Abe sits down for a Q&A with dru’s book musings responding to twenty or more questions so we can learn more about him. Are you ready? Let’s get to know Abe.
What is your full name?
Abraham O’Neill, but only my mother ever calls me Abraham.
How old are you?
I’m 36.
What is your profession?
I was an electricity lineperson, but last year I re-educated as a wildlife educator, and I love it. The job is also a lot safer than working on live power lines, especially during storms.
Do you have a significant other?
Yes!
What is their name and profession?
Robbie Jordan, chef, carpenter, and amateur sleuth, is my beloved wife of two years.
Do you have any children?
My son Sean is eighteen. Robbie and I are about to have our first child, and Sean is almost as excited as we are.
Do you have any siblings?
My older brother Don owns Shamrock Hardware here in South Lick.
Are your parents nearby?
They are, and Robbie and I are close to both of them. I think she particularly appreciates having my mom, Freddy nearby, as Robbie’s mom died before I met her.
Who is your best friend?
These days, I’d have to say my wife Robbie.
Do you have cats, dogs, or other pets?
Yes, although none are mine, exactly. We have Birdy, Robbie’s tuxedo cat. We got black Lab Cocoa as a gift for Sean two years ago, but now my son is in Italy on an exchange year, and I’m the dog’s primary walker. And we have black cat Maceo, a stray Sean adopted. Luckily, he plays well with Birdy.
What town do you live in?
South Lick, Indiana.
What type of dwelling do you own or rent?
We own our Hoosier cottage, built in the Arts and Crafts style a hundred years ago.
What is your favorite spot in your home?
The kitchen. I love to cook, and I especially like giving Robbie a break from preparing meals, since she owns a restaurant and is immersed in the world of planning and producing food for over half her day.
What is your favorite meal and dessert?
I do love a good breakfast, but I think I’d rather prepare dinner. Dessert can be anything from a dark chocolate ice cream to my mom’s pumpkin pie.
Do you have any hobbies?
I play bluegrass banjo and practice with a group.
What music do you listen to?
Anything acoustic.
What is your favorite color?
I suppose it’s green, although I’ve never thought about it.
What is your favorite vacation spot?
My family’s cabin deep in the woods. After Robbie and I were trapped there during an ice storm with a killer threatening us, I might have to rethink that answer!
Are you a morning or night person?
Totally an early riser. I love the quiet of dawn and before, along with the freshness of the day.
What is your idea of a really fun time?
I love going to an outdoor music festival with my beautiful bride. As long as nobody is murdered…
If you were to write a memoir, what would you call it?
What a cool question! Let’s see. “He Found His Way” might work. I married and had a child too young. I became a responsible father and held down a job I was good at, but my marriage didn’t last. Finding my way to Robbie, renewed happiness, a second chance at fatherhood while never neglecting my son, and a new profession I adore has been all I could ever want.
Amateur or professional sleuth and whom do you work with?
Oh, Robbie is the sleuth in the family, not me. My role is to advise from a distance only when asked, while trying not to worry too much about her.
What is a typical day in your life like?
After Robbie leaves for Pans ’N Pancakes, I head over to the Brown County Nature Center and teach or prepare workshops all day. I often am able to go for a walk or a hike in the woods as part of my prep. Most days I return home to make dinner, unless I have banjo practice that evening.
Giveaway: Maddie has generously offered to give away one print copy and one audiobook of SCONE COLD DEAD. To enter, please leave a comment below. One entry per person. Audiobook giveway is open to everyone and the print giveaway is limited to U.S. residents only. Giveaway ends April 12, 2025. Good luck everyone!
Scone Cold Dead ~ A Country Store Mystery, Book 13
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: April 2025
Format: Print, Digital, Audio
Purchase Link
After a body is found in a local farmer’s field, country store and café owner Robbie Jordan suspects that a newcomer in South Lick, Indiana, may not be a stranger to everyone in town . . .
Robbie is just weeks away from giving birth. While her husband Abe scrambles to get the house ready for their baby’s arrival, Robbie makes last minute arrangements to keep her shop and restaurant, Pans ’N Pancakes, up and running when she’s on maternity leave. And it seems Robbie and Abe aren’t the only ones grappling with anxiety—a stranger is causing a stir in town and Robbie’s Aunt Adele appears unusually preoccupied at the baby shower . . .
But when someone finds a body in the ram field on Adele’s sheep farm, it’s Robbie’s turn to be worried. Especially after Chief Buck Bird uncovers a troubling link between Adele and the possible murder victim. Robbie has no choice but to knit the clues together and solve this mystery before anything else gets flocked up . . .
Includes Recipes for You to Try!
About the author
Maddie Day writes the Country Store Mysteries, the Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries, the Cece Barton Mysteries, and the historical Dot and Amelia Mysteries. As besotted first-time Grammy Edith Maxwell, she writes the Agatha-Award winning historical Quaker Midwife Mysteries and short crime fiction. She’s a member of Mystery Writers of America and a proud lifetime member of Sisters in Crime. Maxwell/Day lives north of Boston with her beau and their cat Martin, where she writes, cooks, gardens, and wastes time on Facebook. Find her at EdithMaxwell.com, at WickedAuthors.com, and at Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen.
I love Abe! I’m so glad they got together 🙂
Thanks Nikki!
Yes, yes, yes!
Abe is my favorite character in this series. He and Robbie are a great match!
Thanks! I think so too.
I’m so glad they got married and cannot wait for the baby! Love this series!
I just love the Q & A… We don’t get to see much back story with Abe in the books, so this was nice to see.
That was my thought when I saw it was about Abe. Don’t get enough of him!
Aww, thank you!
Guess I need to start a wee bit earlier in this series and read how they get together. Tough work … but someone has to do it!
Enjoy!
I need an ABE! Love this series and have loved seeing Robbie get her happy ever after.
Don’t we all?
Congratulations on another book! I love these characters.
Thank you! I do, as well.
Glad you gave Abe a voice in the world!
I’m glad Dru Ann invited him over today!
One of my favorite series! Just finished this latest book. Looking forward to more in this series and the Cozy Capers series! I need to start the other series too. Thank you for keeping us entertained with all these characters! Have a blessed day.
Thanks so much, Debbie.
Sounds fun. Thank you for the Chance. Deborah
I love this series!
Thank you!
You are welcome.
I wasn’t aware of your books, but they certainly seem like my cup of tea. Which would you suggest I try first?
Thanks, Mary Ann. If you check the Books tab on my web site, you’ll find all my series and can see which appeals to you first. https://edithmaxwell.com/
Abe is a great guy. I am glad he and Robbie got together. I enjoy this series.
Thanks so much
Love Abe, he’s perfect for Robbie. So sad this is the end of the series. I hope they get a chance to return someday! Congratulations on this book and series!
Thank you, Lori!
Oh how wonderful to have yet another adventure in Robbie’s life to read and engage in her sleuthing. Currently we are “listening” to this series, since we have all the print books plus the audio versions. It is like the books are new because Ms. Laural Merlington does such an outstanding job of changing voices to bring the characters alive. I suspect that I will continue to read and listen to this series until I am no longer here. Just looove everything that Edith writes…as Maddie Day or Edith Maxwell, or any other pen name she chooses to use.
You are the best, Luis!
Congratulations to Margie Smith and Maren Tirabassi who won a copy of SCONE COLD DEAD