Why My Lilly Pilly Creek Mysteries Are Like an Aussie Agatha Christie

(But I’m Not Claiming to Be as Good as Her!)

I’ll admit it —I’m no Agatha Christie. She absolutely set the bar for cozy mysteries so high it’s practically out of reach for a mere author like myself! But, if you’ve read any of my Lilly Pilly Creek Ghost Mysteries, you might find a few similarities to her classic tales of quaint towns, quirky characters, and mysteries that keep you guessing until the very end.

So, let’s chat about why I think my books have a bit of that same vibe—just with an Australian twist.

A Quirky Small Town Vibe

Agatha Christie was the queen of small-town mysteries, wasn’t she? Her stories always took place in towns where everyone knows everyone, and many secrets have been buried. It’s the perfect setup for a mystery.

That’s the vibe I’ve tried to bring to Lilly Pilly Creek, my little Aussie town. Sure, it’s not quite as foggy and gloomy as some of Christie’s settings, but it’s got that same charm—everyone knows everyone’s business, but no one quite knows everything. And that’s where the fun begins, as secrets start coming to light.

Characters Who Aren’t What They Seem

Now, one thing Agatha Christie did better than anyone was write characters who looked like they could be innocent, but underneath, there was always something more going on. Her amateur sleuths, like Miss Marple, could read people like a book, and the rest of us were left gasping when the big reveal came.

In Lilly Pilly Creek, I’ve got my own take on that. Jones, my main character, is just your average gal—a little quirky, a little nosy (she’s a journalist after all!), but definitely not a detective by trade. Still, she somehow keeps finding herself solving mysteries, alongside her ghost sister Autumn (yes, you read that right—ghost sister!). Like Christie’s characters, mine are never quite what they seem, and that’s part of what makes unraveling the mystery so much fun.

The Same Lighthearted, Yet Suspenseful Tone

Christie’s books were known for their gentle mix of suspense with a touch of humour. You never felt like you were being dragged into something too heavy; it was more about the puzzle, the characters, and the way the story unfolded.

I’ve tried to keep that same spirit in my mysteries. Sure, the stakes are high, but I want readers to laugh, sigh, and maybe even roll their eyes in that “classic small-town drama” way that you can only get from a cozy mystery. The mystery’s never too dark, but there’s always enough intrigue to keep you turning the pages.

Why It’s an Aussie Twist on a Classic Tradition

So, while I can’t claim to have the same genius as Agatha Christie, I hope my Lilly Pilly Creek books give you that same cozy mystery experience with a fresh Aussie twist. Whether you’re into amateur detectives, quirky characters, or just love a good puzzle set in a small town, Lilly Pilly Creek might just be your next read.