I have wanted to create a series that uses the fictional Ocean Alley town and characters, but brings in outsiders for each mystery. And not just one person, but several. It would keep me from having to bump off more people in the small town.
The Cozy Corner B&B, operated by Mayor Madge and her husband Harry, presents an option. In When the Carny Comes to Town (Jolie Gentil Book 3) a B&B guest was involved in the mystery, and a body turned up in the B&B in Trouble on the Doorstep (Book 5). But such situations are not good for tourism in the Jersey Shore town.
The B&B has always hosted individual guests. What about having a group rent the seven rooms? Or better yet, a bunch of people forced to stay there for a day or two? That would give Mayor Madge (Aunt Madge to Jolie Gentil) a reason to be involved.
Perhaps she'd have some help, but she'd be the main sleuth -- a senior sleuth, a.k.a. silver sleuth. Would having older characters turn off younger readers? Think The Kominsky Method, Grace and Frankie, or Black-ish. And Miss Marple was not exactly a spring chicken.
I've begun developing the characters and first couple of plots. I don't envision fourteen books, which is the status of the Jolie Gentil series. However, I think I could have fun writing three or five.
Starting a new series is a big investment. Especially for a 'senior writer.' It takes a certain amount of optimism.
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