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  It's been one heckuva week here in my writing world. . . You solve one problem, and a dozen others rear their ugly heads. . . https://susannasullivanauthor.substack.com/p/whos-the-killer?r=ytlja&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web #WritersLife #AmWriting

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  Here's a lovely review of my Lily Gallagher Mysteries! 'Edgy-cozy' murder is Tallahassee mystery writer's specialty https://share.google/7WX2CDLEV6wJF2gXB

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  Cozy mysteries are often described as “light,” but the best ones know how to balance comfort with consequence. DROWNING IN DECEPTION brings readers colorful characters, a welcoming Florida setting, and a mystery with enough bite to keep the pages turning. Expect warmth—but don’t expect everyone to be innocent. 😉 Are you a fan of cozy mysteries with a darker edge? Let me know! https://books2read.com/lilymystery #CozyMysteryBooks #MysteryWithAnEdge #FloridaFiction #WinterParkFL #ReadersOfInsta...

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  #AmReading: THE CASTLE IN THE GLEN by Rhys Bowen. Clever book-within-a-book tells the story of young Australian author Emma and famous older author Iris, and the real-life mystery that brings them together. This story is set in the mid-1960s, which I guess makes it historical fiction. (How can something that took place during my childhood be historical???) https://susannasullivanauthor.substack.com/i/219116189/the-castle-in-the-glen-by-rhys-bowen #mystery #IsleOfSkye

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  Did you know I have a biweekly newsletter on Substack? I talk about my writing process and progress, other books I'm reading (mostly cozy mysteries, of course), TV shows and movies I'm enjoying (or not, and why!), and whatever else strikes me as interesting and relevant to my #WritersLife. It's free, although there's also a paid option if you'd like to support me (thanks in advance!). You can take a look, and sign up here https://susannasullivanauthor.sub...

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  People think of Florida as being always sunny, but that's not true. The past few weeks we've had rain, rain, hurricane, and more rain. . . Here's a picture I took of a rainy day on Morse Blvd. in Winter Park, taken from inside my favorite French patisserie, Croissant Gourmet. Lily goes there are often as she can, and enjoys a pastry and a #CozyMysteryBook. #FloridaRain #WinterParkFL

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  Years ago, I went through a period of panic that had my stomach roiling, my heart pounding, my breathing quick and shallow, but my head surprisingly cold and clear and determined to keep functioning. It was when my child went missing. This morning I experienced those sensations again, when a computer glitch lost my manuscript for my current work in progress. Fortunately, I recovered both the mss today, and the child back in the day. I never, ever want to feel that way again. #WritersLife

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  In my biweekly newsletter, I highlight specific quotes from my recent reading, quotes that resonate with me. Maybe I love the snark, or the style of writing, or the description. This one stands out because of its descriptiveness. It's from THE CASE OF THE CHRISTIE HONEYMOON MURDER by Kelly Oliver, which takes place in 1930. (A lot of women today still smile that way. It makes me sad.) See all the quotes in the current issue at https://susannasullivanauthor.substack.com/i/219116189/notab...

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  Do you ever find a TV show you keep watching despite its obvious flaws? I've recently discovered MURDER IN A SMALL TOWN. It features the new police chief in a small town on the coast of Oregon (or maybe Washington -- it's unclear). There's an ongoing arc of relationship, and then family drama, which I love. What I don't love is the way he and everyone else just waltzes into crime scenes with no effort to protect the [1/2] #MurderInASmallTown #TVCozyMystery

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  When the math on data centers just isn’t mathing. . . https://open.substack.com/pub/qasimrashid/p/the-math-on-data-centers-doesnt-add?r=2k3d93&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web

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  If you've been following me for any length of time, you know I live in hurricane country. Last week we watched as a Hurricane Isaias approached. It was a Category 2 or 3 by the time it made landfall. We got a lot of rain. Fortunately, we had very little wind, and the worst that happened to us was losing power for about half an hour. Of course, the power chose to go out as I was making Lily's Favorite Brownies to [1/2] #hurricane #storm

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  Chloe plays the oboe, and honestly? That’s a personality trait. 🪈✨ A little oboe love for your feed: • It’s not the loudest instrument, but you ALWAYS notice it. • It takes serious focus (and a strong will). • It can sound sweet, haunting, or downright stubborn. Which makes it perfect for a cozy mystery backdrop—because the people who seem “quiet” can be the most determined. If you played an instrument as a kid, what was it? Or did you *wish* you had? 👇 [1/2]

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  On October 9, Panama was rocked by a 7.7 magnitude earthquake. This had me scrambling for my phone, to reach out to the many friends I have there. And this is why I wrote this newsletter today, instead of the one I had planned. https://susannasullivanauthor.substack.com/p/i-had-just-booked-my-flight-to-panama?r=ytlja&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web #Panama #earthquake #AmWriting

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  #AmReading: KILLS WELL WITH OTHERS by Deanna Raebourn. There’s nothing quite as lethally fun to read as a #novel about a group of over-60 assassins with a mission to do some good in the world. https://susannasullivanauthor.substack.com/i/221228030/kills-well-with-others-by-deanna-raebourn #Mystery #LootedArt

