean Fest and Outhouse Races. Then come November, we revert to our small town of less than 3,000.

    And yes, the setting is a character in a story and often one with a big part.

    Since I’m a paperback reader, I’m not entering the contest, but do have this book on my TBR list.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. Thanks Kay. You’ll be happy to know a paperback version of An Intrigue Of Witches publishes in January. Tourist towns are fun, and the difference between on season and off season is huge! I lived in a small beach town for a year, and in the summer the place was unrecognizable. I (and most of the other locals) much preferred it in the offseason. But the energy is definitely different and it’s nice to have both. Summer at the beach is such a vibe. Fun and busy, and then off season is slower and quiet.

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  6. Intriguing story, and question. I love small towns and often find them characters. Especially in cozies where everything is a bit more personal. I grew up in a small town that was located a mere eleven miles from New York City. I bring that up because the small town location needn’t limit the action of a story. It’s possible to have the best of both worlds.

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    1. You’re right. I grew up in small towns but was always 15 minutes away from a big city so it was just a short drive to find more food options, cultural activities, museums, etc. In An Intrigue Of Witches, Sidney is based in a small town but she travels to DC once. And in the next book she’ll be heading abroad for a portion of the story. Best of both worlds is a great way to describe it.

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  7. I love small town settings, but believe a big city setting can work well, for example Leslie Budewitz Spice Shop set in Seattle. I think success is achieved by creating the illusion of small town, a strong sense of community, in this case, Pike Place Market. Building a close-knit sense of family, whether blood or found provides that “neighborhood” feel you get in a small town setting.
    Your new book sounds delightful and a fun blend of genres! makennedyinaz at hotmail dot com

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    1. Thank you! Cozies in the big city 🙂 It’s a trend in cozy mysteries these days, to place cozy mysteries in larger cities but create a cozy feel in districts and neighborhoods. If I did place a story in a big city, that’s what I would do as well.

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  8. Welcome back, Esme!!! I loved your Enchanted Bay Mystery Series, and I am sure I will enjoy reading An Intrigue Of Witches! I prefer cozy mysteries to take place in small colorful towns. I have read some series that take place in large cities, and I don’t get that cozy feeling at all…In small towns, everybvody knows your business, and it is easy to get to know the characters and become BFF’s with the protagonist and the main characters… Yes, that includes the town, which becomes a character! If a cozy mystery were to change location to a large city, then the whole concept would have to change, since most people don’t even know, or talk to their neighbors. Thank you for delighting us with your warmhearted books sprinkled with some mischief! Luis at ole dot travel

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    1. Hi Luis! I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the Enchanted Bay Mystery series. You’ll be happy to know I’m working on edits for book three which was supposed to come out this fall – but alas working on two books in one year was a bit much and it will publish next fall (it’s heavy with a cozy fall theme). It’s called A Brew For Chaos and I’m really excited to share it – but first a bit of intrigue. lol You bring up an interesting point. Changing the setting of an existing cozy could be an interesting way to revive a series that needs a refresher. But could be jarring to readers though…

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  9. I like small town settings. The setting is a character and contributes to the story. Especially if it’s quirky.

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  10. Congratulations on the new book, Esme! Gotta love a treasure hunt and I love the magical element, too. Cheers!

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    1. Hi JC! Thank you. I’ve always wanted to go a real treasure hunt, but honestly, how often does that happen in real life? lol. So I had to write the adventure I wanted to have. Almost as good as the real thing. 🙂

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  11. Oooh, this series certainly is intriguing. I prefer cozies set in small towns, tho’ there are a couple of series set in bigger cities that have cozy neighborhoods that work very well. Moving a series to a big city doesn’t work for me. I totally lost interest in my beloved Murder, She Wrote when Jessica was in NYC.

    Please don’t enter me in the drawing. I much prefer paper books.

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    1. Murder She Wrote had an interesting premise. Even though Jessica lived in a small town, she traveled an awful lot. But like you, I preferred the episodes when she stayed in Cabot Cove.

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  12. Welcome to the Wickeds, Esme! I’ve written one series based in a small town and one based in a city. But when it comes to my real life–I’ll pick a city every time.

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    1. Hi Barbara. I hear you. lol I like to visit big cities… as long as I can return to my cozy small town. 🙂

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  14. I think a cozy should be set in a cozy small town. One of my favorite cozy series is Nancy Coco’s series set of Mackinac Island MI.

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    1. I’ve read so many cozy stories set on Mackinac Island. I want to visit just based on my reading.

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    1. Thank you! I hope the story piques interest and pushes you down a few rabbit holes. 🙂

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  16. Congratulations on launching a new series. I like small towns but grew up in a small City. I think finding community is important no matter where the setting is.

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    2. Thank you. I agree. No matter where you are, if you can connect with friends and family – sometimes found family – and have certain shops you always visit, a sense of routine you can have that sense of community – Esme.

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  17. Having grown up in cities large and then small, I am drawn to small town settings since it is unusual for me. I find the small-town dynamic fascinating.

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    1. Interesting…. But yes, I can see how small towns could be intriguing to someone new to them. What do you find fascinating, in particular? I’m fascinated too, actually.

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