Cover Art by Vanessa Westermann ~ Character Interview

Posted May 20, 2022 by karenbaron in Blitz, Blog Tour, Character Interview, Contest - Giveaway, Mystery, Series / 1 Comment

Cover Art

Series: A Charley Scott Mystery #1

Author: Vanessa Westermann

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Pages: 440

Release Date: May 17, 2022, by Cormorant Books

Summary:

Charley Scott is thrilled to be running a summer pop-up gallery in cottage country. Returning to the lakeside village, not on vacation but as an artist, she’s determined to turn her hobby into a career.

But, beneath the surface of this peaceful town, darkness lurks. There’s a history.

Local chocolatier, Matt Thorn, is struggling with his father’s death and his legacy of deception. As Matt plans to expose his father’s secrets, a local is found dead, the result of eating Matt’s chocolates.

Luckily, art is all about perspective and Charley’s always had a keen eye. Can she see past the obvious and find the killer?

Character Interview with Charley Scott

How did you and your author meet?

I met my author outside the Coffee Nook, while I was taping a poster to the door, advertising my summer pop-up art gallery. The Coffee Nook is a convenience store slash coffee bar and a favourite stop for cottagers, escaping the city to spend a weekend at the lake. We had a great chat, artist to writer, before my author popped inside to buy a cup of Colombian blend coffee and a butter tart. I had to run too — those paintings weren’t going to hang themselves — but I think, if we’d had the time, we could have happily chatted about mysteries, both on the page and on the canvas, all day long.

Why did this writer decide to feature you in a book?

I’m an artist and self-confessed chocoholic, which is perfect for solving a case about death by poisoned chocolate. Art is all about perspective, about noticing the details and so is detective work. Luckily, I’ve always had a keen eye and a weakness for Belgian pralines.

Do you have any friends or family helping you out?

My sister Meghan is the editor of the Oakcrest newspaper and her boyfriend is a cop. Curiosity runs in the family. I also have help hunting down clues from Matt Thorn, a handsome, and way too charming, chocolatier.

Do you have a regular job and investigate on the side or are you a full-time detective?

This summer, I’m an artist. If the pop-up gallery is a success, I might be able to call it my regular job. I investigate on the side.

What is the funniest thing that happens to you or another character in this story?

When I first met Matt, he offered to buy me a cup of coffee. Instead of just saying no but thanks anyway, I lied and said I prefer tea. What a mistake that was! When Matt later came knocking on my door, to watch the sunrise over the lake and discuss the clue he found, he brought me a cup of tea. There was no way around it. I had to drink it or get caught in a lie. Lesson learned. Don’t fib about caffeine.

Have you solved other cases or is this your first one?

I’ve solved plenty of mysteries while playing Clue the board game on rainy summer days at the lake, but this is my first real case. Let me tell you, it takes a lot more than three guesses to catch a murderer. Although, in the end, it really does just come down to means, motive and opportunity, doesn’t it?

Do you have a gift or special talent?

I create paintings that look like pulp fiction book covers but feature female heroines, the kind we meet in our everyday lives and the selfless acts of courage that often go unnoticed.

Who is the most important individual in your life?

My chocolate Labrador retriever, named Cocoa. She loves human food, getting into trouble, and opening doors, which is a dangerous but adorable combination.

What is your ideal vacation?

My ideal vacation would be a weekend getaway to the cottage. How lucky am I that I get to spend the summer here? Chasing my dreams… and a killer.

If you could change anything about your life what would it be?

I’d like to earn an income from selling my paintings, so that I can make a living as an artist, doing what I love.

About the Author

An avid reader of mysteries, Vanessa Westermann is a former Arthur Ellis Awards judge, holds an M.A. in English Literature, as well as a Bachelor of Education, and has taught creative writing. Her debut mystery, An Excuse for Murder, was published in 2019. At the heart of all of Westermann’s stories are strong female protagonists inspired by the heroines in her own life. She currently lives in Ontario.