Welcome to my stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for A Cultivated Corpse (A Food Blogger Mystery) by Debra Sennefelder. Stop by each blog on the tour for interviews, guest posts, spotlights, reviews and more!
A Cultivated Corpse (A Food Blogger Mystery) by Debra Sennefelder
Cozy Mystery
9th in Series
Setting – Connecticut
Publisher : Beyond the Page Publishing
Publication date : May 28, 2026
Print length : 238 pages
When the local garden club president is killed, food blogger Hope Early will have to dig through the clues to catch a killer . . .
The Jefferson Garden Club’s annual plant sale is just around the corner, but Hope Early and other members of the club are more focused on the garden restoration project at Ambrose House. The gorgeous landscaping promises to help return the stately old house to its former glory, but rumors are surfacing of unexplained delays and exorbitant costs. Then the club’s president is found dead amid signs of foul play, and Hope can’t ignore the uneasy feeling that the victim was silenced for something she knew about the renovations.
Certain that the solution to the murder is tied to the garden project and the club’s recent financial struggles, Hope begins to go through their books and uncovers more than mismatched numbers. A tangle of transactions points to an intricate embezzlement scheme, but before she can weed out who’s behind it, a local reporter chasing the same story is killed. It’s clear now that someone is dead-set on keeping the truth buried, and Hope will have to unearth a vital piece of evidence before the killer decides it’s time to bury her as well . . .
Includes mouthwatering recipes!
Interview with Author Debra Sennfelder
Thanks for taking the time to share a bit about yourself with my readers and me!
Tell us a little about yourself.
I live and write in Connecticut, and alongside me every day is our Shih Tzu, Connie. I sold my first book in 2016 and have been publishing cozy mysteries ever since. When I’m not making up stories, I love spending time in the kitchen and curling up with a good book.
How long have you been writing?
Ever since I was a child. I wrote lots of short stories before tackling my first book in my mid-twenties.
Did you always want to be an author? What made you choose the cozy mystery genre?
I did. Sometimes I think the cozy mystery genre chose me. When I first discovered books by Claudia Bishop, Diane Mott Davidson, Joanne Fluke, and Katherine Hall Page, I instantly felt at home. I loved the idea of an ordinary person becoming caught up in a murder investigation and then solving it. Those books combined everything I enjoyed: mystery, community, family and friendships, baking, and small-town life.
Do you prefer to read cozy mystery books, or do you have another favorite genre? What are you reading now?
I enjoy reading cozies, thrillers, and women’s fiction. Right now, I’m reading Murder at the Campfire by Darci Hannah.
Do you have a favorite place to write?
I prefer working in my home office. Sometimes, when I’m brainstorming ideas, I’ll head out to the patio, but most of my writing happens in the office.
What’s on your desk (if you write at one!)?
My water bottle, my coffee cup, which is currently empty and desperately needs a refill, my planner, notebooks, the editorial letter for my February 2027 release, two pen holders, dry erase markers for my board, and far too many sticky notes.
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 The City Mouse and the Country Mouse. It was probably one of my favorites too, although I read so many books growing up that it’s hard to choose just one. I was constantly at the library, and I loved those book order catalogs that came home from school. My parents were wonderful about buying the books I circled.
Do you like audiobooks, physical books, or e-books better? Why?
I tend to get distracted while listening to audiobooks, so I usually read either physical books or e-books. I enjoy both formats equally.
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 would choose Montauk. I love the coastal atmosphere, the small-town feel, and the mix of quiet beauty and seasonal energy. It feels like the perfect setting for a mystery, with endless inspiration in the beaches, shops, restaurants, and the people who call it home year-round.
What or who has influenced you the most as a writer?
I think my greatest influence has been a lifelong curiosity about people and relationships. I’ve always loved observing how people interact, the secrets they keep, and the connections they form. I’m also inspired by everyday life, small-town communities, friendships, and the kinds of moments that reveal character. All of that naturally found its way into my storytelling.
Do you have any author friends who support you while you’re writing? Do you belong to any writing groups?
I do have author friends who support me while I’m writing, and I’m very lucky to have these gals in my corner. We try to do a video call every month. I also belong to Sisters in Crime and the Connecticut chapter. Plus, I have an accountability partner, and we help keep each other on track.
Finally, what are you working on now? Can you tell us a bit about it?
I’m currently working on two very different projects that are at very different stages. The first is Spirits and Suspicions, a paranormal cozy mystery featuring a librarian, which will release in February 2027. I’m currently in the final editing phase with my editor. The second project is the first draft of the next Food Blogger Mystery, which will also release in 2027.
Thank you for having me. This was a lot of fun!
About Debra Sennfelder
Debra Sennefelder lives and writes in Connecticut, where she lives with her family and slightly spoiled Shih Tzu. An avid reader across a range of genres, mystery fiction is her obsession. Her interest in people and relationships is channeled into her novels against a backdrop of crime and mystery. She’s the author of the Food Blogger Mystery series and the Resale Boutique Mystery series. When she’s not writing, she’s either baking or reading. To learn more, visit her on the web at www.debrasennefelder.com
Food Blogger Mysteries
If you love cozy mysteries with a foodie twist, the Food Blogger Mysteries are for you. Follow food blogger Hope Early as she juggles baking, blogging, and uncovering secrets in the charming town of Jefferson, Connecticut. Each book delivers:
- Amateur sleuthing with humor and heart
- Recipes from Hope’s kitchen
- Small-town friendships (and rivalries!)
- Seasonal settings — from Halloween to Christmas
Perfect for fans of Joanne Fluke, Jenn McKinlay, Ellie Alexander, and Peg Cochran, this series combines delicious food with puzzling whodunits.
Enter the giveaway
Author Links
Website: https://debrasennefelder.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DebraSennefelderAuthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debrasennefelder/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17010346.Debra_Sennefelder
Purchase Links – Amazon – B&N – Kobo
A Cultivate Corpse TOUR PARTICIPANTS
June 8 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
June 9 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT
June 9 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
June 10 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT
June 11 – Deal Sharing Aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
June 12 – Reading Is My SuperPower – AUTHOR GUEST POST
June 13 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW
June 14 – Christa Reads and Writes – SPOTLIGHT
June 15 – Sarcastically Yours, Jen – SPOTLIGHT
June 15 – Sarandipity’s – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
June 16 – Salty Inspirations – AUTHOR GUEST POST
June 17 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
June 17 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
June 18 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
June 19 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
June 20 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
June 21 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW, AUTHOR GUEST POST
June 22 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW
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