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Today, I am happy to welcome Michele Pariza Wacek back to Salty Inspirations to share a guest post about her latest book, Arson, Old Lace and Murder. Michele gives a behind-the-scenes look at the inspiration and writing process for this entry in the Charlie Kingsley Mystery series. If you missed her previously, she shared her book A Mysterious Christmas Collection.
Arson, Old Lace and Murder: A Different Type of Cozy Mystery
by Michele Pariza Wacek
This is one of those books that needed time to marinate before the writing could begin.
I first came up with the idea a few years back. Actually, it was partially my sister’s idea. She wanted me to come up with a Charlie Kingsley story that tied more deeply into some of the Redemption lore. (Redemption, Wisconsin, is the main world I write in and there is quite a bit of history I never hit with this particular series.)
I realized she was right, and spent some time mulling about it. The title and the general premise emerged almost immediately (a bar that burns down with the owner inside it and a pregnant waitress is the only survivor) but the rest of the story didn’t feel quite right.
To complicate matters further, I knew it needed to be Book 8 in the series, but once I finished Book 7 (around two and a half years ago) I was nowhere near ready to start it.
So, I put it aside and worked on other books.
Eventually I decided I couldn’t put it off any longer so last year after I finished A Mysterious Christmas Collection, I buckled down and got to work.
And a couple of things happened:
1. It was easier to write than I thought it was going to be, and
2. Part of the reason why I couldn’t have written it sooner was because it ended up being a different type of cozy mystery (at least, different from the other books in the Charlie Kingsley Mystery series).
So what made it different?
The big one was it turned into something of a cozy mystery/thriller blend. I’ve started calling it a cozy thriller (if there is such a thing). I have no idea if there is a market for a cozy thriller, I know cozy fantasy is all the rage now along with cozy sci-fi, so hey, why not a cozy thriller?
Joking aside, this genre blending or genre bending is something I do a lot. Earlier in my writing career, I thought this was a good thing because it made me different.
Now? I’m not so sure. I see the authors who follow the tropes and hit the middle of their genre doing much better with the Amazon algos than I do. So I honestly don’t know anymore.
But what I DO know is these are the type of stories I love to both read and write, so rather than try and force myself to write something I’m not that excited about, I’m going to try leaning into it more.
Second, as I said earlier, it also dives more deeply into Redemption’s history than other books. (In fact, if you haven’t read the full Secrets of Redemption series, this might be a good time to do so. No, you don’t need to read them in order to enjoy this book, but it might make it more, shall we say, interesting for you.)
If you’ve been intrigued by Redemption’s haunted past, this book might be right up your alley.
Third, while the romance between Wyle and Charlie heat up…it’s not quite resolved in this book. I know, I know. It’s been 8 books now and no resolution. I’d be frustrated with me, too. (However, I promise you the resolution is coming in Book 9, Masquerading as Murder, which is coming out at the end of 2026.)
Check out Arson, Old Lace and Murder on Amazon, where it’s available in Kindle Unlimited as well as paperback and hardback.
Arson, Old Lace and Murder (Charlie Kingsley Mysteries) by Michele (PW) Pariza WacekAbout Arson, Old Lace and Murder
Arson, Old Lace and Murder (Charlie Kingsley Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
8th in Series
Setting – Redemption, Wisconsin, in the 1990s
Publisher: Love-Based Publishing
Publication date : March 25, 2026
Number of Pages 200
Paperback
ISBN: 9798893510393
ASIN : B0GNZPYN1L
Digital
ASIN : B0FHQHXNGR
Charlie Kingsley is not a private investigator. She makes and sells custom teas out of her home. Which is why she initially refused to look into a recent case of a bar that had burned down. Yes, it was tragic that the owner’s body was found inside. But this is an arson case, and what does she possibly know about arson? Except…one of the waitresses is missing. Who’s pregnant. Who everyone thought was having an affair with the owner of the bar. How can Charlie say no to the owner’s widow? And when Charlie accidentally finds the pregnant waitress, things start to take a strange turn. And suddenly, Charlie finds herself thrust into a decades-old mystery that haunts Redemption to this day. A mystery that could very well cost Charlie her life. Meet Charlie. Also known as “Aunt Charlie” from the award-winning Secrets of Redemption series. She’s back, making teas and solving cases in this funny, twisty, cozy mystery series set in the 1990s in Redemption, Wisconsin.
About Michele (PW) Pariza Wacek
A USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author, Michele taught herself to read at 3 years old because she wanted to write stories so badly. It took some time (and some detours) but she does spend much of her time writing stories now. Mystery stories, to be exact. They’re clean and twisty, and range from psychological thrillers to cozies, with a dash of romance and supernatural thrown into the mix. If that wasn’t enough, she posts lots of fun things on her blog, including short stories, puzzles, recipes and more, at MPWNovels.com.
Michele grew up in Wisconsin, (hence why all her books take place there), and still visits regularly, but she herself escaped the cold and now lives in the mountains of Prescott, Arizona with her husband and southern squirrel hunter Cassie.
When she’s not writing, she’s usually reading, hanging out with her dog, or watching the Food Network and imagining she’s an awesome cook. (Spoiler alert, she’s not. Luckily for the whole family, Mr. PW is in charge of the cooking.)
While each book is a standalone, you may find it more enjoyable to read the books in order, which is:
- The Murder Before Christmas
- Ice Cold Murder
- Murder Next Door
- Murder Among Friends
- The Murder of Sleepy Hollow
- Red Hot Murder
- A Cornucopia of Murder
- Arson, Old Lace and Murder
- Masquerading as Murder (coming 2026)
Other books in the Charlie Kingsley Mystery series include:
- A Grave Error (prequel)
- Loch Ness Murder
- A Wedding to Murder For
- Three French Hens and a Murder
- A Room For Murder
- Margaritas and Murder
- Secret Santa Murder (coming 2026)
Author Links
Website: WebsiteFacebook: Facebook
Instagram: Instagram
Purchase Link
Amazon: AmazonTour Participants
March 23 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHTMarch 23 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW
March 24 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
March 25 – @bibliophile_foodie – REVIEW
March 26 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
March 27 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
March 28 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
March 28 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
March 29 – deal sharing aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
March 30 – Sarandipity’s – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
March 31 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW
April 1 – Because I said So – REVIEW
April 1 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW
April 2 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
April 2 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT
April 3 – Salty Inspirations – AUTHOR GUEST POST
April 4 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
April 5 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT
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Thank you so much to Michele Pariza Wacek for sharing this guest post! If you’re intrigued by mysteries with a touch of thrill and Redemption’s history, add Arson, Old Lace and Murder to your TBR. Feel free to explore the rest of the blog for more cozy reads, interviews, and guest posts.
As always, thanks for stopping by for some Salty Inspirations! —Michelle❤️
