Elizabeth Pantley, author of Cowboys and Chaos, a Magical Mystery Book Club mystery, is visiting Ascroft, eh? today to tell us why mature sleuths make great characters.

Welcome, Elizabeth. I’ll turn the floor over to you –

Elizabeth: “One of the characters in the Magical Mystery Book Club series is Zelda, Zell to her friends. She’s eighty years old, and very proud of that fact. Readers tell me that they love her, and she’s their favorite character in the series. It’s not uncommon to find a senior citizen in a cozy mystery! What makes them so popular?

Seniors Lose their Filters

Whether it’s intentionally or by accident, seniors often blurt out things they shouldn’t. This makes for some very funny scenes, an intriguing character, and secrets exposed unexpectedly.

Experience and Wisdom Strengthen the Plot

An older sleuth carries a lifetime of experience that enables them to figure out the nuances of a case. An intelligent twenty-something person may miss something that a senior catches because of their past experiences. “Oh, I remember when…” can be a useful tool.

They can Get Away with Things

A tiny eighty-year-old woman can play the adorable card and get away with unacceptable behavior that would be nipped in the bud if it were a younger person. A crinkly, dimpled smile can convince anyone of innocence.

They Give Us Hope

Older characters who are smart, fun, and quirky tell us that age doesn’t mean you have to sit on a rocking chair and knit when you’re a senior citizen. You don’t have to become boring and bland. They demonstrate that no matter what your age, you can have a great time in your life.

They Reflect our Societal Shift

Sixty is the new forty, so they say. Therefore, eighty must be the new sixty, right? In today’s world of superior medical care, healthier personal habits, and the availability of information about how to live a longer, healthier life, you’ll see many seniors out there running marathons, hiking mountains, skiing, and sailing. So why not solving mysteries!”

Thank you for sharing this with us, Elizabeth, and good luck with Cowboys and Chaos, a Magical Mystery Book Club mystery.

Readers can learn more about Elizabeth Pantley by visiting the author’s website and her Facebook, Instagram and Bookbub pages.

The book is available online at Amazon US, Amazon UK, Amazon CA and Amazon AU.

About Elizabeth Pantley: Elizabeth says that writing her two Mystery and Magic book series is the most fun she’s ever had at work. Fans of her work say her joy is evident through the engaging stories she tells. Elizabeth is also the internationally bestselling author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution and twelve other books for parents. Her books have been published in over twenty languages. She lives in the Pacific Northwest, a beautiful inspiration for her enchanted worlds.