Purple, Blame, Game: Kiki Lowenstein Cozy Mystery
by Joanna Campbell Slan
About Purple, Blame, Game
Purple, Blame, Game: Kiki Lowenstein Cozy Mystery
Cozy Mystery
21st in Series
Setting - St. Louis, Missouri
Publisher : Spot On Publishing
Publication date : June 2, 2026
Digital
ASIN : B0GPQFM5GT
Other Formats Available Soon.
No good deed goes unpunished…
Kiki Lowenstein is used to juggling crafts, customers, and chaos—but she never expected her latest charity project to lead to murder.
When Kiki offers free crochet classes to make stuffed animals for hospitalized children, the project seems like the perfect way to give back. But tensions quickly rise among her students, and a heated confrontation sparks rumors, accusations, and a social media frenzy that threatens to destroy lives.
Then everything takes a deadly turn.
On a foggy Mardi Gras morning, Kiki discovers the body of Celeste Harrow behind her store.
Suddenly, Kiki is caught in a tangled web of secrets, lies, and motives. The victim had made enemies. Plenty of them. And now, Kiki must figure out who turned a good deed into a deadly game—before suspicion lands squarely on her.
With her business at risk, her family in the spotlight, and a determined detective asking hard questions, Kiki must rely on her instincts (and a little help from her friends) to uncover the truth.
Because in this cozy mystery, nothing is as harmless as it seems…
Perfect for fans of:
• Cozy mysteries with strong female sleuths
• Crafting, crochet, and creative communities
• Fast-paced whodunits with humor and heart
• Series like Hannah Swensen, Aurora Teagarden, and Tea Shop Mysteries
A Kiki Lowenstein Cozy Mystery — can be enjoyed as a standalone!
About Joanna Campbell Slan
Joanna Campbell Slan is a New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon bestselling author of nearly 80 books, known for her page-turning cozy mysteries and emotionally rich women’s fiction. Her stories blend amateur sleuths, strong female friendships, humor, and heart—earning praise from Publishers Weekly as “a cut above the usual craft-themed cozy.”
Best known for her long-running Kiki Lowenstein Mystery Series (Agatha Award finalist), Joanna creates unforgettable characters who grow, adapt, and triumph. Her popular Cara Mia Delgatto Mysteries, set on Florida’s Treasure Coast, and her award-winning Jane Eyre Chronicles—recipient of the Daphne du Maurier Award for Literary Excellence—showcase her range across contemporary, historical, and literary-inspired suspense.
Joanna’s books resonate with readers who love:
- Cozy mysteries with strong female protagonists
- Craft-themed and small-town settings
- Stories about friendship, reinvention, and second chances
- Clean mysteries with humor, heart, and suspense
In addition to fiction, Joanna is an internationally recognized teacher and author of nonfiction books on public speaking and crafting. Her work has been praised by top communication experts, and she has contributed to the beloved Chicken Soup for the Soulseries.
A native Floridian, Joanna lives on Florida’s Treasure Coast, where she draws inspiration from coastal life, creativity, and her passion for crafts like Zentangle®, crochet, and upcycling.
Her mission: to make the world a better place—one story at a time.
Interview:
1. When did you first realize
you wanted to be a writer?
I honestly think I was born wanting
to tell stories. As a child, I was forever making up adventures in my head. I
loved books so much that I eventually began imagining my own endings and “what
happened next” for characters I adored. Somewhere along the way, storytelling
stopped being a hobby and became a calling.
2. How long does it take you to
write a book?
It depends on the book. I have one
that took me 35 years, and another that’s still percolating!Every book has its
own personality. Some behave beautifully. Others fight me every step of the
way. Cozy mysteries are a little like baking—you need structure, timing, and
the right ingredients, but there’s always some magic involved, too.
3. What is your work schedule
like when you're writing?
I write almost every day. I’m an
early-morning thinker, so I like to get started while the world is still quiet.
