Picture a Southern storyteller who spins mysteries as smooth as olive oil—meet Kelly Lane! This Virginia-based author has carved a niche in the cozy mystery genre with her delightful Olive Grove Mystery Series, set in the charming town of Abundance, Georgia. With a knack for blending humor, intrigue, and Southern hospitality, Lane’s stories invite readers to savor a world where gossip can be as deadly as a well-placed clue.
The Making of Kelly Lane
Born with a love for storytelling, Kelly Lane’s journey to authorship was as varied as her cozy plots. Before settling in the bucolic foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, she wore many hats—journalist, copywriter, editor, and PR consultant for Fortune 500 companies. Her eclectic background, from competitive sailing to owning one of New England’s largest equestrian facilities, infused her writing with rich, authentic details. Lane’s passion for cozy mysteries bloomed through workshops with Sisters in Crime and hours spent reading manuscripts, shaping her into a fresh voice in the genre.
Kelly Lane’s Unforgettable Stories
Lane’s Olive Grove Mystery Series, published by Berkley Prime Crime, is her crowning achievement. The series follows Eva Knox, a spirited olive grove farmer who stumbles into murder mysteries in Abundance, Georgia. The debut, One Foot in the Grove (2016), introduces Eva’s return to her family’s plantation after a dramatic wedding-day escape, only to face a murder that stirs up old town grudges. Cold Pressed Murder (2017) ups the ante with a celebrity chef’s death during a cookoff, while Dipped to Death (2018) sees Eva’s ex-boyfriend’s suspicious demise, laced with nefarious secrets. Lane’s style shines with vivid Southern settings, quirky characters, and recipes that add a culinary twist, earning her a Library Journal starred review for her debut.
Her narratives weave humor and suspense, with Eva navigating love triangles and small-town gossip. Lane’s descriptive prose paints Georgia’s olive groves so vividly you can almost taste the oil, while her plots keep readers guessing with clever twists. Fans adore the series’ slow-burn Southern pace that accelerates into gripping whodunits, making each book a standalone treat or a binge-worthy series.
Why Kelly Lane Matters
Kelly Lane’s impact lies in her ability to elevate the cozy mystery genre with a fresh Southern flair. Her Olive Grove series has captivated readers and critics, earning praise for its atmospheric charm and well-crafted characters. By blending culinary elements, family dynamics, and small-town intrigue, Lane offers an escape that’s both comforting and thrilling. Though her series paused after three books, fans eagerly await more, a testament to her ability to leave readers smiling, as she always aimed to do.
- Key Works: Olive Grove Mystery Series (One Foot in the Grove, Cold Pressed Murder, Dipped to Death)
- Award: Library Journal starred review for One Foot in the Grove
- Fun Fact: Lane’s love for animals and gardening often sneaks into her stories!
Snag One Foot in the Grove and dive into Kelly Lane’s deliciously cozy world of Southern mysteries!