Please welcome our special guest, Sylvie Kurtz, back to Maine Crime Writers. Once again things are jumping in the busy little village of Brighton, New Hampshire.

The Joy of Small Town Settings

by Sylvie Kurtz

There’s something charming about cozy mysteries set in small towns. Whether it’s the one-of-a-kind shops on Main Street, the tight-knit community where everyone knows everyone’s business, or the local traditions, these fictional small towns feel familiar and comforting. Like a place where you’d want to live. They often become characters themselves, making the perfect backdrop for amateur sleuthing.

Even with the occasional crime, there’s still a sense of safety and belonging, making the return to peace at the end all the more satisfying. Because everyone in the community is so close, unraveling secrets feels personal, and the journey to the happy ending is just as enjoyable as the solution.

In Brighton, NH, readers can get lost in a world of friendship, gossip-filled shops, and monthly festivals. Of Valentines and Vendetta takes place around Valentine’s Day during a Chocolate Festival (something I’ve always wanted to attend but can never seem to snag a ticket in time.) Ellie is coping with the anniversary of her chief of police husband’s death by baking mountains of muffins. And Page, who owns the local bookshop/café, mourns her brother’s loss by staying busy.

The murder of Page’s missing baker strains Ellie and Page’s relationship when Page becomes the prime suspect. But Ellie can’t abandon Page when she needs her most. Will dealing with grief keep Ellie from reading the clues and put Page’s future in jeopardy?

Small town settings in cozy mysteries are more than just scenery; they invite us to become part of a community, solve a puzzle, and maybe believe in the magic of a little town where everyone has a story—and a secret.

Sylvie writes stories that celebrate family, friendship and food. She likes dark chocolate, knitting with soft yarn and movies that require a box of tissues, especially if they have a hint of mystery. She’s written 28 books romance/romantic suspense/cozy mystery/women’s fiction. https://sylviekurtz.com

You can find Sylvie’s last visit to MCW here:
https://mainecrimewriters.com/2023/12/27/when-life-gives-you-pumpkins/

Of Valentines and Vendetta, A Brighton Village Cozy Mystery Novella #2Chocolate, coffee beans, and a side of murder.
When Page Hamlin’s baker vanishes on the opening day of the annual Chocolate Festival, she begs her sister-in-law Ellie to roll up her sleeves and help keep the Purple Page Bookshop and Café humming. For Ellie, the distraction is welcome—it’s the anniversary of her husband’s death, and baking is easier than crying.

But the celebration turns bittersweet when the missing baker is discovered in the dumpster out back…with her mouth stuffed full of chocolate-covered coffee beans. Even worse, the police find “evidence” that makes Page their prime suspect.

Ellie refuses to let her sister-in-law take the fall. Armed with curiosity, determination, and a dash of chocolate-fueled courage, Ellie sets out to uncover the real killer. But with too-perfect clues, simmering secrets, and plenty of suspects, she’ll have to be careful—or risk becoming the next victim on the menu.

In Brighton Village, murder has a way of spoiling even the sweetest treats.

Oliver Heber Books (2/10/26)  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FRSQZ8L