Claudia Grant is visiting Ascroft, eh? to tell us about Pleats and Poison, the latest novel in the Craft and Ghost Cozy Mystery series (A Dress Designer Cozy Mystery).

Welcome, Claudia. Let’s get started, shall we?

Claudia, can you introduce yourself to our readers?
Of course! I’m Claudia Grant, owner of Grants Gowns in the charming small town of Drakes Bay, Maine. I inherited the dress shop from my late Uncle Herman, whose ghost, by the way, is my constant companion. My specialty is designing wedding gowns, but to keep Lola, my inherited kitty, in tuna, I also design and sell sundresses and suits, and collaborate with Beth Stewart, owner of Knit or Purl, of handcraft hats, mittens and sweaters. People come to buy clothes, but sometimes they end up inadvertently sharing secrets—and in a small town like ours, secrets don’t stay hidden for long. Especially when my resident ghost decides to chime in with his opinion.

What does a typical day look like for you?
I usually start my mornings with coffee—lots of it—and enjoy the view of the Atlantic Ocean from my deck.  After that, I open the dress shop, sew and focus on new designs and sew not on murder. At least I try. Somehow, I get pulled into a mystery—whether it’s getting caught holding a gun over a dead body, a stolen box of buttons, or a new ghost confused about how she became one, it’s all in a day’s work for me.

By evening, I’m either solving crimes with the help of my new BFF Beth—or chatting with my Uncle Herman as he continues to mentor me. Shh, I think that’s why he hasn’t crossed over yet. He’s worried about leaving the business before I’m capable of running it to his standards. But I don’t mind I enjoy his company. And somewhere in the middle of life I’m on the cusp of a new romance, but we’re taking our time. After all, how could I explain talking to thin air?

Do you like the way Lucinda recounts your adventures?
Ha! Let’s just say she has a habit of putting me in some tricky situations. I mean, not everyone in Drakes Bay should get caught up in a crime, right? However, she’s doing a great job of pulling my new friends into tricky situations. Thankfully, she’s given me a sharp wit, a supportive circle of friends, and a knack for noticing details. So yes, I suppose I’ll keep her.

Any pointers you’d like to give Lucinda?
Yes. Less danger, more time to relax and hang out with my new friends. Also, maybe a little more time for my budding romance wouldn’t hurt. I keep dropping hints, but she’s stubborn. Readers—help me out here!

Facts about Claudia:

Occupation: Owner of Grants Gowns, where murder and fashion are always in style

Pet Sidekick: Lola, the Himalayan cat I inherited from Uncle Herman along with the business and building overlooking the ocean

Human Sidekick: Beth Stewart, owner of Knit or Purl, and my partner in sleuthing, we call ourselves the Sofa Sleuths.

Secret Talent: I talk to ghosts—and they’re not shy about offering “help” on my investigations.

Unexpected Hobby: Solving murders in my adopted home town (I swear I don’t go looking for them… they just find me).

Fuel of Choice: Endless cups of coffee—and the occasional lemon treat to keep her spirits up.

Thank you for answering my questions, Claudia, and good luck to you and your author, Lucinda Race, with Pleats and Poison, the latest book in the Craft and Ghost Cozy Mystery series (A Dress Designer Cozy Mystery).

Readers can learn more about Claudia and her author, Lucinda Race by visiting the author’s website and her Facebook, Goodreads, Bookbub, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and Pinterest pages. You can also follow her on BlueSky.

The novel is available at the following online retailers:

Amazon     Kobo    Barnes & Noble Smashwords     Google Play    Goodreads    BookBub

About Lucinda Race: Award-winning and best-selling author Lucinda Race is a lifelong fan of fiction who fell in love with cozy mysteries and romance novels as a young girl. While her childhood friends dreamed of becoming doctors and engineers, Lucinda was already dreaming of crafting captivating novels filled with heart, hope, and happily ever afters.

Though her writing journey began with nonfiction, her passion for storytelling never wavered. She returned to her true calling—creating the beloved McKenna Family Romance series and the Paranormal Cozy Nook Bookstore Series—writing the kinds of stories she loves to read. Whether she’s weaving a heartwarming romance or a cozy mystery, her fingers practically fly across the keyboard.

Lucinda lives in the rolling hills of western Massachusetts with her little dog— a shih tzu mix rescue—who is always by her side. When she’s not immersed in writing mystery, suspense, or romance, she’s curled up with a book, devouring everything she can get her hands on.