A Day in the Life with Olivia Greyson by Virginia Lowell

Jul 23, 2015 | A Day In My Life

Dead Men Dont Eat CookiesIn case we haven’t met, I’m Olivia Greyson, but everyone calls me Livie. . . except my brother, Jason, who calls me Olive Oyl. . . though only in public.

I must admit, I was expecting more peace and quiet when I moved back from Baltimore to my little hometown, Chatterley Heights, a few years ago. Don’t get me wrong, I love my life here. I opened a store, The Gingerbread House, devoted to anything and everything cookie. My business partner, Maddie Briggs, is also my best friend since age ten, as well as a decorated-cookie artist and computer whiz. My feisty little rescue Yorkie, Spunky, and I live right above The Gingerbread House in the upper story of a sweet Queen Anne for which I owe a bundle to the Chatterley Heights bank.

Workdays can be hectic, fun, and sometimes frustrating. I’m surrounded by shiny cookie cutters, sparkling sugars, fancy stand mixers, cookbooks. . . Customers can hang out in the cookbook nook with a cup of Italian roast and a decorated cookie. Out on the sales floor, Spunky receives forbidden treats from visitors as he holds court from his antique chair.

Life is peaceful and comfortable, except for a few infuriating townsfolk and the occasional murder.

Each morning, when I open The Gingerbread House, I hope for a quiet, humdrum day. I rarely get my wish. Resentments can run deep in a small town, and we do seem to have our share of murders in Chatterley Heights. Somehow Maddie and I find ourselves involved in the investigations. Even with a business to run, it’s hard to stay on the sidelines when crime affects people you care about.

Right now, for example. . . My mom has been busy renovating an old Depression-era boarding house so she can open an arts and crafts school. We were just over there helping her set up a brand-new kitchen, and we found… well, I promised the Chatterley Heights sheriff, Del Jenkins—who also happens to be my “special friend,” as my mom would say—that I wouldn’t broadcast the details. But just between you and me, human remains were involved. They’d been hidden away for some time, too.

But was the death due to murder, or wasn’t it? Hard to tell before the forensic folks take a look, but who knows when that will happen. Del is tied up with more active cases at the moment. This is a cold case, he said, so it goes on the back burner. I suggested the case might warm up once it’s been on that back burner for a while. Del just sighed and urged me not to investigate.

Nevertheless, Maddie and I thought we’d poke around a bit—you know, for my mom’s sake. She is desperate to get her arts and crafts school up and running. She hasn’t been her perky, centered self since her yoga instructor moved back to Baltimore. Besides, if the trail is so cold, what harm could it do to investigate on our own?

You can read more about Livie in Dead Men Don’t Eat Cookies, the sixth book in the “Cookie Cutter Shop” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The first book in the series is Cookie Dough or Die.

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 a.m. eastern on July 30 for the chance to win a print copy of Dead Men Don’t Eat Cookies. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Winner will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes and you will have three days to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected.

Visit Virginia at www.virginialowell.com

82 Comments

  1. Judy Weaver
    Judy Weaver on July 23, 2015 at 1:03 am

    Love the cover and the story sounds great!!

  2. Pearl Denault
    Pearl Denault on July 23, 2015 at 1:12 am

    I would love to read this! Looks like a great story!

  3. Barbara Tobey
    Barbara Tobey on July 23, 2015 at 1:14 am

    Sounds as if this is another fun read.

  4. Lynn Buddenbohm
    Lynn Buddenbohm on July 23, 2015 at 1:16 am

    Cookies and a cozy, the perfect evening!

  5. Jen
    Jen on July 23, 2015 at 1:41 am

    I am a fan of the Cookie Cutter Shop mystery series, and the cover is gorgeous! Thank you for the giveaway.
    myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com

  6. Kelley Morrow
    Kelley Morrow on July 23, 2015 at 2:02 am

    Sounds tasty, would love to read!

