That’s the question I’ve been thinking about lately.
I’m at the character-development stage of my new thriller, which means I’m spending a lot of time getting inside the heads of the people who will inhabit this story.
What do they want badly enough to risk everything?
What would they protect at any cost?
And perhaps the most uncomfortable question of all: What could push an otherwise ordinary person to commit murder?
I find this part of writing fascinating because the most interesting villains aren’t necessarily monsters. They can be people with families, responsibilities, routines and perfectly ordinary lives. They can be charming. Successful. The person everyone trusts.
Until circumstances push them past a line they never thought they would cross.
I’m still discovering exactly where those lines are for the characters in this new series—and I suspect some of them are going to surprise me.
And, of course, I’m not going to tell you yet who crosses that line. 😉
Hello, Fall 🍂
Fall has officially arrived, and I have to admit, it’s making a pretty lovely entrance! The weather where I live has been absolutely beautiful lately. Cool, crisp mornings, sunny afternoons, and just enough of that autumn chill to remind me that the seasons are changing.
I love this time of year. There’s something about the first hints of colour in the trees, the cooler evenings, and the return to a more comfortable rhythm after the heat of summer. It’s also the perfect weather for getting outside, taking a walk, and letting my mind wander, which, as you might imagine, is excellent for a writer!
I’m enjoying every bit of these early days of fall before the leaves put on their full show. For now, I’m happy with a warm drink, a good book, and the promise of plenty of new stories ahead.
E-Book Trilogy – Sydney Jones Mysteries Books 1-3 now available
What September Means To Me And Why I’m Actually Excited About It.
I love summer. I love the long days, warm evenings, sitting outside with a book, and all the little adventures that come with the season.
But I have to admit… I’m always a little excited when September rolls around.
There’s something comforting about getting back into a routine. The calendar starts filling up, the coffee tastes better somehow, and I find myself thinking about all the things I want to accomplish before the end of the year.
For me, that means books! September is when I start getting serious about planning new stories, working out plots, developing characters, and thinking about where Sydney Jones might find herself next. Developing my protagonist for my brand new series. Her name is Clover McGrady, btw. This series will be a little bit darker and will have a little more suspense. For me, there’s something exciting about having a blank page, and an entire new mystery waiting to be created.
And then there are the practical advantages of September in Ontario…
Fewer mosquitoes. Fewer blackflies. Need I say more? 😂
But mostly, I love what’s coming next. The cooler mornings, crisp evenings, and those spectacular autumn colours that make the north look like it’s been painted.
So yes, I’ll be a little sad to say goodbye to summer.
But I’m ready for September—and all the new stories it might bring.
What do you love (or hate) about September?
Why Do We Love a Good Whodunnit?
There’s something irresistible about a mystery.
Maybe it’s the challenge. We want to spot the clue the detective missed, figure out which suspect is lying, and announce “I knew it!” before the big reveal.
Or maybe it’s the escape. We can step into a world where there’s a puzzle to solve, secrets to uncover, and a satisfying answer waiting at the end.
I think there’s also something wonderfully nosy about a whodunnit. 😂 We get to poke around in other people’s business, listen in on suspicious conversations, examine everyone’s motives. And the great thing about that is that nobody can tell us to mind our own business!
And then there’s that final question that keeps us turning pages:
Who did it?
That’s the magic of a good whodunnit. It makes us want to play detective right alongside the characters, and see if we can solve the mystery before they do.
The Sydney Jones Mysteries are all whodunnits. They are designed to keep you guessing. I think I like writing them so much because I have always loved a good whodunnit. The Nancy Drew Mysteries. Lawrence Saunders’ Archie McNally Series. Or the Sue Grafton Alphabet Series. Those are just 3 series that come to mind, but there are so many more.
What do you love about a good whodunnit?
Book Update On The Next Sydney Jones Whodunnit.
Reunions & Revenge released on August 28th. It is available on Amazon in e-book abd paperback format and will soon be available in e-book format on Kobo, Kobo Plus, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books and mos other digital book retailers. It will also be available in libraries soon. And if you live local to me, I will have signed paperback copies available. I will keep you posted.
