Welcome to Where Everybody Knows Your… Alibi— where we get to know the fictional towns we’d happily move to… if they didn’t have such a suspicious body count (but does that really matter?)
My April guest is the lovely Jackie Layton, cozy mystery author of spunky Southern sleuths. Jackie has three… three!… charming series that feature strong women, inviting settings, and twisty mysteries. Honestly, I still can’t pick a favorite.
Jackie is also a founding member and contributor of the Facebook group, Murder, They Write, and you won’t want to miss her website for her delightful blog, where she shares a mix of interviews, stories, and reviews.
This month, we’re heading to Fox Island, Georgia, the seaside setting of her An Organized Crime Cozy Mystery series. So pour a glass of sweet tea and settle in as we visit the place Kate Sloan calls home.
Welcome, Jackie!
Tell me, what’s the very first thing a newcomer learns about this town… whether they want to or not?
The most obvious thing you'll notice when you go to Fox Island, Georgia, is that it's an actual island off the coast of Georgia. The most unpleasant things are the heat, the humidity, and the mosquitoes. There’s no way you won’t notice these in the summer.
Ugh…mosquitoes!
What’s something everyone complains about but would fiercely defend from outsiders?
Fox Island residents might complain about the humidity, but if a visitor complains, they'll say it's a small price to pay for living in a subtropical paradise. The tidal creeks and salt marshes are beautiful, and visitors should wear long-sleeve shirts and pants if they're concerned.
If Fox Island had a motto, what would it really be?
Officially, it’d be the Best Little Beach Town for festivals. Unofficially, the motto would be Sly as a Fox because of so many murders and the high crime rate.
I don’t think they’ll be putting that on a sign any time soon!
Who unofficially runs the town, and do they know it?
It's hard to say who runs the town. The police chief, the mayor, and the local pastor are contenders. The pastor has a lot of support from all the people in town.
That’s great!
What’s the one place everyone ends up hanging out?
Fox Island hosts festivals throughout the year, and most are held near the lighthouse, Foxy Lady. This is a popular place to hang out, see neighbors, and maybe listen to good music.
Sounds like a fun place.
What smells, sounds, or sights instantly tell you that this place is home?
The briny smell welcomes locals home when they return to Fox Island. Some people can smell the salt wafting on the air, too. From most places on Fox Island, you can hear the sound of waves crashing on the beach. If you love the beach, this is like music to your ears.
I’m a beach girl… this sounds heavenly!
What’s the most beloved comfort food in town—and who makes it best?
Shrimp and grits is number one when it comes to comfort food.
You are speaking my language…
What’s a small daily ritual that says, “This is life here”?
For Kate Sloan, daily walks on the beach. She lived inland for many years, and now she doesn't want to miss opportunities to see the ocean and walk in the sand every day. This makes her life richer.
Where would I go to spend a lovely day reading a good book—and where would I pick up lunch to enjoy with it?
You’d want to grab lunch at Danny’s Deli. It’s off the beaten path, but you’ll be glad you did. Then you’d take it to the beach and settle in for a lovely day.
That’s my kind of day.
What’s the town’s worst-kept secret?
Bess Walker has a crush on Pastor Tom Cross.
Is there someone who insists they “never gossip,” but somehow knows everything?
Not really.
How do residents convince themselves that living here is perfectly safe despite the uh… murders?
Life is slower in the south. People are often kind and want to see the best in each other. That’s one reason they believe it’s safe to live in Fox Island.
Who would absolutely notice if something—or someone—was out of place?
Kate Sloan would notice, and it’s part of the reason she’s such a good organizer.
What annual event brings out the best in everyone?
The Memorial Day Triathlon is the unofficial start to summer and brings locals and visitors out to celebrate.
What a fun tradition!
Which season defines this town, and why?
Summer because there are so many water activities you can participate in. There’s kayaking, surfing, dolphin boat tours, parasailing, and relaxing days at the beach.
What tradition would confuse outsiders but is perfectly normal to locals?
Even though Fox Island is all about the beach, there’s a big group of people who love football. In the fall, people wear red and black to show their support for the University of Georgia. A few are even brave enough to wear Georgia Tech gear. They take football seriously in Fox Island. Many conversations end with, “Go Dawgs!”
Haha!
What’s the unspoken rule no one explains, but everyone expects you to follow?
Be a good neighbor.
That’s a great rule for every town!
Is there someone who always finds themselves in the middle of the town’s shenanigans?
Bess Walker has lived her entire life in Fox Island, and she knows a lot of what’s going on. She’s not a gossip, but when she worked in the church office, people spilled their guts to her.
I think we all need a “Bess” in our lives.
What would locals say is the best thing about living on Fox Island?
The weather and the opportunities to spend time on the water.
A huge thanks to the talented Jackie Layton for sharing Fox Island, Georgia, with us!
Her third book in the An Organized Crime Cozy Mystery series is available in all formats.
Jackie Layton is the author of A Low Country Dog Walker Mystery series. She loves her life on the coast of South Carolina, and it inspired the setting for her series. Jackie also works as a pharmacist. When she’s not writing, Jackie enjoys golf cart rides along the marsh and walks on the beach. She also enjoys traveling, especially to visit family in Kentucky and Texas.
Annie McEwen writes the Northwoods Mysteries, inspired by the pine forests and sparkling lakes of northern Wisconsin, where she spent childhood vacations and still visits family today.
A former farm kid, Annie now lives in rural Indiana with her husband. Their children and two young grandsons live nearby, making grandparenting her favorite role. Their home also includes four fur babies—two of whom appear in her books.
When she isn’t writing, Annie enjoys trash-to-treasure projects, gardening, working as a radiological technologist, and connecting with readers and fellow authors.
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