Welcome to Where Everybody Knows Your… Alibi – where we get to know the fictional towns we’d happily move to… if they didn’t have such a suspicious body count (but does that really matter?)
I’m thrilled to kick things off with a guest who wears not one, but two mystery hats: the lovely Janna Rollins, who also writes as Paula Charles.
As Paula, she writes the charming Hometown Hardware Mysteries. And as Janna, she brings us the delightful Zen Goat Mysteries, set in the quaint New Hampshire town of Bobwhite Hollow. Home to Haybeck Farms, where livestock graze, neighbors gossip, and Callie Haybeck has launched her Zen Goat Yoga studio that’s equal parts serenity and sleuthing.
Join us as we chat with Janna about Bobwhite Hollow and discover why this is exactly the kind of town where everybody knows your name… and keeps a close eye on your alibi. (Oh, and you might want to watch out for a goat named Bugsy… his tomfoolery is legendary.)
What’s the one place everyone ends up hanging out?
Bobwhite Hollow is a small town, so it doesn’t have a rocking nightlife. When the younger crowd wants to get together in the evenings, they usually wind up at Pie-Eyed Cellars, a wine bar in the basement of the historic Bobwhite Inn. The wine bar is a great place for a relaxed evening out, and special events, such as Pie-Eyed Painting, a wine and painting night.
What’s something everyone complains about but would fiercely defend from outsiders?
The winters in Northern New Hampshire are no joke. The townsfolk grouse and complain to no end about the coming cold and snow, but they wouldn’t give those winters up for anything. A gazillion years ago, they figured out their grumbling was a great way to detract tourists from moving to the area. The visitors tend to arrive in flocks during the summer and autumn, fall in love with the beauty of the place, and never want to leave. The locals have no problem loudly moaning about the harsh winter to make the visitors think twice. Secretly, most people love the cozy, slower times of the winter months, which holds its own kind of special beauty.
What’s the most beloved comfort food in town – and who makes it best?
Ellen Haybeck is the best baker in Bobwhite Hollow, even though she’s never baked professionally. At 82, her goal in life has been to keep everyone well fed. You can’t go wrong with a muffin, pie, or cookie from Ellen’s kitchen, but the thing that has so many people stopping by the Haybecks for a “chat” is the hope for one or two of her fresh maple bars. When she donates her maple bars for local bake sales, they’re always the first thing to sell out.
Where would I go to spend a lovely day reading a good book – and where would I pick up lunch to enjoy with it?
During the summer, you’d first head to Mustard Stains to pick up a to-go order. Are you going to choose a classic hotdog with mustard, a chili dog, or maybe a California dog with avocado, tomato, and alfalfa sprouts? Whatever you decide, you’ll definitely get an order of hand-cut fries. Next, you’ll find a bench under a shady tree beside the riverwalk, affording a beautiful view of the Connecticut River. When lunch is over and you need to get up and stretch, head over to Sweet Pete’s for an ice cream cone made with locally sourced blueberries.
Is there someone who insists they “never gossip,” but somehow knows everything?
That gossiper who claims they don’t is definitely Pete Kennison, known far and wide as Sweet Pete. Pete and his wife Claire own Sweet Pete’s Ice Cream Shoppe, and boy is that guy a character. No matter the weather, Pete always wears some form of colorful Hawaiian shirt and has a grin as wide as the river. He’s as friendly as the day is long and knows everyone in town, including any visitors that pass through Bobwhite Hollow. It’s not that Pete’s especially nosy, he just remembers faces and facts. He says it’s incredible what you learn by simply saying hello and chatting with people. With a little bit of prodding, he’ll reveal those secrets simply for the joy of seeing your reaction.
How do residents convince themselves that living here is perfectly safe despite the uh… murders?
Sure, a few newcomers might tuck tail and run, but not the old timers. New Hampshire is known as the Granite State, and the long-time locals are no different than that rock. They’re solid and tough and would defend their beloved town to the death. Instead of chasing them away, a murder or two is going to have the Bobwhite Hollowians coming together even more than normal.
What tradition would confuse outsiders but is perfectly normal to locals?
