Now it’s time to learn more about the authors we read. . .

Why do you write the genre that you write?
I’ve always loved mysteries, whether they involve books, movies/TV, or games. Give me a puzzle, and I’m all in. That weird noise outside at three o’clock in the morning … I’m checking it out. That overgrown forest with the creepy wind chimes hanging from the trees … a great place to hide a (fictional) dead body. The cozy mystery genre suits my voice. I write the types of stories I like to read: mysteries with heart, humor, and action that’s been turned up a notch.

What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?
Olivia Penn’s good friend Tori lacks a filter when she speaks. She lets things fly, but never in a mean-spirited way. She’s blunt with the truth, but she often says exactly what Olivia needs to hear.

Tell us how you got into writing?
I’ve always wanted to be a writer since I was a kid. Starting out in life, though, it’s a hard way to make a living. So instead, I worked as a pediatric physical therapist for over twenty years. I thoroughly enjoyed what I did, but I always kept the dream of becoming a writer alive. There were many twists and turns along the way, one of which had me develop an autoimmune-based form of arthritis. I always knew I had a shelf life as a PT due to the strain that the physical demands of the job placed on my joints. The plan was to work as a PT as long as I could, then when it became too detrimental to my long-term health, I would leave the field and start to write. And that’s exactly what I did.

What jobs have you held before, during and/or after you became a writer?
Very early on, I worked in local and university libraries. My primary career, though, was as a pediatric physical therapist working with children with special needs.

How many books do you have published?
Three.

Where do you write?
I write in my cat’s living room, sitting at her desk, using her laptop. It’s convenient to her snacks and toys for when she needs a break from assisting me.

What is your favorite deadline snack?
Marigold Foods Cookie Dough Protein Bar

Who is an author you admire?
Annette Dashofy

What’s your favorite genre to read?
Mysteries of all sorts

What are you reading now?
Trouble in Queenstown by Delia Pitts

What is your favorite beverage to end the day?
Water always

What is next for you?
When The Carnival Came, book four in The Olivia Penn Mystery Series comes out on November 12, 2024.

Where can we find you?
Online at kathleenbaileyauthor.com
On Instagram @cozycrimewriter

Now to have some fun . . .

Chocolate, vanilla, or another flavor
Vanilla and dark chocolate

Ice cream or cake
Apple or blueberry pie

Fruits or vegetables
Both!

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner
Breakfast

Dining in or dining out
Dining in

City life or country living
Country living always

Beach or mountain
It’s got to be both

Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall
All! I live in Virginia where we have four true seasons, and I love the beauty and uniqueness of each one.

Extrovert or introvert
Introvert

Early bird or night owl
Early bird

And even more fun . . .

What’s your favorite movie?
Arrival, starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, and Forest Whitaker

You are stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?
Clean water, food, and a working satellite phone. I need to get out of there and back home to my cat.

My bio:
Kathleen Bailey is the award-winning author of The Olivia Penn Mystery Series. She writes mysteries with heart and humor that keep to the traditional and cozy sides of crime. Kathleen has degrees in English, psychology, and physical therapy. She previously worked as a pediatric physical therapist for over twenty years with children who have special needs. She now spends her days plotting and sleuthing in Virginia where she lives with her husband and adorable feline fur baby. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and the James River Writers.