A Treat for Dog and Mystery Lovers: S.A. Kazlo Releases A PAWSOME SUMMER FOR MURDER
I’m delighted to welcome S.A. Kazlo back to my blog as she releases A PAWSOME SUMMER FOR MURDER, her latest Samantha Davies mystery which features a lovable and lively dachshund, Porkchop.
When I first interviewed you, you’d just released the first book, KIBBLES AND DEATH, in your Samantha Davies mystery series. Now, here you are several books later in the series! Can you share with our readers a bit about A PAWSOME SUMMER FOR MURDER?
This book is the 7th in my Samantha Davies Mystery series. It takes place in the summer. The owner of the local sporting goods store is hosting a fishing tournament. Samantha and her cousin Candie Parker-Hogan are determined to ”fish” the waders off their significant others and hook the winning fish. Instead, Sam “hooks” into the body of a local activist, Luna Wheeler. Luna has been harassing local businesses. When Raylene Carrigan, the owner of a doggie day care that Sam’s dachshund, Porkchop, attends, is accused of her murder, Sam becomes involved in trying to prove Raylene innocent of murder.
Tell us about the personality and background of your main character, Samantha Davies. 
Samantha has lived in a small town, Wings Falls, in upstate NY all her life. She is a compassionate person; as a result, she feels the need to come to the side of her friends when they are in trouble.
A related question: How has Samantha grown and changed during the course of the series?
After divorcing her husband of 25 years when she found him doing the mattress tango with the secretary of the funeral business they co-own, the Do Drop Inn Funeral Parlor, Sam has become a lot more independent. Although she swore off men for a while because of her divorce, she is now willing to share her heart with the new detective in town, Hank Johnson.
The most common question we get as authors is “Where do you get your ideas?” So, of course, I have to ask you that! Where do you get the ideas for the books in your series?
From all around me. The idea for this book came while driving down a road when I saw a school bus labeled Adirondack Sniffari, a doggie daycare bus. Hence, my Pawfari was born.
Samantha has a lovable dachshund named Porkchop, and you live with two dachshunds. Is Porkchop’s personality modeled after either of your dogs?
Why, of course. My Porkchop, who is a real pup by the way, is just as cute and adorable as my story’s Porkchop.
In addition to your long career as a teacher, you also wrote for children’s magazines. What inspired you to try your hand at writing a cozy mystery series?
I loved reading them so I thought I’d give one a try, and writing KIBBLES AND DEATH was born.
What have you found to be the most surprising, challenging, and/or enjoyable things about becoming a cozy mystery author?
I guess the most challenging thing I’ve found, like many authors, is the marketing. Unless you’re a REAL big name you do most of the marketing. The most rewarding has been the comments my readers leave in my reviews and the fans I meet in person.
What advice would you give someone thinking about trying their hand at writing a cozy mystery?
Go for it. Join writers’ groups. Have fun with it.
What’s next for you writing-wise?
Book 8, MUSKETS, MUTTS AND MURDER, will be released in Spring of 2026. I’m combining a little bit of local history with a murder mystery.
Anything else you’d like to add, or wish I’d asked that I didn’t?
I just want to thank all those who have supported Porkchop and me over the years. We couldn’t do this without you.
BIO:
Syrl, a retired teacher, lives in upstate New York with her husband and one lively dachshund plus a wannabe dachshund (He’s a story for another day). She writes the Samantha Davies Mystery series, featuring Samantha Davies and her loveable dachshund, Porkchop. When not writing she is busy hooking, rug hooking that is, and enjoying her family. Book eight, MUSKETS, MUTTS AND MURDER will be released in Spring 2026. Her newest book, number seven in the series, is A PAWSOME SUMMER FOR MURDER.
For buy links and more information about Syrl, be sure to check out her website:
I love Syrl’s thought about writing her first cozy mystery…
“I loved reading them, so I thought I’d give one a try.”
Ain’t that perfect ( ;
Best of luck with the release of your seventh book in the series, Syrl, A PAWSOM SUMMER FOR MURDER. I hope it’s AWESOME ( ;