Welcome to my stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for Clocked Out by Anna St. John. Stop by each blog on the tour for interviews, guest posts, spotlights, reviews and more!
Clocked Out: A Josie Posey Mystery
by Anna St. John
Clocked Out – A Josie Posey Mystery
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting: A small town in Sunflower County, Kansas, named English Village
Level Best Books (February 6, 2024)
Josie Posey and her posse of Mahjong Mavens are at it again, in this cozy mystery where the retired big city crime reporter turned small town crime solver uncovers another murder in picturesque English Village.
When the clockmaker’s daughter returns home for a visit, reporter Josie Posey is assigned the task of interviewing the talented watch designer. That very afternoon the young woman falls from a ladder while inventorying antique clocks.
At first, Josie is certain the fall was an accident. Everyone loved Ella McGregor Benjamin. But Ella’s deathbed statement is a mysterious riddle that can’t be ignored. With her Old English Sheepdog Moe by her side, and an ever-growing list of suspects, Josie scrambles to identify the killer before anyone else gets hurt.
The local police chief wants Josie to help solve the puzzle, but stay out of his murder case. The editor of The Village Gazette wants an in-depth story for the next edition. And somebody wants Josie to stop asking questions. Deadlines loom.
In this fast-paced rollercoaster ride of a mystery, the clock is ticking as Josie vows to find the killer before time runs out.
My interview with Author Anna St. John
Thanks for taking the time to share a bit about yourself with my readers and me!
Tell us a little about yourself.
I was born and raised in Kansas, where I was the oldest of five girls. I’ve been married to my husband for 53 years. We raised two sons, and currently have two grandchildren with two more on the way.
I play a weekly game of mahjong with friends, travel often, and try to write every day (including on the weekends).
My first book released last year and I truly cannot believe I am now a published author! The Josie Posey Mystery Series will have at least five books. We’ll see if readers want more after that.
How long have you been writing?
At least since elementary school. I won my first writing prize in the 8th grade, with an essay on Americanism. There was a $50 savings bond prize attached and I was so excited.
Did you always want to be an author? What made you choose the cozy mystery genre?
I always wanted to be a writer, but I don’t think I dared to dream of becoming an author until sometime in my thirties. I studied journalism, not literature. When I graduated from college, I became a news reporter. Then, I switched to public relations, and finally to advertising. I owned an ad agency for 40 years.
My desire to wrote a book grew stronger every year until, finally, during the COVID years, I decided to get serious. I told my husband I’d decided to try writing books, but not to count on me as an income producer. He reminded me that “it’s okay to do something just because you want to.” I haven’t looked back.
Do you prefer to read cozy mystery books, or do you have another favorite genre? What are you reading now?
I read a lot of cozies, but I also enjoy most mystery genres, including psychological thrillers and spy books. I like contemporary women’s fiction, romance and beach reads, too. This summer I read The Housemaid (Freida McFadden) and Still Life (Louis Penny).
At least half the books I read now are written by authors I’ve met through my publisher. I recently finished mysteries Murder in Fourth Position (Lori Robbins), Twice the Trouble (Ash Clifton), Christmas Lights and Cat Fights (Heather Weidner), and Crime and Parchment (Daphne Silver).
Currently, I’m reading Mary-Margaret and the Case of the Lapsed Parishioner (Desmond P. Ryan).
Do you have a favorite place to write?
I have a cozy office on the second level of our home where I prefer to write – though I will write anywhere – on a plane, in a laundromat, waiting at the dentist office, etc. I have a desk, a reading chair, and art on the walls.There’s a beautiful view of the trees outside my window and I often have a closeup view of cardinals, woodpeckers and other birds. It’s a rural setting so I can sometimes watch for deer, or an occasional fox.
What’s on your desk (if you write at one!)?
My desk is library-table style with a broad surface and a leather inset where my Apple iMac has a prominent place. If you were to drop by for a visit today, you would also see an assortment of my favorite things: A framed picture of my husband, a Tiffany lamp, a collection of turtles, a favorite glass paperweight and a small crystal clock atop the desk.
