The Mystery Review Crew is welcoming back Cozy Mystery Author Stacy Wilder and her newest Liz Adams Mystery and a delightful story, A Camping Conundrum, which was featured previously in The Case of the S’mores Bars! Stacy Wilder is a Texas author whom we’ve had the pleasure of meeting in person before. She’s a neat lady with a great heart for the people around her.
About Stacy Wilder
Stacy Wilder has traveled to six out of seven continents but her favorite place in the world is Charleston, South Carolina. Books have shaped her life and her travels. Her love of mysteries began with Nancy Drew.
Stacy’s debut novel, Charleston Conundrum, is the first in the Liz Adams mystery series. Liz’s sidekick, a Labrador retriever named Duke, is able to detect when people are lying which comes in handy when Liz is solving a case. The Charleston Conundrum cover and manuscript placed first in their respective categories in a national When Words Count Pitch Week competition.
In addition to mysteries, Stacy writes children’s stories, short stories, and poetry. She lives in Houston, Texas with her husband and a totally spoiled Labrador retriever, Eve.
“My mission is to deliver a delightful story to readers of all ages while benefiting a larger community. I donate a portion of the proceeds from the sales of my books to causes that support wildlife conservation, and the homeless, both people and pets.”
– Stacy Wilder
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A Conversation with Cozy Mystery Author Stacy Wilder about her new book, A Camping Conundrum. Book five in the Conundrum Series with Amateur Sleuth Liz Adams.
Thanks for letting us interview you, Stacy, and congratulations on the release of A Camping Conundrum!
Are any of Liz’s Life Camping memories your own?
Yes, unfortunately! When Brad asks Liz to go camping, she suddenly recalls a terrifying childhood Girl Scout camping trip. That experience is based on something that happened to me. Here’s the excerpt from the story:
My favorite Girl Scout counselor navigated the highway that led to the campground outside of Atlanta where we’d pitch our tents. Inside the van, the mood was festive, and I couldn’t wait to add the coveted camping badge to my collection of awards. The noise level escalated as the rowdy group of ten-year-olds chatted about our latest crushes and favorite TV shows. Our chaperones told us to keep the racket down several times.
After we arrived, we unloaded the camping gear, and the counselors demonstrated how to set up our tents. My friend and I wrestled with the poles for half an hour before we claimed victory. By dinner time, I was starving. Our troop collected logs, built a fire, and roasted a feast of hot dogs, baked beans, and corn on the cob. As a magical golden full moon rose, we sang songs and toasted marshmallows over the flames. I licked the melted chocolate that oozed out the side of a s’more, and my tastebuds tingled.
When it was time to clean up, clouds drifted overhead, and the sky darkened. Two men with pantyhose over their heads appeared out of nowhere. I trembled at the sight of their mushed faces. While they waved knives at the counselors, the men demanded money and food. The adults motioned for us to sit on nearby logs while they emptied their wallets into a paper sack. Several girls screamed, and the men shouted at us to shut up. My heart pounded in my chest. I clamped my hands over my ears and squeezed my eyes shut. When my friend nudged me and whispered, “They’re gone,” I lowered my shaking palms.
The adults called the cops and then ushered us into the van, where we huddled together until the police arrived. The sound of sobs filled the space, and I couldn’t stop shaking. We never completed the trip, so I never earned that badge—and I never went camping again.
My version happened in Audubon Park in New Orleans, Louisiana. We were staying in a cabin, not tents, when the men tried to break in. Since it was before cell phone days, our counselors called the cops from a payphone inside the cabin. Needless to say, like Liz, I’m not a huge fan of camping.
What made you decide on a camping theme for this installment of the Liz Adams Mysteries?
Great question! The camping theme was inspired when I polled my Facebook followers for ‘C’ titles they’d like to see in the future.
I’m an avid journaler, and as I was writing Cayman Conundrum (which was intended to be book three but ended up being number four), the inspiration hit to create novellas. My first novella was A Christmas Conundrum, and A Camping Conundrum is my second.
Do you have a theme in mind for the next book?
Colorado Conundrum is up next, and I already have the cover!
PI Liz Adams, her husband Brad, and their truth-sniffing Labrador retriever, Duke, head out on a road trip to Colorado with their friends Jenny and Lawson and their dog, Snooper. There’s even a stop at Dollywood along the way! Bonus: a few characters from earlier books reappear. Expect scenic stops and lots of surprises!
Can you share your journey to becoming an author? What inspired you to pursue a writing career?
I started college as a journalism major, but switched to a more practical business degree, and ended up working in accounting and human resources. I exercised my left brain to the point of exhaustion, while my right brain—the creative side—was screaming to be heard.
That’s when I discovered Julia Cameron’s book, The Artist’s Way. I joined a small group of fellow creatives, and we worked through the exercises together. Julia recommends journaling every morning and as I journaled, the ideas bubbled up, including inspiration for poetry and children’s stories. You can find samples on my website: www.storystacy.com
Did you always know you wanted to be a writer, or did your passion for storytelling develop over time?
I’ve always had a passion for storytelling—I just didn’t recognize it until later in life.
My Granddad Buck could weave a good yarn, and I loved listening to him. My mom encouraged my love of reading, and I couldn’t wait for the latest Dr. Seuss or Bernstein Bears book to arrive in the mail. Oh, and those trips to the library!
