Lindsey Bakewell sits down for a question-and-answer session with dru’s book musings so that we, the readers, can get to know her better. Are you ready? Lindsey, take it away!

What is your full name?
Lindsey Bakewell. If pressed I might be inclined to admit that my middle name is Montague. But I never use that name. It’s my mom’s maiden name and, being an aging model with a hyphenated last name, let’s just say that she’s gotten a lot of mileage out of it.

How old are you?
I’m thirty-six years old.

What is your profession?
Well, until last year, I worked on Wall Street as an investment banker. However, since then I’ve bought a lighthouse in Beacon Harbor, Michigan, and I’ve converted half of it into my dream bakery. Now I’m proud to say that I’m kneading dough (I’m a baker!) instead of investing it.

Do you have a significant other?
Yes, I do, but I’m still working on our relationship. I’m getting older and I think of settling down now more than ever. However, a girl has to be certain when it comes to finding Mr. Right. So far, I have a history of finding Mr. Wrong. But I’m an optimist.

What is their name and profession?
His name is Rory Campbell, and he’s an ex-navy SEAL. And yes, he’s positively dreamy! As far as his profession goes at the moment he’s taking some time off to write a military thriller. He also spends a good deal of time in the woods hunting, or on the lake fishing. His current passion is ice fishing. Yuck! However, Rory isn’t quite sure what his next move will be. For now he’s content to stay in Beacon Harbor while he figures it out. I’m happy with the situation as well, because whatever free time Rory has, he’s happy to spend it with me.

Do you have any children?
Not yet, but someday I’d like to.

Do you have any siblings?
Nope. I’m an only child.

Are your parents nearby?
My parents are retired and currently live in Florida. However, they do like popping up to Beacon Harbor to visit me! I truly love it when they do. Dad, having grown up in a bakery in Traverse City, likes to help me in the kitchen of the Beacon Bakeshop. Mom, being a former model, is always watching her figure. However, since retiring she has a thing about dressing up her two little West Highland Terriers, Brinkley and Ireland, in outfits that match hers. I’m not sure it’s what sane middle-aged women do, but it is entertaining.

Who is your best friend?
Kennedy Kapoor. We met in college and have been besties ever since. Kennedy still lives in NYC where she works as an influencer, podcaster, and fashion blogger, but she also loves to come to Beacon Harbor to visit me. Kennedy grew up in the UK, is a bit of a diva at times, and can be a bit snarky as well. But she’s the closest thing to a sister I’ve ever had, and I trust her with my life. Besides, she’s hilarious!

Do you have any pets?
I have a great big Newfoundland dog named Wellington. He’s a fluffball on steroids and is totally adorable. He may be huge, but he’s a gentle giant. Welly loves living right on the shore of Lake Michigan, because he loves to swim any chance he gets. He also loves to roll in the sand and counter-surf when I’m not looking. However, there’s no better dog on earth, in my opinion.

What town do you live in?
I live in a small lakeside village in northern Michigan called, Beacon Harbor.

Do you live in a small town or a big city?
I used to live in New York City, but I’ve decided to follow my dreams. I now run a bakery in a small town that’s right on the shores of Lake Michigan. Beacon Harbor is absolutely beautiful! In the summertime it’s full of happy vacationers, but the year-round inhabitants make this a great place to live. I also adore all the little shops and boutiques that run along Main Street. However, one of the things that sets our town apart from others are the sandy beaches which are some of the best in the world. Tall, glorious sand dunes extend from Beacon Harbor down the coastline for miles, and Lake Michigan is glorious! Sometimes I actually believe I’m living by the ocean. . . until I remember that there aren’t any sharks or jellyfish! Honestly, if you ever get the chance, you really have to visit Beacon Harbor!

Type of dwelling and do you own or rent?
I am the proud owner of an old lighthouse that I renovated. Welly and I live in half of the large, two-story lighthouse. The other side is dedicated to my bakery, the Beacon Bakeshop.

What is your favorite spot in your home?
I have to admit that my whole house is pretty awesome, but the lightroom at the top of the light tower is my very favorite room in the house. The views of Lake Michigan and Beacon Harbor are spectacular from up there. It’s the perfect place to think, reflect, or to get lost in a good book. It’s also my favorite place to hang out with Rory and have a glass of wine before dinner. Really, the best part about having a lighthouse is the cool light tower!

Favorite meal and dessert?
This is so hard because I love food—all food—all types of cuisine—all desserts! In fact, I’ve never met a loaf of bread I didn’t like. However, that being said, my guilty pleasure is Chicago style deep-dish pizza and carrot cake.

Do you have any hobbies?
Baking used to be my hobby, but now I’m doing that for a living. These days I’ve been concentrating nearly all my energies on The Beacon Bakeshop and have little time or energy at the end of the day for pursuing hobbies. I’m also trying to get more quality time with Rory and taking Welly on longer walks. I’m working on it. However, as busy as I am, I still love a good book.

