Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Destination Murders: Inside a Cozy Mystery Anthology



Hello, Jungle Red Readers and Writers!


We’re Cathy Wiley and Karen Cantwell, cozy mystery writers and the editors/publishers behind the Destination Murders short story anthology series. Many thanks to the Jungle Red Writers for inviting us to share a peek behind the scenes at how we put a short story anthology together.

Recently, we sat down for a Zoom chat to talk about how the series began, how it’s evolved, and what we’ve enjoyed along the way.

Karen: So Cathy, if memory serves, I pitched you on this idea of partnering up to publish a cozy mystery anthology.


Cathy: That’s right. I loved the idea because I was starting a new cozy mystery series and wanted to find readers. An anthology seemed like the perfect way to do that—something that could help me find new readers while also giving other cozy writers that same opportunity. It’s a win-win: established authors bring their loyal fans to the collection, and those readers get to discover new voices (and hopefully fall in love with them, too).

Karen: It’s been a while now, but I remember sitting at a coffee shop in the hotel where they held Bouchercon that year, and we listed writers we knew who were established authors with one or more series and/or well-known short story authors.

Cathy: Yes. Next came the theme and title. We wanted something that would hit shelves right before Memorial Day—just in time for beach-read season—so Murder on the Beach felt like the perfect fit. Once we had that nailed down, we started inviting authors, and before long, the plan was officially in motion.

Karen: You found the perfect pre-made cover for it!

Cathy: I love our polka-dot diva, though I still don’t know how she could walk on the beach in those high heels! Plus, even though it was pre-made, our designer kindly added a gun and knife to her purse to give it that perfect murderous vibe. I loved the cover so much I wanted to keep the series going just to see where we’d send her next. Since then, our designer has outdone herself: we’ve had her skiing in a polka-dot snowsuit for Murder in the Mountains, sneaking a knife aboard a yacht for Murder at Sea, and—probably not the safest choice—bringing a firearm in a hot-air balloon in Murder in the Air. And of course, she’s right at home among the tombstones (still in polka dots) for Murder in the Graveyard.

Karen: I really love these covers too.

Cathy: What part of the process do you enjoy?

Karen: As time has gone on, I love the editing job more and more. As you know, the authors submit their stories, then we both put in our editorial suggestions for tightening the storylines, improving sentence structure, etc. I’ve found that to be a really fun task. Working with our authors is very rewarding. They’re committed and professional. Can’t ask for more.

Cathy: The authors are great! While I also love editing, I was excited this time to be the one to format the files for both eBook and print using Atticus, since that can be done on a PC (as opposed to Vellum, which was exclusively Mac-based). Now we have to focus on marketing. Thankfully, the other authors help as well, through their individual newsletters, blogs (like this one!), and social media postings.

Karen: I can’t believe that Murder in the Graveyard is already out! It’s now time to think about the next anthology. I’d love to ask everyone here: What should be the next murderous destination? Let us know!

59 comments:

  1. Congratulations, Cathy and Karen, on your delightful short story collections . . . what a great way to introduce readers to writers they haven't yet met . . . .
    Next murderous destination? How about the Jungle????

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  2. CATHY AND KAREN: Congratulations on the new anthology! I enjoyed reading stories from your earlier destination mysteries: MURDER AT SEA and MURDER IN THE MOUNTAINS.

    How about MURDER BY THE BEACH for your next destination?

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    1. Thanks, Grace! Hmm... so you are suggesting BY THE BEACH rather than ON THE BEACH (our first anthology). Let's us get the Beach Read crowd again.

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  3. Congratulations on the new edition! How about MURDER IN THE BIG CITY?

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  4. Murder in the Corn Fields. You could have a murder if crows on the cover. 🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛

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  5. Murder in a Coffee Shop

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    1. That would catch my attention. Especially if it is set in Portland Oregon

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  6. Hank Phillippi RyanOctober 7, 2025 at 8:50 AM

    Murder at the Mall? Too much shopping can kill you…

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    1. Perfect, though do shopping malls still exist these days?

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    2. They are making a big comeback on San Diego's University Towne Center. I avoid large shopping malls as much as I can!!

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    3. Someone is trapped overnight. SO many places to hide! So many possibilities for disguise and surprise... Not to mention the secret apartment in the parking lot.

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    4. That would be fun, Hank! Could be an indoor or an outdoor mall!

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  7. I like anthologies for the very reasons you mention, Cathy and Karen--meeting new authors and checking in with old favorites! I love the idea that you started with a premade cover and have been working with the same artist since. For your next adventure, how about Murder on Safari or Murder at the Mardi Gras?

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  8. I seems obvious, Murder at Boucheron.
    Atlanta

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    1. Perfect! Thinking of this real life predator at one of these Bouchercons and the police did nothing. perhaps that predator could be murdered or "eaten" Santa Clarita diet style he he he.

