Welcome to my stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for Kill Them with Canvas (A Paint by Murder Mystery) by Bailee Abbott Stop by each blog on the tour for interviews, guest posts, spotlights, reviews and more!
Kill Them with Canvas (A Paint by Murder Mystery)
by Bailee Abbott
Kill Them with Canvas (A Paint by Murder Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – New York
Crooked Lane Books (October 11, 2022)
Hardcover : 320 pages
In Bailee Abbott’s second book in the Paint by Murder mysteries, Chloe and Izzie are taking their paint party business on the road—with murder as the first stop!
Chloe Abbington and her sister, Izzie, are enjoying huge success running Paint with a View, their paint party business in the tranquil western New York lakeside town of Whisper Cove. Now, their aunt Constance—president of the local chapter of the Chautauqua Sisterhood—has hooked them up with a gig hosting a Halloween painting party. The guests will be painting a local ghost legend, the Lady of Chautauqua Lake, who died a hundred years earlier and rises from the lake every October to haunt anyone who dares venture out on All Hallows’ Eve.
The event seems to be going off without a hitch, until Chloe overhears an argument between Constance and Viola Finnwinkle, the Sisterhood director, about the fate of the local chapter. Both women leave and the sisters finish their painting. But the next morning, Viola’s body is discovered floating face down near the town ferryboat dock, her long red hair spread around her. Eerily, the image is an exact replica of a painting Chloe and Izzie had discovered at the event the night before.
What’s more, the police find Constance’s purple knit hat lying on the ground near the crime scene. Constance pleads innocence, saying the hat mysteriously went missing during the event. Frantic that she might be charged with murder, she begs Chloe and Izzie to help her. The sisters believe their aunt is innocent, but if so, who’s the real killer—and when will the next victim turn up?
Interview with Kathryn Long writing as Bailee Abbott
Thanks for taking the time to share a bit about yourself with my readers and me!
Thank you so much for having me!
Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Kathryn Long, and besides several works written in that name, I write the “Paint by Murder” series as Bailee Abbott, which has been lots of fun to create. I am a retired school teacher, having taught special needs teens literature and writing for twenty years. Before that I worked as a bookstore manager. My love for writing in this genre extends to reading all sorts of mysteries, from cozy to psychological thrillers, and of course devouring crime shows whenever I find the time to watch them. I’ve lived in Northeast Ohio all my life, but I love to travel, especially to the beach and to Bemus Point, NY which is actually the inspiration for my setting in the Paint series.
How long have you been writing?
I dabbled in the craft when in high school by taking a creative writing class and joining the school’s writers club. Then for several years I wrote short stories, but didn’t seek publication. However, in 2001 I decided to try and write a novel. That led to many more and eventually getting traditionally published in 2013, and, after that, acquiring an agent in 2018. It’s been a challenging journey but with lots of success.
Did you always want to be an author? What made you choose the cozy mystery genre?
I’ve always enjoyed writing, but for a long time I hadn’t thought it was possible for me to become an author. Eventually, I gained the confidence to pursue that career. I’ve written several subgenres of mystery—cozy, traditional, paranormal, and romantic suspense. As long as the story has mystery in it, I’m inspired!
Do you prefer to read cozy mystery books, or do you have another favorite genre? What are you reading now?
I pretty much venture into various genres. Fantasy (Lord of the Rings is my all-time favorite), mystery, suspense, women’s fiction, romance, thrillers—as long as the writing is engaging, I’ll read it. That said, mystery is my go-to. Right now, I’m starting The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton. It has mystery, romance, history, suspense—the whole works! I’m excited to sink into what promises to be a great read!
Do you have a favorite place to write?
Depends on the season, weather, time of day. LOL If it’s nice and warm, you might find me on the back deck, typing away. Inside, I tend to stay in the family room, but I do have a small office room upstairs where I can go for more privacy and quiet.
What’s on your desk (if you write at one!)?
Hmm, well since I haven’t tidied up in a while, there are plenty of items! Lots of office supplies in various containers, but what I love most are my wooden block calendar (change the day and month by turning the blocks), my miniature stained glass lamp, and a cool vintage typewriter penholder.
What is the first book you remember reading as a child? What was one of your favorite books you read as a child?
