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?).
This month’s guest is the talented (and one of the most genuinely caring people I know) Ruth J. Hartman. Ruth is the author of multiple delightful cozy mystery series which are set in our shared home state of Indiana. She’s also a proud self-proclaimed cat-herder, so it’s no surprise why there’s at least one furry feline stealing the spotlight in her mysteries! Ruth is a founding member and contributor of the Facebook group Murder, They Write, and is active on her author Facebook page where she loves connecting with readers and sharing her cozy world.
Now, purr yourself something yummy, and let’s flutter over to quaint Maple Junction, Indiana, home of the Seneca James Mysteries and the Majestic Monarch Butterfly Farm.
First of all, who unofficially runs the town… and do they know it, or does everyone just naturally look to them as a leader?
Cody Bales is Seneca James’ best friend and Maple Junction’s town sheriff. If there’s ever any kind of problem, people know who to call. He’s great at his job and gets things done, but his soft spot for Seneca and her cat, Winifred, gives him a gentleness that he pours out on everyone else.
Cody sounds like the kind of man you want in charge.
Being an Indiana gal, I already feel at home in Maple Junction. If I wanted to head to the main hangout spot, where would I go?
The Painted Wings Café gets its name from Seneca’s grandmother, who used to refer to the monarch butterflies as having “painted wings”. The quaint café sits adjacent to Seneca’s butterfly greenhouse, and is a short walk from the milkweed fields where the butterflies feed and lay their eggs. At some point or another, everyone in town drops into the café several times a week. The food is that good!
That is definitely some place I’d love to visit regularly! I’d love to sit with my lunch, a good book, and watch the butterflies!
What or who in Maple Junction does everyone complain about but would fiercely defend from outsiders?
At Painted Wings Café, the chef is Murray Grimes. He’s not only legendary for his food, but also for his grumpiness. He may come across as a curmudgeon, but deep down he’s a creampuff who’d do anything for Seneca and her cousin, Evie, who manages the café. Besides, his kitchen creations are so good, no one would accuse him to his face that he’s not being the friendliest guy.
You gotta love a grumpy chef who’s a secret softie!
Speaking of the Painted Wings Café and crabby chefs, what’s the most beloved comfort food in town?
Murray’s Cheesy Fries are amazing. They’re so good, they’ve been known to entice people enough that Seneca can get more information from them about the murder.
You had me at “cheese”… and “fries.” I’d give up some secrets for a yummy plate right about now!
So, is there anyone in town who insists they aren’t a gossip, yet somehow knows everything going on around Maple Junction?
Mr. O’Hurley owns the local hardware store. He’s friendly and funny, but will talk your ear off. Better leave yourself extra time if you need to purchase a hammer or some plywood. If anyone knows the gossip, it’s him. He’ll tell you a story even if you insist you’ve heard it before. Lots of times. If he doesn’t think the local gossip is juicy enough, he’ll add his own details, free of charge!
I now know where to go to get my nails and news! Ha!
Which season screams “MAPLE JUNCTION!” and why?
Late Summer to early Fall is when Seneca’s monarch butterflies are at their most active. The monarchs flutter all over her farm, as well as make frequent visits when the doors to the Painted Wings Café stand open in nice weather. A typical lunch visit for a customer at the café might include cheesy fries, a cherry Coke, and watching the orange and black butterflies perform their aerial gymnastics along the rafters of the café.
What a sight that must be! Not to mention, the Indiana weather is so pleasant during that time!
What town tradition would confuse outsiders but is perfectly normal to the locals?
Winifred the ginger cat wears butterfly costumes every day. And not always the same outfit. Every morning, Seneca opens the tiny dresser drawer and Winifred paws at the costume she wants for the day. Winifred then frolics all over Seneca’s property, often making visits to the Painted Wings Café, much to the delight of customers, who love seeing what butterfly she’ll be dressed as that day.
How cute! I love that she picks out her own outfits. The lady knows what she likes!
What’s a town rule everyone expects you to follow?
When you’re visiting the butterflies in the milkweed fields, watch your step. They’re fragile and could be anywhere. And don’t allow butterflies to hitch a ride on your clothes or become a new hair ornament to go home with you!
Good to know!
Is there someone who always seems to find themselves in the middle of Maple Junction’s shenanigans?
Seneca ends up not only in the middle of a murder investigation, but comes in contact with the crazy citizens of Maple Junction. Her best friend, Sheriff Cody Bales, gives her play-by-play details of having to chase 90-year-old Philly around town in her pink thong. Again. An adorable old man named Johnny, who frequents the Painted Wings Café daily, loves to give Seneca the scoop on anything and everything in town, whether she wants to hear it or not. And the town’s hardware store owner, Mr. O’Hurley, passes around information about Seneca’s love life. And it’s not even true!
Bless Seneca’s heart, haha!
Lastly, Ruth, what would the locals say is the best thing about living in Maple Junction, Indiana?
Even though the townspeople are quirky and gossip a little too much—okay, a lot— when it comes time to support others in a crisis, they’ll stand up for each other every time.
Who doesn’t want that kind of support? Sounds like a great place to be!
Thanks to Ruth for sharing Maple Junction with us!
Until next time, keep turning pages, following butterflies, and never underestimate a cat with a flair for fashion!
Visit Maple Junction in BUTTERFLY BETRAYAL, Book 1 of 3 in the Seneca James Mysteries by Ruth J. Hartman:
BUTTERFLY BETRAYAL by Ruth J. Hartman
A Seneca James Mystery #1
Raising butterflies is peaceful and calm, until someone dies.
Majestic Monarch Butterfly Farm might flitter away forever. That is, unless Seneca James acquires the property next door. She and Winifred, her costume-wearing cat, have a fight on their hands. Their land sits next to a milkweed-covered field, essential for monarchs. If she’s unsuccessful in buying it, her precious, winged friends won’t survive. When people end up dead on her farmland, Seneca is suspected of murder.
What is it about the milkweed field that’s worth killing for? And who’s the murderer?
Mystery Cozy [ Level Best Books, On Sale: November 21, 2023, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781685124977 / ]
Buy BUTTERFLY BETRAYAL: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | Books-A-Million | Indie BookShops | Ripped Bodice | Walmart.com | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR
About Ruth J. Hartman
Bestselling author Ruth J. Hartman spends her days herding cats, and her nights spinning mysterious tales. She, her husband, and their cats, love to spend time curled up in their recliners watching old Cary Grant movies. Well, the cats sit in the people’s recliners. Not that the cats couldn’t get their own furniture. They just choose to shed on someone else’s.
Ruth, a left-handed, cat-herding, farmhouse-dwelling romance writer uses her sense of humor as she writes tales of lovable, klutzy women who find trouble without even trying. Ruth’s husband and best friend, Garry, reads her manuscripts, rolls his eyes at her weird story ideas, and loves her despite her insisting all her books have at least one cat in them.
Most of her books include cats. Her characters, like Ruth in real life, live with several cats, and love every minute of it. Well, maybe not the litter box, but you get the idea.
Bookshop Kitties Mysteries
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About Annie McEwen
Annie McEwen writes the Northwoods Mysteries, inspired by the pine forests and sparkling lakes of northern Wisconsin, where she spent childhood vacations and still visits family today.
A former farm kid, Annie now lives in rural Indiana with her husband. Their children and two young grandsons live nearby, making grandparenting her favorite role. Their home also includes four fur babies—two of whom appear in her books.
When she isn’t writing, Annie enjoys trash-to-treasure projects, gardening, working as a radiological technologist, and connecting with readers and fellow authors.
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