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    2. Murder at Boucheron is a great idea!!

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    3. I know Malice did "Murder Most Conventional" that was at conferences, but I like the Bouchercon specific one!

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  9. Murder at the National Parks (while we still have them) or Murder Onstage.

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    1. I like the idea of the National Parks concept! Thanks, Maren!

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  10. Murder at the Magicians Convention

    DebRo

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    1. Interesting idea, Deb. How would the magic and slight of hand affect the sleuthing?

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  11. I have to say, I love anthologies especially as they introduce me to authors I may not have read before. Thinking about the popular Christmas anthology, I suggest Murder at Michaels: (sub in the hobby shop of your choice.) I've seen SO many women stressing over making gifts and decorations, and I swear fistfights break out over who gets the last spray of faux glitter poinsettia. Perfect for a murder!

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    1. I love the idea of having a holiday aspect to the anthology that way. This is our first Halloweenish release. Thanks, Julia!

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  12. Thank you for introducing us to these cozy mystery anthologies. I just bought the Murder at the Beach and Murder in the Mountains from Apple eBooks.

    So many great ideas here. MURDER IN THE BIG CITY. MURDER AT THE MALLS. MURDER IN THE JUNGLES.

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    1. I hope you enjoy them, Diana! I like all those ideas too.

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  13. I'm thrilled to be included in this amazing anthology with such incredible authors. I'm excited to read the rest of the stories, since I really love cemeteries. As for the next one... wow, what a good question. Maybe Murder at the Museum? Murder in the Library? Murder in Europe LOL

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    1. Good ideas, Daphne! And welcome to Destination Murders. It was great including your story!

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  14. I miss our Lucy's posts. Maybe traveling?

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    1. Lucy was kind enough to let Karen and me guest host today!

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    2. Yes, I am so glad you are here!

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  15. Love anthologies! The perfect nugget to read at bedtime. Congratulations on MURDER IN THE GRAVEYARD. I'm tossing my hat in for MURDER IN THE CITY (and it's variations)

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    1. Thanks, Kait! I agree, I think short stories are perfect for bedtime, since I can never set down a novel until it's done.

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  16. This is such fun, Karen and Cathy, and I love that you've kept working with the same cover artist and theme. I love Joan's suggestion of Murder in the Jungle, and think how much fun you could have ith the cover!

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  17. How about the campus of Phillips Academy in Massachusetts as it must have some quirky buildings and some well known graduates! Or the Quonset Point naval air station in RI as it has now been deactivated since 1974 and it is near a ship building area and Newport, RI.

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    1. That sounds like a great location, Alicia. Maybe a bit too specific? Murder in the Academy?

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  18. Congratulations on the new anthology! Following on Julia's suggestion above, how about MURDER AT THE HOBBY SHOP?

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    1. Thanks, Liz. And Hobby Shop is a great location.

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  20. Fun! Murder at the Rodeo. Murder at the Dude Ranch. Murder at the Mardi Gras Ball.

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    1. Ooh! Maybe we can combine the first two into Murder in the Old West! I can just see our girl rocking those polka dots with boots and a Stetson!

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    2. All great ideas, Pat! And good suggestion to combine them, Leslie.

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  21. I'm delighted to be part of this anthology -- my 3d of the 5 -- with a story called "The Devil's Chair," inspired by graveyard architecture of the past. I LOVE the idea of Murder at the Fair -- county, Renaissance, art -- so many options! And Murder in the Jungle? The Library? The Museum? My girl Pepper and I are all over Murder in the City! Reds readers, you are all brilliant!

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    1. These are all great places, Leslie. And as always, great to have you with the rest of the Destination Murders crew.

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  22. Maybe somewhere people might be in disguise- Murder at the Renaissance Fair or Romance/Fantasy Convention. Or Murder at the County Fair.

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    1. I really like the Renaissance Festival idea, Kathy!

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  23. I love anthologies, too... And I like Kathy G's idea about Murder at the [*] convention - For me it would be At the Star Trek Convention. And involve time travel. And Karen and Cathy, than you on behalf of all the authors to whom you give that little extra bump, getting to publish a short story.

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    1. Thanks, Hallie. I do love the win-win of the anthologies being a benefit to readers and writers.

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  24. Congratulations to you both ! How about Murder In The Sea Cave ? I can see a polka dot wet suit !
    ( Mary E. )

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  25. I’m so thrilled to be part of the anthology series! There are some fantastic ideas on here, Cathy and Karen. I can’t wait to see where our polkadot girl ends up next.

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    1. Always happy to have you with the Destination Murders crew, Meri!

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  26. I like the jungle and safari themes.

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    1. Thanks, Mark! And I hope you are enjoying reading MITG.

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