Ha! It’s hard to remember back that far, but I’ll take a stab at it! I guess the “Little House on the Prairie” books were a favorite series. And I did have a book shelf with plenty of titles I bought from the Scholastic catalog. Of course, I like to boast how my Nancy Drew collection is quite impressive!
Do you like audiobooks, physical books, or e-books better? Why?
My mind gets too distracted to listen to audiobooks, so that format gets a firm “no.”
Physical books would be my preferred choice, but there’s something about the convenience and affordability of an e-book that appeals to me. I tend to purchase more than borrow from the library. Me being supportive of other authors in a small way.
If you had the opportunity to live anywhere in the world for a year while writing a book that took place in that same setting, where would you choose?
Definitely somewhere in France. (So reminiscent of suspense writer, Mary Stewart, who was absolutely my favorite during my teens.) It would be scenic and along the coast, like in Marseille or Nice. And an added plus is how it would give me a chance to brush up on my French
What or who has influenced you the most as a writer?
I can’t pinpoint one particular person or thing. However, reading has been my favorite thing to do since childhood, and that has provided plenty of inspiration.
Do you have any author friends who support you while you’re writing? Do you belong to any writing groups?
I’m a member of Sisters in Crime, both nationally and locally. The local chapter is especially supportive and helps keep me connected. I also belong to a small author group of six. We get together once a month, when possible, and we have a Facebook group page. We keep each other sane and provide all the creative and emotional support that most authors need.
Finally, what are you working on now? Can you tell us a bit about it?
I’m really in writing limbo right now, brainstorming ideas. Since the “Paint by Murder” series has taken a turn, my agent and I are pitching to other publishers to continue the series. I also have the “Sierra Pines B&B” cozy mysteries written under my name Kathryn Long. Book three, Blooming with Murder, will release next March. Meanwhile, I’ve been working on an idea for a mystery/suspense story, but it’s very much in the planning stage. To be continued!
Thank you again for taking the time to answer my questions! I really enjoyed reading your answers!
Thanks again for the opportunity to showcase and talk about my work!
About Bailee Abbott
Bailee Abbott is a native Ohioan who spends her days plotting murder and writing mysteries. She’s a member of Sisters in Crime as well as of International Thriller Writers. Bailee lives with her husband and furry friend Max in the quiet suburbs of Green, Ohio. Bailee also writes the Sierra Pines B&B mystery series under the name Kathryn Long.
Author Links
AUTHOR WEBSITE: www.baileeabbott.com
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/BaileeAbbottBooks
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/BaileeAbbott1
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21094675.Bailee_Abbott
Purchase Links
AMAZON BARNES & NOBLE KOBO APPLE BOOKS
Enter the giveaway
Kill them with Canvas TOUR PARTICIPANTS
October 11 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT
October 11 – Lady Hawkeye – AUTHOR GUEST POST
October 12 – Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
October 12 – My Reading Journeys – CHARACTER GUEST POST
October 13 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
October 13 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT
October 14 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW
October 14 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
October 15 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT
October 16 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
October 17 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
October 17 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
October 18 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT
October 18 – Books Blog – SPOTLIGHT
October 19 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
October 20 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT
October 21 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
October 22 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
October 22 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW
October 23 – Girl with Pen – SPOTLIGHT
October 24 – BookishKelly2020 – SPOTLIGHT
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Thank you for hosting! Love all the reader support!
You’re welcome! Thanks for stopping!
Looks like a fun read with the cute dog and painting.
Cannot wait to read it.
So glad that you have the book still on tour it sounds so good !
Sounds like a book I will enjoy reading.
Kill Them with Canvas (A Paint by Murder Mystery) by Bailee Abbott sounds like a fun and entertaining book that I would enjoy reading!
Great interview, thank you for sharing
Thanks for sharing!
Love the cover art
I will read this !Thank you.
Nice interview. I love the title & cover of this cozy!
I would love to read this one this fall season.
Looks like a fun book.
Thanks for the contest.
Sounds like a great read.
Thanks, everyone! The series is so much fun writing!
Do you listen to music when you write?
This sounds like a great cozy mystery. I like the cover.
What author do you most admire?
Looks like a fun book!
This sounds like a really good read.
This sounds like a great book that I would enjoy!