What is your favorite vacation spot?
I think I’m living in it!

What music do you listen to?
Ooo, that’s a toughie. I like all kinds of music. It largely depends on my mood or the season. When I’m in the bakeshop during the holidays, I blast Christmas music that I can sing along with—when no one’s watching!

Do you have a favorite book?
I like mysteries.

What is your idea of a really fun time?
Vacationing with friends and trying new adventures.

If you were to write a memoir, what would you call it?
Making Dough

Amateur or professional sleuth and whom do you work with?
Oh, I’m a total amateur. I sort of fell into sleuthing when my ex-fiancé’s girlfriend, Mia Long, died on the lighthouse lawn last May. Now that I’ve gotten a taste for it, I really can’t help myself from snooping around if I think I can help find the killer. But I’m not alone in this. My best friend Kennedy is always willing to help, as is Rory. Both have interesting skills they bring to the table. Sergeant Stacy Murdock of the Beacon Harbor police isn’t always happy that we’re crossing into her territory, but even she has to admit that we have a way of coaxing out the baddie.

In a few sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
I wake up at 3 am, take Welly on a quick walk, feed him and then we both head to the bakeshop kitchen, which is right next door from our living quarters in the lighthouse. There I bake all the delicious treats that will fill our bakery cases for our morning patrons. My employees arrive around 6 am, where we get ready to open for the day. The Beacon Bakeshop is becoming popular, and the day flies by before I know it. Once I close for the day, I usually have plans with Rory. If’ he’s away on a hunting trip, I get together with one of my new friends from the village. I spend a lot of time with Welly too. We take long walks through the town or down the beach. In the evening, just before sunset, I climb the circular stairs to the light room. There I relax with a glass of wine and/or a good book. If Rory’s around he always joins me up there. It’s our favorite place. Then, after dinner, I might watch a little TV or play around on the internet until I go to bed. I have to retire early, because 3 am comes all too soon!

What does a typical day look like when you are on a case?
If there’s been another murder in the village and I’ve put myself on the case, I still have to run the bakeshop first. Luckily, most of the village comes into the Beacon Bakeshop for their morning coffee and cinnamon rolls, or whatever yummy baked good they have their eyes on. Even Sergeant Murdock and Officer Tuck come in, so I’m able to ask questions and hear the latest gossip. My staff at the Beacon is great, and they always want to help with the investigation too. They take more of a supportive role and man the Beacon if I need to head out to do a little snooping. Sometimes it’s just Welly and me driving out to question someone. I take Welly because he has a way of getting people to talk. Sometimes Kennedy comes with me, or Rory. I love it when we’re all on the case together so that we can share our thoughts and offer new insights. And then there’s the captain, Captain Willy Riggs, that is. He’s the resident lighthouse ghost who seems to know when trouble is about to happen in Beacon Harbor. Our communication isn’t direct, but he does have a way of making his wishes known to me. I really do think he’s helping me from the other side, only he lets me take all the credit.

Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off, A Beacon Bakeshop Mystery #2
Genre: Cozy
Release: September 2021
Purchase Link

Tucked away inside an old lighthouse in Beacon Harbor, Michigan, bakeshop café owner Lindsey Bakewellis ready to make her first Christmas in town shine bright. But her merry plans crumble fast when murder appears under the mistletoe . . .

With the spirit of the holidays wafting through the Beacon Bakeshop, Lindsey thinks she has the recipe for the sweetest Christmas ever—winning the town-wide cookie bake-off. Unfortunately, striving for a picture-perfect December in Beacon Harbor is a lot like biting into stale shortbread. Low on staff and bombarded by visits from family, Lindsey can barely meet demands at work, let alone summon the confidence to face fierce competition . . .

Self-appointed Christmas know-it-all Felicity Stewart is determined to take the top spot in the bake off, and she’s not afraid to dump a little coal in everyone’s stocking to do it. Just as the competition heats up, everything falls apart when the judge is found dead—and covered in crumbs from Lindsey’s signature cookie!

Solving a murder was never on Lindsey’s wish list. But with her reputation on the line during the happiest time of the year, she’ll need to bring her best talents to the table in order to sift out the true Christmas Cookie culprit.

Includes Delicious Recipes!

About the author
Cozy mystery author, Darci Hannah, is a native of the Midwest and currently lives in a small town in Michigan. Darci is a lifelong lover of the Great Lakes, a natural wonder that inspires many of her stories. When Darci isn’t baking for family and friends, hiking with her furry pals, Ripley and Finn, or concocting her next cozy mystery, she can be found wandering around picturesque lakeside villages with her hubby, sampling baked goods and breaking for coffee more often than she should.

All comments are welcomed.