by Tracy Condie

The week we have a review of the second Organized Crime Cozy Mystery by Jackie Layton, along with an interesting interview with Jackie. Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an ebook copy of the book and a link to purchase the book from Amazon.

The Con: An Organized Crime Cozy Mystery by Jackie Layton
Review by Tracy Condie

This is the second book in a new Jackie Layton series. I just want to start by saying how much I like that the series is titled “Organized Crime” as a play on the word organized, as in organizing spaces. Cozy sleuth’s usually have regular day jobs, like café owner, librarian, baker, and even pet-care specialist, but never an organizer. To add to the uniqueness of our new sleuth, Kate has hearing loss in one ear making her even more interesting and true to life as a character who is not perfect. Even though it is the second book in the series, you are not lost as to who the players are or what has brought Kate back to Fox Island, Georgia. There is plenty of background, and the solution to the series starter is not revealed so you can go back and read Clutter Free.

The Con starts off with Kate being hired by Ben Hauser, the new owner of the historic resort, spa, and golf course. Ben’s office is a bit of a mess with stacks of papers and miscellaneous items everywhere. When Kate arrives for their first onsite appointment, she overhears Ben in a heated discussion with another man. This is but one of several altercations that Kate witnesses involving Ben all in the same day. These encounters set the stage for why more than one person is tee’d off with Ben, and why it is no surprise that Kate finds him dead in a golf cart.

As with other cozy sleuths, Kate feels like she needs to do something to find the killer or to at least help her brother Paul narrow down the suspect list. Suspects range from a family member to possible business partner(s), and at least one person with ties to Ben’s past. So is the murder a result of a current con or a past transgression? How does the rather expensive coastal guide book figure into this mystery?

The clues are well organized (Kate is an organizer after all), and the story moves along at a good pace. There are all sorts of cozy aspects from a sweet rescue pet to a sweet romance with high school sweetheart Reid. There are also helpful family members such as the chief of police who happens to be her brother Paul. And it looks like Kate’s son, Ethan, has moved to town just in time to try and keep an eye on his mom or at least to help her with her latest investigation endeavor. This is definitely a page turner with a bit of excitement when you least expect it. I am looking forward to the next Organized Crime Cozy mystery.

Tracy Condie is a paralegal by day and cozy armchair sleuth by night. When she is not working or reading, she enjoys preparing the recipes found in culinary cozies or researching recipes of meal items described therein and sharing reviews of both books and food on Instagram and on KRL. She lives in Corona, California with her husband and dog Zoolie, and looks forward to visiting with their grown sons when their time permits.

Interview with Jackie Layton:

KRL: How long have you been writing?

Jackie: I’ve been writing for over ten years. I started, then stopped, because I had to work more hours at the store. In 2017, I moved to South Carolina for a new job for my husband, and that’s when I began writing full-time and working as a pharmacist part-time.

KRL: When did your first novel come out, what was it called, and would you tell us a little about it?

Jackie: Bite the Dust is the first book in A Low Country Dog Walker Cozy Mystery series, and it came out in February 2020. Andi Grace Scott lives in Heyward Beach, South Carolina, and she’s the local dog walker. One day, she goes to the home of her mentor to walk his dog. The dog is barking, and the man is dead. Andi Grace lost her parents years earlier to a hit-and-run driver who was never caught. She didn’t get justice for her parents, but she’s determined to catch the killer and get justice for her mentor.

Jackie Layton

KRL: Have you always written mysteries/suspense and if not, what else have you written?

Jackie: I started out writing romantic suspense, but it was not a good fit for me. Once I changed to writing cozy mysteries, things began to click. I felt like I’d found my genre.

KRL: What brought you to choose the setting and characters in your latest book/series?

Jackie: My latest book series is An Organized Crime Cozy Mystery series set off the coast of Georgia. Fox Island is similar to Tybee Island, but it’s smaller. I lived in Athens, Georgia when I met my husband. We both loved the beach, and sometimes we’d get up before daylight, drive five hours to Tybee, spend the day at the beach, eat supper, and drive back home. Those trips were part of our journey to falling in love, and Tybee Island is still special to us. I am thrilled to write this series on the coast of Georgia.

KRL: Do you write to entertain or is there something more you want the readers to experience from your work?

Jackie: I hope my readers feel a sense of community and love between the characters. I try to include themes like justice, hope, and loyalty.

KRL: Do you have a schedule for your writing or just work whenever you can?

Jackie: I treat writing days like workdays. When my husband leaves for work, I walk into the office and get started. Every Sunday, I set goals for each day and for the week. I accomplish more when I have concrete goals.

KRL: What is your ideal time to write?

Jackie: Mornings are my best time. I feel fresh and energized.

KRL: Do you outline? If not, do you have some other interesting way that you keep track of what’s going on, or what needs to happen in your book when you are writing it?

Jackie: I don’t have a detailed outline. I plan the murder, and I come up with a list of suspects and motives. After that, I became a “pantster.”

KRL: Did you find it difficult to get published in the beginning?

