Picture a dynamic duo spinning tales of Southern charm and cozy mysteries from their rural North Carolina home—meet J.J. Cook, the pseudonym of Joyce and Jim Lavene! This husband-and-wife team crafted over 60 novels, blending everyday American life with intriguing whodunits. Known for series like A Biscuit Bowl Food Truck Mystery, their stories serve up suspense with a side of heartwarming humor.
With a knack for capturing small-town vibes, the Lavenes wrote under multiple pen names, including J.J. Cook and Ellie Grant, publishing with giants like Berkley and Harlequin. Their love for mystery, pets, and the South shines through in every page, making them beloved figures in contemporary genre fiction.
The Making of J.J. Cook
Joyce and Jim Lavene, the minds behind J.J. Cook, were award-winning photojournalists before diving into fiction in 1999. Based in Midland, North Carolina, they traded cameras for keyboards, fueled by a shared passion for storytelling. Their early romance novel, Flowers in the Night, earned a Frankfurt Book Award nomination in 2000, while their debut mystery, Last Dance, snagged the Master’s Choice Award for best first mystery novel in 1999. Living with their rescue pets—Rudi, Stan Lee, and Quincy—the Lavenes drew inspiration from their Southern roots and tight-knit community.
J.J. Cook’s Unforgettable Stories
As J.J. Cook, the Lavenes mastered the cozy mystery genre, infusing it with Southern flair and quirky characters. Their Biscuit Bowl Food Truck Mystery series follows Zoe Chase, a spunky food truck chef in Mobile, Alabama, who dishes out deep-fried biscuit bowls and solves crimes. In Death on Eat Street (2014), Zoe’s dream of owning a diner takes a deadly turn when a rival is found dead in her truck. Fry Another Day (2015) sees her racing to clear her attorney friend’s name in a cutthroat food truck competition.
The Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade Mystery series, another J.J. Cook gem, blends paranormal twists with small-town heroics. That Old Flame of Mine (2013) introduces Stella Griffin, a fire chief in Sweet Pepper, Tennessee, who teams up with a ghostly chef to solve crimes. Known for vivid settings and relatable heroines, the Lavenes’ stories weave humor, romance, and suspense, earning praise for their ‘fast, fun, and foodworthy’ narratives.
Their writing style is warm and approachable, with a focus on community, resilience, and clever sleuthing. Whether it’s a food truck showdown or a ghostly investigation, J.J. Cook’s books offer a cozy escape with just enough thrill to keep readers hooked.
Why J.J. Cook Matters
J.J. Cook’s stories resonate with fans of cozy mysteries, offering a refreshing take on the genre through Southern settings and strong female leads. The Lavenes’ ability to juggle multiple series while maintaining quality cemented their influence, with over 70 novels sold worldwide. Their collaborative spirit—writing across networked computers, debating plot points in real time—inspired aspiring authors, proving teamwork makes the dream work.
Sadly, Joyce passed away in 2015, followed by Jim, leaving a void in the mystery community. Yet their legacy endures through their books, which continue to charm readers with their wit and warmth.
- Pen Names: J.J. Cook, Ellie Grant, Joye Ames
- Key Works: Death on Eat Street, Fry Another Day, That Old Flame of Mine
- Awards: Master’s Choice Award (1999), Frankfurt Book Award nomination (2000)
- Home: Midland, North Carolina
Snag Death on Eat Street and dive into J.J. Cook’s deliciously cozy mysteries today!