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Behind the Writing of Cook’s Last Course

Tell us about the background for the theme, what inspired it or why you wanted to write in this setting, or with play with these tropes?

I was inspired by the classic cozy trope of undercover sleuths slipping into small town life, especially when those sleuths happen to be witches working for the PAWS Agency. Setting the story in a quiet USA town gave me the perfect backdrop for secret magic, whispered rumors, and the constant danger of Ebony and her partner being discovered before they can solve the case. I loved playing with the tension of agents pretending to be ordinary staff while juggling spells, suspicions, and the chaos that comes with a shifter best friend who never quite blends in. The mix of hidden identities, gentle humor, and magical mischief made the setting irresistible to write in.

Are any of your characters based on real people you know?

In Cook’s Last Course, I have three characters who are inspired by real people in my life. When I’m travelling with my sister and niece, we always end up brainstorming storylines and plot twists together, and those sessions shaped the heart of this series. Abigail is loosely based on my sister, Kara draws inspiration from my niece, and Sam (Samantha) comes from my niece’s good friend. I’ve borrowed a few of their real life qualities — the humor, the determination, the way they bounce off one another — and it’s been such a joy to weave those traits into the story.

Tell us about character traits that were fun or hard for you to include in the book.

One of the most enjoyable parts of writing this book was leaning into the quirky, dramatic traits that make cozy mysteries so much fun. I loved building tension through near misses, accidental run ins, and those delicious moments where the cover is almost blown and the characters have to scramble their way out of trouble. Playing with that balance of danger and humor kept the story lively, and adding a thread of romantic attraction made it even more entertaining to write. Those slow burn glances, the almost moments, and the rising tension between characters were just as delightful as the magical mishaps and undercover chaos.

Create a playlist with 5 to 10 songs with the below in mind:

While writing this book, I found myself bouncing between upbeat, popular tracks and a nostalgic mix of classic 80s and 90s hits — the kind of playlist that keeps the energy high during magical mishaps and undercover chaos. My main character, Ebony has similar tastes: she gravitates toward lively, feel good songs when she’s gearing up for a mission, and she slips into those older throwback tunes when she needs to think, unwind, or puzzle out a clue.

• Shake It Off — Taylor Swift
• Can’t Stop the Feeling! — Justin Timberlake
• Good as Hell — Lizzo
• Take On Me — a-ha
• Don’t Stop Believin’ — Journey
• Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) — Eurythmics
• Wannabe — Spice Girls

Were there any alternate endings you considered?

I didn’t consider any alternate endings for this book — the final chapter unfolded exactly the way I wanted it to. But as I was writing it, new twists and threads started sparking to life, and those naturally grew into the foundations for books two and three. The ending stayed true to my original vision, while the writing process itself opened the door to even more secrets, complications, and magical trouble waiting just around the corner in the next instalments.

Which scene, character or plotline changed the most from first draft to published book?

The part of the story that changed the most from first draft to the final version was the murder reveal — I rewrote that scene several times before it finally clicked into place. Ebony’s love interest also shifted halfway through the writing process, which surprised even me, and opened up a much more interesting dynamic for her character arc. And because I clearly can’t resist a little extra chaos, I’m now toying with the idea of adding a love triangle. You’ll have to read book two to see whether I actually went down that path.

Which of the side characters would you love to explore more, or turn into a main character in another series?

Sam is the side character I’d love to explore more — she springs to mind immediately. As Kara’s childhood camp friend and the upbeat, loyal chef who always brings a spark of energy into every scene, she already feels like she’s carrying her own story just beneath the surface. She has a score from her past to settle, and those hints of unfinished business make her perfect for a future series. I’ve already started sketching ideas for her arc, because Sam has that irresistible mix of heart, humour, and hidden depth that deserves center stage.

What special knowledge or research was required to write this book?

