Indie Author Chat with Brook Peterson

Meet cozy mystery writer and Clued in Mystery podcaster Brook Peterson. Author of the Jericho Falls Cozy Mysteries and The Cameo’s Secret, a middle grade mystery, Brook is also a jigsaw enthusiast, a mom to a human, a couple of canines, and a photogenic feline. We caught up a few weeks ago and here’s what this lifelong mystery lover shared.

If you could meet any author, living or dead, who would it be?

BROOK: I wish I could have met Sue Grafton before she passed away in 2017. I began reading her Alphabet Series featuring the kick-butt P.I. Kinsey Milhone when I was in junior high. The series made me want to be a mystery author too and I have re-read the books multiple times. I will be forever melancholy that the series ended at Y.

You are planning a dinner party. Which fictional characters would you invite?

BROOK: I would love to convene a few of my favorite female sleuths for a girls’ night. I’m thinking Ariadne Oliver, Susan Ryeland and Joyce Meadowcroft. How fun would that be?

Do you think you were born in the wrong era? Or are you exactly where you should be?

BROOK: When I was younger, I always thought I should have been born in the 1940s. I love the fashion, music and movies from that era, finding it all very romantic. But I’m a tech lover too and relish being a member of the 21st Century where I can self publish my books and connect with bookish friends from all around the world. So, I’ll stay put.

If you could physically travel into a fictional book world, where would you go and why?

BROOK: There are some fictional bookstores that I truly wish were real places.. I would especially like to visit the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium from Vicki Delany’s series and The Secret Bookcase bookstore from Ellie Alexander’s newest series.

Would you ever want to live in any of the fictional places you have created?

BROOK: My mystery series is set in fictional Jericho Falls, NV. It’s loosely based on several historic gold mining towns I’ve visited including Virginia City, NV. While I’d love to spend some time in good old Jericho Falls, I don’t think I’d want to live there. There are so many murders! LOL.

As a reader, do you prefer a series or stand-alone?

BROOK: I love a good series. I want each book to contain a complete story (no cliffhangers in the main plot, please) and have an overarching storyline connecting the books.

What do you love about self-publishing?

BROOK: As someone who’s always dreamed of being an author, I love that self-publishing allowed me to jump into the industry as soon as I was (finally) ready. Although I have also been traditionally published, I prefer being in charge of my own production schedule, covers, and marketing. It’s a lot of work, but it’s very fulfilling taking a project from beginning to end.

What is your favorite part of the writing process?

BROOK: As a discovery writer, or a “panster”, the first draft is the most challenging part of my writing process. Once that first version is on the page, I understand the story and usually have had many “ah-ha” moments. I love going back and integrating those realizations into the story to make it stronger and more complete. I agree with Neil Gaiman who says that the purpose of a second draft is to make it seem like you knew what you were doing all along.

What’s your go-to beverage when writing?

BROOK: I like coffee in the morning and Diet Pepsi in the afternoon. Although, I’ve recently switched to caffeine free versions of both.

What’s your go-to snack when writing?

BROOK: Popcorn! It’s my go-to snack at all times.

When or where do you come up with your best ideas?

BROOK: If I’m stuck or need a fresh idea I go for a walk and talk out loud to myself. I might look crazy, but it usually does the trick!

Do you have a favorite character from your books?

BROOK: I have two. Chloe Martin, my main character sleuth and her feisty grandma Lily Martin are equally important to me. I was very lucky to have close relationships with my grandma and great-grandma. I write the Chloe and Lily relationship as a tribute to those two amazing women in my life.

How do you come up with cover concept(s)? And do you design yourself or do you have a designer?

BROOK: I love the way a good cover can encapsulate an entire story. For the Jericho Falls Cozy Mysteries, I have been working with Stefany Fontecha of Beetiful Book Covers and I couldn’t be more happy with her work. We’ve done five covers together so far and have a good system. I suggest a background theme and a color scheme and she works her magic.

What do you want readers to know about you?

BROOK: Aside from being an author, I’m also a podcast host. I co-host Clued in Mystery, a weekly podcast with fellow mystery author Sarah M. Stephen. The show is especially for mystery fans like us. We love doing deep dives on mystery sub genres, detailed author bios, covering favorite books, comparing film and T.V. mystery, interviewing authors and more. Check out all our 100+ episodes at cluedinmystery.com or your favorite listening app.

Do you have a new book coming out? When? Title? Genre? Blurb?

BROOK: I’m currently at work on the fourth Jericho Falls mystery. This one has been slow to emerge and I’m getting itchy to finish it. I blame my snail-like speed on the fact that I’ve had a lot of family distractions this year. Our one and only daughter graduated and recently moved into her dorm for her first year away at college. I didn’t anticipate how much my creativity would suffer during her very busy senior year of high school and college prep time. However, since I count being her mom as my single greatest accomplishment, I can live with this book taking longer than I’d like.

