Photo: Michelle L. Clifton finds inspiration in the scenic beauty of Cape Coral, where she pens her engaging Taryn O’Kelly mystery series.
Delving Into The Craft Behind The Taryn O’Kelly Mysteries
Michelle L. Clifton reveals her journey into cozy mysteries, discussing character development and the delicate balance of humour and suspense in her storytelling.
I n this discussion, author Michelle L. Clifton shares insights into her creative process and the inspirations behind her Taryn O’Kelly mystery series. Known for blending humour, romance, and suspense, Clifton offers readers an entertaining escape into the world of cozy mysteries, where ordinary characters find themselves in extraordinary situations. From her beginnings in Southwest Colorado to her current life in Cape Coral, Florida, she reflects on how her passion for puzzles and storytelling has shaped her writing journey. Readers will discover how Clifton intertwines personal experiences with fictional narratives, ultimately creating relatable and resilient protagonists that resonate with her audience.
What led you to write cozy mysteries, and how did the Taryn O’Kelly series first come into being?
I’ve always loved solving puzzles and unraveling mysteries, so cozy mysteries felt like a natural fit. I’m a hopeless romantic who doesn’t like gory books or movies. I fell in love with Janet Evanovich’s witty, fast-paced writing style.
I wanted to create stories that offer readers an escape full of warmth, humor, and a few good twists. The kind that makes you smile even while trying to solve whodunit. Originally, I wanted to be a district attorney to keep bad people off the streets. That love of justice blended with my imagination and humor, and out came Taryn O’Kelly. I had so much fun planning my own wedding that I made her a party planner, naturally stumbling into chaos. She’s ordinary in the best way: relatable, determined, and always trying to do the right thing, even when life (or murder) gets in the way.
How do you blend humor, romance, and suspense in your plotting while keeping the tone cohesive?
It’s all about balance and rhythm. I love humor that grows from character quirks, a sarcastic comment, a chaotic plan gone wrong, or a best friend saying exactly what we’re all thinking. Romance sneaks in naturally, through connection and shared vulnerability.
The suspense comes from darker corners of the world, but I never let it overshadow the heart of the story. Murder is horrible, and bad people do terrible things. You have to think like a villain, just not so deeply that you lose the cozy side of the mystery.
I think of it like mixing a good cocktail: sweetness, bite, and fizz all working together. If you can make readers laugh on one page and gasp the next, you’ve found the right blend.
Your books often feature strong female protagonists — how do you develop Taryn’s voice and growth across the series?
Taryn’s voice is the heartbeat of the books. She’s strong but imperfect, confident one minute and second-guessing herself the next. As the series progresses, she learns to trust her instincts and lean on the people around her rather than solving everything alone.
Many readers, especially women juggling careers, families, and endless to-do lists, see themselves in her. She’s figuring life out one mystery (and one coffee) at a time.
Do you ever use real-life people, places, or events as inspiration in your mysteries?
All the time, but in bits and pieces, snippets of real conversations or the charm of a small town definitely find their way in. I research true crime to lay the foundation for my mysteries, reading articles that have similarities to the story I want to tell. From there, I take the details I find compelling and adapt them into Taryn’s world.
What is your typical writing process — do you outline in full first, or allow the story to evolve more organically?
I’m a “loose plotter.” I usually know the major plot points, but the characters often take me on unexpected detours. Sometimes a side character refuses to stay in the background, or a clue appears out of nowhere, and that’s when I know the story is really alive.
Which particular scene or twist in Cruises, Cocktails & Corpses challenged you the most, and why?
There was a side character so eager to share his thoughts that he practically took over the story. I had to tell him to slow down because he was moving the plot along too quickly! To make everything fit, I added an extra day on the cruise so the scenes could unfold naturally. It was a fun challenge, a reminder that sometimes the characters know best.
How do you manage pacing in a mystery — when to build tension, when to offer respite or humor?
I approach pacing from a reader’s perspective, trying to remove myself and read the story as if for the first time, feeling how tension rises and falls. I’m a picky reader and get impatient with over-explained or extraneous scenes. I aim for fast-paced, easy-to-read stories because I’m busy but love to read. I want my readers to feel the same flow.
You also write on wellness and healthy living via Salty Inspirations — does that inform your fiction in unexpected ways?
I started Salty Inspirations to inspire readers and writers. Its focus on wellness comes from managing my own chronic health conditions, but it naturally finds its way into my fiction. Living a healthy lifestyle is something we all aspire to, and it’s especially important for authors juggling multiple roles.
What has surprised you most about reader responses or interpretations of your work?
I’m always delighted by how much readers love my endings. Many have told me they appreciate how all characters’ storylines are wrapped up neatly, not just the main character’s, something I hadn’t realized was even an option!
What advice would you share with other authors who wish to write engaging, lighthearted mysteries that still carry emotional stakes?
Write from the heart. Don’t chase trends, write the story that excites you. Readers can feel when a writer is genuinely having fun. Keep your mysteries clever but your characters real. Let them laugh, mess up, fall in love, and figure things out one clue at a time.
Even the coziest mystery needs depth. It’s what makes readers come back, not just for the next case, but for the people they’ve come to care about.
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