. . .Cozy Mysteries, Coffee, and Chaos

My day starts early, usually before the sun is fully awake, but never before my boys. They’re up first, which means I’m stumbling toward the coffeemaker as they cheerfully ask, “What’s for breakfast?” I have a strict Mom doesn’t play until my first cup of coffee is finished rule. With my favorite mug in hand, I settle in with a book while I sip my liquid gold. Sometimes it’s a book I’m reading for pleasure. Sometimes it’s a middle-grade chapter book I read with my boys. If there’s a spare moment before homeschool starts, I sneak a peek at my current work-in-progress: right now that’s the third book in my food truck cozy mystery series. My fictional town of Clementine is always buzzing with suspects, secrets, and at least one very opinionated chicken named Teriyaki.

I’m often asked what it’s like writing with two small boys. Well, let me tell you, it’s as chaotic as you might imagine. When I was writing my debut novel, A Murder Most Fowl, it was a juggling act worthy of a circus ring. I jotted down plot twists in the car during art class drop-offs, brainstormed suspects while waiting out tennis practice, squeezed in a writing sprint before school started at 8:30 a.m., and pulled more than a few late nights to hit deadlines. My routine hasn’t changed—it’s just gotten faster, louder, and occasionally stickier (thank you, rogue chocolate milk). There’s lost sleep, cold coffee, and the occasional plot hole the size of a brachiosaur, but it’s worth every minute. I get to spend quality time with my boys, play a direct role in their education, and still create the stories I love. With my family’s support, anything feels possible… even finishing a chapter while negotiating why dinosaurs cannot eat dessert first.

By the time breakfast is done my role shifts from mom/author to homeschool teacher. My sons just started 4th and 1st grade, and our hybrid charter school means two days a week they’re in the classroom, and three days a week, I am the classroom. On home days, mornings are filled with math drills, read-alouds, and science experiments that occasionally turn my kitchen table into something resembling a crime scene. There’s a lot of learning, a lot of laughing, and the occasional sibling referee duty.

When school’s out, I swap my “Teacher” hat for my “Author” hat. Just like with my first book, writing happens in pockets. During independent reading, a Lego marathon, or playtime with Dad. My desk is flanked by stacks of curriculum on one side and mystery research on the other. My browser history alternates between CVC words and brain-break videos and how long before the smell of a rotting corpse becomes noticeable? On a good day, I hit my word count before dinner. On a not-so-good day, I’m scribbling notes on sticky pads while stirring spaghetti sauce. Either way, the story keeps moving forward.

Evenings are for family. We talk about our favorite parts of the day over dinner, walk our border collie while the boys ride scooters, swap stories from the day, and hear book ideas from my sons about dinosaurs solving crimes (still waiting for the perfect plot). Once they’re tucked in, I return to my manuscript. That’s when the words flow best, with the house quiet and my characters wide awake in my mind. I write until the coffee wears off, the plot twist is safely on the page, and I’m ready to do it all over again tomorrow.

A Murder Most Fowl – A Food Truck Mystery, Book 1
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: September 2025
Format: Print, Digital, Audio
Purchase Link

A food truck run by twins serves up a clucking good murder in this cozy debut mystery, perfect for fans of Lucy Burdette and Joanne Fluke.

When their late aunt Dolly passes away, twins Beth and Seth Lloyd inherit a chicken themed food truck. Despite the challenges, the siblings rise to the occasion, even going as far as signing up their truck Kluckin’ Good to compete on a top cooking show and ruffle a few feathers for some good publicity. But the competition goes from heated to lethal when a contestant is found dead.

With the elimination competition becoming far too literal, Beth and Seth will need all the help they can get to get out of the frying pan without landing in the fire. With their loyal assistant–and Beth’s best friend–Rylie by their side, they’ll have to follow the bread crumbs to untangle a very twisted case before either one of them is put on the chopping block.

This humorous series debut with a mouthwatering mystery will charm readers and keep them guessing right until the not-so-bitter end.

Meet the author
Hailing from the Bay Area of California, Carmela Dutra cherishes her family, rainy days, and making others laugh. After years of working on her award-winning indie children’s picture books, she transitioned into crafting cozy mysteries filled with emotion, humor and heart.

When she’s not penning her latest tale, Carmela enjoys sketching, sipping copious amounts of coffee, and over-cuddling her allergy-inducing cats and dog. She shares her life with her best friend and husband, raising two dinosaur-obsessed sons. A lover of alternative rock, Carmela often writes to its rhythm and finds comfort in rewatching The Big Bang Theory and M*A*S*H.