Although I have a bad camping memory from New Orleans, I also have wonderful memories of visiting the New Orleans public library and checking out some amazing books. Walking into a library or a bookstore still gives me a deep sense of peace.
Are there any specific authors or books that influenced you early in your writing journey?
Absolutely! As a child I was attracted not only to Beatrix Potter’s books, but also her life-story. I admired that she self-published and had such a passion for animals and nature. And I also love that she left a legacy behind with donating land to England’s National Trust.
That idea stuck with me. I donate a portion of the proceeds from my books to causes that help the homeless, both people and pets. My dream is to make a lasting difference, just like Beatrix.
What challenges did you face when you first started writing, and how did you overcome them?
My biggest challenge was getting over the fact that I wasn’t “credentialed.” In my business career, I had certifications and a track record. For my author job, I didn’t have an MFA or much of a resume at all.
As a milestone birthday approached, I set three goals:
1) Take classes—Hello, Master Class! I gobbled up every writing course and every free online event I could find.
2) Join a writer’s group—I joined the League of Romance Writers (they offer fantastic monthly workshops. The membership consists of published and non-published authors across multiple genres).
3) Enter contests that offer feedback—highly recommend!
Those steps gave me the confidence to keep going forward. And now? I have five books published, and I’m working on number six. Writing is a blast!
How do you develop and bring your main character (Liz) to life? Are they ever inspired by real people or experiences?
Yes—and sometimes they ask to be included! My former neighbor and dear friend, Linda, appears in Charleston Conundrum (with her Canadian lilt) A British friend, Aaron, pops up in Cayman Conundrum. And A Camping Conundrum is full of locally owned Houston-based businesses and characters transplanted to Sumter, South Carolina.
Of course, Liz’s lie-detecting Labrador retriever is loosely based on our Lab, Eve. While she can’t sniff out fibs, she does howl her version of ‘I love you’ for her breakfast.
Do you have a favorite character that you’ve created? What makes this character particularly special to you?
Of course, Duke is my all-time absolute favorite! Who doesn’t love a big, cuddly tail-wagging Lab who helps solve mysteries?
Some of the supporting characters have been fun to create. Readers loved Peanut in Carmel Conundrum. Liz’s mom, Babs, is a hoot in A Christmas Conundrum. Pearl in Cayman Conundrum is another favorite, and you’ll want to check out her jerk chicken recipe in the back of the book.
How do you handle writer’s block or moments when inspiration seems elusive? Do you have any strategies for overcoming these obstacles?
A fellow author, Douglas Bell, gave me some wise advice. He said, “If you’re stuck, it likely means you need to do more research. I’ve found that to be true.
Often, I’ll search for images when I’m trying to describe a scene. Having a visual helps me dive deeper into the story and capture what I imagine the characters are seeing.
Is there a specific genre or writing style that you haven’t yet explored but would like to try in the future? And is there a specific genre or writing style you would never venture into?
I’d love to write a romance set in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. I spent many summers there and love the laidback, artsy beach town.
Never say never, but I don’t see myself writing horror, science fiction, or historical fiction.
If you could have dinner with any fictional character, who would it be and why?
Toss-up! I’d love to have dinner with Kinsey Millhone (Sue Grafton’s iconic PI) or Nancy Drew. Actually, how fun would it be to have both of them at the table—swapping stories and debating methods for solving a crime?
Thanks again, Stacy, for letting us interview you and learn more about your new book, A Camping Conundrum, and some of the inspiration behind it! We thoroughly enjoyed learning more about you and look forward to future books in the Liz Adams Mystery series!
Check out our previous author interview with Stacy Wilder and her first book, A Charleston Conundrum.
About A Camping Conundrum
Genre: Cozy Mysteries, Amateur Sleuth
Publisher: Wild Hawk Press
A heart-pounding cozy mystery filled with twists, turns, and canine charm. Perfect for fans of page-turning whodunits and outdoor adventures!
Private Investigator Liz Adams isn’t thrilled when her husband, Brad, suggests a camping getaway to South Carolina’s picturesque Poinsett Park. The mention of camping brings back a haunting memory of a childhood Girl Scout trip that went terribly wrong. But for Brad, the park is a refuge—a chance to relive happy moments from his past.
The long weekend escape takes a dark turn when Brad discovers a woman’s lifeless body in the park’s peaceful lake. The victim, the landlady of a strip center in the neighboring town of Sumter, was notorious for making enemies among her tenants. With no shortage of motives but no clear suspects, Liz and her truth-sniffing Labrador, Duke, embark on a quest to identify the culprit.
As Liz races to uncover the truth and put the killer in jail, the couple experiences one camping disaster after another. Will justice be served? Or will an unexpected twist of karma change everything?
On Goodreads, Amazon, and Bookbub.
Check out the previous book in the series Cayman Conundrum
A honeymoon in paradise turns perilous in this riveting seaside mystery.
A tropical vacation transforms into a web of danger and deception when an author and his manuscript vanish. Is his thriller about money laundering in the Caribbean too close to the truth?
With the stakes high and time ticking, Private Investigator Liz Adams and her new husband, Brad, along with their truth-sniffing Labrador, Duke, partner with the local authorities to unravel a multitude of crimes. As they search for clues, the newlyweds explore the delights of the island, including a hunt for buried treasure.
Will they uncover the truth in time, or will the honeymoon end in heartbreak? Set against the backdrop of the stunning island of Grand Cayman, this cozy mystery will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
