An Interview with Valerie Taylor

Valerie Taylor is an award-winning author living in Connecticut, originally known for her romantic comedy trilogy What’s Not Said, What’s Not True, and What’s Not Lost. She also pens the A Venus Bixby Mystery series, including A Whale of a Murder and Switched at Death. A self-described ‘average Jane,’ Valerie draws inspiration from classic TV comedies, oldies music, and her lifelong love of storytelling.

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Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

Since the time I won a short story contest in fifth grade about a trip to Mars, I knew I had a book in me. But it took nearly six more decades to finally fulfill that dream with What’s Not Said, the first novel in my romantic comedy trilogy.

I thought that would quench my thirst – after all, I only expected to write one book, not three.

But something surprised me after the trilogy. Shocked me, actually. Quite a few readers suggested I try writing a cozy mystery series. Excuse me, why?

Apparently, I have a knack for dialogue. One fan even called it a ‘chef’s kiss!’ Others said my fluid style would be a good fit for the cozy mystery genre with its quirky characters and light-hearted storylines.

To switch genres, I did my homework. I revisited Agatha Christie, devoured contemporary cozies, and even took an online course. That’s where I learned cozies had to be ‘clean’ – no four-letter words and no sex scenes. And here I thought that was my superpower!

So I closed my eyes and put Kassie O’Callaghan on the shelf. When I opened them, Venus Bixby – oldies music store and cookie bakery owner – was born. In her early fifties, Venus finds herself both suspect and sleuth as she teams up with a good detective to solve murders and other wicked crimes in A Whale of a Murder and Switched at Death.

While Kassie reflects the me who finally chased a decades-old dream, Venus is closer to the woman I’d like to be – curious, resilient, and always ready to solve the mysteries life throws her way. And that, I think, is what keeps me writing.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

Once upon a time, early in my career, I worked at a Fortune 100 company as an assistant to the vice president of personnel (now called human resources, I think). Under his direction, I often drafted memos for his staff. Before long, managers began to notice the difference between those written by him and those written by me. That experience was the spark that eventually led me to a career in communications, specifically marketing.

After earning my MBA, I spent several years as a financial analyst, but my love for the written word soon outweighed my knack for analyzing facts and figures. Fortunately, I was able to merge both skill sets and build a career as a marketing communications specialist for financial services and investment management companies.

Outside of work, my true passion is sports. I proudly call myself an expert sports spectator, with a love for everything from baseball, football, and soccer to tennis and even golf. Growing up, I dreamed of becoming a sports commentator, but at that time, there were no women in the field. I’m thrilled to see that changing today and cheer on every woman breaking into that space.

Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

There are actually three stories behind the titles in my cozy mystery series. The series itself is called A Venus Bixby Mystery, named for the amateur sleuth who first appeared as a minor character in my romantic comedy What’s Not Lost. I loved her so much that I knew she needed her own series.

After retiring in 2016, I briefly moved back to the Boston area before resettling in Connecticut, near my family. During that time, I visited New Bedford, Massachusetts – an historic whaling town that completely charmed me. It inspired my fictional town of Chatham Crossing, where the first book’s murder takes place in the whaling museum. That made the title A Whale of a Murder feel like the perfect fit.

The title of the second book, Switched at Death, also set in Chatham Crossing, uses a playful twist that readers will recognize as the story unfolds.

Finally, I added one more layer: Each book cover includes a three-word signpost, a little ‘roadmap’ to the mystery’s highlights. My hope is that these extra touches spark curiosity and give readers more to discover than just a title and my name on the cover.

What part of publishing your book made it feel real for the first time?

Whether it was my first romantic comedy novel, What’s Not Said, or my latest cozy mystery, Switched at Death, the moment it felt real was seeing the cover and description go live on retailer sites like Amazon and on reader platforms like Goodreads. That was the point of no return – in the best way. Now, with five books published, I don’t hesitate to say, ‘I’m a published author.’ Beyond that, hearing directly from readers through reviews – even when opinions differ – has been one of the most surprising and rewarding parts of the journey, something I never could have predicted when I first decided to become a novelist.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

I’ve always loved music, so when I wrote my first romantic comedy, it felt natural to weave in little nods to songs – sometimes by title, sometimes as subtle references. Those mentions eventually grew into a full playlist, which I now include in the back of every book.

My cozy mystery series reflects that same love of music: The main character, Venus Bixby, owns an oldies music store (and, for extra fun, a cookie bakery!). Readers and fellow authors even contributed cookie recipes, which are featured at the end of each book.

For Switched at Death, here’s just a sampling of songs from its playlist:

• Heart and Soul – The Cleftones

• Knock Three Times – Tony Orlando and Dawn

• You’re So Vain – Carly Simon

• The Boy in the Bubble – Paul Simon

• Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ – Michael Jackson

• Celebration – Kool and The Gang

• It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas – Perry Como

• Bobby Sox to Stockings – Frankie Avalon

• We Didn’t Start the Fire – Billy Joel

• Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – Elton John

Music has become a kind of heartbeat in my stories – it sets the tone, deepens the atmosphere, and, I hope, gives readers one more way to connect with the characters.

What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?

When readers finish Switched at Death, I hope they close the book with a smile, feeling entertained and eager to share it with their friends, family, and book clubs. More than that, I hope they recognize that my cozy mystery offers a fresh twist on the genre – showing that romance doesn’t have to overshadow the mystery, but can naturally grow out of it.

What creative projects are you currently working on?

It’s autumn, which for me means diving into a new book. I’m currently working on the third installment of the A Venus Bixby Mystery series. Still set in the historic whaling town of Chatham Crossing, this time Venus enlists the help of the witchy Moonstone Guild to investigate a murder that was eerily foretold by a local tarot card reader. Once this manuscript is with my proofreader, I plan to turn my creative energy toward learning the craft of screenwriting. It’s a challenge I’ve been itching to take on, and I’m excited to see where it leads.

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