Writing this book required a surprising amount of special research, especially around law enforcement agencies, investigative procedures, gadgets, and even the correct names and functions of various weapons. It was genuinely fun diving into that world and making sure the details felt authentic without overwhelming the cozy tone. Researching the region in the USA inspired the heart of Lavender Ridge — its small town charm, quiet streets, and local quirks helped me shape a setting that feels intimate, atmospheric, and full of secrets.

What’s the strangest thing you had to do to create this story?

The strangest thing I had to do for this story was inventing all the magical plants in the university greenhouse — not just their names, but the odd little powers each one carried. I spent ages dreaming up herbs that glowed, vines that whispered, blossoms that reacted to emotions, and leaves that could spark spells or sabotage them. Creating that whole botanical magic ecosystem was unexpectedly intricate, wonderfully chaotic, and one of the most fun parts of writing the book.

What do you hope readers will take away from this story?

I hope readers walk away from this story feeling wrapped in that cozy‑mystery blend of warmth, magic, and just‑enough danger — the sense that even in a small town full of secrets, loyalty, friendship, and a spark of courage can carry you through anything. More than anything, I want them to feel connected to the characters: their quirks, their near misses, their messy moments, and the way they grow together. And if readers close the book already wondering what happens next in Lavender Ridge, or feeling that little thrill of anticipation for the twists still to come, then I’ve done exactly what I hoped to.

Was there something major that happened in your personal life while writing this?

A couple of major things happened while I was writing this book, and they definitely shaped the experience. I was in the middle of building the set for our secondary school production of James and the Giant Peach, which meant building the entire set on top of my usual workload — creative, rewarding, but absolutely exhausting. And right in the middle of all that, Amazon terminated my author account because of a glitch, which was incredibly stressful. I eventually got it back, but it was not a fun time. Somehow, juggling all that pressure made finishing the book feel even more meaningful.

A Recipe to go with the read:

Kara’s chocolate muffins became a Paws Café favorite thanks to a tradition that started long before Lavender Ridge ever existed. Kara taught her younger half-sister Ebony how to make them when they were growing up, and later passed the recipe on to Sam at summer camp. Then Sam and Ebony baked batch after batch in cooking class at camp, eventually being crowned the Camp Cook champions with those same chocolatey muffins. That little legacy followed Kara into adulthood, turning the recipe into the comforting treat she still bakes whenever the café needs warmth — or someone in town needs a moment of sweetness.

Ingredients:

• 1½ cups flour
• ½ cup cocoa
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup melted butter
• ½ cup milk
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Method:

• Mix dry ingredients
• add wet ingredients
• fold in chocolate chips
• Spoon into muffin tins
• bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 18–20 minutes

Warm, simple, and perfect for reading in Lavender Ridge.

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Synopsis:

Dead bodies, dark magic, and a best friend with baggage—what could go wrong?

Lavender Ridge looks like a postcard, but beneath the charm and lavender-scented air, something dangerous is stirring—and it has its sights set on the people I love.

When my non‑magical dad, Professor Colby Huntley, starts receiving death threats and his teacups begin exploding, Mum wastes no time assigning me the case. As PAWS’ top undercover agent—and their most stubborn daughter—I’m expected to protect him, solve the mystery, and keep the town from descending into magical chaos. Easy. In theory.

Except Lavender Ridge has other plans. A university cook turns up dead in the garden, spells misfire across campus, and my ex–best friend strolls back into town with secrets sharp enough to slice through every defense I’ve built. Every clue twists into another lie, every witness beams like they’re hiding something, and every cozy corner of this town feels one enchanted teacup away from disaster.

Magic is spiraling. A killer is escalating. And I’m running out of time to stop whoever’s targeting my family. If I don’t crack this case soon, the next explosion won’t be a warning—it’ll be fatal. And I refuse to let it be my dad.

Cooks Last Course blends charm, chaos, and a spark of slow‑burn romance into a spellbinding cozy mystery where loyalty is tested, secrets simmer, and danger brews hotter than the tea.

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