I hope that everyone is enjoying their summer so far. The second half of June was fairly busy. Between writing, gardens, completing spring projects, and editing, my days were full. I am now looking forward to spending some more time reading and relaxing at the beach.
What are the things that you love to do in the summer? I would love to hear about your summer plans.
Bookapalooza was a success, and the event had ~250 visitors. I got to see other authors that I hadn’t seen since last year’s event, and meet some new authors too.
On Thursday, July 16th, I will be the opening author for a special event at Smokin’ Hot BBQ in Huntsville, Ontario called “The Lost Art of Storytelling” with Brad Woods. If you are local to the area and would like to experience Brad’s unique way of storytelling, this is something you should come to see. Brad and his team of talented musicians will deliver something you won’t want to miss. Add to this show, one of most creative locations I have ever attended, it is going to be a show to remember.
And, to add the icing to the cake, Smokin’ Hot BBQ will be serving the best smoked/bbq’d meal ever!
I went to Toronto Indie Authors Conference (TIAC 2026) April 18 and 19. It was amazing. I learned so much and met some new people. It was my 2nd one, and I am already planning to go next year. There were so many fantastic presentations and workshops and came back home ready to apply all the new knowledge I had gained. I even won a fantastic price, which included an entire bag of books and a Kobo colour reader!
I also got to see some friends I haven’t seen since last year and meet lots of new author friends too. Below, is a photo of my friend and amazing award winning author. If you like twisty, turny thrillers, you will love her books. I am currently reading my newly gifted Melissa Yi thriller, “Killing Me Slothly”. I have got to tell ya, it is definitely a page turner. I am loving it so far. So thanks Melissa.
A Secret Writing Retreat
It’s finally trailer season. I have a seasonal trailer in a lovely family oriented campground near my home on beautiful Lake Bernard. May is when trailer season begins so it’s not only an exciting time, where I look forward to seeing friends that I only see at the park, and also a busy time, with all that is involved in getting everything opened up after a long cold winter.
One thing I love about my trailer site is that it is such a quiet place to be during the week (except for prime summer holiday time) and I often use it as a place to sit outside and get some early morning writing in, before the park wakes up. My site is quiet and it gives me an alternative setting to work, after the long winter months.
For me, this season also means more visits from grandkids at the trailer, where they can run around with other kids, bike, swim, climb, play, swim, and sit around bonfires at night. So here’s to another season filled with fin, laughter and love.
Grace Bowen Books has a whole new look!
Check out our new logo 🙂 Hope you like it. I know I love it. Please let me know what you think.
Designed by 6SGraphics in the Almaguin Highlands, Ontario, Canada.
For anyone local to the Almaguin Highlands (Ontario, Canada) area, signed copies of all my books are now available to purchase at 89 Main in Sundridge, Ontario. Check them out! They have so many amazing things and online purchasing is available for their merchandise.
This past week, I was visiting with my oldest daughter, husband and grandkids and absolutely loved it. Since they moved to Ohio I have not been able to see them for our weekly pizza nights or have them out at the trailer so I am relieved that I finally got to spend some quality time with them all.
Book #3 in the Sydney Jones Mystery Series Update:
I have been working hard at writing my Sydney Jones Mystery. The working title (originally Campers and Corpses) has been changed to Reunions and Revenge, which I think is much more suitable for the story. In this book, Sydney finds herself in the middle of yet, another murder investigation. Can you guess where this story location might be? I am having fun planning and writing this, however progress has been slower than I wanted, mainly because I have other things on my plate at the moment that are taking away some of my time and energy. And despite the fact that I am sitting fairly still most times that I am writing, I find that it can be a tiring endevour. It requires a lot of brain focused energy. I am not one that can just jot down chapters while sitting in my car waiting, or dictate chapters while hiking, although I really wish I could. I need to sit still and concentrate. Everyone has a different process. I was told by several people, that dictation is a skill that is learnable, but I need to have notes and written down ides at hand while I write, so I have not yet even attempted to try it. Maybe one day.
Book #3 in the Sydney Jones Mystery Series info – Reunions & Revenge takes place at the Lake Bernard campground, on the outskirts of Blueberry Falls.
