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What a pleasure to welcome back Cindy Goyette to my blog as she celebrates the release of DIVERSION! Below, she responds to my questions and gives great advice about writing mysteries:

Congratulations on the release of DIVERSION, Book 3 of your Probation Case Files Mystery series. Can you share with our readers a bit about Casey Carson’s latest adventures?

Phoenix probation officer Casey Carson could use a change of scenery to clear her head after a near-death experience in book 2. She also needs to make some major life decisions. When the opportunity arises to take on a side job wrangling juvenile delinquents on a wilderness adventure for a diversion program, she’s skeptical. But she wants to support her cousin, who is a counselor. The extra cash in her pocket sweetens the deal.

Unfortunately, one of Casey’s clients—an escaped murderer after one of her charges—threatens to upend her plans. Facing wildfire, flash floods and an angry mountain lion are nothing compared to the murderous intentions in store for one of the kids.

On a crash course with the killer and with her faithful pup Felony by her side, Casey desperately tries to lead the group to safety. She doesn’t realize that her two love interests, ex-husband Betz, and hunky ex-neighbor, Marcus, are frantically looking for the group. Casey must utilize every negotiating skill she possesses not to fail, or she’ll lose all she holds dear.           

When I first interviewed you, you had just released OBEY ALL LAWS, the first book in your series. How has Casey grown and changed in the course of the series?

In Book One, Casey is a loner. She trusts only a handful of people. And she’s grieving the loss of her mother. She continues to battle those demons throughout the series, but she slowly learns to let more people in. As she opens her heart, she becomes a little less cynical. She’s still Casey, with sass, spirit and a big heart, but she’s softened a little.

In addition to providing you with lots of material for your series, how do you think your former career as a probation officer has assisted you in developing your writing career?

I wrote a lot of reports as a PO, so I’m sure it helped with my writing skills. I also interfaced with a lot of law enforcement agencies, social service agencies, attorneys, counselors and the court. A lot of PO’s end up taking side jobs because, let’s face it, the money ain’t great. I worked for years on Saturdays teaching diversion classes to troubled youth. I never took them into the mountains, but there were times I wish I could have!

Have you found that your writing process has changed as you’ve written more books in your series? If so, in what ways?

It had to change. OBEY ALL LAWS took me more years to write than I care to admit. Let’s just say I was about Casey’s age when I started writing the series, and I’m now collecting Social Security. It ended up being a totally different book, but Casey, Betz and Marcus were all part of an early draft. Now I have a thing called deadlines. And deadlines make me nervous, so I try to stay ahead of them. I also write The Wiggle Butt Manor Mystery series, so I’m publishing two books a year. It helps that I’m semi-retired (I keep going back to work part time), but I have to be more mindful of making writing a priority to meet my publication dates.

What surprised you the most about becoming a published author?

The support of the writing community. When OBEY ALL LAWS was about to be published. I needed a blurb. I didn’t know many authors, but the few I asked agreed right away to read my book and give me a comment. Even Lee Goldberg. Since I’d never met him, it was a real shot in the dark, but I thought, what do I have to lose? He can always say no. Or not answer me at all. Not only did he agree to look at my book, within a few weeks I had several very nice blurbs. I’ve since met him, and he’s been very supportive.

I have also become friends with several local authors, and we sometimes do events together. I love this community.

What advice would you give an author interested in developing a series about how to keep a series fresh and engaging for readers?

This is something I sometimes struggle with. The probation series is somewhat easy for me to write as probation officers change assignments and I have a lot of areas to explore. So far, I’ve done gangs, domestic violence and mental health. In Book 4, Casey will get assigned to a sex offender caseload. I’ve managed all of these populations and I think it’s important that readers understand how each assignment is different. I’m also following Casey’s personal life, which is forever changing.

I’m finding it a bit more difficult with my cozy mystery series. But my advice is that people grow and change. So should your characters. The “mystery” is only part of the book. That keeps things fresh. Many people say they can’t wait to read the next book in my series to see how the relationships evolve.

Contemporary authors have a variety of paths to publication, ranging from self-publishing to publishing with a small press to seeking an agent and publishing with a major publisher. What path did you choose, and why?

My story is complicated. I was so excited when I signed with my first agent, but ultimately she was unable to sell OBEY ALL LAWS to a traditional publisher. She encouraged me to write a cozy mystery, and I’m so glad I listened to her because that book was DIAMOND IN THE RUFF. We decided to part ways. I considered self-publishing but sent OBEY ALL LAWS to one last small press. To my surprise, they offered me a series contract not only for the probation series but also for the cozy. So, small press, without an agent. Since then, I’ve signed with another agent who is shopping a standalone suspense I wrote. We will see where that book lands. I’m not opposed to self-publishing. There are so many wonderful self-published books out there.

Authors today are expected to do the lion’s share of promoting their own work. What approach have you taken to marketing and promotion?

Marketing is not one of my strengths. I’m on social media, and I post about my books, but that’s about it aside from going to writer’s conferences and appearing on panels and meeting readers. I also do in-store book signings. I don’t have the budget, time or desire to do much more.

What’s next for you writing-wise?

I’m working on Book 3 of the Wiggle Butt Manor Mystery series. I have an idea for another standalone suspense book that my agent is excited about, but I haven’t had the chance to dive into it yet. Book 4 in the probation series is ready to send to my editor with a release date of February 2027. I don’t think I’m done with that series. I will probably write a book 5 one of these days.

Anything else you’d like to add, or wish I’d asked that I didn’t?

Just to say thank you to you and your readers for giving me this opportunity to tell you a bit about me and my books. Feedback from readers keeps me going when I sometimes wonder if I’m just spinning my wheels.

BIO:  

Cindy Goyette is a former probation officer who had a front-row seat to the criminal justice system. She kept her sanity by finding humor in most situations. A mix of these things helped her create The Probation Case Files Mystery Series. Book One, OBEY ALL LAWS, won a Public Safety Writer’s Association award, and it has been a finalist for Lefty and Silver Falchion Awards. Book two: EARLY TERMINATION released in 2025. She also authors The Wiggle Butt Manor Mystery series. Book 1, DIAMOND IN THE RUFF, is out now, and Book 2 will be released in June 2026. After spending over twenty years in Arizona, Cindy lives in Washington state with her husband and two Cocker Spaniels.       

Contact Link: https://ccgoyette.com/  

Buy Link:

Diversion: A Probation Case Files Mystery a.co