From Christmas Pickle to Award-Winning Mystery: Pickled for Revenge Wins a Firebird Book Award!
Sometimes, a book surprises you. And sometimes, it surprises you in ways you never could have imagined! I'm absolutely delighted to share some wonderful news: my Christmas mystery, Pickled for Revenge, has won the Firebird Book Award in the Cozy Mystery category! And yes, I'm still grinning about it!
A Christmas Pickle, a Murder, and One Very Unexpected Adventure
If you've followed my writing journey for a while, you probably know me best for my historical fiction. I've spent years researching the lives of fascinating women, exploring different periods in history, and bringing the past to life through my novels. Then I had an idea involving a Christmas pickle ornament.
Somewhere along the way, that little idea turned into Pickled for Revenge: A Christmas Mystery set in the fictional German village of Ettering in the Black Forest. Add an amateur sleuth with an enthusiasm for Christmas pickles, his long-suffering companions, a village full of eccentric characters, and a murder that threatens to disrupt the festivities, and you have a story that took me in a rather unexpected direction!
Writing this book gave me the opportunity to explore a different side of storytelling. There was room for more mischief, a little sarcasm, plenty of ridiculous situations, and a mystery that needed solving before Christmas could proceed as planned. It was a delightful change of pace from my historical novels, and I had an enormous amount of fun bringing Ettering and its inhabitants to life.
And Now, an Award!
When I decided to venture into cozy mysteries, I knew I was trying something different. What I didn't know was that this unusual Christmas story would eventually receive a Firebird Book Award in its category. To say I'm thrilled would be an understatement!
Awards are always exciting, but this one feels particularly special because Pickled for Revenge represents a creative leap into unfamiliar territory. Seeing that leap recognized is both encouraging and deeply rewarding. I'm incredibly grateful to the Firebird Book Awards for this recognition, and to everyone who has supported this book along the way. Whether you've read it, shared a post, left a review, or simply encouraged me as I explored a new genre, please know how much I appreciate it.
And if you've ever wondered whether an author can spend years writing historical fiction and then decide that a Christmas pickle might be the perfect starting point for a murder mystery, apparently the answer is yes!
What's Next for Ettering?
Well, I can't make any promises just yet, but let's just say that I haven't necessarily finished causing trouble for the residents of Ettering. For now, though, I'm going to take a moment to enjoy this wonderful milestone. Writing is full of hard work, unexpected detours, and moments when you wonder whether an idea will ever come together. Celebrating the good moments matters, too. And this is definitely one of them. Thank you for celebrating with me!
Have you ever read a book that surprised you by being completely different from what you expected? I'd love to hear about it in the comments!
Piper is the award-winning author of The Country Girl Empress series. When she isn't busy typing on her computer, she can be found chasing after her furry children or holding on tightly to a good cup of coffee. Follow her on LinkedIn, Facebook, Medium, and Goodreads
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