Picture a storyteller who swapped her illustrator’s pen for a whisk, blending cozy mysteries with the charm of a baking show—meet Jessa Maxwell! Writing under a pen name inspired by her grandmother, this Rhode Island-based author, also known as Jessica Olien, has whipped up a literary sensation with her debut novel, The Golden Spoon. With a knack for crafting suspenseful yet heartwarming tales, Maxwell’s journey from global journalist to bestselling mystery writer is as captivating as her stories.
The Making of Jessa Maxwell
Born as Jessica Olien, Jessa Maxwell’s creative roots stretch across continents. Her early career as a journalist took her to vibrant locales like Egypt, Thailand, and the Netherlands, where she honed her storytelling craft. Before turning to novels, she charmed young readers as an illustrator and author of five picture books, with her whimsical cartoons gracing outlets like The New Yorker and The New York Times. This eclectic background fueled her pivot to adult fiction, where she adopted the pseudonym Jessa Maxwell to distinguish her cozy mysteries from her children’s works.
Jessa Maxwell’s Unforgettable Stories
Maxwell’s debut, The Golden Spoon (2023), is a delicious blend of Clue and The Great British Bake Off. Set at a Vermont estate, the novel follows six bakers competing on a TV show, only for sabotage and murder to spice up the mix. Written during the 2020 pandemic in just three months, its multiple perspectives and locked-room mystery vibe earned starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Library Journal. Her follow-up, I Need You to Read This (2024), dives into psychological suspense, exploring a advice columnist’s murder, while Dead of Summer (2024) delivers another thrilling whodunit. Maxwell’s style—witty, character-driven, and layered with baking-inspired warmth—makes her mysteries both comforting and electrifying.
Inspired by shows like Knives Out and Only Murders in the Building, Maxwell crafts narratives where every character feels vivid, flawed, and suspicious. Her global travels infuse her settings with authenticity, while her love for baking adds a sensory richness, making readers crave both her plots and a slice of cake.
Why Jessa Maxwell Matters
Jessa Maxwell has carved a unique niche in the cozy mystery genre, blending culinary charm with dark humor. The Golden Spoon’s success sparked a Hulu limited series deal, produced by Aline Brosh McKenna, proving her stories resonate beyond the page. By tackling themes like ageism and sexism through relatable characters, Maxwell invites readers to savor both the mystery and the human connections. Her rapid rise from debut author to bestseller highlights her storytelling prowess, leaving fans eager for more.
- Pen Name: Jessa Maxwell, inspired by her grandmother
- Key Works: The Golden Spoon, I Need You to Read This, Dead of Summer
- Residence: Jamestown, Rhode Island
Ready to dive into a world of baking and betrayal? Snag The Golden Spoon and savor Jessa Maxwell’s cozy mystery magic!