Once I’m deep into a book, the characters live in my head constantly. I’ll
solve plot problems while driving, cooking dinner, or even crocheting.
4. What would you say is your
interesting writing quirk?
I talk to my characters. Out loud.
In public sometimes. It’s a little embarrassing.
I also “cast” my books in my
imagination the way a movie director might. I can usually see my characters
very clearly—their expressions, clothing, mannerisms, even the way they walk.
5. How do books get published?
There are more ways than ever now!
Some authors work with traditional publishing houses, while others publish independently.
I’ve done both over the years. No matter which route you choose, the important
thing is telling a story readers love enough to recommend to their friends.
That’s the greatest compliment of all.
6. Where do you get your
information or ideas for your books?
Everywhere! Real life is endlessly
fascinating. I collect tiny details constantly—snippets of conversation, odd
news stories, funny family moments, things I observe in grocery stores or
airports.
For Purple, Blame, Game,
my recent obsession with crochet became a huge inspiration. I carry crochet
projects everywhere, and people constantly stop to say, “I’ve always wanted to
learn how to do that.” That sparked the idea of Kiki teaching crochet classes
in her craft store.
7. When did you write your first
book and how old were you?
I wrote stories constantly as a
child, but my first published novel came much later after life, marriage, a
child, and plenty of real-world experience. I’m actually one of the early
contributors to the Chicken Soup for the Soul books, back in the early 1990s.
My first book was a college textbook published in 1997.
8. What do you like to do when
you're not writing?
Crochet! Obviously. I’ve become
completely hooked on it. My grandson is four years old, which is the perfect
age for handmade toys, so I’m forever making little creatures and gifts. (The
photo is of a “bear rug” I made for him.)
I also love miniatures, crafting,
reading, traveling, and spending time with family.
9. What does your family think
of your writing?
Thankfully, they’ve been
wonderfully supportive. My husband has even helped inspire parts of books over
the years. My family is used to me suddenly saying things like, “Wait! Don’t
leave the room! That thing you just said belongs in a book.”
10. What was one of the most
surprising things you learned in creating your books?
How deeply readers connect to
characters. Readers don’t simply “read” cozy mysteries—they move into those
worlds emotionally. They care about the pets, the friendships, the romances,
the recipes, and the communities. That connection is incredibly humbling.
That’s why my new bonus packages have been a big hit. The packages are free
with certain books, and they include recipes, projects, and bonus scenes.
11. How many books have you
written? Which is your favorite?
I’ve written more than eighty—and
choosing a favorite is almost impossible. Every new book becomes my temporary
favorite while I’m writing it because I’m living inside that story world.
12. Do you have any suggestions
to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Read constantly.
Write consistently.
And don’t wait for perfection.
Most writers improve by writing
badly first and continuing anyway. You cannot revise a blank page. Also, pay
attention to people. Human nature is the heart of storytelling.
13. Do you hear from your
readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
Yes, and hearing from readers is
one of the greatest joys of being an author. Many readers tell me they feel
comforted by my books. Others say they love the humor, the crafting elements,
or the sense of found family.
And of course, readers are always
very vocal about the pets in my books! I’ve promised them that Gracie the Great
Dane will never die!
14. Do you like to create books
for adults?
Absolutely. I love writing for
adults because cozy mysteries allow me to explore friendship, second chances,
family, resilience, creativity, and community—all wrapped inside an
entertaining mystery.
15. What do you think makes a
good story?
Heart.
A good story makes readers feel
something. Suspense matters. Humor matters. But emotional connection is what
readers remember long after they finish the final page.
16. As a child, what did you
want to do when you grew up?
Everything! I wanted to be an
actress, an artist, a teacher, and a writer. In some funny way, being an author
lets me become all of those things at once.
17. What would you like my
readers to know?
I truly believe stories matter.
In a stressful world, books can
provide comfort, hope, laughter, and connection. If readers close one of my
books feeling happier than when they opened it, then I’ve done my job.
