Welcome to my stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for The Con: An Organized Crime Cozy Mystery by Jackie Layton. Stop by each blog on the tour for interviews, guest posts, spotlights, reviews and more!
The Con: An Organized Crime Cozy Mystery
by Jackie Layton
About The Con
The Con: An Organized Crime Cozy Mystery
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Georgia
Publisher : Level Best Books (August 27, 2024)
Paperback : 280 pages
ISBN-10 : 1685127266
ISBN-13 : 978-1685127268
Digital ASIN : B0DDBFJGPK
Professional organizer Kate Sloan is hired by Ben Houser to organize his office at Seaside Hideaway Resort on Fox Island. Ben tells everybody he’s planning to revamp the resort. Ben throws money around and convinces people to invest with him. The first problem is, Ben’s a con man. The second problem is, Kate finds his dead body.
The killer believes Kate has incriminating evidence, and she must solve the mystery before she’s next on the hitman’s list.
Character Guest Post
Kate Sloan, Professional Organizer and Amateur Sleuth
When I became an empty nester, it became clear it was time to return home to Fox Island, Georgia. I was a widow, and there was nothing holding me back. My family and best friend lived on the island, and it was my happy place. So, I packed up my life in Kentucky and moved home. I decided to rent an apartment to give myself time to find a good home in a good location. Apartment living has some interesting challenges, and it’s been interesting, but I’m ready to find my forever home.
After my husband died a few years ago, I became a real estate agent. It was during this time that I discovered my ability to help others get organized. I tried to explain to clients that homes sell better when they look neat and appealing. There were quite a few families who asked me to stage their homes, and they moved the junk into a storage unit until the house sold. It may sound like I was bossy, but I gently explained what needed to be done. In the end, when I got them a better offer, we always parted as friends.
My best friend, Bess Walker, never left Fox Island. She needed to change jobs, and she and I had many discussions. In our early fifties, was it possible to start over? We decided to take a chance, and we opened our business, Let’s Get Organized. So far, it’s been good. Except for the recent murders, my coastal life has been wonderful. I’m more relaxed and happier. It’s like I’ve rediscovered myself.
Another thing I love is my new career. It’s satisfying to take chaos and make the space work. For instance, let’s pretend you hire me to organize your office. It can be at home or work. First, you need to declutter. Only the most important items should be nearby. A three-tiered tray can be beneficial for sorting papers, bills, letters, and whatever. You also need a filing system, whether it’s a cabinet or a wall-mounted file. It’s also important to have an organizer for your pens, pencils, stapler, calculator and maybe antacids. If it fits in a desk drawer, perfect. Otherwise, you should buy a desktop organizer for these smaller items. Having an organized space frees up your mind to focus on important work.
My primary job is working as a professional organizer, but I spend time as an amateur sleuth, too. You might wonder how a woman my age, fifty-three, can start solving murders. In the first case, my protective instincts kicked in. I had to help prove my younger brother was innocent of one thing. Then there was a murder, and I needed to prove he was innocent of that as well.
But still, what qualifies me to solve mysteries? I learned problem solving when I lived in Kentucky.
Before my husband died, I suspected he was cheating on me. It was humiliating not to trust him, but the signs were there. When a check bounced, I had to take a deep dive into our finances. It appeared like we were almost broke. At this time, I learned to hack my husband’s computer. I even hired a forensic accountant, and she confirmed what I thought was my worst fear. Nope, my husband’s affair wasn’t the worst thing to happen. I was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma. I had surgery to remove the brain tumor, and I lost the hearing in my right ear. The recovery was brutal, and I had no extra energy to file for divorce. I thought it could wait, but then came the third shocker. He died.
But enough about him. My ability to investigate began during this period in my life. To solve murders, one of my skills is the ability to organize. Reading upside down is another talent I developed while raising my son. Many people have commented on my attention to details, and I believe that has also helped me solve mysteries.
In The Con, a client, Ben Hauser, is murdered. He’s the new owner of our local resort, Seaside Hideaway. Ben hired Bess and me to organize his office at the resort. The process of asking him what he thought was important, and what wasn’t, allowed me to get to know him. I also observed him interact with some of his employees. Ben oozed charm, when he wanted to. But, I’d witnessed his short temper and wondered if it was due to the chaos in his workspace. I explained that once we organized Ben’s office, he’d be more productive, there’d be less mistakes, and he’d save time. Ben was a golfer, and I even teased him about having more time to play golf.
After his death, I put my organizing skills to the test. I made a list of suspects, a list of motives, and considered possible weapons.
I also dug into Ben’s background because it was possible I didn’t know the killer. Ben didn’t have a significant other, and you probably know that’s the most likely suspect in a murder case. It turns out I really don’t know Ben very well.
I don’t want to give away too much about Ben’s murder, but I hope you’ll read The Con and solve the murder with me.
Thanks for allowing me to introduce myself, and I hope you have a great time reading cozy mysteries. Happy sleuthing!
About Jackie Layton
Jackie Layton is the author of cozy mysteries with Spunky Southern Sleuths. Her stories are set in Texas, Georgia, and South Carolina. She lives on the coast of South Carolina, where she enjoys walks on the beach and golf cart rides around the marsh. Reading, gardening, and traveling are some of her favorite hobbies.
Jackie always keeps a notebook handy to write down ideas for future stories. Dateline and American Greed are two ways she gets ideas. She’s also a people watcher, and that can giver her ideas for stories or even a thread in a book.
Author Links
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JackieLaytonAuthor
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jackielaytonauthor/
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/joyfuljel
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jcom
Threads: Jackie Layton (@jackielaytonauthor) on Threads
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/49XTfpf
BookBub: https://bit.ly/37RqGQ8
Website: https://jackielaytoncozyauthor.com/
- Purchase Links
- Amazon ebook
- Amazon Paperback
- Kobo:
- Kobo Canada:
- B&N ebook:
- B&N Paperback:
Enter the Giveaway
The Con TOUR PARTICIPANTS
October 10 – Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense – AUTHOR GUEST POST
October 10 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
October 11 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
October 12 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
October 12 – Reading Is My SuperPower – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
October 13 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT
October 14 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
October 14 – Deal Sharing Aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
October 15 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
October 15 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
October 16 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST
October 17 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
October 18 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – AUTHOR GUEST POST
October 18 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT
October 19 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
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Hi Christy,
Thanks for interviewing Kate!
Good luck to your followers who enter the giveaway!
You’re welcome! Thanks for stopping!
Kate is such a cool character. I loved The Con!
Jackie, fascinating interview…and the organizing tips are appreciated. Because of your entertaining stories, my interest in cozies has returned. Thanks!