by: Kara Lacey
Series: Camera Club
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release Date: September 24, 2024
Publisher: Level Best Books
Blue skies and wildflowers signal the start of summer in southern Vermont, and the Stonebridge Keep it Snappy Camera Club lenses are zoomed in on…murder.
It’s been more than a year since the sudden death of her husband, and photographer Bobbie Brooks wants nothing more than to escape her grief. Fleeing her life in the city, she seeks a fresh start in the serenity of the Green Mountains. But Bobbie’s new beginning comes to a halt when she finds a member of her camera club dead beneath the village’s idyllic covered bridge. Tragic accident or something sinister? With a keen photographer’s eye, Bobbie suspects murder.
As if transitioning to small-town life wasn’t challenging enough, Bobbie’s missing scarf is found at the murder scene, making her the primary focus. Scorned by local gossips, she enlists the help of her camera club and shifts her lens from photographer to amateur sleuth. Using photos found on the victim’s camera, they waste no time setting out to catch the killer—and discover no shortage of suspects. Secrets, lies, and blackmail…Danger abounds as they close in on the killer.
Her camera holds the answers… But can she develop the clues in time to stop the killer?
I’m fine, thanks. A little nervous, maybe. Thank you for having me on your blog today!
I don’t think you have anything to be nervous about. Please introduce yourself to readers.
Hi, I’m Bobbie Brooks. I’m a forty-six-year-old widow who grew up in Boston, but now lives in the tiny village of Stonebridge, Vermont. It was my sister Alicia who coaxed me to move to Stonebridge. She’s lived here for many years with her husband, and I’ve always loved coming here to spend weekends with her. When a small house in the center of the village came on the market, she called me right away.
“It’s time you moved on with your life,” she said. Easy for her to say. But I know she has my best interests at heart. Anyway, the house has a cute barn which makes the perfect photography studio. How could I resist?
Photography has always been my primary hobby. Now that it’s my profession, I guess I need to find a new hobby. I’m not sure what that will be. Ballroom dancing, maybe? Just so long as it isn’t sleuthing. Definitely not sleuthing.
Can you please tell us about some people we’ll meet in your story?
First off, you’ll meet my camera club—Alicia, Rose, Jackson, Tiffanee, and Penny. When I started the club, I only meant for the group of us to have fun with photography. None of us ever expected to be involved in a murder investigation!
Alicia Crowley is my big sister, and the main reason I moved to Vermont. You’ll love her. She’s smart and practical, and I’ve spent my whole life looking up to her. She owns our village’s country market, which means she knows pretty much everything that goes on in Stonebridge.
Rose Lavoie is my new next-door neighbor, the owner of the Rosebud Café, and the best friend I could ever ask for. She’s funny, energetic, and always up for an adventure, even if it means hanging out at a dive bar looking for clues.
I’m still getting to know our other members. There’s Tiffanee, who is a gifted photographer even if her subjects aren’t aware their picture is being taken. Jackson is our local antiques dealer, and Penny… I’m still trying to figure out Penny. She’s an odd combination—both shy and sullen. There’s something about her that makes me want to take her under my wing.
You’ll also meet my Labrador retriever, Darcy. He’s pretty much the sweetest dog you’ll ever meet.
Oh, and Detective Cram? He definitely watches me like a hawk. He stares down his long, beaky nose with sharp, beady eyes, making me feel like his prey. He’d probably be an okay guy if he wasn’t always suspecting me of murdering people. Me! He can’t possibly be serious. And yet, he is.
Tell me about a defining moment in your life.
Oh, gosh. That’s a big question. I suppose the moment that most defines my current life happened about eighteen months ago. I got a phone call at work, telling me that my husband had collapsed and died. It’s been a lot to work through. Until then, I’d spent my entire adult life as part of a team. Step by step, I’m learning to live on my own, but I don’t think I’ll ever stop missing him.
I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. What’s your most prized possession?
We’re talking about material possessions, correct? That would be either my camera or Dan’s wedding ring. I guess the camera is more practical.
The wedding ring also works. Why do you feel the need to put on your sleuthing hat and investigate murders?
I think of myself as a reluctant sleuth. It’s not like I actually want to get involved with murderers. But when Detective Cram made it known that I was his prime suspect, what was I supposed to do? Besides, the victim deserved justice. No one deserves to die the way they did.
What do you love about your new town?
I grew up in the city, so coming to Vermont has always felt like taking a giant breath of fresh air. The forest, the mountains… It’s truly beautiful here. The realities of transitioning to small-town life have been a bit of a challenge, but I love the people in this village. Opening my own photography studio is exciting, and living near Alicia and Rose is awesome.
What can readers expect from Caught on Camera?
First and foremost, readers can expect a mystery puzzle with enough twists and turns to keep them guessing whodunnit. The story takes place in a quaint village with lots of fun, quirky, loveable (and not so loveable) characters. Caught on Camera is a story that’s full of heart, about a protagonist they’ll want to root for. It’s a story about family, friendship, and what it means to find home.
Bobbie, thank you so much for your time.
Thank you! I enjoyed our chat!
Thank you, so did I.
Purchase Caught on Camera from:
(Affiliated Links used)
Kara is a member of Sisters in Crime, Sisters in Crime-New England, and Mystery Writers of America. She is also a co-Member at Large for Vermont SinC NE writers.
Places to find Kara Lacey:
You can follow the Caught on Camera Blog Tour here.
Thank you for hosting Bobbie today. I had so much fun writing her story, and I hope readers will love her (almost) as much as I do!
ReplyDeleteHi Bobbie and Kara, this was a fun interview!
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining!
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