
A Cultivated Corpse (A Food Blogger Mystery) by Debra Sennefelder
About A Cultivated Corpse
Cozy Mystery
9th in Series
Setting - Connecticut
Publisher : Beyond the Page Publishing
Publication date : May 28, 2026
Print length : 238 pages
Paperback ISBN-10 : 1966322577
ISBN-13 : 978-1966322573
Digital Publication date : June 16, 2026
ISBN-13 : 978-1966322566
ASIN : B0H2797BZQ
When the local garden club president is killed, food blogger Hope Early will have to dig through the clues to catch a killer . . .
The Jefferson Garden Club’s annual plant sale is just around the corner, but Hope Early and other members of the club are more focused on the garden restoration project at Ambrose House. The gorgeous landscaping promises to help return the stately old house to its former glory, but rumors are surfacing of unexplained delays and exorbitant costs. Then the club’s president is found dead amid signs of foul play, and Hope can’t ignore the uneasy feeling that the victim was silenced for something she knew about the renovations.
Certain that the solution to the murder is tied to the garden project and the club’s recent financial struggles, Hope begins to go through their books and uncovers more than mismatched numbers. A tangle of transactions points to an intricate embezzlement scheme, but before she can weed out who’s behind it, a local reporter chasing the same story is killed. It’s clear now that someone is dead-set on keeping the truth buried, and Hope will have to unearth a vital piece of evidence before the killer decides it’s time to bury her as well . . .
Includes mouthwatering recipes!

Debra Sennefelder lives and writes in Connecticut, where she lives with her family and slightly spoiled Shih Tzu. An avid reader across a range of genres, mystery fiction is her obsession. Her interest in people and relationships is channeled into her novels against a backdrop of crime and mystery. She’s the author of the Food Blogger Mystery series and the Resale Boutique Mystery series. When she’s not writing, she’s either baking or reading. To learn more, visit her on the web at www.debrasennefelder.com
Food Blogger Mysteries
If you love cozy mysteries with a foodie twist, the Food Blogger Mysteries are for you. Follow food blogger Hope Early as she juggles baking, blogging, and uncovering secrets in the charming town of Jefferson, Connecticut. Each book delivers:
- Amateur sleuthing with humor and heart
- Recipes from Hope’s kitchen
- Small-town friendships (and rivalries!)
- Seasonal settings — from Halloween to Christmas
Perfect for fans of Joanne Fluke, Jenn McKinlay, Ellie Alexander, and Peg Cochran, this series combines delicious food with puzzling whodunits.
Interview:
- When did you first
realize you wanted to be a writer?
Since I was a child. I loved writing short stories, and reading books was one of my favorite pastimes. - How long does it take
you to write a book?
The actual writing process can take anywhere from eight to ten months. I also build in time to set the manuscript aside after the first draft so I can return to it with fresh eyes for revisions and a final edit before it goes off to my editor. - What is your work
schedule like when you're writing?
That depends on what stage of the process I’m in. When I’m writing a first draft, my goal is to write first thing in the morning after a treadmill session. I usually do a few writing sprints to reach my daily word count goal, which can range from 500 to 2,000 words. The rest of the day is dedicated to admin work, editing, and other responsibilities. During the second draft stage, I prefer working in the afternoon, and I usually tackle editorial revisions then as well. - What would you say is
your most interesting writing quirk?
I probably have two very different modes when it comes to noise. While I’m editing, I prefer complete silence. But when I’m writing a first draft, background noise doesn’t bother me at all. - How do books get
published?
These days, authors have two main publishing options: traditional publishing and independent publishing. Both paths have pros and cons, and I think it’s important for every writer to research both carefully to decide which one is the best fit for their goals. - Where do you get your
information or ideas for your books?
For research, I’ll often track down experts, either in person or through online forums, or I’ll do internet research. Most of my questions tend to involve law enforcement procedures. As for story ideas, I get them all the time. Some develop into strong plots, while others are simply fun “what if” moments that don’t go much further. - When did you write your
first book and how old were you?
I wrote my first book, a cozy mystery, when I was in my twenties. - What do you like to do
when you're not writing?
Aside from reading, I enjoy cooking, and I love taking our dog for walks. - What does your family
think of your writing?
They’re very supportive, and they enjoy reading my stories. - What was one of the most
surprising things you learned in creating your books?
Because I’d been part of a writers’ group with several multi-published authors, I already had some understanding of what publishing involved. So there weren’t too many surprises on that side of things. What surprised me most, in the best possible way, was the author community itself. Before becoming a published author, I didn’t realize just how generous, supportive, and encouraging other authors could be. The camaraderie has been amazing. - How many books have you
written? Which is your favorite?
I’ve written 17 books and I’m currently working on number 18. I don’t really have one favorite, but there are a few that are especially close to my heart:
- The Uninvited Corpse, a Food Blogger
Mystery, because it was my first published book.
- Sleuthing in Stilettos, a Resale Boutique
Mystery, because of how much Kelly’s character grew throughout the series.
- The Corpse in the Gazebo, a Food Blogger
Mystery, because it tackled a cold case intertwined with a true crime
podcast.
- The Cold Case and the
Corpse,
a Food Blogger Mystery, because it allowed me to shake up the structure of
the series and add more suspense.
- Spirits and Suspicions, my February 2027
paranormal cozy mystery release, because it challenged me to write in a
very different subgenre.
- Do you have any
suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
I would encourage you to keep writing and to learn as much about the craft as possible. Even after writing 18 books, I’m still learning. In fact, this month I’ll be attending a webinar focused on craft. There’s always something new to discover as a writer. - Do you hear from your
readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I do hear from readers, and I love connecting with them. It’s especially fun chatting on social media and hearing about their day or what they’re currently reading. I also receive emails with questions about my books or messages from readers telling me how much they enjoyed a particular story or series. It’s always a good day when I see an email from a reader in my inbox. - Do you like to create
books for adults?
Absolutely. - What do you think makes
a good story?
As a reader, I love compelling characters and a story filled with twists and turns that keep me turning the pages. - As a child, what did you
want to do when you grew up?
Be a writer. - What would you like my
readers to know?
I’d like your readers to know how grateful I am that they took the time to read this interview. I’d also love for them to check out A Cultivated Corpse. And please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or simply to say hello.
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