Online for Authors Episode 9-10-24

​Blueprints and Whodunits: A Cozy Mystery Unfolds in a Small Town with Author V.S. Gardner

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is V.S. Gardner, author of the book A Killing on Hardee Street. VS Gardner excitedly achieved her lifelong dream of becoming a published author when her first novel, A Killing on Hardee Street, was published in 2020. Holding to the belief that life’s greatest treasures are found in relationships, V.S. Gardner enjoys spending time with family and friends. When not writing, she enjoys reading, thrifting, exploring local points of interest, and trail walking. She is grateful for the many blessings of life. Be sure to follow the Author on Amazon for future publications.

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Greetings from the porch on this bright spring day! It's in these quiet moments that inspiration often strikes—just ask VS Gardner, author of the cozy mystery A Killing on Hardy Street.

Vanessa had been writing poetry since she was ten, but it wasn't until she was watching a house being built from her back patio that the idea for her debut novel took root. She imagined her main character Vonda in a similar scenario, enjoying her daily coffee in a rocking chair. But instead of a peaceful morning, Vonda witnesses a crime at the construction site across the way. Talk about a plot twist!

What I love about Vanessa's writing journey is how relatable it is. Like many of us, she'd dreamed of being an author since childhood. She even bought a typewriter with her high school graduation money! But life has a way of keeping us busy, and it wasn't until a joke with a friend about "sleep typing" years later that Vanessa finally put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and brought A Killing on Hardy Street to life.

The novel follows Vonda, a recent widow, as she adjusts to her new circumstances in the small town of Logan, South Carolina. When a murder occurs at the construction site she's been watching from her porch, Vonda realizes she may have clues to the killer's identity without even knowing it. But digging into the mystery puts a target on her own back. Will she be the next victim?

While the book is a cozy mystery, Vanessa artfully weaves in themes of grief, faith, and friendship through Vonda's journey. There's even a touch of romance! As a fellow author of character-driven fiction, I really appreciated how much heart and authenticity Vanessa brings to her characters. You can't help but root for Vonda and the colorful cast that surrounds her.

I also loved learning about the personal touches Vanessa includes in all her books—from beloved family names to subtle butterfly symbolism (did you know Vanessa means butterfly in Greek?). It's details like these that make a story feel all the more special, don't you think?

If you're craving an engaging whodunit with characters that feel like friends, I highly recommend adding A Killing on Hardy Street to your reading list. And exciting news: Vanessa let me know she just released her first poetry collection, Reflections! 

For my fellow writers out there, I hope Vanessa's story is a reminder that it's never too late to chase your dreams. You never know when inspiration will strike—it could be while sipping coffee on the porch, talking with an old friend, or even noticing a butterfly fluttering by. The muse works in mysterious ways!

I'd love to hear from you! What's the most unexpected place you've found story inspiration? Comment and let me know. And if you've read A Killing on Hardy Street, I'd be thrilled to discuss it with you!

Wishing you a day filled with good books and maybe even a mystery to solve.

P.S. Want to keep the book discussion going? Head over to Novels and Latte Book Club on Facebook and enter for a chance to win a digital copy of A Killing on Hardy Street! See you there.

Purchase A Killing on Hardee Street on Amazon:
Paperback: https://amzn.to/3Sgpv1b
​Ebook: https://amzn.to/3LCE23b

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.