By: Taylor Bennett
From hazelnut farms and supper clubs to mermaids and myth-inspired realms, N. E. Carlisle writes stories where place, emotion, and community shape every page. Her work invites readers to step into worlds that feel lived-in, warm, and quietly full of wonder.
Where Food Meets Story
For N. E., storytelling often begins at the table. In her cozy mystery Hazelnuts and Homicide, food is not just background detail. It is a way into the characters’ hearts and the rhythm of the town itself. The story centers on Bonne Année, a bookstore owner who brings people together through Food and Fiction supper clubs in the fictional coastal town of Hazelton, Oregon.
“I have always believed that food tells a story,” N. E. shares. “Recipes, flavors, and shared meals build connection, and that sense of comfort pairs perfectly with a cozy mystery.”
In the book, meals become moments of reflection and discovery. Conversations over dinner carry as much weight as clues. The kitchen becomes a space where trust forms, tensions surface, and the mystery quietly unfolds.
A Town Inspired by the Oregon Coast
Hazelton may exist only on the page, but its roots are real. N. E. drew from the feel of communities throughout Tillamook County, where coastal forests, misty mornings, and close relationships shape everyday life.
“There is a unique rhythm to that part of Oregon,” she says. “The mist, the coastal forests, the local traditions, the feeling that everyone knows everyone else.”
That rhythm influences how the story moves. In a place where neighbors cross paths daily, every interaction matters. The landscape, from quiet bookshops to ocean cliffs, becomes part of the emotional journey, not just a backdrop.
The Magic of Community
While Hazelnuts and Homicide is a mystery, its emotional center is found in family. Année arrives in Hazelton and slowly builds a circle of people who become her support system.
“Community can be a source of strength, healing, and humor, even when chaos is unfolding around you,” N. E. explains.
This focus gives the series its warmth. Readers are not just following a puzzle. They are watching relationships form, deepen, and carry the story forward. The sense of belonging becomes as important as the final reveal.
Oscar the Bernedoodle
One of the most loved characters in the series is Oscar, Année’s loyal Bernedoodle. He brings comfort and lightness to scenes that might otherwise feel tense.
Oscar is inspired by one of N. E.’s own dogs. “Her expressive personality, intuition, and big heart all made their way directly onto the page,” she says.
In the story, Oscar offers companionship and gentle guidance, reminding readers that even in moments of uncertainty, connection can be grounding.
From Cozy Mystery to Coastal Fantasy
- E.’s creativity does not stay in one genre. Alongside her Bonne Année Mysteries, she also writes the Mermaid Eclipse trilogy, a coastal fantasy series rooted in myth and magic.
“Writing cozy mysteries keeps me grounded in everyday emotion, while fantasy asks me to expand the world beyond its natural rules,” she explains.
Even so, both styles share a foundation. Atmosphere, character, and place drive each story. In fantasy, the magic is visible. In cozy mysteries, the magic comes from comfort, curiosity, and human connection. Moving between the two lets her explore different creative spaces while strengthening both.
The Pull of Place
Setting plays a powerful role in all of N. E.’s work. From foggy forests to seaside cliffs and quiet reading corners, her environments shape how characters feel and act.
“Setting is an emotional force in storytelling,” she says. “A cozy café, a foggy forest, or a quiet reading nook can influence a character as much as any plot point.”
That focus helps readers feel at home in her worlds. Hazelton, with its bakeries, bookstores, and coastal beauty, becomes a place readers can imagine themselves walking through.
Research That Adds Texture
While writing Hazelnuts and Homicide, N. E. found herself deep in an unexpected area of research. Hazelnut trees and shrubs became a fascination.
“I learned how sensitive they are to shifts in weather,” she shares. “Some varieties thrive in specific microclimates, while others are more delicate.”
This knowledge added a layer of authenticity to the story and deepened her appreciation for the real landscapes that inspired Hazelton.
A Story About Reinvention
Across both her mystery and fantasy series, N. E. returns to a few core themes. Reinvention, belonging, and second chances often shape her characters’ journeys.
“My characters are often standing at the edge of a new chapter, uncertain but hopeful,” she says.
Whether it is a personal transformation or a magical one, she is drawn to stories about discovering who you are and who you choose to become.
What Comes Next for Année
Readers who have fallen in love with Année’s holiday-themed world can expect more to come. The next book in the Bonne Année Mystery Series will be set around Easter, bringing new faces, fresh celebrations, and another puzzle to solve.
“There will be more culinary delights, another mystery, and a little more romance,” N. E. hints. “And yes, Oscar will be right by her side again.”
For readers looking for a mystery that offers both intrigue and warmth, Hazelnuts and Homicide delivers a world where every meal, every friendship, and every clue adds another layer to the experience.
