Suzanne Deitz first appeared in Eggs In Purgatory and one of the best ways to learn about a person is by asking questions, so let’s get to know Suzanne.
What is your name?
Suzanne Deitz.
How old are you?
Oh dear, I guess I hit forty a year or so ago.
What is your profession?
I’m the CEO, major domo, PR guru, and customer liaison (i.e. waitress) at the Cackleberry Club café along with my two partners, Toni and Petra. We’re a cozy little café that specializes in home-cooked breakfasts and lunches using farm-to-table ingredients. We also do afternoon tea as well as special event teas.
Do you have a significant other?
I’m engaged to Dr. Sam Hazelet. My first husband, Walter, died several years ago.
Who is your best friend?
My partners Toni and Petra always have my back, no matter what.
Cats, dogs or other pets?
Two dogs, Baxter and Scruff. I also have a quarter horse named Mocha Gent and a mule named Grommet. I ride Mocha competitively, Grommet is just his stable buddy.
What town do you live in?
I live in the small Midwestern town of Kindred. It’s kind of like Brigadoon – very tucked away and special, surrounded by woodlands, bluffs, and streams.
House or building complex? Own or Rent?
My house is a picture-perfect American Gothic style. The yard? Well, the yard is a total mess. The dogs keep digging holes faster than I can fill them in. And my herb garden is a lost cause.
What is your favorite spot in your house?
Anytime Sam is on the couch I like to tuck in next to him. While he reads medical journals I read the latest romance novels. (He doesn’t mind, it gives me good ideas!)
Favorite meal?
Right now I’m trying to perfect a brunch recipe for Lobster Benedict. So that’s my fave at the moment.
Favorite dessert?
Any of the fabulous cakes that Petra bakes from scratch and decorates so beautifully. Did you know that she’s actually made an Italian pear almond cake!
Favorite hobby?
I’m kind of a closet gourmet cook. I love trying new recipes – pesto stuffed pork chops and apple pie scones are my latest – and then I use Sam as my (extremely willing) guinea pig.
Favorite vacation spot?
Sam and I are planning a honeymoon in Jamaica, so I’m really looking forward to snorkeling and lazing on the beach.
Favorite author?
That Laura Childs chick who writes the Tea Shop Mysteries is pretty good. In fact, I really loved her most recent book, Plum Tea Crazy.
Movies or Broadway?
We just had a horrible incident during a dress rehearsal for A Christmas Carol. Basically, a fake ghost glided onstage and murdered our main actor. When I tried to chase down the ghost, I got dragged into the whole mess and things went from bad to worse. So I’d have to say movies. I’m a little put off by live theatre at the moment.
Are you a morning or a night person?
The Cackleberry Club opens early for breakfast, but I have to confess that I’m not exactly a rise and shine person. However, my partner Petra (who does most of the cooking), is always up at the crack of dawn, bless her heart.
Amateur sleuth or professional?
I’d have to save I’m a professional amateur. And Sheriff Doogie sure does get bugged when I run one of my shadow investigations. But if a murder happens in Kindred how can I not get involved?
Whom do you work with when sleuthing?
My partner Toni is just as curious as I am. Some call it being snoopy but, really, curious sounds so much better.
In a few sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
Get to the Cackleberry Club, check in with Toni and Petra, handle the morning breakfast rush and catch up on local gossip, unpack books for our Book Nook, and work on ideas for our upcoming theme teas (I’m thinking a Paris & Pearls Tea). Along the way I check in with Sam and try to plan a special dinner for him. Of course, that’s only if Toni doesn’t drag me along for two-for-one Crapple Bomb night at the local watering hole!
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a print copy of Eggs On Ice. U.S. entries only, please. The giveaway ends December 8, 2018. Good luck everyone!
You can read about Suzanne in Eggs On Ice, the eighth book in the “Cackleberry Club” mystery series.
The Christmas season at the Cackleberry Club café is marred by murder in the latest book in the New York Times bestselling series.
Some say that casting crusty attorney Allen Sharpe as Scrooge in the Kindred Players production of “A Christmas Carol” is just playing to type. He’s not the most beloved man in town. In fact, you’d have a dickens of a time finding someone who liked him. Still it’s a shock when the Ghost of Christmas Past stabs him during the first rehearsal. Suzanne, co-owner of the Cackleberry Club café, Kindred’s favorite combination diner, craft store and bookshop, chases the murderer out of the building but loses him in the alley.
As the days pass the list of suspects grows longer. Is it the disgruntled partner? The former secretary whom Sharpe sexually harrassed? Or is it fellow owner of the Cackleberry Club, Toni’s almost ex-husband, Junior? The women of the Cackleberry Club are determined to find the killer before he can add another victim to his Christmas list.
Purchase Link
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About the author
Laura Childs is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Scrapbooking Mysteries, Tea Shop Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. Recently, Book Riot named her mysteries to their list of “25 of the All Time Best Cozy Mystery Series.” In her previous life Laura was CEO of her own marketing firm, authored several screenplays, and produced a reality TV show. She is married to Dr. Bob, a professor of Chinese art history, enjoys travel, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs.
All comments are welcomed.
Sounds good. This author is new to me. I will have to check her out.
I’d love it if you did!
Love this cover!!!
Thank you for the giveaway…..
Christmas mysteries are my favorite read this time of year! I am just starting to read this series and this would be such a welcomed book to win.
The cover of this book is so beautiful! I can imagine walking around this, the snow sparkling and lightly falling, wanting to peek in the windows!
Thank you for giving away a copy of this book.
I like this series. Looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the chance to win it.
Good time to read a Christmas story.
I’ve been enjoying the series and would love to win a print copy of this book.
Perfect time of year for A Christmas Carol mystery!
Yes please Dru, I’d love to add this book to my collection of Laura’s books.
I absolutely love this series and I love Laura Childs. Her books are so wonderful! I would love to win this. Thank you for the chance, Dru!!
I love this series and I love Laura Childs’ books. I would love to win this new Cackleberry Club mystery. Thanks for the chance to win Dru!
Oh, I have been searching for a nearby place like the Cackleberry Club cafe. I imagine that I would visit a couple of times a week and become a regular. The book sounds like a great seasonal read.
Seasonal mysteries always are a plus to whatever holiday is there. Thanks for your insight into Laura Child’s latest book. Fingers crossed.
I really like this series! Looking forward to reading Eggs on Ice.
I love this particular series & am looking forward to reading this new one.
I love all of Laura Childs’ series and can’t wait to read this one.
I have not read any books in the Cackleberry Club Mysteries, but would love to start! Thanks so much for your giveaway ~
I love the cover! Yes that Laura Childs chick does write some awesome books :). Thanks so much for this cute interview and giveaway!
Looking forward to reading this book, thank you for the chance to win a copy.
wfnren at aol dot com
Okay! This one I really need to win!
She is a very good writer. I’m looking forward to reading this series.
Another interesting interview. Great series.
Another one in a good series! I love the cover!
I’d love to visit the Cackleberry Club Cafe!
Wish there was a Cackleberry Club Cafe in my neighborhood!
This is a great author and I would love to win! Thanks so much for the chance!
Laura Childs is one of my favorite authors. Really looking forward to reading “Eggs On Ice”.
Hope I’m not to late! I love these books..
I love Laura Childs!
Love this author and would love a chance to win one of her books.
absolutely love this author and all of her series!!
**** WINNER ****
Eggs On Ice is johnna smith
Congratulations!