Her Characters (Including a Dachshund) Talk to Her! Cozy Mystery Author Syrl Kazlo Talks About Her Samantha Davies Mystery Series
I love that one of Syrl Kazlo’s main characters in her long-running Samantha Davies mystery series is a lively dachshund named Porkchop! Below is my conversation with Syrl about her cozy mystery series:
When I first interviewed you, you’d just released your first book in your Samantha Davies mystery series, KIBBLES AND DEATH. Now here you are, having penned eight books in the series. Can you tell us what originally inspired the idea for your series?
I’ve always been a voracious reader of cozy mysteries. I love the humor and plot twists that keep me guessing as to who did it. Being a dachshund owner and a rug hooker, I challenged myself to incorporate both of those into writing a book. Now that I’m into penning book nine in the series, I still have Porkchop and Samantha talking to me. Hmmm, should I be worried about that?
In what ways is the personality and character of Samantha Davies similar to you, and in what ways is she different?
Well, like Samantha I love to rug hook. I’ve been a dachshund momma for over 30 years. I’m also married to a retired police officer, a Pennsylvania State trooper whose brain I often pick for ideas and to make sure I’ve got the police side of the story correct. Different- thank heavens I haven’t stumbled over any, dead bodies. I’m also a bit older than Sam and I’ve been lucky to be married to the same fellow for quite a few years. 
Did you always know it was going to be a series, or did it evolve organically as you went along? 
I wanted it to be a series but didn’t realize that I had so many books in me, for which I am thankful and grateful that my readers keep asking for more. 
While you’re writing one book in the series, are you already thinking ahead to the premise for your next one? 
Oh, yes. Right now, I’m thinking two books ahead, lol.
Do you outline your novels ahead of time, or just have some sense of where you want to go with your story?
I definitely wish I outlined, but I can’t get past being a panster. I’m sure I’d have an easier time of it if I outlined, but my fingers just want to get on the keyboard and into the story.
What for you comes most easily as a writer? And what have you found to be the most challenging?
The easiest part of being a writer is coming up with a story idea. The hardest part is drawing that idea out to obtain the word count needed to fill up the number of pages necessary for a book. 
What surprised you the most about becoming a professional cozy mystery author? 
Since I’m a relatively small fish in the big pond of writers, all the marketing that I have to do.
I know that one of your favorite books in the series has been A PAWSOME SUMMER FOR MURDER. Can you tell us about that one and why you especially enjoyed writing it? 
I loved writing this book as it gave me a chance to share with the readers a little of my life in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York. It’s summertime and the owner of the local sporting goods store is sponsoring a fishing tournament. Samantha and Candie plan to beat the pants off their significant others by catching the largest fish. Unfortunately, Sam “hooks” into the body of the town’s most vocal activist. When the owner of the doggie daycare that Sam uses for her dachshund, Porkchop, gets accused, she is pulled into finding the murderer.
What’s next for you writing-wise? 
Right now, I’m working on Books, Barks and Murder. Samantha and her southern belle cousin, Candie, are having a book signing at a newly opened bookstore in Wings Falls. Unfortunately, a disgruntled author shows up at the signing and demands an explanation from the store owner of why she wasn’t included in the event. After a long successful day of signing books, a tired Sam and Candie decide to return the following day for their belongings. Much to the ladies’ chagrin when returning the next day they find the snubbed author dead under a fallen bookshelf.
Anything else you’d like to add, or wish I’d asked you that I didn’t?
Lynn, you’ve covered it. I’m so very thankful for this opportunity to share mine and Samantha’s slice of life with you and your fans. Thank you.
BIO
Syrl Kazlo, a retired teacher, lives in upstate New York with her husband and a wannabe dachshund, Buddy (That’s a long story.) A Pawsome Summer For Murder is the seventh book in her Samantha Davies Mystery series featuring Samantha Davies and her loveable dachshund, Porkchop. When not writing, Syrl is busy hooking-rug hooking that is- reading and enjoying her family. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and the Mavens of Mayhem. Learn more about S.A. Kazlo at https://www.skazlo.com/
Syrl’s buy links can all be found on her website:
All of Syrl’s titles are on sale on SmashWords through the month of July. Links are on her website.