When Life is Stranger than Fiction, Stick it in a Cozy Mystery Novel
By Lois Winston
Have you ever read a cozy mystery novel and thought, “No way would that ever happen in real life!”? I know that many readers will think exactly that when they read about the idiosyncratic behavior of Barry Sumner, a character in Seams Like the Perfect Crime, my fourteenth and latest Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery. However, I’m here to tell you that I didn’t have to rely on any fictional enhancements when I decided to incorporate into my newest mystery the extremely odd habit of a very peculiar neighbor who lived across the street from me decades ago.
Who among us hasn’t come across an odd neighbor at one time or another? According to the Oracle of Google, the average American moves 11.7 times in a lifetime. Chances are, at least one of those moves will place you next door, down the block, or across the street from a neighbor you will deem weird, eccentric, or unusual in some way.
Many people shy away from such individuals, but as an author, I’m fascinated by human nature in all its forms. Besides, up until four years ago, I lived most of my life in New Jersey, a state that defines weird. We even have a magazine devoted to all things weird within the state, including some laws still on the books. For instance, it’s unlawful to frown at a police officer. That one made it into Sorry, Knot Sorry, the thirteenth book in my series.
When my husband and I moved twenty-seven years ago, I became mesmerized by the unusual behavior of the man who lived across the street from us. In the back of my mind, I always knew he’d one day show up as a character in one of my books. And now he has. Unfortunately for him, he becomes the victim of a killer. Fortunately for him, this fate didn’t befall him in real life.
I’m currently finishing the next book in the series. Embroidered Lies and Alibis will release early in 2026. The plot deals with the aftermath of the murder in Seams Like the Perfect Crime, as well as other events impacting Anastasia and her family, including an Internet scam targeting her mother. And of course, Anastasia finds herself dealing with more dead bodies!
Have you ever had a quirky neighbor you thought would make a great character in a cozy mystery? Post a comment for a chance to win a promo code for a free audiobook download of any of the Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries.
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USA Today and Amazon bestselling and award-winning author Lois Winston writes mystery, romance, romantic suspense, chick lit, women’s fiction, children’s chapter books, and nonfiction. Kirkus Reviews dubbed her critically acclaimed Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery series, “North Jersey’s more mature answer to Stephanie Plum.” In addition, Lois is a former literary agent and an award-winning craft and needlework designer who often draws much of her source material for both her characters and plots from her experiences in the crafts industry. Learn more about Lois and her books at her website www.loiswinston.com. Sign up for her newsletter to receive an Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mini-Mystery.
Terrific article! Sharing it on FB, Mary Kennedy
Thanks so much, Mary! You’re the best!
Would love to read your books in print so I can review them these books look like excellent reads
Thanks for stopping by and reading the post, Crystal.
Speaking of the right to frown… Before my 3rd book was published, I submitted it to a contest that offered a written critique. One judge ripped my opening scene, saying, “This would never happen in real life. Not believable.” However, the inciting event really happened to me. I only slightly changed the setting and character genders to fictionalize it, because the real event seemed even less believable.
I remember you telling me about that, Gay. It’s disheartening that so many people judge a book’s credibility based only on their own experiences. Why is it that people will accept all sorts of fantastical things that happen to characters in movies and on TV but hold fiction writers to a different standard?
Definitely! I’ve even used some of my own quirks, but who is telling?
LOL, Debra! I think we’ve all done that!
Attracting those odd people is a delight for a cozy mystery writer. Great post, Lois!
Thanks, Kathleen!
Great article! And oh so true. Like others, I’ve had editors tell me “that’s not believable, couldn’t have happened” when indeed it did!
Thanks Lois.
Suzanne, I once had an editor reject a book that featured a heroine with amnesia because she said there was no such thing as amnesia! I can personally attest to the fact that there is.
Not a neighbor, but—I was a professional wedding organist for almost 30 years, at different churches, and there is an ENDLESS parade of characters from my past (mothers of brides, drunken groomsmen, clergy who thought Romeo and Juliet was the ultimate romantic tale for a wedding sermon, etc etc etc..) just waiting to go into a book…😆
(Great post, I love this!)
Jennifer
What great ideas, Jennifer!
Love this behind-the-scene glimpse at the origin of your quirkiest characters.
Thanks, Saralyn!
Let’s hear it for New Jersey! I lived there for 15 years (commuting to NY City) and actually loved it–most of the time 😉
Erica, the only times I really didn’t like living in NJ were when we had lengthy power outages (one lasted 9-day during Sandy) or transit strikes. I even loved snowstorms when everything came to a standstill and the world was so quiet. I just didn’t love the aftermath of dealing with all that snow, both on the sidewalk and the cars!