81: Kelly Mullen – A Murder in Eight Cocktails | Writing Out of Order, Unconventional Processes & Midlife Reinvention

In this episode of In My Good Books, I’m delighted to welcome back author Kelly Mullen to celebrate her second novel, A Murder in Eight Cocktails, a deliciously twisty murder mystery set against the glamorous backdrop of Carmel-by-the-Sea.We talk about the reality of publishing a second book after a successful debut, the pressure of deadlines, and why Kelly found the experience both exhilarating and terrifying in equal measure. She shares what the past year has really been like, from international book tours to meeting her literary heroes, and how she balances writing with her day job.We dive into A Murder in Eight Cocktails, a clever and character-driven mystery following Willa, a woman navigating midlife, an empty nest, and a complicated relationship with both her husband and ex-husband, who together form an unlikely sleuthing trio. We explore the inspiration behind this dynamic, the novel’s themes of identity and reinvention, and why stories about this stage of life feel so rich and compelling.Find Kelly online: https://www.instagram.com/kellymullenauthor/Buy A Murder In Eight Cocktails: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/a-murder-in-eight-cocktails-kelly-mullen/e7064192bf36dd39?ean=9781529945188&next=tBooks recommended in this episode: It Ends here: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/it-ends-here-heidi-perks/dce10cc7150025d1?ean=9781804946480&next=tSnowblind: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/snowblind-ragnar-jonasson/848324?ean=9781910633038&next=tHer Many Faces: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/her-many-faces-nicci-cloke/7730200?ean=9781787304796&next=t