TJ Wilde Trilogy · Duxbridge Mysteries · Jennifer McCaffrey Mysteries
Author of the TJ Wilde Trilogy, Duxbridge and the Jennifer Cozy Mysteries
Last night’s harvest
Tomatoes are coming in. I have an entire plant filled with San Marzano that I will do whatever it takes to see them to the ripe stage. Beyond that, it looks like several other varieties are already done for the season.
Again, not enough to process, but plenty to eat sliced, on sandwiches or in salads. I’ll turn a few into Chicken Tortilla Soup today.
What’s on your Saturday to-do list?
New!
All books are now also available directly from the website, as well Amazon.
I bought a second skeleton for this year’s Halloween display. It sits at the table while I decide where to stash it until then. As with last year, the critters are all fascinated.
Willow seemed particularly fascinated this week. While I was on the phone, I heard her yowling. When I turned around, I saw her trying to get its attention.
New!
All books are now also available directly from the website, as well Amazon.
If Underway was a love letter to Boston, Full Sail was my love letter to Los Angeles and Hollywood. Once I finished the first Duxbridge Mystery (Recipe for Murder), I made my third pilgrimage to LA. This time I decided to go alone, much like when I moved to LA decades ago.
The hotel I had stayed at previously was closed for remodeling. While looking for another beachfront hotel, I stumbled across an absolutely charming motel, right on the beach in Santa Monica. From the moment I stepped onto the property, I knew it would become a location in Full Sail. Everything about that trip renewed my sense of what the story should be, from the dolphins on my walks to the sunrise photo at Venice Pier that would become the book cover.
Lunch and dinner with old friends gave me some Hollywood stories to incorporate, and drives through the canyons reminded me of the beauty and mystery in those hills. This was the Los Angeles I loved.
Welcome to Hollywood!
TWO
I have to warn you, I’ve heard relationships based on intense experiences never work – SPEED
Reggie was glad for a late evening delivery. I as too tired to unpack or toss the box in the garage, so he got to play all night.
And here we are, in the final chapter of TJ Wilde’s journey. This was a hard one to write. Not because I didn’t know what to write; I did. I’d known before I even ended Run Aground how TJ’s story would end. And the unfolding mystery had been in the back of my mind for years. The Hollywood-ness of it all.
Unfortunately, a few things happened along the way. One was Covid, which threw all of us off our game. But for TJ and me, it meant I couldn’t wrap up her journey. So I pivoted to the Duxbridge series, which felt a little lighter and more accessible. It also meant I could write with one of my Covid bubble buddies. Win-win for all of us who needed connection back then.
I kept up my research and plotting. I had an entire notebook of scribbles when it was finally time to begin. Still, I struggled. Trips to LA for locations were hit or miss, until the third trip, which I’ll detail more next week.
But probably the biggest hurdle? I wasn’t ready to let go of TJ, Colby and Mimi. So I lingered.
