Picture a storyteller who whipped up delectable mysteries with a side of New Orleans charm—meet Jacklyn Brady! This American author, a pseudonym for the award-winning Sherry Lewis, captivated cozy mystery fans with her 'A Piece of Cake Mystery' series, blending culinary delights and clever whodunits. From her Gulf Coast home, Brady crafted stories that feel like a warm beignet dusted with intrigue.
Born in Utah and raised in Montana, Brady’s journey to bestseller status is as layered as her fictional cakes. Her knack for storytelling, honed through diverse genres, shines in her pastry chef protagonist, Rita Lucero, whose adventures keep readers hungry for more.
The Making of Jacklyn Brady
Raised amidst Montana’s wide-open spaces, Jacklyn Brady—aka Sherry Lewis—developed a love for stories early on. After years in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, she settled along Florida’s Emerald Coast, where the Gulf’s rhythm inspired her writing. A versatile professional, Brady taught writing workshops for over two decades through Dancing on Coals Workshops for Fiction Writers, mentoring aspiring authors. Her leap into cozy mysteries began in 2011 with her debut as Jacklyn Brady, channeling her knack for romance and mystery into a fresh, culinary-focused series.
Jacklyn Brady’s Unforgettable Stories
Brady’s 'A Piece of Cake Mystery' series, set in vibrant New Orleans, stars Rita Lucero, a pastry chef with a knack for solving crimes. The series kicked off with A Sheetcake Named Desire (2011), where Rita untangles a murder tied to her bakery, Zydeco Cakes. Cake on a Hot Tin Roof (2012) spices things up with a Mardi Gras murder, while Arsenic and Old Cake (2012) sees Rita posing as a newlywed to crack a decades-old mystery. The final book, The Cakes of Monte Cristo (2016), weaves a cursed necklace into a suspenseful ball, cementing Brady’s flair for rich settings and quirky characters.
Brady’s style is smooth as fondant, blending light romance, humor, and intricate plots. Her New Orleans backdrop pulses with life, from jazz-filled streets to swampy secrets, while culinary themes—complete with recipes—add a delicious twist. Readers and critics, including New York Times bestselling author Sheila Connolly, praise her decadent narratives and Big Easy attitude.
Why Jacklyn Brady Matters
Jacklyn Brady brought cozy mysteries to new heights by marrying culinary arts with sleuthing, inspiring a wave of food-themed mysteries. Her active role in writing communities like Romance Writers of America and Sisters in Crime fostered camaraderie and mentorship, shaping aspiring writers. Brady’s stories, rich with strong female leads like Rita, resonate with readers craving lighthearted yet gripping tales, leaving a lasting mark on the genre.
- Born: Utah, raised in Montana
- Key Works: A Sheetcake Named Desire, Cake on a Hot Tin Roof, Arsenic and Old Cake, The Cakes of Monte Cristo
- Genres: Cozy Mystery, Romance
- Fun Fact: Brady’s real name, Sherry Lewis, penned romance and time-travel novels!
Snag A Sheetcake Named Desire and dive into Jacklyn Brady’s scrumptious world of mystery and charm!