A Whale of a Crime Book Tour and Author Interview
This exciting book event is through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.
A Whale of a Crime book tour and author interview includes a giveaway. Share on social, comment for the author, and subscribe for more book stuff.
Book Details
A Whale of a Crime (A Yorkshire Coast Cozy Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – FLAMBOROUGH, YORKSHIRE COAST, ENGLAND
Independently Published (April 30, 2025)
Print length : 254 pages
Digital ASIN : B0DTZ3KGWP
After ten years away, Ryan Kennedy never planned on returning to Flamborough—the tiny Yorkshire village he once called home. But when his fiercely independent gran, Iris, needs him, he finds himself back behind the counter at her chaotic seaside bookshop, wrestling with jammed tills, nosy villagers, and the memories he’s spent years trying to forget.
What Ryan doesn’t expect is to be swept straight into the heart of a murder investigation.
When a mysterious boat appears on the beach and a body turns up at the exclusive Whale Watch Weekend picnic, all eyes turn to the cliffs—and to the secrets the village has been keeping. As Ryan and Iris dig into the tangled history of the victim, long-buried truths begin to surface, not just about the case… but about the night Ryan’s own husband died.
With the tide cutting them off, a killer on the loose, and a very observant dog named Bracken by their side, Ryan and Iris must work fast—because in Flamborough, the past doesn’t stay buried, and the sea has a habit of washing everything to shore.
For fans of twisty village whodunits, seaside charm, and heartfelt mysteries with a slow-burning emotional pull, A Whale of a Crime is the unforgettable first instalment in a brand-new series.
Excerpt
“He hadn’t expected it to feel like this—like being punched in the gut and wrapped in a warm blanket all at once.”
“Welcome home, little brother.”
“Because I very much doubt Vic decided to bash his own head in with a decorative whale.”
“You could dress a Flamborough lad in all the fancy clothes you liked, but the salt air would always find a way in.”
“They were trapped until morning. Six suspects, one murder weapon, and Iris’ grandson caught in the middle of it all.”
About Mona Marple
Mona Marple writes charming cozy mysteries filled with quirky characters, twisty whodunits, and settings you’ll wish you could visit—especially if you love a bit of seasonal sparkle. Best known for her beloved Candy Cane Hollow series, Mona creates worlds where murder meets mistletoe and sleuthing pairs perfectly with a cup of tea. When she’s not writing, Mona can be found walking her Labradoodle, Coco, plotting her next murder (on the page, of course), or hosting reader parties in her cozy online community.
Author Links
WEBSITE: WWW.MONAMARPLE.COM
FACEBOOK: WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MONAMARPLEAUTHOR
FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/332562544209625
INSTAGRAM: WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/MONAMARPLE
Purchase Link – Amazon
Author Interview
Getting My Cozy Reader Group To Help Convince My Husband We Should Get
a Dog
By Mona Marple
Back in 2019, my daughter and I had a dream.
A dream with four paws, a wagging tail, and an endless appetite for tummy rubs.
We wanted a dog.
Not just a passing fancy or a whim—we really wanted a dog. You know when
something just feels like it’s missing? That’s how it felt. Our home was warm and full
of love, but it didn’t yet echo with the sound of claws tapping on the floor or the jingle
of a collar as someone trots into the kitchen to investigate snacks.
There was only one problem: my husband wasn’t convinced.
The Great Dog Debate
To be fair, he had his reasons. Logical, practical reasons. The kind that include vet
bills, muddy footprints, early morning walks in the rain, and the knowledge that a dog
is a big commitment—not just for now, but for years.
He wasn’t anti-dog. He just wasn’t there yet.
But my daughter and I? We were already picturing our future furry best friend. We
had lists of dog names. We were “just browsing” dog adoption sites (daily). I may
have printed out a few photos and strategically left them lying around the house. You
know, subtle.
And then… I had an idea.
Enter: The Reader Group
One of the loveliest parts of being a cozy mystery author is having the best readers
in the world.
Our little online community is full of warm, funny, kind-hearted people—many of
whom, as it turns out, are also dog lovers. So one day, I decided to ask for help.