Jackie: I was not an overnight sensation. It took around ten years to get published, and I learned a lot during the process. When I signed with Dawn Dowdle, I was so happy to have an agent who believed in me. We became friends, and she got contracts for my books. She died in December, and I miss her. She was instrumental in my path to publication.

KRL: Her passing was a great loss to the mystery community. Do you have a great rejection/critique or acceptance story you’d like to share?

Jackie: I was driving on I-95 to Florida when Dawn called me. I pulled off at the nearest exit and parked in a rundown outlet mall. She gave me the news that Bell Bridge Books was offering me a contract for the first three books in a Low Country Dog Walker Cozy Mystery series. We squealed and laughed and celebrated together. My husband had been on work calls himself, and he ended them to join our celebration. It’s a fun memory.

KRL: Most interesting book signing story-in a bookstore or other venue?

Jackie: I was asked to speak for an hour at the Moveable Feast. I was so nervous, but I prepared and hoped to not fall on my face. My husband surprised me by leaving work and showing up with others from his work. I had notecards in case I completely blanked, but I had to hold a microphone. I used the cards to mostly keep myself on track.

I was so delighted when the audience leaned forward and smiled as I talked. They laughed at the places I hoped they’d laugh, and at the end, they had a lot of questions. I was so overwhelmed by the kindness of the audience. A local bookstore had a table set up for people to get their books autographed, and they stood in line to buy books. It was a humbling experience to know people paid to attend the event and spent their money on books too.

KRL: What are your future writing goals?

Jackie: I have contracts for two more books with Level Best Books. I also have a standalone with my new agent, Cindy Bullard. I hope it gets picked up, but if it doesn’t, I have a couple of other books in mind. I waited so long to start writing, and I don’t plan to quit anytime soon.

KRL: Who are your writing heroes?

Jackie: Mary Higgins Clark, Diane Mott Davidson, Agatha Christie, and Brandilyn Collins. I met Brandilyn at the beginning, and she pushed me to join a critique group. Her mother lived in my town during this period. Whenever Brandilyn came to Wilmore to visit her mother, she’d take a few minutes to visit with me. Next, she encouraged me to attend a writing conference. I was terrified, but I didn’t want to let her down. So, I attended my first ACFW conference, and I’m so glad I did. I learned a lot, and I made good friends.

KRL: What kind of research do you do?

Jackie: I write contemporary stories, so I buy books and magazines covering the setting. At this point, I’ve also visited each area where my stories are set.

KRL: What do you like to read?

Jackie: I enjoy reading mysteries, biographies, craft books, and sometimes I read romance or suspense books for a change.

KRL: What are your favorite TV shows or movies?

Jackie: I grew up reading books by Rober Ludlum, Helen MacInnes, and Phyllis Whitney. It probably won’t surprise you that the Bourne movies are some of my favorite movies. One of my favorite series was So Help Me Todd. The shows moved fast, and they were so funny. I’m going to miss that show. I also enjoy many of the mystery series on Hallmark, especially the Hannah Swensen Mystery series.

KRL: What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

Jackie: I didn’t really like sports until I had sons, although I did play golf in high school with a nudge from my mother! After my children were born, I decided to know enough to have conversations with the kids about whatever was happening. I also enrolled the kids in different sports that were offered so they could decide what they liked. I spent hours watching baseball, soccer, basketball, and tennis. Both boys played tennis in college, and I can carry on a decent conversation about any sport. In case you’re wondering, I prefer college sports. I graduated from the University of Georgia-Go Dawgs? And most of my life, I lived in Kentucky-Go Big Blue.

KRL: Have you any advice for aspiring or beginning writers?

Jackie: Don’t give up. Find an encouraging friend/author. If you need an encouraging word, please reach out to me. I’m easy to find on social media.

KRL: Do you have any pets?

Jackie: We had a Westie, Heinz. He was sixteen when he died, and it broke our hearts. Finally, this spring I talked to my husband about adopting a dog. Just about the time I convinced him, his job changed. He’ll be traveling more, and I’ll be able to join him. So, we decided it wasn’t fair to a new dog to leave so often. So, we’re holding off for right now.

KRL: Is there anything you would like to add?

Jackie: I enjoy connecting with readers and other authors. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’ll be happy to chat with you.

KRL: Where can our readers find you online?

Jackie: I’m all over the place. Goodreads, Bookbub, Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and Pinterest. I’ve also included a link to join my newsletter.
Bookbub: bit.ly/37RqGQ8
Twitter: bit.ly/3CMn796
Goodreads: bit.ly/37slujv
Join my newsletter
Website: jackielaytoncozyauthor.com
Facebook: facebook.com/JackieLaytonAuthor
Pinterest: pinterest.com/jackiebeth117/
Instagram: instagram.com/jackielaytonauthor.com

Lorie, thank you so much for hosting me. I appreciate the opportunity to share with your readers.

KRL: Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions!

You can click here to purchase this book from Amazon.

To enter to win an ebook copy of The Con, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “con” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen October 5, 2024. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

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