Hello and Welcome All!
Today I’m very lucky to be interviewing Kari Lee Townsend author of The Well-Kept Secret.
Hi Kari, thank you for agreeing to this interview.
For those readers not familiar with you, would you please tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m Kari Lee Townsend, author of mysteries, suspense, women’s fiction, romances, and tween novels. I love weaving together small-town charm, a touch of magic, and a whole lot of heart. My books are filled with quirky characters, rich settings, and themes of friendship, family, and second chances. I live in central New York, where I find endless inspiration in everyday life and the beautiful scenery around me.
How did you choose the genre you write in?
Mysteries and women’s fiction felt like a natural fit because I’ve always loved puzzles and people. I enjoy untangling secrets, but I also love diving deep into relationships and emotions. Adding in humor, romance, and even a sprinkle of magic lets me write the kind of stories I love to read—ones that make you laugh, cry, and stay up too late turning pages.
What are your ambitions for your writing career?
I’ve written 5 short stories, 7 novellas, and 31 novels so far. My goal has always been to write stories that entertain and uplift. I’d love to continue building all of my series—like the Wishville Mysteries—while also reaching new readers in women’s fiction and romance. Longevity matters most to me by writing the kinds of books that stick with readers and become comfort reads they return to again and again.
Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?
When I first read Come Love a Stranger by Kathleen Woodiwiss and A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux, I was hooked on romance. That was when I first got the bug to write, though I’ve never written a historical. The closest I’ve come is my book Until Tomorrow where I go back and forth between two couples in the present and WWII era. That was a lot of work and intimidating. I have the utmost respect for historical authors. Later, Janet Evanovich got me hooked on writing humor, quirky characters, and cozy mysteries with her Stephanie Plum novels.
If you could have dinner with any three authors (alive or dead), who would you choose and why?
Agatha Christie—for her brilliance in plotting mysteries.
Jane Austen—for her wit and insight into relationships and society.
Nora Roberts—for her incredible career longevity and versatility across genres.
Among the three of them, I think I’d learn more over one dinner than in years of study!
Tell us a little bit about your upcoming book?
My upcoming book is The Well-Kept Secret, the first in the Wishville Mystery series. It introduces Lyra Wells, the half-human, half-Dweller Guardian of a magical wishing well that links Wishville to the hidden realm of Elarion. When a local man is found dead near the well just as WishFest begins, Lyra is drawn into a dangerous investigation while trying to keep the treaty between humans and Dwellers intact. The book blends cozy mystery charm with fantasy intrigue—think small-town festivals, quirky townsfolk, a magical cat named Vex, and a love triangle that’s just as complicated as the murder case.
Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
A mix of both! Wishville itself is fictional, but it’s inspired by the small New England towns I’ve visited, with their festivals, traditions, and quirky communities. The characters are drawn from bits and pieces of real people, but the magical elements and mysteries are pure imagination.
Give us insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special?
Lyra Wells is half-human, half-Dweller, which makes her the only one of her kind. She’s not immortal like Dwellers, but she ages much slower than humans. While she looks thirty, she’s lived nearly three hundred years. She’s the Guardian of the Wishing Well, tasked with making sure WishFest runs smoothly each season so the treaty between humans and Dwellers isn’t broken. She’s special because she bridges both worlds—rooted in humanity yet connected to ancient magic—and because she never gives up, even when the weight of that responsibility feels overwhelming.
What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
I loved writing the interplay between small-town humor and high-stakes fantasy. One minute, Lyra is wrangling vendors for WishFest, and the next she’s navigating a bioluminescent world beneath the well as she tries to prove herself to the Council of Elders. Blending cozy warmth with epic stakes was both challenging and rewarding, and of course, writing Vex the sassy magical cat is always a highlight!
Please share a few fun facts about this book…
Vex the cat is inspired by my oldest son and daughter-in-law’s sassy black cat named Katniss, except Vex is a male. His sassy telepathic comments often surprised even me as I wrote him. He stole scenes I hadn’t planned for!
The Wellies (Tilly, Belle, and Dot) were inspired by the way small-town busybodies always seem to know everything. Writing their banter made me laugh out loud. I love having an eccentric trio in my cozy mysteries. They, too, can steal the show.
The realm of Elarion was inspired by my fascination with underwater bioluminescence and crystal caves. I wanted it to feel both luminous and ancient, with Dwellers being like ethereal elves. Think Avatar meets Lord of the Rings.
Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview.
Thank you so much for having me! It’s always a joy to share my stories and connect with readers who love mysteries, magic, quirky characters, and small-town charm.
Stay tuned for The Well-Laid Trap (A Wishville Mystery #2) 1-20-26
The Well-Kept Secret
(A Wishville Mystery)
Cozy Fantasy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Wishville, Vermont
Publisher: Oliver Heber Books
Publication Date: October 28, 2025
A Spring Festival. A Magical Murder. A Secret Buried Beneath the Well.
Wishville, Vermont looks like a storybook postcard—complete with forest festivals, quirky locals, and a centuries-old wishing well that allegedly grants one wish each season. But for Lyra Wells, the magic isn’t just folklore—it’s her full-time job. As the half-human, half-Dweller Guardian of the Well, Lyra must keep the peace between the mortal world and the magical realm of Elarion. That means overseeing every seasonal WishFest, keeping tourists entertained, and pretending her glowing cat sidekick isn’t judging everyone.
But when an all-too-nosy antique dealer is found mysteriously dead by the well—and a rare memory crystal is discovered at the scene—the fragile treaty between worlds begins to unravel, and the ethereal Dweller chief enforcer isn’t happy. As the townsfolk whisper about curses and coincidences, something ancient stirs beneath the surface—and it’s not ready to stay hidden.
National Bestselling Author, Agatha, RT Reviewers Choice & Golden Duck Award Nominee. Kari lives in Central New York with her husband & 3 Samoyeds. She’s a lover of wine & travel (especially cruising), obsessed with reality TV, loves to try new things, and thinks there’s nothing better than getting lost in a good book with at least some element of mystery, romance & humor. She writes cozy mysteries & upper middle grade as Kari Lee Townsend, as well as suspense, romance, romantic comedy & women’s fiction as Kari Lee Harmon. She’s most known for her Sunny Meadows Mysteries, Kalli Ballas Mysteries, and a crossover series featuring Sunny, Kalli, their detectives, and their crazy families! The Tasty Trio and Greek Mamas are her favorite characters to write about. Granny Gert is based on her late grandmother and Great Grandma Tootsie is based on her husband’s late grandmother who lived to be nearly 109 years old!
Author Links
Website * Facebook * X * Amazon * Instagram * Threads * BlueSky * TikTok * Goodreads * BookBub
Follow the Tour HERE.
There is a King Sumo Giveaway for this tour. Prize – The prize will include a gift box with a signed paperback of The Well-Kept Secret (A Wishville Mystery) by Kari Lee Townsend, a bookmark, a Miniature Fairy Garden Wishing Well, a Miniature Hand Painted Resin Black Cat with Crystal Ball Figurine, a Wish Token Pewter Coin, a Labradorite Crystal, a Pair of Fingerless Knit Bird Embroidered Moss Green Colored Gloves, a “Just One More Chapter” mug and coaster, a Make a Wish Lavender Ceramic Candle, and a Make a Wish Journal!
CLICK HERE TO ENTER GIVEAWAY
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Thank you so much for having me. The interview was fun! Good luck, everyone 😉
It was my pleasure to have you & your novel featured on the blog. Thank you for the wonderful interview.