Brook’s Books

Book	Genre	Blurb	Link
	Cozy Mystery	When Chloe Martin makes the long overdue trip to historic Jericho Falls to check on her ailing grandma, she doesn’t plan on staying for long. But when a well-known resident turns up dead in their flowerbed, Grandma Lily becomes the prime suspect. Chloe is forced to stick around long enough to prove Grandma’s innocence. Will Chloe unravel the mystery, keep Grandma Lily safe, and find a sense of belonging in the turn-of-the-century mining town she used to love? Travel to Jericho Falls now to find out.	https://a.co/d/aDt59cq
	Cozy Mystery	Chloe Martin is almost feeling at home in Jericho Falls, NV. No one is staring anymore or asking how she’s doing back in town after so many years away. But troubling information surfaces about Police Chief Garner that makes Chloe question everything. And when there’s another suspicious death in town, Chloe finds that a collection of secrets might hold the information she needs to solve a new mystery in the quaint turn-of-the-century town she now calls home.	https://a.co/d/0ZQz0Fo
	Cozy Mystery	In the charming tourist town of Jericho Falls, everyone knows each other’s business. But when a member of the Poison Pen Book Club suddenly goes missing, nobody seems to know anything. Frustrated by the lack of urgency from Police Chief Garner, amateur sleuth Chloe Martin takes it upon herself to investigate, uncovering the town’s secrets and hidden past.	https://a.co/d/j6mMyT3
	Cozy Mystery	Grandma Lily and Chloe’s plan to keep their mischievous cat from climbing the Christmas tree triggers a cascade of predicaments, leading to the complete loss of Grandma’s Christmas spirit. Can Grinch-like Chloe rediscover the true joy of the season by finding the perfect gift for Grandma Lily? Join the residents of Jericho Falls in a heartwarming small-town Christmas caper, where love, laughter, and a touch of mystery weave a holiday tale beneath the twinkling lights of the season.	https://a.co/d/5deLntU
	Cozy Mystery	In the quaint town of Jericho Falls, a fun fall event turns into a perplexing puzzle. When celebrity chef Jacque Savoy arrives as a guest judge for the pumpkin pie contest, the community is abuzz with excitement. But the festive atmosphere takes a grim turn when the pie contest planning session becomes the scene of a baffling crime.	https://a.co/d/dNGL8X5
	Cozy Mystery	When a mysterious antique treasure map is found at Blue Bonnet Bakery, the shop’s owner asks Jericho Falls’ resident sleuth, Chloe Martin, to decipher it. Chloe is intrigued! But when she seeks help from two local history experts, she soon discovers they are sworn enemies who each want the treasure all to themselves. Will Chloe get the two stubborn historians to cooperate or will the treasure be stolen out from under her?	https://a.co/d/8gNKO1H
	Middle Grade Mystery	When twelve-year-old Jessi Johnstone’s insatiable curiosity leads to her parents’ separation, she’s determined to make things right. But her mission to reunite them is derailed when she stumbles upon an antique cameo necklace revealing a scandalous town legend. Can Jessi uncover the truth behind the town legend and save her family from falling apart? Find out in this heartwarming tale of love, friendship, and the incredible power of a determined young snoop.	https://a.co/d/6c2KrvK

Brook’s Social Links

FB: https://www.facebook.com/brooktheauthor
IG: https://www.instagram.com/brookpetersonauthor/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20984289.Brook_Peterson
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/brook-peterson
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2QcxsAV7A2UmfnMrGH-v4w

Do you have a newsletter? How can people sign up?
Sign up for my Cozy Community newsletter and get immediate access to the Cozy Library where you’ll find recipes, games, character photos and more! https://www.subscribepage.com/brookpetersonauthor
Website link: https://brookpetersnauthor.com

Brook’s Bio

Brook Peterson is the author of the Jericho Falls Cozy Mysteries, The Cameo’s Secret, a middle grade mystery, and co-host of Clued in Mystery Podcast. She has been a mystery fan since the age of nine when she discovered Alfred Hitchcock’s The Three Investigators series. When she’s not reading or writing a mystery, Brook enjoys tackling jigsaw puzzles, diving into true crime podcasts, or exploring the great outdoors of Idaho with her husband, daughter, and two canine partners-in-crime.

Things That Might Interest You

Check out my latest posts and other Indie Author interviews:

Lanie Mores: https://sharitmitchell.com/2024/11/01/indie-author-chat-with-lanie-mores/

Vacant Grave Creeps out of the Forest: https://sharitmitchell.com/2024/10/31/vacant-grave-creeps-out-of-the-forest/

Nannette Kreitzman: https://sharitmitchell.com/2024/10/04/indie-author-chat-with-nannette-kreitzman/

Rose J. Fairchild: https://sharitmitchell.com/2024/09/06/indie-author-chat-with-rose-j-fairchild/

Writer TL Brown: https://sharitmitchell.com/2024/05/29/indie-author-chat-with-tl-brown/ 

Jennifer Brasington-Crowely https://sharitmitchell.com/2024/07/05/indie-author-chat-with-jennifer-brasington-crowley/

Rylo Kinn https://sharitmitchell.com/2024/08/02/indie-author-chat-with-rylo-kinn/

Here’s my interview with my main character Marnie Reilly: https://sharitmitchell.com/2024/06/19/get-to-know-my-main-character-marnie-reilly/

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I’ll be back on December 13th with an interview featuring Brook’s character, Lillian Martin–the delightful grandmother of Chloe Martin from the Jericho Falls Cozy Mysteries series.

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Thanks so much for hanging out with us. Take care and see you next time!👋