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Grave Words book tour includes an author interview and a full schedule of events at the end. Enter the giveaway, share on social, comment for the author, and subscribe to Sarandipity’s.
Book Details
Grave Words: A Deadly Deadlines Mystery
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Connecticut
Publisher : Crooked Lane Books
Publication date : June 10, 2025
Print length : 336 pages
Hardcover ISBN-13 : 979-8892421133
Paperback ISBN-13 : 979-8892422482
Kindle ASIN : B0DGPF9R8P
Audiobook ASIN B0F97G3PP3
Winter Snow has had it! With her business in a death drought, her best friend Scoop implicated
in a string of arsons, and an obituary listing Winter herself as deceased, her life is heating up. But
just as she’s trying to cool things down, she receives her newest assignment: an obituary for
Chester, a homeless man found in a burning building.
Promising the local funeral home manager that she will have the obituary by the deadline, Winter
is stonewalled at every turn, failing to discover Chester’s last name, or where he came from.
When it is discovered that Chester was murdered and that the fire was set to cover it up, all
fingers immediately point to Scoop. Not only is Scoop a person of interest in the arsons, he was
also the last person to see Chester alive.
As more nails are pounded into Scoop’s coffin, Winter’s uncle Richard hopes to help by inviting
the notorious town gossips, The Nosy Parkers, to a neighborhood food fest. Unfortunately, the
breadcrumbs they toss set murder in motion.
More determined than ever, Winter must figure out the twists and turns of the case to clear
Scoop’s name, putting her on a deadly deadline to solve the murder and avoid meeting the same
grave consequences.
About Gerri Lewis
GERRI LEWIS is the author of The Last Word (2024) and Grave Words (June 10, 2025), the
first two books in her Deadly Deadlines Mystery series published by Crooked Lane Books. Set
in her Hallmark-worthy hometown of Ridgefield, Connecticut, this cozy mystery is about
obituary writer Winter Snow, who solves murders along with a cast of lovable
characters. During her career as an award-winning reporter, columnist, and feature writer, Gerri
has become a go-to person in her community for obituaries. When she is not helping her
protagonist solve mysteries, she writes magazine features and is the Public Information Officer
for the Ridgefield Office of Emergency Management. She lives with her husband in Ridgefield,
Connecticut, the picture-perfect setting for her books.
Author Links
Website: https://gerrilewis.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gerri.lewis.author/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gerrilewisauthor/
Author Interview
Gerri Lewis-GRAVE WORDS (Book Two of the Deadly Deadlines Mystery Series)
Grave Words (2025); The Last Word (2024)
Crooked Lane Books
September 22. 2025
Interview questions:
What is your favorite part of this book and why?
I absolutely love it when Winter stops by to visit her friend Carla, the funeral home director and is mistaken for one of the mourners at an open-casket visitation. The daughter of the deceased introduces Winter to family and friends as one of the woman’s trusted care givers. The scene is funny and awkward, yet it is also heartfelt the way Winter would rather go through the motions of paying her respect to a stranger than to hurt anyone’s feelings during such a sensitive time. That scene was inspired by the many wakes I’ve gone through where you might not know anyone in the receiving line, and you are passed
off down from one person to another. It’s a little like the game of telephone. You start out as the
deceased’s acquaintance from work and by the end of the line, you are the former best friend.
If you could spend time with a character from your book whom would it be?
And what would you do during that day? I really like Carla, the funeral home director because she has
so many secrets, all wrapped up in the tattoos that smother her arms and neck like a turtleneck
sweater. I think I’d love to have her take me to the tattoo parlor and help pick one for me. Then
I’d want her to hold my hand because I’m told it hurts!!! I also like Horace, Winter’s octogenarian neighbor. He is the voice of reason and the best thing to do when spending time with him is to listen. I bet he has some tales to tell.
What books/authors have most inspired you?
Oh my gosh, there are so many books and authors I admire. From the time I could read, I devoured all sorts of books. As an English major in college, I loved James Joyce. Now, I’m not sure I understand him as well. Mysteries have always been my favorites and in my younger years I read Agatha Christie whose character development and sense of place were always as important to me as the mystery itself. It’s one
reason why I wanted to set my books in a real place as opposed to a fictional locale. In short, I really like destination mysteries, and I never travel without seeking one out. Hilton Head Island has Katheryn Wall. Dick Francis introduced me to the Cotswolds. Those and many other writers have convinced me that my hometown of Ridgefield, Connecticut deserves its place as a character in my book. I’m also inspired by writers who find a way to put humor in their work, especially when dealing with squeamish topics. I could write a novel about all the great writers who inspire me, not just for character or setting, but for the way they organize their words.
Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
I have people tell me all the time that they know exactly who certain characters in my books are modelled after. One woman said she actually lives next door to the “Nosy Parkers” the town gossips who appear in both The Last Word and Grave Words. I hate to disappoint anyone, but they all come from my imagination. Uncle Richard did start out based on my brother, but that was three plot versions and many plot transitions ago. The only things they have in common today are that they are messy cooks, they like model trains, smart women, and they’re both brilliant. Oh yes, and they are both named Richard.
What made you want to become a writer?
From the time my brother and I were toddlers in our cribs, we used to tell each other stories and I guess I’ve never stopped. I sold my first story to a New York daily newspaper when I was in the sixth grade. When they called and heard my little girl voice, they had to ask my parent’s permission to print the story. One of my first jobs was as a temp typing up descriptions of tools for a catalogue. I couldn’t help myself, I just kept editing to make them sound better. I was quickly promoted as the writer. I wrote all sorts of
things, but it wasn’t until my kids were in school that I started writing publicity articles for the PTA. From there I was asked to write a weekly column for seven syndicates on Food and Drink. That morphed into more articles, reporting jobs, columns and yes, obituaries. In my heart though, I always wanted to see my book in the window of our local bookstore. So, while I still do a lot of feature writing and do my share of obits, I love writing fiction.
Purchase Links
Amazon – B&N – Bookshop.org – PenguinRandomHouse – Kobo – Apple –
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
October 2 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST
October 3 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
October 3 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
October 3 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW
October 4 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW*
October 4 – Christa Reads and Writes – SPOTLIGHT
October 5 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
October 6 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT
October 6 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR GUEST POST
October 7 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR GUEST POST
October 8 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW
October 9 – Salty Inspirations – AUTHOR GUEST POST
October 10 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
October 10 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
October 11 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
October 11 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – SPOTLIGHT
October 12 – Infinite House of Books – SPOTLIGHT
October 13 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
October 14 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
October 15 – Jane Reads – CHARACTER GUEST POST
October 15 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW
Giveaway
There is a King Sumo Giveaway for this tour. Prize – (5) Print Copy of Grave Words
