Welcome to my stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for When the Carnival Came: An Olivia Penn Mystery by Kathleen Bailey. Stop by each blog on the tour for interviews, guest posts, spotlights, reviews and more!
When the Carnival Came: An Olivia Penn Mystery by Kathleen Bailey
When the Carnival Came: An Olivia Penn Mystery
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Setting – Apple Station, Virginia
Publisher : Rhino Publishing LLC (November 12, 2024)
Hardcover : 442 pages
A mysterious murder at an abandoned military base. A carnival has rolled into town. The shocking connection forces her to choose between a dear friend and her new love.
Spring is blooming in Apple Station, Virginia, and Olivia Penn’s new romance is heating up. With love in the air and the carnival in town, life seems picture-perfect—until a stranger arrives at her door with carnations and a cryptic message for her friend.
When Olivia follows the trail and finds her friend standing over a dead body, she discovers there’s more to the carnival than just fun and games. Compelled to keep an impossible secret from both her new love and the police, Olivia is recruited to go undercover and investigate who among the quirky carnival crew had a motive for murder.
In a race to protect her friend and solve the crime, she must trust a man she never expected to see again. Together, they execute a daring plan to bring a killer to justice and save the lives of thirty very precious, valuable feathered friends.
With the killer on the verge of vanishing without a trace, justice—and her life—hinge on quick thinking and a bold move. Will she and her new love survive to see another day?
When the Carnival Came is the fourth book in the award-winning The Olivia Penn Mystery Series. When the Carnival Came is a small-town, cozy mystery brimming with heart and humor, featuring a charming cast of characters and a fast-paced, twisty plot. Action-packed and full of suspense, this clean, cozy thrill ride will keep you on the edge of your seat.
When the Carnival Came
Thanks for taking the time to share a bit about yourself with my readers and me!
I’m delighted to be with you in the Cozy Corner today!
Tell us a little about yourself.
I write mysteries with heart and humor that keep to the cozy side of crime. I live in Virginia with my adorable feline furbaby. Prior to becoming an author, I worked as a pediatric physical therapist for over twenty years with children who have special needs. I enjoy spending time outside, I write every day, and I’m more likely to be listening to a podcast than watching TV.
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing with the mind to publish since 2019. My first book came out in 2021, and I’ve published a book a year since then.
Did you always want to be an author? What made you choose the cozy mystery genre?
I have always wanted to be an author since I was a child. I’ve always loved mysteries, whether they involve books, movies/TV, or games. I enjoy writing clean, twisty mysteries set in small towns that you want to revisit. The characters become like friends, and the protagonist represents the hero who’s in each of us. Justice is always served with side dishes of charm and humor.
Do you prefer to read cozy mystery books, or do you have another favorite genre? What are you reading now?
I read mysteries of all flavors. Right now, I’m reading Annette Dashofy’s Zoe Chambers Mystery Series.
Do you have a favorite place to write?
I write in my cat’s living room, sitting at her desk, using her laptop. It’s convenient to her snacks and toys for when she needs a break from assisting me.
What’s on your desk (if you write at one!)?
I write on a small desk that has room for only my laptop, mouse, and cat. Next to me, I have another small table that has my notes, paper, pens, and a thermos of water on it.
What is the first book you remember reading as a child? What was one of your favorite books you read as a child?
The first book I remember reading was Little Red Riding Hood. One of my favorite books I read as a child is Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein.
Do you like audiobooks, physical books, or e-books better? Why?
These days, I prefer to read e-books. I tend to read on a tablet device in the mornings while riding a stationary bike.
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?
New Zealand.
What or who has influenced you the most as a writer?
All my life experiences have influenced me the most. Even when not specifically related to writing, no experience is ever wasted. There is something to learn and take from every moment that will change you for the next.
Do you have any author friends who support you while you’re writing? Do you belong to any writing groups?
I belong to Sisters in Crime, and through them, I connect with other writers online, during conferences, and in-person meet-ups.
Finally, what are you working on now? Can you tell us a bit about it?
I’m working on writing book five in The Olivia Penn Mystery Series. All will come full circle for Olivia, and she’ll have to make a decision that will chart the course for her future.
Thank you again for taking the time to answer my questions!
Thanks so much for having me!
About Kathleen Bailey
Kathleen Bailey is the award-winning author of The Olivia Penn Mystery Series. She writes mysteries with heart and humor that keep to the traditional and cozy sides of crime. Kathleen has degrees in English, psychology, and physical therapy. She previously worked as a pediatric physical therapist for over twenty years with children who have special needs. She now spends her days plotting and sleuthing in Virginia where she lives with her husband and adorable feline fur baby. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and the James River Writers. Visit online at www.kathleenbaileyauthor.com.
Author Links
Website: https://kathleenbaileyauthor.com/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/kathleenbailey
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kathleen-bailey
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozycrimewriter
Purchase Links – Amazon – B&N – Bookshop.org – Alibris
Enter the Giveaway
When the Carnival Came TOUR PARTICIPANTS
November 12 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
November 12 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
November 13 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
November 13 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
November 14 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
November 15 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW
November 15 – Frugal Freelancer – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
November 16 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT
November 17 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
November 17 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
November 18 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
November 18 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
November 19 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
November 20 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT
November 21 – Novels Alive – REVIEW
November 22 – Angel’s Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT
November 22 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW
November 23 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
November 23 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT
November 24 – Eskimo Princess Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
November 25 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT
Thanks so much for having me here to share my new release!
You’re welcome! Thanks for your interview answers. I’d love to go to New Zealand too!