The focus is on the annual Watt Family Reunion, which is usually an exciting kick off to summer and Canada Day celebration event, however everything does not go as planned. In fact, tragedy strikes, and Sydney finds herself investigating yet, another crime during what was supposed to be a relaxing week long vacation with her dog Beans.
I have added a visual of the Watt Family Tree here because the whole thing gets a little complicated when everyone in the family seems to be on the suspect list.
Perilous Pins Audiobook is Available!
Perilous Pins audiobook is now available on Audible, iTunes, Kobo, Spotify and in libraries.
For audiobook fans, I am so excited that Perilous Pins audiobook is available on Audible, iTunes and Spotify and will soon be available on Kobo, and others.
I know there are some people who have been patiently waiting for this audiobook and I am so happy to finally have got it all done. Please look for it on your favourite Audiobook store.
My next audiobook project will be Airwaves & Alibis. I hope to have that completed by fall 2026.
Question ????
I am considering direct sales from my website, and would love to be able to have some special offers for you all.
If a paperback + audiobook combo purchase was offered on this website, would you be interested? Please comment here or send me an email to books@gracebowenbooks.ca and let me know your thoughts.
Other Stuff I’ve Been Up To This Month:
I have been working on Act II of Book #3 in the Sydney Jones Mystery Series, however it has been slower going for a couple reasons. First, because I was stuck on a few scenes as they determined how the rest of the book would evolve. I ended up making a new whiteboard plan to help me better visualize the plot, clues, and red herrings.
Second, I had been focused on getting the first audiobook completed, and it took up a lot of my time. Now that it is behind me, I hope to have more time to devote to completing the draft and not have to spend as much time on other writing business things.
Used Bookstores
Last weekend, I went to another local used bookstore that I had never been to before. It is located in the basement of a church and run by volunteers. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of books that were available in the space. And it was really well organized. I came out with an entire bag of books. Most of which I will take up to my trailer to add to my summer reading collection. Some I will have read long before then, as I am really looking forward to start them soon. This coming week shows a forecast full of rain every day, so it will be a great excuse to sit and get some reading done.
Toronto Indie Authors Conference
I am leaving Friday morning to head down to the conference and I am so excited. Last year, I learned so much and met so many great, like-minded people. This year, I will even get to spend the weekend with my dear writing partner from London, England, as she too will be at the conference. I can’t wait!
Horsing Around
I think my horses have spring fever now. They have been running around and playing lots in the milder weather, especially Olive the mule. Olive is not yet two years old and lately has been full of beans and bugging all the horses. She’s so sweet and friendly and it won’t be long before she is as big as some of the other horses.
Olive the Mule
I will be at Bookapalooza 2026 in Minden, Ontario, on June 20th.
Between The Lines Podcast
Latest Episode link below: with guest Lauren McLaren
Drafting book #3 in The Sydney Jones Mystery Series is going well. I am ready to start ACT II (I am using a 4 act structure)
My hope is to release book #3 by the beginning of June 2026 but that may be a stretch, as life keeps getting in the way. I will keep you posted.
My working title for the third book had originally started as “Campers & Corpses, but it will be changed to something else. I don’t want to tell anyone quite yet what that title will be. Once it has been properly decided, I will let you all know.
I have also been working on a temporary cover which I use as a place holder while I am drafting. It helps keep me focused somehow. I will take whatever I can get, as a way to stay fully engaged in the drafting process because it can be hard sometimes when I am staring at a blank page and know I must write a scene before I am done for the day.
Another thing I have been working on is the initial research for a new mystery series. I find it so much fun to develop a brand new character set in a brand new setting. This one will be quite different from the Sydney Jones Mystery Series in many ways.
I will be at Bookapalooza 2026 in Minden, Ontario, on June 20th.
A couple of weeks ago, I started my first draft of book 3 in The Sydney Jones Cozy Mystery Series this week while I was away. I found a cool little coffee shop and finished chapter 1. I have not moved much further ahead because I have had too many other things on the go lately, but I will soon be back on schedule.
I like to change up my environment when I am drafting. It fuels my creativity and keeps me motivated. Plus, I have found some really cool little coffee shops along the way.
