Cozy Mystery and Historical Novel Writer
Do you love a good Cozy Mystery? Do you lose yourself for hours following along with the not-too-dangerous but nail-biting action nonetheless? Your imagination races along at a fast pace following the adventures of an amateur sleuth… someone almost like yourself, if you had the nerve, that is… You eat up the sprinklings of romance and enjoy a few laughs along your armchair journey. Or perhaps history is more to your liking, Joan Havelange writes it all.
Just imagine the twists and turns of fate the characters in these Cozy Mysteries have gotten into! The clues are almost always red herrings. Got you that time! Then, when you’ve exhausted the story, ridden the waves of wonder, discovered the who-done-it, and understood the reasons for a few quirky bits…, you reluctantly put the book down. You were captivated by the imaginary journey and happy for the ride, but you were glad it was someone else and not you.
Are you satisfied? Or are you eager for the next book by your favorite Cozy Mystery author? How do they think all this up anyway? That is how I feel about Joan Havelange’s Cozy Mysteries. And here she is. She has done it again! Now, why didn’t I think up this title and story? “MOVING IS MURDER.” Yes, we all know that moving is murder; each time, we determine that it is the last time we will ever move again. Yes, the question we all get to ask ourselves from time to time is, “How well do you know your neighbors?”
Exciting News About Joan’s Next Book, Mabel’s Brigade!
Joan Havelange is back. She had strayed from the cozy mystery genre and wrote a thriller, ‘Moving is Murder.’ She then wrote a historical mystery, ‘The Séance Murders.’ But now she is back and is writing her next cozy mystery.
The working title is ‘Mabel’s Brigade.’ Mabel has taken up aquacise. ‘Keeping fit can be murder.’ A group of eccentric ladies from her aquacise class is determined to help Mabel solve a murder with humorous results that lead to varying degrees of success. She says if the characters in the book cooperate, her mystery should be on a bookshelf near you by late October.
The Séance Murders
by Joan Havelange
New release in 2024 – Saskatchewan (Canadian Historical Mysteries) Kindle Edition. A Historical Mystery set in the Canadian Province of Saskatchewan.
In 1908, Regina, Saskatchewan, the railroad hub of the prairies, was booming. The foxtrot was the latest craze hitting the dance halls, and silent movies were all the rage. But Myrtle Vanhoff was intrigued by the newest fad, Séances.
Myrtle is tired of the constraints put on her by her father, Reginald Vanhoff, a lumber baron, and her mother, Amelia. Her mother is determined to make her and her daughter’s mark on Regina’s burgeoning social scene. But Myrtle has other ideas.
On a lark, the rebellious young woman convinces her twin brother, Leopold, to attend Madame Scarlatta’s notorious séances. They find more than restless spirits. Someone murders a bereaved patron while everyone at the table is holding hands. Myrtle and Leopold are determined to find out who and how.
A Regina police sergeant is appalled at Myrtle’s unladylike interest in the murders. But Jonathan Chapman of the Royal North-West Mounted Police is intrigued. Jonathan joins Myrtle and Leopold in their search for the murderer. When Myrtle gets too close to the truth, the murderer targets her as the next victim.
“The Séance Murders is an intriguing tale of murder and mayhem set at the turn of the century in Regina, Saskatchewan. Forward-thinking Myrtle Vanhoff sees possibilities beyond the restrictions placed on her by her strict parents. Frustrated by their expectation that she should find a husband, she envies her twin brother Leopold’s freedom. Attracted by an advert in a newspaper for Madame Scarlatta’s Séances, Myrtle suggests she and Leopold should attend a session.
Editorial Review
Neither of them expects to witness the death of one of the attendees. Spurred by the tales of Sherlock Holmes, Myrtle is sure she can solve the murder. She and Leopold begin to piece together one clue after another, linking a previous death close to Madame Scarlatta’s home with the one they witnessed. What follows exceeds Myrtle’s wish for an exciting life, but what she discovers places her in harm’s way.
This story has several twists and turns before Myrtle and Leopold reach a solution. Ms Havelange’s research blends historical facts about society as it was in 1908 with the growth of Saskatchewan’s capital city and one young woman’s ambition. Throw in the spark of romance between Myrtle and Johnathan Chapman of the Royal North West Mounted Police, and you have a very satisfying read.”
“MOVING IS MURDER” by JOAN HAVELANGE
How well do you know your neighbours?
Linda Burton is house-sitting for her aunt’s friend in the pretty little town of Glenhaven. Linda, who has spent her working career in the city, has fallen in love with the pleasant little country village. Everyone she has met is so friendly.
Strolling down the alley one evening in search of Gertrude, a pet cat. She hears a voice complaining about burying a body. Not completely convinced she heard correctly. Linda decides to emulate her heroes. Amateur detectives. She tries her hand at detecting. Unfortunately, Linda puts her trust in the wrong person.