Pig races at the county fair! The pig races are traditionally the opening event at the county fair, and EVERYBODY shows up for it. The little pigs have fun names like Barbie Q. and Petunia Porkchop. People good-naturedly bet on their favorite pigs with their friends and neighbors and cheer louder than the crowd at a professional football game when the crowd favorite races across the finish line.
What’s the unspoken rule no one explains, but everyone expects you to follow?
One of the things that is expected in Bobwhite Hollow is that if there is something you need or want and you can get it local, you get it local. From the Farmers Market every Saturday during the summer, to the local diners, coffee shops, bookstore, and boutiques, the area has plenty to offer. The mom-and-pop businesses are the backbone of the town, and spending your money locally keeps it thriving. Callie, born and raised a city girl, has embraced this small town way of living. She loves knowing the shop owners and is delighted when those same people show up for a session of goat yoga at her Zen Goat studio.
Is there someone who always finds themselves in the middle of the town’s shenanigans?
Callie. She doesn’t mean to get involved, but when something is going on that shouldn’t be, she seems to be front and center for the action, dragging her cousin Tristan right along with her. She isn’t shy about trying to figure out what is going on and set things right, so her doggedness lands her in a pickle from time to time. Callie has been in town for only a few months but is already on a first name basis with the Bobwhite Hollow Chief of Police. It really is a good thing he likes her. Likes her like a niece, by the way. Don’t be getting any wayward thoughts. Dale Barnhart is a good twenty-five years her senior and happily married, thank you very much. Besides, Callie has her eye on that irresistible veterinarian.
What would locals say is the best thing about living here?
There’s a strong sense of pride in the community, and because of that Bobwhite Hollow could win a contest for most immaculate community. With very few exceptions, folks keep their homes and property pristine, which only adds to the charm of the village. Whenever a local family falls on hard times, the community rallies around them to provide all the help they can. There’s a lot to be said for a town who genuinely cares for each other. Locals love the outdoor recreation living in such close proximity to the mountains provides, and would aggressively protect their laid-back lifestyle and peaceful village.
AN ESCAPE GOAT by Janna Rollins
A Zen Goat Mystery #1
After finding long-lost family through a DNA test, Callie heads to Bobwhite Hollow, New Hampshire, to meet a great-uncle she never knew existed. Charmed by the village and more than half in love with her new family, she decides to stay and open a goat yoga studio and retreat space.
When retreat guest Angilene Claudson turns up dead with a wine glass shattered at her side and Callie’s favorite goat lapping up the spill, the death is written off as an accidental overdose. But when the goat gets sick, Callie’s gut tells her it wasn’t an accident at all. With her new business on the line and a possible murderer staying in the guesthouse, Callie sets to work to uncover the truth and keep her family safe.
Mystery Cozy [ Level Best Books, On Sale: March 12, 2024, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781685126056 / ]
Buy AN ESCAPE GOAT: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | Books-A-Million | Indie BookShops | Ripped Bodice | Walmart.com | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR
About Janna Rollins
When Janna Rollins isn’t writing, she likes to thumb through New England based magazines and drool over the pictures. She has a love for red barns, goats, and genealogy. Janna can be found showing her socially awkward side on Facebook, or sharing pictures of her tine one-acre farm on Instagram. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, and also writes the Hometown Hardware Mystery series as Paula Charles. Janna lives in Southwestern Washington with her extremely patient husband and a menagerie of furry and feathered critters.
WEBSITE | AMAZON
About Annie McEwen
Annie McEwen is the author of the Northwoods Mysteries Series, set amongst the tall pines and sparkling lakes of northern Wisconsin where she spent vacations as a kid. Because of a sweet love story between her youngest sister and a local Wisconsin boy (storyline idea!), she’s still been able to keep on visiting the beautiful place that means so much to her.
Annie and her husband are empty nesters—their son is married to his high-school sweetheart, and their daughter is married with two adorable toddler boys. Being grandparents is definitely the best gig ever! They also have four fur babies.
When Annie isn’t writing or playing with her grandsons, she works as a radiological technologist, aka, she takes pictures of bones…you can’t hide much from her! Writing, though, is her first love.
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