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  Read anything lately that grabbed your attention, tickled your funnybone, or otherwise appealed to the #WordNerd in you? Here's one of mine, from reading this week. I picked it because I love the metaphor of the quietly crying credit card. You'll find more in my current Substack. https://susannasullivanauthor.substack.com/i/221228030/notable-quotes #NotableQuote #AmReading #Mystery

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  I got the Wordle in 2 today!!! I guess that means it'll be a good day for words and writing. Wordle 1,794 2/6 🟩⬜🟩⬜🟨 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 #wordgames #AmWriting #WritwrsLife

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  Why did I change my newsletter from weekly to biweekly? Why, so I could finish the third book in the Lily Gallagher Mysteries series and get it to you sooner! https://open.substack.com/pub/susannasullivanauthor/p/the-glamorous-life-of-an-author?r=ytlja&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web #AmWriting #mystery #cozymystery #Substack #newsletter

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  In every newsletter, I always share a couple of quotes from recent reading that have caught my attention for some reason. This week, I have two that captivated me because of the way they state the obvious. #AmReading #mystery #EdgyCozyMystery #AmWriting #NotableQuote https://susannasullivanauthor.substack.com/i/197422814/notable-quotes

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  #AmReading: FIVE FOUND DEAD by Sulari Gentill. This is a layered, nuanced, twisty mystery set on the iconic Orient Express luxury train, in the present day. (Actually, during the time a few years ago when people were still panicking about COVID.) I'm usually pretty quick at identifying the killer, but this one had me tied up in knots until the end. Highly recommended! https://susannasullivanauthor.substack.com/i/197422814/five-found-dead-by-sulari-gentill #mystery #whodunnit #BookRev...

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  Here's what advance readers are saying about CHORDS OF DECEPTION (coming July 4!) "This one's a real page-turner: I plowed straight through, ignoring my chores - I was having too much fun!" #AmWriting #EdgyCozyMystery #mystery #BookReviews #bookstadon

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  I'm proud to be a #Wikimedia donor. (Wikimedia is the organization that makes #Wikipedia possible.) I love supporting the site that provides tons of useful information, without advertising and marketing distractions, for when I have to dive down that writing rabbit hole.

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  #WordWeavers - May 21: How do you make your MCs likable or relatable-to in the first chapter? Give them a flaw, or a relatable problem. Readers don't relate to perfection. And they don't have to like the protagonist!

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  Sometimes there are details that I need to know as an author, but they never make it into the book. And that's okay. Early on, when I was writing my first draft of DROWNING IN DECEPTION, it was important for me to know just how Lily, the main character, met her husband Michael. Is this a story you'd like to hear? #AmWriting #mystery #EdgyCozyMystery #Whodunnit

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  Here's another quote from my Substack this week that states the obvious in a delicious way. If you enjoy it, consider subscribing -- every week I feature quotes that impress me with their writing, tickle my funnybone, or strike my fancy. (How's that for overusing cliches in one sentence??!!) #AmReading #NotableQuote #chocolate #mystery

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  It's after Memorial Day - are you thinking about your summer reading? Retirement was supposed to be peaceful—until a condo feud and a body in the pool pulled Lily back into the action. Drowning in Deception: clean, clever, and utterly addictive. Order yours now and solve the mystery with a heroine who thinks like a nurse and acts like a detective. https://books2read.com/lilymystery #CozyMystery #RetiredSleuth #Bookstadon #AmReading #FloridaFiction

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  What do you look for in an author book signings? * Listening to the author read a passage from the book * One-on-one conversation with the author * Behind-the-scenes tidbits * Giveaways * Anything else Let me know in the comments, please! I've got my first signing coming up in a couple of weeks, and I'm trying to prepare. . . #AmWriting #BookSigning #AuthorEvents

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  Retirement was supposed to be quiet. Restful. Then someone turned up dead in the community pool. Meet Lily Gallagher — nurse, neighbor, unlikely sleuth. Drowning in Deception is a cozy mystery with just a little bit of an edge. https://books2read.com/lilymystery Grab your copy and dive in. #CozyMystery #DrowningInDeception #BooksOfMastodon

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  Well, here’s something to strike terror into the heart of any writer. I logged into Atticus, which I use to format my books. I got a blank page. None of the 4 books saved in there showed up. Nada. Zip. Blank slate. Tabula rasa. Now, my logical mind says, “they’re having a software issue, and I have backups anyway so it’s not a big deal.” But my lizard brain is going “DEATH!!! I’M DYING!!! IT’S THE END OF THE WORLD!!!!!” #WritersLife

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  Tying in with the theme of this week's Substack, here's a reader review for DROWNING IN DECEPTION that clearly states it's not "light and fluffy." I love it, thank you! I picked this up expecting a light, fluffy retirement cozy, and while it definitely delivers on the cozy mystery formula, it surprised me with some darkness lurking beneath the surface. https://books2read.com/lilymystery #AmWriting #AmReading #mystery #EdgyCozyMystery

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  Author Lynn Slaughter, who's written some interesting mysteries including MISSED CUE, about a ballerina who's killed onstage, has just featured an interview with me on her blog!! Want to find out more about Lily and how I came to write about her? Check it out at https://lynnslaughter.com/2026/04/30/susanna-sullivan-writes-engaging-edgy-cozy-mysteries/ #AmWriting #mystery #EdgyCozyMyster #WritersLife