When I chose a setting for my first cozy mystery, Armed and Outrageous, I looked no further than my home state of Michigan. Tadium was born and located on the eastern side of the state on the shores of Lake Huron. While Tadium is fictitious, nearby East Tawas, MI, certainly isn’t. It is one of my favorite stops on summer vacation as a child.
What makes Tadium unique is that its residents are primarily of a certain age or senior citizens. Don’t let the surroundings fool you; these are a lively bunch of characters that are full of life and full of it. Romance and more are explored in this mold breaking mystery.
Sit back, relax, and enjoy the northern Michigan locale.
Madison Johns ~ Amazon bestseller ~ Armed and Outrageous.As a child, Madison Johns preferred to distance herself from other children her age, and had been described as a dreamer. Even as a small child, she remembers staying awake many a night fighting dragons, whisked away to foreign lands, or meeting the man of her dreams.
She was a voracious reader of historical romance in her teen years and has always wished to one day journey to England, France, Ireland, and Scotland.
The writing bug bit her at the age of 44 and she pounded out three books since that time. As the publishing climate changed she took a risk and decided to self publish, first a collection of two horror short stories geared for YA, Coffin Tales Season of Death.
Madison's caring nature had led her to work in the healthcare field, where she was employed as a nursing care assistant at a nursing home, and it was there that she was inspired to write her first mystery, Armed and Outrageous, introducing amateur detective Agnes Barton. The book depicts two elderly ladies digging up clues with enough laugh out loud antics to make James Bond blush.
Armed and Outrageous buy link
Senior sleuth — Grandma Mazur meets Murder She Wrote — cozy mystery.
Agnes Barton is not your typical senior citizen living in Tadium, MI, on the shores of Lake Huron. She drives a red hot Mustang, shops at Victoria's Secret, rankles local police officials, and has a knack for sticking her nose where it doesn't belong.
What does a murder that happened forty-three years ago have to do with missing tourist Jennifer Martin? Agnes makes it her personal mission to find out, and she's not letting the fact she's seventy-two get in the way. Butting heads with Sheriff Clem Peterson is something she's accustomed to, but lately Clem seems to be acting even more strange, making Agnes wonder what he may be hiding ala the Martin disappearance.
Agnes’ partner in crime, Eleanor Mason tags along, Watson to her Holmes.
Together, they unearth clues. If only Eleanor would behave, as although lovable, she has a knack for getting into trouble by tangling with her rival, Dorothy Alton, or flirting with anyone—male or female—and gossiping! She's incorrigible, but she does carry a Pink Lady revolver in her purse, one that has proved useful at times.
Life for Agnes and Eleanor is shaken up when Agnes' former boss and secret crush comes to Tadium. Before long, the lady sleuths have more on their hands to contend with as goons roll into town and bullets begin to fly.
Northern Michigan, eh? Another place I've never been.You have such a fun way of looking at and writing about settings (and everything else.)
ReplyDeleteArmed and Outrageous sounds like a fun read - my kind of read!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteAgnes and Eleanor sound like fun chicks, and I love the title ARMED AND OUTRAGEOUS. I know I'll enjoy reading it.
ReplyDeleteAgnes sounds awesome! Congrats and many happy sales, Madison!
ReplyDeleteThanks Terri!
DeleteGreat post!
ReplyDeleteThanks Collin!
DeleteMy family would often take trip to Michigan (in the summer and Fall) to buy grapes and fruit and camp. Beautiful state.
ReplyDeleteMadeline
Thanks Madeline!
DeleteThanks everyone! Marilyn, you really need to visit Northern Michigan, the view of the Great Lakes is spectacular. I live in Mid-Michigan, but Tawas, MI, has always been my favorite vacation stop. I walked the dock, met boys, and went fishing at 5 a.m. According to my dad you have to wake up early to catch the fish, lol.
ReplyDeleteAnyone who does not read this book is depraved. Funny senior sleuths made my reading day. Will have to put Northern Michigan back on list of vacation sites.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jake!
DeleteWas just in that area this summer, my husband is from Flint and took me to Lake Huron this year. What a great setting can't wait to read this book.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pamela, I bet he thought Flint has changed through the years.
DeleteSounds like great setting. Thank you for sharing. It's great learning all these new tidbits about everyone on the tour!
ReplyDeleteRionna
I know, right?
DeleteThanks for hanging with us today, Madison! I love the idea of a humorous mystery with senior sleuths. Sounds really funny!
ReplyDeleteIt was a risk because I portrayed them like the Golden Girls.
DeleteI love stories about seniors out doing things that much younger people do, which is why I also write about amateur senior sleuths. Add your humor and you've got a great novel, Madison.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jean, It's a great genre to write.
ReplyDeleteI am a huge promoter of Michigan. It is a state with so many different settings and weather. We need tourist dollars. Everyone needs to come and visit. Great post Madison. We've got to meet!
ReplyDeleteWendy
W.S. Gager on Writing
I'm looking forward to this book. It sounds like something I'd really enjoy. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMarja McGraw