I found The Coffee Lodge in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. The employees at the coffee shop were warm and welcoming, and the whole atmosphere was relaxing and inspirational. If you have never been to Sarnia, it is a great place to visit. Sarnia is a border city in Southwestern Ontario. The city sits on the shores of Lake Huron and the St. Clair River, directly across from Port Huron, Michigan, and is known for having one of the warmest climates in Ontario.
Here’s a few random pics from my visit. It was a beautiful, bright, sunny day. But it was also very cold and windy that day, and being on the shores of Lake Huron probably made it feel even colder. FYI: Back at my house, the temperatures were way colder, but I figured traveling south would give me a reprieve from the cold. I was wrong. Sarnia had little to no snow though, whereas my house still has tons and will be a long while before I see any grass.
While the weather was so cold and snowy, I was taking advantage of the time to get more writing done. Outdoor activities (beyond the necessities) were out of the question. But this last few days has been so much milder and it makes me feel like spring is coming soon.
NEW BOOK RELEASE!!!
Airwaves & Alibis is now available on Amazon. Both paperback and e-book versions. Also available to read for free on Kindle Unlimited. 😊 So grab your copy today and find out what happens next in Blueberry Falls!
Click on the book to go directly to the sales page 😊
In the quiet northern town of Blueberry Falls, Sydney Jones finds herself once again thrust into a murder investigation after discovering the body of Annie Hardwick at Hunter’s Bay Radio, leading her to enroll in a private investigator course and accept a commission from the station’s board to find the truth. In the second book of the Sydney Jones Cozy Mystery Series, Airwaves and Alibis, Sydney navigates professional tension and a burgeoning romance, uncovers evidence of financial embezzlement involving a phantom account, and is aided by a stray dog.
If you liked the fast pace of Perilous Pins, you will love the newest whodunit in the series. Available today.
In Case You Are Curious:
I am starting to work on book 3 in my Sydney Jones Mystery Series.
People have asked me how I come up with my story ideas, so I decided I would map some of it out here. The details become more and more involved as I get further into the outlining, so this is just a basic list of my first first few steps of outlining my novel. The ones I am working on at present.
4 basic steps I start with when I begin to flesh out my story idea:
Location:
The first thing I do is decide on a location. The location needs to have some unique qualities and I need to be quite familiar with it,. For this book, the location is already decided now, and I know it very well.
Major Incident:
The next thing I think about is the details of where the body is found. Most times, I haven’t yet figured out how the body got where it is, or who was involved, but I think about a place within the location. For example, a body found in a bowling alley behind the bowling pins.
Motive:
After I have figured out the location and the major incident, I make a list of motives for the murder. Note: Since I am currently writing a cozy mystery series, there will almost always be a murder (even though it won’t be gory, since it is a cozy and clean read)
Finding a motive that will work in the specific scenario I have started to create in my plan can be difficult because there are so many things that must work with it. It cannot be too obvious. It must make sense. It must fit into the story I am trying to create with my cast of characters.
Character List:
After I have the basic premise of the murder, I then must make a list of characters. I choose who will be brought into the new story from the prior books. There will always be a few that appear in every book in the series, even if just small parts. And obviously, Sydney Jones will be the star in every story, since the series is called The Sydney Jones Mystery Series lol.
I will take into account the location and major event that will occur when thinking about who needs to be carried forward.
I will also take note of reader feedback about characters. For example, I have a reader that told me who her favorite character was from Perilous Pins. This character was not one that others had mentioned and they are not in book 2 – Airwaves & Alibis. BUT….the character will be back in book 3. The reader gave me a list of reasons why this was her favorite character and I had to agree. So, if that reader knows who I am talking about, I hope it makes them happy 😊
I also must develop a list of brand new characters to introduce to the story. This is time consuming but fun. They must have a reason for being in the story. Then I must come up with a name. Then, I start developing their character details. Although, I must admit, I often only have a name, age and basic reason they are in the story. The rest of the characteristics I often leave until I reach the specific scene are in. Then I have to go back and add to my outline.
Soooooo, that is just the very basics of how I begin each novel. The steps may change slightly depending on how the initial spark of a story came into fruition, but I tend to repeat what works, and this is what works for me.