  7. Barbara Hawk
    Barbara Hawk on July 23, 2015 at 2:33 am

    Sounds like a fun read and who doesn’t love cookies. Thanks for the chance!

  8. Kaye Killgore
    Kaye Killgore on July 23, 2015 at 2:41 am

    O love this series. It’s really fun

    • kayekillgore
      kayekillgore on July 23, 2015 at 2:42 am

      I meant, I love this series.

  9. Peggy
    Peggy on July 23, 2015 at 4:17 am

    The cover is delightful and the story sounds great! Thank you for this opportunity.

  10. Lisa Millett
    Lisa Millett on July 23, 2015 at 4:30 am

    Love your books and can’t wait to read this one. Thanks for the contest.

  11. Jill Lauder
    Jill Lauder on July 23, 2015 at 4:45 am

    Thank you for the giveaway opportunity!

  12. Pamela Woodfield
    Pamela Woodfield on July 23, 2015 at 4:58 am

    I absolutely love this series! I’m only up to the 4 th book but I would love to win a copy! Thanks for the chance!

  13. Lisa Wine
    Lisa Wine on July 23, 2015 at 5:03 am

    The book sounds wonderful very fun. Thanks for the chance to win.

  15. Sheila K.
    Sheila K. on July 23, 2015 at 5:47 am

    Sounds like a fun read—thanks for the chance to win a copy!

  16. Linda Kuzminczuk
    Linda Kuzminczuk on July 23, 2015 at 6:28 am

    Love the cover. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity. Kuzlin at AOL.com.

  17. Lisa Brown
    Lisa Brown on July 23, 2015 at 6:43 am

    Funny title; love the cover; thanks for the chance 🙂

  18. Debbie Carnes
    Debbie Carnes on July 23, 2015 at 6:57 am

    Sounds like a fun read, Love the cover

  19. Renee
    Renee on July 23, 2015 at 7:04 am

    Thank you for the opportunity!

  20. nhreader58
    nhreader58 on July 23, 2015 at 7:10 am

    I would love to win. I can’t wait to see what happens next after reading the clip posted. scarletbegonia5858@gmail.com

  21. Nancy Funkhouser
    Nancy Funkhouser on July 23, 2015 at 7:18 am

    This looks like a great read. I would love a copy and thanks for the opportunity to win one.

  22. Amy Gill
    Amy Gill on July 23, 2015 at 7:19 am

    What an intriguing title! I want to read this.

  23. Karin
    Karin on July 23, 2015 at 7:34 am

    I keep telling my husband that. BUT, he keeps eating cookies anyway 🙂

  24. Hester Regan
    Hester Regan on July 23, 2015 at 7:42 am

    I love a good murder mystery, And I am a cookieholic. This book is perfect for me. Thank you for a chance to win.

  25. Pamela James
    Pamela James on July 23, 2015 at 7:45 am

    I love the cover. Especially the dog! I have read others in this series and it is the perfect cozy series to read in any series.

  26. griperang
    griperang on July 23, 2015 at 7:49 am

    I would love to win a copy of this book. Thank you for the chance

  27. Christi King
    Christi King on July 23, 2015 at 8:27 am

    This is one of my favorite series. I can’t wait to find out what Olivia and Maddie are up to this time! Thanks for a chance to win!

  28. Gram
    Gram on July 23, 2015 at 8:54 am

    Another food cozy for us to enjoy…

  29. Libby Dodd
    Libby Dodd on July 23, 2015 at 8:57 am

    “What harm could it do?’ Famous last words!

  30. Robin L. Coxon
    Robin L. Coxon on July 23, 2015 at 9:09 am

    I’ve read earlier books in this series and enjoyed each one. This one is certainly on my to be read list. robeader53@yahoo.com

  31. hayes2014
    hayes2014 on July 23, 2015 at 9:12 am

    Love it, thanks, Dru!

  32. Dotty Kelley
    Dotty Kelley on July 23, 2015 at 9:25 am

    Looking forward to reading this one.