Can Linda outwit the killer? Will her aunt Violet figure out the clues Linda has left? And even if Violet does, will it be too late for Linda? And will Violet fall into the same trap?
About Mabel and Violet’s Excellent Adventures – a series of five books.
Quite the characters! Mabel and Violet enthrall and amuse readers through their Excellent Adventures in five best-selling Cozy Mysteries, a series by Joan Havelange.
During the five books so far, protagonists Mabel and Violet take readers on a journey around the world, solving mysteries along the way. Joan has traveled to forty different countries, so it is no wonder she can use so many exciting places as a backdrop for “Mabel and Violet’s Excellent Adventures. “Travel allows me to take my ladies’ adventures further afield.”
“I find writing is a lot like directing, except all my characters show up on time and always know their lines. But, sometimes, they go off in a direction that even surprises me!” Joan Havelange
Joan Havelange’s Series, “Mabel and Violet’s Excellent Adventures,” is listed below, beginning with her latest.
Book 5
Murder, Exit Stage Right
Mabel and Violet’s Excellent Adventures
“Murder is a hard act to follow. The only thing Mabel knows for sure is that the butler didn’t do it.
All the drama doesn’t take place on the stage at the Glenhaven Drama Festival. A collection of amateur actors, with big egos, land in Mabel Havelock’s hometown. A cast member of the Glenhaven Players is dead. An accident or murder?
Mabel has been railroaded into taking a role in the play. As the drama festival progresses, mysterious accidents and sabotage are happening on and off stage. Then the adjudicator becomes the prime target.” Joan Havelange.
A collection of amateur actors with big egos land in Mabel Havelock’s hometown. All the drama does not take place on the stage at the Glenhaven Drama Festival.
Mabel Havelock’s acting debut is not the only thing on her mind. Mysterious accidents and sabotage are plaguing the festival. Mabel and her best friend, Violet Ficher, are determined to ferret out the culprit. The problem is why? Who has anything to gain? And why did Sherman have to die?
“I’ve been railroaded into acting. The role I’m playing is the role of Jeeves, the butler. I know, weird, right? More about that later. The Glenhaven Players is the little theatre group from my hometown. And our drama club is hosting a one-act drama festival. Violet Ficher, my best friend, and I volunteered to help. Violet is looking after props and doing the makeup. I am, or I was, doing the prompting. And let me tell you, these actors can use all the prompting help they can get. Particularly the lead int eh play, Jolene, who, in my opintion, is miscast. She is Helen, our director’s granddaughter. Anyway, back to the reason for my acting debut…”
Mabel Havelock —protagonist in Murder Exit Stage Right.
Book 4
The Suspects
Mabel and Violet’s Excellent Adventures
“Mabel Havelock and Violet Ficher are on a scenic bus tour of the Nordic capital cities of Europe. While touring the historical sites, they encounter a case of mistaken identity. Adding to the mystery are smugglers and thieves.
Then, when they reach Moscow, the tour becomes deadly. There is a busload of suspects to choose from. A flirtatious woman and her jealous husband. A professor of Nordic History who is ill-informed. Two world travellers who describe themselves as gypsies. And a mysterious man. The tour director’s assistant and bus driver also have motives.
Unfortunately, the prime suspect is Mabel. She and Violet will have to use all their skills and ingenuity to solve the murder in Moscow and prove to the Russian police Mabel’s innocence.” Joan Havelange.
Mable Havelock and Violet Ficher are on a scenic bus tour of the Nordic capital cities of Europe and Russia. The tour culminates in Moscow. The tour director is murdered, and there is a busload of suspects to choose from. A flirtatious woman and her jealous husband. A professor of Nordic History who is ill-informed. Two world travelers who describe themselves as gypsies and a mysterious man who is hiding something. The tour director’s assistant and bus driver both have an axe to grind against the tour director, Hilda Karlson.
The adventure never stops. There are smugglers, thieves, and a case of mistaken identity. Unfortunately, the prime suspect is Mabel. The women will have to use all their skills and ingenuity to solve the murder in Moscow to prove to the Russian police that Mabel is innocent.
Book 3
The Trouble with Funerals
Mabel and Violet’s Excellent Adventures
“Something nefarious is going on at Gravenhurst Manor. Mabel’s mother, Sophie, is positive that her best friend, Mini, did not die of natural causes. She convinces her daughter, Mabel, to investigate the suspicious circumstances of Mini’s death. If there is a cold, calculating murderer at work. Mabel needs to find the killer before it’s too late; her mother could be the next victim. The trouble is her main suspect has a perfect alibi, namely Mabel. But why would anyone want to kill a senior? And her reliable sidekick, Violet, is no longer reliable. Violet may have gotten herself involved with a con man.” Joan Havelange.
Find where to buy The Trouble with Funerals
by Joan Havelange
“Just finished your book, The Trouble with Funerals. What an awesome book. I’d read a few chapters earlier in the week, then finished it last night. I was on the balcony for two hours and came inside when it started getting dark. But I couldn’t put it down and finished it before bed.”