If you have a favorite character from either Perilous Pins or Airwaves & Alibis, I would love to know who it is, and why they are your favorite. If you have any feedback I would love to hear about it. Please feel free to send me an email to books@gracebowenbooks.ca and let’s chat! You are what fuels me when the writing gets hard. So, fuel me up!!! 😃
🎯 Please Leave a Review
Book reviews are important. If you have read Perilous Pins and have not yet left a review, please, help me out, and leave one. It would mean the world to me.
On Amazon, I think that if you have purchased $50+ in the last year, you are able to leave a review. I will add the direct link to the review below.
If you don’t use Amazon, a personal email with a review is also helpful. I truly do want your input.
I hope everyone is enjoying 2026 so far. I am still thinking we have only just begun, yet here we are, already in our 2nd month of the year. This past few weeks have been full of winter storms, so it made it easy to want to cuddle up in front of a warm fire and read or write. And speaking of writing, Airwaves and Alibis will be up for pre-order soon on Amazon for e-books. With the proper release date for paperback not far behind. Scheduled live release date is February 15th. Once it goes live, Airwaves & Alibis will be available at most major online book retailers, including Kobo and Kobo Plus, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indigo Books, etc.
I have been working on the final cover choices, book description, formatting, and final proofreads and will be relieved once the new book is out in the world. Then I can focus on planning my next outline in the Sydney Jones Mystery Series. Each book in this series is focused on an actual location within the central/northern Ontario, Canada rural regions, although they are then set in the fictional town of Blueberry Falls. Book #1 was Riverbowl. Book #2 is Hunter’s Bay Radio.
Something New: While I will continue to add new books to the current cozy mystery series, and already have the next 2 locations picked out, I am wondering what type of new mystery series you would like to see started next.
Would you like a younger main character?
Would you like all the same tropes? cozy small town; nosy amateur sleuth, a quirky cast of supporting characters, and lots of red herrings and clues left along the way?
Is there any interest in witchy cozies?
Any other tropes or protagonist ideas that you would like to see?
“Between the Lines” is aired on every 4th Saturday morning at 7am on Hunter’s Bay Radio (Muskoka – The Bay 88.7).
Between the Lines is a podcast that brings inspirational interviews, interesting insights and insider information into the cultural practice of storytelling.
[Please note that the podcast does not use my Grace Bowen pen name. but instead uses my real name, yes I use a pen name for my mystery books]
Check out the link to my latest episode on Hunter’s Bay Radio – The Bay 88.7 in Muskoka
A whodunit is a novel, movie, or play about a murder that does not tell you who the murderer is until the end.
1.The term “whodunit” was coined around 1930 during the peak of the genre’s popularity, known as the “Golden Age” of detective fiction (1920s–1940s).
2.Whodunits are designed as a game for the reader. Authors provide clues throughout the story, challenging readers to solve the crime alongside, or even before, the detective.
3.“Red herrings” are false clues deliberately placed to mislead the reader. However, they should be logical conclusions based on incomplete information, not arbitrary distractions.
4.Detective fiction dates back to the mid-1800s. Edgar Allan Poe wrote The Murders in the Rue Morgue in 1841, and in 1868, Wilkie Collins wrote the first detective novel, The Moonstone.
5.A whodunit is characterized by a closed set of suspects, each with plausible motives and opportunities. These stories are structured around gathering and analyzing clues, misleading the reader with red herrings, and ultimately revealing the murderer or thief in a surprising twist.
Your next whodunit, Airwaves & Alibis is coming soon! I mean really soon 😊
In the quiet northern town of Blueberry Falls, Sydney Jones finds herself once again thrust into a murder investigation after discovering the body of Annie Hardwick at Hunter’s Bay Radio, leading her to enroll in a private investigator course and accept a commission from the station’s board to find the truth. In the second book of the Sydney Jones Cozy Mystery Series, Airwaves and Alibis, Sydney navigates professional tension and a burgeoning romance, uncovers evidence of financial embezzlement involving a phantom account, and is aided by a stray dog.
If you liked the fast pace of Perilous Pins, you will love the newest whodunit in the series. Stay tuned for more info………..