  33. Della
    Della on July 23, 2015 at 9:42 am

    Thank’s Dru. Looking forward to a good read. And it does look interesting. It is now on my TBR list. Thanks.

  34. Barbara Hackel
    Barbara Hackel on July 23, 2015 at 9:47 am

    The preview of DEAD MEN DON’T EAT COOKIES sure captures my attention! Thanks Dru for featuring it, and thanks to you and Virginia for the opportunity to win a copy. 🙂 It’s on my TBR list for sure.

  35. elainehroberson
    elainehroberson on July 23, 2015 at 10:07 am

    I’ve always been a cookie monster, so this book sounds like a series I would really enjoy. Thanks.

  36. Susan Slovinsky
    Susan Slovinsky on July 23, 2015 at 10:29 am

    The cold case angle is an interesting premise. Definitely adding this series to my TBR list. Thank you.

  37. Rita Quante
    Rita Quante on July 23, 2015 at 10:30 am

    Love the cover and title! Looking forward to starting a new and interesting series – thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!

  38. Rita Wray
    Rita Wray on July 23, 2015 at 10:35 am

    Sounds like a great read.

  39. candace knight
    candace knight on July 23, 2015 at 10:38 am

    I love this series. I can’t wait to read this one. The cover is so cute.
    Moonbay7399@gmail.com

  40. Barbara Landrum
    Barbara Landrum on July 23, 2015 at 10:48 am

    Love this title! Sounds like a great book!

  41. Karen Candee
    Karen Candee on July 23, 2015 at 11:27 am

    Can’t wait to read this book it sounds GREAT!

  42. Sema Firestone
    Sema Firestone on July 23, 2015 at 11:32 am

    Sounds great! Would love to read!

  43. Cynthia Blain
    Cynthia Blain on July 23, 2015 at 11:37 am

    Every time that I read a blog post about this series I end up making a batch of cookies or two or three. Maybe cookie baking is just what I need today. I have read the first three books in this series so I need to catch up. This one sounds yummy.

  44. noraadrienne
    noraadrienne on July 23, 2015 at 11:51 am

    Yes Dru, I’d kill to win this book and add it to my collection. I’d also love to add the recipes to my collection also. LOL I love gingerbread and would hope there’s a recipe for it in the book.

  45. peggy clayton
    peggy clayton on July 23, 2015 at 11:58 am

    Dru love the interviews and also when you get the author to part with a print copy it is amazing love to read about the book and the author .

  46. Daniele K
    Daniele K on July 23, 2015 at 12:23 pm

    As always, thank you for the opportunity to win. I feel compelled to make cookies now.

  47. Vivian Shane
    Vivian Shane on July 23, 2015 at 12:24 pm

    I really like this series – and the cover is too cute1 Thank for the chance to win a copy of this book – I need to catch up!

  48. sallycootie
    sallycootie on July 23, 2015 at 12:32 pm

    Sounds like a fun series – if dead men don’t eat cookies, more for us!

  49. MaryAnn Forbes
    MaryAnn Forbes on July 23, 2015 at 1:17 pm

    Thanks for the opportunity to win Dead Men Don’t Eat
    Cookies.📖📚

  50. Lois Rotella
    Lois Rotella on July 23, 2015 at 2:33 pm

    Love the title of this nook

  51. carolee888
    carolee888 on July 23, 2015 at 3:02 pm

    Cookies are one of my favorite things to eat! Also love the cover and that fact the main character and her mother get to do what they love to do in their life!

  52. Anne
    Anne on July 23, 2015 at 3:42 pm

    Delightful giveaway. Thanks.

  53. Karen B
    Karen B on July 23, 2015 at 3:50 pm

    This is a terrific series – and I LOVE cookies!

  54. Carving Lady
    Carving Lady on July 23, 2015 at 4:06 pm

    Catchy title! The story sounds good, I’m putting this series on my TBR list now,

  55. Judy D.
    Judy D. on July 23, 2015 at 7:28 pm

    You had me at Dead Men and ultimately Cookies. Count me in. Judy D.

