Picture a Santa Cruz realtor turned cozy mystery maestro, spinning tales where open houses lead to whodunits—meet Nancy Lynn Jarvis! With a knack for blending real estate savvy with suspense, Jarvis has captivated readers through her Regan McHenry Real Estate Mysteries series, proving that property deals can be as thrilling as a detective chase.
From her vibrant career in California’s housing market to her pivot as a beloved author, Jarvis’s journey is a testament to reinvention. Her stories, steeped in the quirks of Santa Cruz, offer a delightful mix of humor, heart, and homicide, making her a standout in the cozy mystery genre.
The Making of Nancy Lynn Jarvis
Born with a curious mind, Nancy Lynn Jarvis earned a BA in behavioral science from San Jose State University, setting the stage for her eclectic career. Before writing, she dabbled in advertising at the San Jose Mercury News, worked as a librarian, and even served as the business manager for Shakespeare/Santa Cruz. Her philosophy? Try something radically different every few years. This zest for change led her to real estate, where she thrived for over 25 years in Santa Cruz, co-owning a company with her husband, Craig. By 2013, her love for storytelling overtook her realtor life, and she let her license lapse to focus on writing full-time.
Nancy Lynn Jarvis’s Unforgettable Stories
Jarvis’s flagship series, the Regan McHenry Real Estate Mysteries, launched in 2008 with The Death Contingency. Here, realtor Regan McHenry stumbles into murder while closing deals in Santa Cruz, her sleuthing aided by her husband, Tom, a former programmer turned broker, and friend Dave, a one-eyed cop. The series, spanning seven books, shines with titles like Backyard Bones, where Regan uncovers a teen’s body at a sale site, and The Murder House, tackling a haunted property’s dark past. Each novel blends real estate intricacies with cozy suspense, offering readers a front-row seat to Santa Cruz’s quirky charm.
Beyond Regan, Jarvis explores diverse narratives. Mags and the AARP Gang follows octogenarian bank robbers saving their mobile home park, a tale Jarvis jokingly claims was channeled by an 83-year-old muse. She also penned The Truth About Hosting Airbnb, a gossipy insider’s guide, and edited Cozy Food, a cookbook uniting 128 mystery writers’ recipes. Her PIP Inc. Mysteries, starting with The Glass House, introduce Pat Pirard, a downsized law librarian turned private investigator, showcasing Jarvis’s knack for fresh, engaging protagonists.
Jarvis’s style is light yet gripping, weaving real-world details into cozy mysteries that feel authentic. Her Santa Cruz settings, from Marianne’s Ice Cream to La Selva Beach, ground her stories in a vivid sense of place, while her behavioral science background adds depth to character motives, making each plot twist both surprising and satisfying.
Why Nancy Lynn Jarvis Matters
Nancy Lynn Jarvis has carved a niche in the cozy mystery world by transforming her real estate expertise into a lens for storytelling. Her Regan McHenry series not only entertains but also demystifies the high-stakes world of property deals, resonating with readers who crave relatable yet thrilling narratives. Her community involvement—through Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and Santa Cruz Women of Mystery—amplifies her impact, fostering a vibrant literary network.
Jarvis’s willingness to experiment, from editing anthologies like Santa Cruz Weird to launching new series, inspires aspiring writers to embrace versatility. Her stories, filled with wit and warmth, remind us that mysteries can be both heart-pounding and heartwarming, cementing her legacy as a cozy genre gem.
About Nancy Lynn Jarvis
- Key Works: Regan McHenry Real Estate Mysteries, Mags and the AARP Gang, PIP Inc. Mysteries
- Education: BA in Behavioral Science, San Jose State University
- Fun Fact: Jarvis once hosted Airbnb guests, inspiring her book The Truth About Hosting Airbnb.
Ready to sleuth through Santa Cruz with Regan McHenry? Snag The Death Contingency and dive into Nancy Lynn Jarvis’s cozy mystery magic!