I posted in my reader group and said something like: “My daughter and I are
desperate for a dog, but my husband needs a bit more convincing. Can you help?”
You could’ve heard the tail wags from across the internet.
My readers didn’t just reply. They rallied.
They shared photos of their pups. Told stories that made me laugh and cry in equal
measure. From heroic rescues and comforting companionship to dogs who’d
managed to steal an entire roast chicken from the counter when no one was looking
(you know who you are), every post was a beautiful reminder of the magic dogs
bring to our lives.
And it wasn’t just the dogs—it was them. The way they described what their furry
friends meant to them. The way they lit up in the comments. The love that practically
bounced off the screen.
I showed him the posts. I read him the stories.
And slowly but surely, something shifted.
A New Chapter
After weeks of conversation (and a LOT of adorable photos), my husband said the
words we’d been hoping for:
“Okay. Let’s get a dog.”
Reader, we cried.
And then we searched. And searched. And searched some more. Because we didn’t
want just any dog—we wanted our dog. The one who was meant to be part of our
family.
That’s how we found Coco.
Meet Coco
Coco is a Labradoodle with curls as wild as her zoomies. She’s clever, affectionate,
and just the right amount of mischievous. From the moment she trotted into our lives,
she became part of the family—no questions asked.
She’s been by our side ever since.
She’s starred in newsletters (with her own “Coco’s Pupdate” section, of course).
She’s kept me company during long writing sessions. She’s given us reasons to go
outside, laugh harder, and vacuum more frequently than we ever imagined.
She’s even helped me solve a few fictional murders—well, at least she thinks she
has.
And best of all? My husband adores her. Absolutely, wholeheartedly, would-do-
anything-for-her adores her.
Funny how that happens, isn’t it?
A Thank You
I’ve shared this story before in bits and pieces, but I wanted to tell the whole thing
properly, because there’s a deeper reason for writing this today.
It’s to say thank you.
Thank you to everyone in the reading community, which I like to say is the kindest
space on the Internet. So many people took the time to share a photo, tell a story, or
offer a little nudge of encouragement. They didn’t just help convince my husband—they all co-authored this chapter of my life.
Without them, there might be no Coco. And I honestly can’t imagine our lives without
her.
You’ve heard of the village it takes to raise a child? Well, sometimes it takes a cozy
mystery reader group to raise a dog mum.
Why It Matters
Looking back, I realise this was about more than just getting a dog. It was about
community. About connection. About the magic that happens when people come
together and say, “We get it. We’re with you.”
I write about small towns, quirky characters, and people who help each other solve
problems—big and small. But this wasn’t fiction. This was real life. And people
proved that cozy mystery readers are some of the coziest people around.
So if you’re ever wondering whether your comments matter, whether a little story
about your Beagle named Biscuit makes a difference—please know: it absolutely
does.
Those things helped bring Coco home.
And she’s not just a dog. She’s family. She’s joy. She’s the little heartbeat curled up
at my feet as I write this blog post.
Final Thoughts (and a Wagging Tail)
If you’re reading this and you’re dreaming of a dog of your own—consider this your
sign. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday.
And if you need help convincing someone in your house?
You know where to find us. My reader group is always open, always cozy, and
always ready with a story, a photo, and a gentle nudge in the dog-shaped direction.
With love and waggy gratitude,
Mona
(And Coco, who would like it known that she fully supported this message and would
now like a biscuit)
A WHALE OF A CRIME TOUR PARTICIPANTS
June 4 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
June 4 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW
June 4 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
June 5 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
June 5 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW
June 5 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
June 6 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW
June 6 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
June 6 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT
June 7 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
June 7 – Angel’s Book Nook – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
June 8 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT
June 8 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
June 9 – Novels Alive – REVIEW
June 9 – Frugal Freelancer – AUTHOR GUEST POST
June 9 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
June 10 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW
June 10 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW
June 10 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR GUEST POST
June 11 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW
June 11 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER GUEST POST
a Rafflecopter giveaway