  56. Robin Driscoll
    Robin Driscoll on July 23, 2015 at 7:47 pm

    This looks like a must have!!

  57. Wanda downs
    Wanda downs on July 23, 2015 at 7:52 pm

    Would love to read this

  58. kidisitor
    kidisitor on July 23, 2015 at 8:03 pm

    Another new author for me. Sounds like a good book, and I love the title. I have a series fascination with cozy titles. 😀

  59. bettyl
    bettyl on July 23, 2015 at 8:30 pm

    sounds like a great read, would love to win

  60. cjreynolds52
    cjreynolds52 on July 23, 2015 at 9:01 pm

    Being from a small town, I love the way everyone is in everyone else’s pocket. This sounds yummy!

  61. Kathleen Costa
    Kathleen Costa on July 23, 2015 at 9:02 pm

    I love Virginia Lowell’s books!

  62. ladyjanel
    ladyjanel on July 23, 2015 at 9:38 pm

    Love the cover. Thank you for the chance

  63. Cheryl Corbitt
    Cheryl Corbitt on July 23, 2015 at 9:51 pm

    Fun! I enjoyed the first few books in this series and would like to catch up!!

  64. Donna Gantt
    Donna Gantt on July 23, 2015 at 9:54 pm

    I love the cover with cookies and a Yorkie! Thanks for the giveaway.

  65. Celest Mattis
    Celest Mattis on July 23, 2015 at 9:56 pm

    This sounds like a wonderful series. I can’t wait to start reading it. Hope to win one.

  66. Betty Jo English
    Betty Jo English on July 23, 2015 at 10:23 pm

    If dead men don’t eat cookies. Who does? Like to visit The Gingerbread House.

    Bettyjo.English@gmail.com

  67. Sharon Baker
    Sharon Baker on July 23, 2015 at 10:38 pm

    Would love to read this book. It sounds fantastic.

    slpetera@yahoo.com

  68. randolph2468
    randolph2468 on July 23, 2015 at 10:39 pm

    I’d love to win! Thanks!

  69. Annette
    Annette on July 23, 2015 at 11:17 pm

    I enjoy this series. Olivia is a well developed believable character.

  70. Kari
    Kari on July 24, 2015 at 1:03 am

    I love this series.

  71. Barbara Kolasky
    Barbara Kolasky on July 24, 2015 at 3:17 am

    Love cookies, it’s a great series too. Thanks for the many hours of enjoyable reading.

  72. Susan S.
    Susan S. on July 24, 2015 at 8:57 am

    Sounds like a great read.

  73. suekey12
    suekey12 on July 24, 2015 at 1:19 pm

    I’d love a store all about cookies in our town. Of course, I’d probably gain 10 pounds! Thanks for the contest.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

  74. rochf
    rochf on July 24, 2015 at 1:30 pm

    I always love the combination of baked goods, murder and mystery.

  75. cyn209
    cyn209 on July 25, 2015 at 7:06 am

    Definitely one of my favorite series!!!!
    Thank you for the giveaway…..

  76. Denise P
    Denise P on July 27, 2015 at 2:42 pm

    This sounds like my kind of series! I love food mysteries!

  77. dabbles
    dabbles on July 27, 2015 at 2:43 pm

    Love this series! Can’t wait to read this one!

    • Pamela James
      Pamela James on July 30, 2015 at 6:37 am

      Oh this is a must read.Pam

  78. Veronica
    Veronica on July 28, 2015 at 12:43 pm

    We always bake gingerbread everything at the holidays in our house! Its a tradition! Love to compare recipes in “Dead Men Don’t Eat Cookies!”

  79. Meg C
    Meg C on July 29, 2015 at 2:07 pm

    Some of my favorite cozies revolve around those who work with food. That this series food focus is cookies? Heavenly. Can’t wait to read Dead Men Don’t Eat Cookies. Thanks for the chance to win.

  80. Dru
    Dru on July 30, 2015 at 5:03 am

    Contest is closed.