From a fan.
Book 2
Death and Denial
Mabel and Violet’s Excellent Adventures
“Mabel and Violet are in a foreign country, and they have destroyed evidence at a murder scene.
What will happen if the police discover their deception?
Mabel Havelock and Violet Ficher are on a scenic bus tour of the Nordic capital cities of Europe. While touring the historical sites, they encounter a case of mistaken identity. Adding to the mystery are smugglers and thieves. Then, when they reach Moscow, the tour becomes deadly. The tour director is murdered. There is a busload of suspects to choose from. A flirtatious woman and her jealous husband. A professor of Nordic History who is ill-informed.
Two world travellers who describe themselves as gypsies. And a mysterious man. The tour director’s assistant and bus driver also have motives. But unfortunately, the prime suspect is Mabel. Mabel and Violet will have to use all their skills and ingenuity to solve the murder in Moscow and prove to the Russian police Mabel’s innocence.” Joan Havelange.
Joan Havelange has a large following and was happy to be invited by the Library Board to read Death and Denial for Canada Reads.
Book 1, first in the series.
Wayward Shot
Mabel and Violet’s Excellent Adventures
When Mabel slices her golf ball into the town cemetery, she and her best friend Violet think the worst that could happen would be a lost ball. Until they discover a dead body, and it isn’t six feet under.
Mabel’s ball lies in the middle of his forehead. It can’t be murder, can it? The ladies take it upon themselves to solve the mystery of the dead body in the graveyard.
Using the information gleaned from Coffee Row, a collection of eccentric townspeople leads them to investigate golfers and relatives of the deceased. Their investigation frustrates a newly appointed RCMP officer, who does his best to put a stop to their interference. But nothing stops the intrepid detectives. Not the RCMP, a stampede of cattle, or even shots fired at them in the dark. They have an uncanny ability to find trouble and dead bodies.” Joan Havelange.
Above, Joan Havelange was featured in the CROSSROADS newspaper holding her first novel, Wayward Shot.
Wayward Shot, featured as a 4th best seller!
A Few Lines from the book “Wayward Shot by Joan Havelange”
Mabel has shanked her golf ball. It lands over a stone fence in a nearby cemetery. Mabel and her best friend Violet enter the graveyard to find the lost ball.
“Oh my God I’ve killed him,” Mabel Shrieked.
Joan Havelange —Wayward Shot
“They’re all dead here dear. And you’re right this graveyard is a gold mine. There seem to be lots of lost golf balls. People must be either too squeamish. Or too superstitious to come into the cemetery to retrieve their lost ball. I’ve already picked up three.”
“No, no, come here look,” Mabel yelled. She pointed in horror at a dead man who lay spread-eagle between two tombstones. “Oh, my lord, that’s my golf ball lying between his eyes. Oh, my God, it’s Allen Franklyn, and I’ve killed him!”
“Maybe he’s just knocked out,” Violet said, putting a golf ball into her pockets she ambled over and stood behind Mabel. Both women stared down in dismay at the large man who lay lifeless between a row of gravestones. He looked surprised, in an odd sort of way.
“Oh dear,” Mabel said worriedly, tucking her golf glove into her pocket, crouching down beside Allen Franklyn’s body. She picked up the dead man’s wrist then gently placed his hand back down. “He’s dead.” She stood looking sadly down at the body.
“You didn’t mean to do it. It was an accident. Who knew your golf ball would end up here, killing Allen.” Violet put her arm around Mabel, patting her on the shoulder.
“No, no it wasn’t me.”
article – courtesy of
Joan Havelange.
About Joan Havelange
Joan is a Canadian Author who lives near Russell, Manitoba. She began writing Romance novels in her twenties and has never looked back. Most recently, Joan has been working on her Cozy Mysteries. Joan has traveled extensively and is an avid golfer. She has three grown children.
Connect with Joan Havelange:
Brown Wolf Publishing now publishes Joan Havelange’s books.
Joan Havelange’s Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/mabelmysteries
Follow Joan on X.com @JoanJhave
“Besides being an author, Joan Havelange is an accomplished actor and director of community theatre, which lends well to her writing. She is a world traveller and an enthusiastic golfer. She lives in a beautiful little town in the middle of the Canadian prairies. A ski hill, lakes, and rivers are just a short drive away. Joan has been writing fiction since her early twenties, beginning with romance stories. She found that she would rather kill them than kiss them and turned to mysteries and never looked back. She is the author of five whodunit mysteries, one thriller, and her latest, a historical mystery.” Google Books
Joan Havelange has won the BWL Publishing Award for Best Selling Author in 2021 and 2022.
Please note: The author of this post has received no financial remuneration for mentions of creative people, books, products, places, or businesses mentioned in this post.
Love Joan’s books! Easy reading with all the little things that count! Great writer!
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Wonderful article!