Kaz is an award-winning author of more than 70 books written over a 25-year career. Almost every one of those books, whether for children, teens or adults has featured either humour, mystery or both. So, it’s kind of no surprise that she finally got around to writing in one of her absolute favourite genres – cozy mysteries! She always wanted to and couldn’t believe it took her so long!
She was a sucker for a puzzle of any kind. They drew her in like metal filings to a magnet. And for her, the mystery novel is a puzzle that she adored – and tried to solve before the author reveals all. This love of mystery always had a solid place in her preferred reading habits. The Bobbsey Twins and Nurse Cherry Ames were favoured Christmas and birthday gifts when she was a kid – and always the first on her wish lists. Someone gave her some old Trixie Belden books and so they were cherished as well. In between times she used to sneak her grandmother’s romance novels, which got delivered every month – much to her mother’s disgust. ☺
But then at about 13 or 14 she discovered Agatha Christie – and a lifetime love affair was born. Like Christie, she was fascinated by human nature and the things – like greed, lust, revenge, jealousy, a desire for power and the need to protect secrets – that drive ordinary people to commit crimes. But analysis aside – the most important thing was the story and the fun to be had as we try to find the correct path between real clues and red herrings.
And that’s what she hopes you’ll find in her books. A few hours of entertainment that also gets the old gray cells jiggling about, and maybe a smile or two thrown in for good measure.
When she was not writing or with the bambinos, she was probably baking or reading (of course) or walking. Kaz and her husband Bob were blessed to live a few minutes drive from the ocean on one side and the lake on the other, plus there’s a bush walking track just couple of hundred steps from their door – so she walked all those places a lot. She also loved crafting – as most creative people do – but often her ambitions exceeded the result. ☺
We hope you enjoy Kaz’s stories – they’re written with you in mind. You, the clever reader who’s looking for a story with a little bit more.