Carly sits down for a question-and-answer session with dru’s book musings so that we, the readers, can get to know her better.

What is your full name?
Carly Grace Hale

How old are you?
I am 32

What is your profession?
I’m the owner/proprietor of Carly’s Grilled Cheese Eatery

Do you have a significant other?
I do!

If so, what is his name and profession?
Ari Mitchell is a local electrician. We met when he installed the pendant lighting in my eatery.

Do you have any children?
I do not.

Do you have any siblings?
I have one sister, Norah Hale, who works as an employment recruiter. She’s bubbly and fun and is on a perpetual quest to find “Mr. Right.”

Are your parents nearby?
My dad died when I was seven, and my mom—Rhonda Hale Clark (remarried to Gary Clark, a retired dermatologist)—recently moved back to Vermont after what I call her “Florida experiment.”

Who is your best friend?
Gina Tomasso, who owns What a Card, a new specialty stationery store in town. Though we were besties throughout our school years, we had a falling out after high school graduation. I’m happy to say she’s back in my life and we’re closer now than ever.

Do you have any pets?
Sure do! My darling Morkie (Maltese/Yorkie mix) —Havarti.

What town do you live in?
Balsam Dell, Vermont

Do you live in a small town or a big city?
Small enough to be a village but spread out enough to remain a farm town.

What type of dwelling do you own or rent?
Ah, I love my second story rental apartment in Joyce Katso’s old home, just minutes away from my restaurant. It has a vintage vibe, with high ceilings, papered walls and brass sconces—not to mention a kitchen overlooking the back yard.

What is your favorite spot in your home?
Snuggled up on my flower-patterned sofa with a good book and my darling Havarti. If Ari’s there, all the better—Havarti nestles right in between us!

What is your favorite meal and dessert?
You can imagine how much I love grilled cheese—any grilled cheese—so that definitely tops the list. I’m also a bit of a cookie junkie, my faves being the oversized sugar cookies from Sissy’s Bakery.

Do you have any hobbies?
With my long hours and my restaurant open six days a week, my leisure time is extremely limited. I try to cleanse my thoughts by indulging in a good book before bedtime, although that’s a lot more challenging when I’m trying to solve a murder.

What is your favorite vacation spot?
When Norah and I were kids, Mom took us to a family resort every summer in northern Vermont. We learned to swim there, and every day we engaged in new activities. Even though I’m an adult, a part of me still longs to return there and relive those childhood adventures.

What is your idea of a really fun time?
Believe it or not, just relaxing without having to worry about work or other obligations. One day at the end of summer, Ari and I rented a rowboat on one of Vermont’s sparkling lakes. We brought along a wicker basket stuffed with goodies and we picnicked under the pines. It was a day so memorable that I’ve relived it in my mind a thousand times.

If you were to write a memoir, what would you call it?
That’s a tough one. About a year before I opened my eatery, I lost my husband Daniel in a tragic accident. Back then I might’ve titled it “The Cheese Stands Alone.” These days I’m much more upbeat about life, so maybe. . .“Smile and Say Cheese!”

Amateur or professional sleuth and whom do you work with?
Amateur sleuth, for sure. I like to do my “spying” alone so as not to endanger anyone I care about. Not that I intentionally do anything risky, but I have on occasion found myself in quite a pickle. Aside from that, I gain a lot of insight from my brainstorming sessions with Gina—usually over pizza or tacos or whatever we feel like eating at the time. She has a sharp, analytical mind and often points out things that didn’t occur to me.

What is a typical day in your life like in general and when you are on a case?
Frantic. Even without a murder to solve, operating a busy eatery is like running a daily race to the finish. Chop, slice, grill, serve; then repeat the cycle until closing time. I’m lucky enough to have two fabulous employees—Grant Robinson and Suzanne Rivers. Grant is a top-notch grill cook and Suzanne is a server extraordinaire. We make a dynamic trio!

No Parm No Foul, A Grilled Cheese Mystery #2
Genre: Cozy
Release: July 2022
Purchase Link

The second book in a delicious culinary cozy series—the muensters have arrived in Balsam Dell in this Halloween cozy mystery featuring a grilled cheese shop owner turned amateur sleuth

After a long hot summer in Balsam Dell, Carly Hale is ready for crisp Vermont weather and gourmet grilled cheeses at her Grilled Cheese Eatery. And the upcoming Halloween food competition is the perfect way to impress the locals.

But Ferris Menard, the owner of Sub-a-Dub-Sub, is nursing a serious grudge against Carly. Two days before the competition, one of Carly’s employees quit his part-time gig at Menard’s sub shop, sending Menard into a serious snit. In a confrontation at the Eatery, Menard accused Carly of sabotage and vowed to bring her down.

That’s when Menard’s body is found in his kitchen the morning after the competition, a steak knife sticking out of his heart. But Menard had a slew of enemies, and if Carly doesn’t figure out which one is the culprit, she might find herself—or someone she cares about—serving grilled cheese sandwiches under lock and brie!

About the author
Raised in a sleepy town in the Berkshires of Massachusetts, Linda Reilly is a dyed-in-the-wool New Englander, and a lover of all things cheese. She lives in southern New Hampshire with her husband and her cats. When she’s not pounding away at her keyboard, she can usually be found prowling the shelves of a local bookstore or library—or standing over the stove making a melty grilled cheese.

All comments are welcomed.