Slayed by Souvlaki

November 29, 2021

Slayed by Souvlaki

Slayed by Souvlaki (A Callie’s Kitchen Cozy Mystery)
by Jenny Kales

About Slayed by Souvlaki

Slayed by Souvlaki (A Callie’s Kitchen Cozy Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
5th in Series
Independently published (October 30, 2021)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 267 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8750257041
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09H56VYN7

Greek vacations can be murder! Recipes are included in this cozy mystery set in the Greek Islands.

Callie Costas can’t believe she is finally traveling to Greece with her significant other, Detective Ian Sands. However, this isn’t your average voyage: Callie’s father has invited a slew of colorful family members to his beautiful childhood village to celebrate his recent marriage. Callie is especially delighted to be reunited with her Greek “Aunt Sweetie” aka Glykeria.

The Costas family’s Greek getaway turns to Greek tragedy when murder turns up on the menu at the seaside restaurant of her father’s friend, Dimitrios. A restaurant employee has been killed and Dimitrios is a prime suspect.

With a hodge-podge group of tourists and villagers to round out the suspect list, can Callie help her father clear his friend’s name, before the killer skewers her?

About Jenny Kales

Jenny Kales is the author of The Callie’s Kitchen Mystery Series, featuring Greek-American Calliope Costas, feisty food business owner and amateur sleuth, who lives in a scenic Wisconsin town with colorful characters — and a high murder rate! Each book contains several delicious recipes, both Greek and American. Callie’s latest adventure, SLAYED BY SOUVLAKI is the 5^th Callie’s Kitchen Mystery series and was released in October 2021.

Jenny is an avid reader, cook and baker and she’s addicted to reading and British TV mysteries. She lives just outside of Chicago with her husband and is the mom of two daughters and one cute but demanding Yorkshire terrier. She’s hard at work on additional writing projects including more Callie’s Kitchen Mysteries and a new series releasing in 2022.

Q&A With The Author

When did you first consider yourself to be a writer?
As soon as I could read, I wanted to write stories. I started writing as a child and have never really stopped. I have always loved the way reading can take you on an exciting journey, give you a fun escape, help you learn new things or just share something relatable about the human condition. I wanted to be able to do for readers what other authors had done for me – entertain me by taking me somewhere else through their words.

What advice do you have for a new writer?
Writing a novel is difficult and it takes a lot of practice. Don’t get discouraged. Also, if you don’t feel it, the reader won’t either. Write what feels good and true to you and you will find your readers. I see new writers asking readers on social media what they like, or if they would read about a certain character, or what they should write about in general, and I want to tell them: just write your story. It’s important to understand what readers want, but it only works if the writer is interested, too. Trust your gut and write the best story you can, one that has meaning for you. Also, always look to improve your writing skills and techniques. You never stop learning as a writer, which is one of the things that make it fun.

What is the easiest part of the writing process for you?
When I can really envision a character, then I find the writing just flows. For example, sometimes the characters just start doing and saying things during the writing process and I just go with it. I find this happens frequently not only with my main character, Callie Costas, but also with her father and her Grandma Viv. Their dialogue is really fun for me to write.

What is your favorite part of this story?
It would have to be the setting – a Greek island. It provides so many opportunities for adventure and plot points. Callie also has some scooter adventures and one or two mishaps around the island that I really enjoyed writing about.

Which Character was the most fun to write about? Why?
Probably Callie’s Greek Aunt Sweetie. This book reintroduces Callie’s Aunt Sweetie (aka Glykeria) to the series. She is a hoot and always up for a little sleuthing. She’s also a great cook, funny and has wonderful common sense. She enjoys life!

Which Character was the hardest to write about? Why?
The hardest character to write is always Callie, my main character. I want to keep her real and she has to grow in every book. She has to balance sleuthing with being a mother, a business owner, a devoted daughter, friend and significant other to Detective Ian Sands. I want her to be a well-rounded, believable character who is entertaining and interesting to read about. That is a challenge!