When I’m writing, I always have a candle burning and a cup of coffee or a glass of ice water nearby. Unfortunately, I also scatter dozens of post-it notes, reference books, manuscript pages and colored pens/markers everywhere. I have a green-pepper kitchen timer for “writing sprints.” It’s messy, but it works for me.
What is the first book you remember reading as a child? What was one of your favorite books you read as a child?
My first book was Madeline, by Ludwig Bemelmans. My mother read the story to me in 1952 when it was reprinted in The Saturday Evening Post just before the animated movie released. I was three years old and I loved the story so much that she read it with me until I had memorized every word. On Christmas in 2000, my mother gave me the original pages she’d read to me 48 years earlier.
Later, my favorite books included Heidi, Little Women, and Anne of Green Gables, as well as all of the Nancy Drew mysteries.
Do you like audiobooks, physical books, or e-books better? Why?
Recently, I spend more time reading e-books, but I enjoy them all.
If I’m reading at home during the day, I still like physical books best. There’s nothing like the smell and texture of a new book.
For reading at night or traveling, e-books work best. They are easier to carry on a plane and I can read in the dark. ☺
For road travel, the audiobooks are fantastic. Who doesn’t like to have someone read them a story? With an audiobook, I can become totally immersed in the tale while I’m driving!
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?
I’d choose a beach town near my granddaughter, who currently lives in Hong Kong. The rhythm of the sea has always inspired me, and I’m fascinated by the contrasting cultures in Hong Kong.
What or who has influenced you the most as a writer?
My husband, Bruce, has made it possible for me to pursue the dream of becoming an author. He understands that writing is a central part of who I am, and he has encouraged me every step of the way.
Do you have any author friends who support you while you’re writing? Do you belong to any writing groups?
Yes! During the past few years, I’ve made many writer-friends through a variety of groups. They are all so gracious and kind! I met several through Pitched to Published, which is a tremendous resource for serious writers.
I’m also a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America, as well as Kansas Authors Club. Now that I’m a published author, I also have wonderful friends who share the same agent at Birch Literary Agency, and others who share the same publisher, Level Best Books.
Finally, what are you working on now? Can you tell us a bit about it?
I recently completed a narrative nonfiction book about a Czechoslovakian family who immigrated to the United States after WWII. Hopefully, my agent will find a publisher for this story.
Meanwhile, I’m excited to begin book three of the Josie Posey series. I hope your followers will watch for it in February of 2025. Hint: It’s about a doll collector.
Thank you again for taking the time to answer my questions!
Thank YOU for introducing me to your followers.
About Anna St. John
Anna St. John writes cozy mysteries featuring a mature, yet feisty, former crime reporter, Josie Posey, as the amateur sleuth.
Her debut novel, DOOMED BY BLOOMS, was released by Level Best Books in February 2023. CLOCKED OUT is the second book in her Josie Posey Mystery Series. It is scheduled to release Feb. 6, 2024.
A former journalist, award-winning advertising copywriter, and ad agency owner, Anna is married to her high school sweetheart. She writes from her home office in Kansas, with her Old English Sheepdog by her side.
Anna is represented by Cindy Bullard, of Birch Literary Agency. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and the Kansas Authors Club.
Purchase Link – Amazon
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Clocked Out Tour Participants
January 31 – Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense – SPOTLIGHT
January 31 – CelticLady Reviews – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT
February 1 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT
February 1 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
February 2 – The Mystery of Writing – AUTHOR GUEST POST
February 2 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – RECIPE
February 3 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
February 4 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT
February 4 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
February 5 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW, AUTHOR GUEST POST
February 5 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT
February 6 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
February 6 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
February 7 – Novels Alive – REVIEW
February 8 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT
February 9 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER GUEST POST
February 9 – Books to the Ceiling – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT/PODCAST
February 10 – Reading Authors Network – AUTHOR GUEST POST
February 11 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW
February 12 – The Book Diva’s Reads – CHARACTER GUEST POST
February 13 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW
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View Comments (2)
Thank you for this fun interview, Christy!
You're welcome! Thanks for stopping!