Welcome to another Weekend Read. This week’s featured book is the mystery novel, Murder at Honeysuckle Harbour by Julie Haworth. Julie has dropped by to tell us about the inspiration behind her book. So grab a cuppa, get cosy and let’s get chatting to Julie.
Blurb
An idyllic Devon village. A murdered pug breeder. And a vet with a nose for trouble…
When Daisy Turner returns to the seaside village of Honeysuckle Harbour to take over her late father’s vet practice, she’s expecting muddy paws, cuddly cats, and the chance to grieve in peace. What she gets is a new vet trying to drive her out of business, a handsome new colleague… and a dead body.
Margot Kinkade was a successful local pug breeder, and when the police say her death was an accident, Daisy isn’t convinced. Margot was meticulous – and the pet passport Daisy spots at the scene raises questions no one else seems willing to ask.
With the village police refusing to listen and a whiteboard full of clues set up in her spare room, Daisy sets out to diagnose this mystery the only way she knows how: gathering symptoms until a pattern emerges.
Can Daisy unravel a web of secrets without putting herself – or her animals – in danger?
Buying links: https://amzn.to/4uFkSxJ
Welcome to my blog, Julie. Have you always wanted to be a writer?
It’s something I’ve always dreamt of doing, but I honestly felt as though it was more of an unachievable dream rather than a real-life possibility. I remember visiting a local book festival in February 2020 organised by fellow Essex author and Romantic Novelists’ Association (RNA) member Lizzie Chantree and chatting to some of the authors there about their own writing journeys. I think that was the first time I felt as though authors weren’t some kind of magical entities, they were real people who had achieved something amazing and maybe, just maybe, I could do the same. The following month the pandemic hit and we were all thrown into lockdown and I suddenly found myself with a lot more time on my hands that I could channel into writing.
Has any author inspired you?
So many that I don’t know where to start! I’m a great lover of the classics and studying Wuthering Heights for my A levels is what made me want to study English Literature at University and I feel like that book led me to the path of wanting to write.
What do you like writing most?
I’m extremely lucky to have started my journey writing romantic fiction and I’m now writing cosy crime, which I’m absolutely loving! I thoroughly enjoy trying to work out the puzzle myself, before putting the storyline together and if you’ve read Murder at Honeysuckle Harbour, you’ll know that there’s a huge dollop of romance in there too!
Do you have a special place for writing?
I always write in my home office in total silence as I’m sooooo easily distracted! I’d love to be able to write in a coffee shop or coworking space, but I’m completely useless when there are other distractions around, so shutting myself away is the best option!
Are you a pantster or a plotter?
This is a tricky one for me as I’ve always said I’m a total pantser, but with my recent switch to cosy crime I’ve found that you really do have to plan and spend time plotting to make sure all the pieces of the puzzle fit together. As a writer who thought they could never plan, it’s been really interesting for me to discover that I actually can!
Is your writing ever inspired by your family or real life incidents?
In my debut novel, Always By Your Side, the main character, Rose, is a teacher and I used to be a teacher too. I think, particularly with my first novel, I really embraced the mantra write what you know. I had a rescue border collie at the time too, just like Rose, so he was always going to make an appearance in the story. I also volunteered at Dogs Trust Essex before the pandemic and a lot of my ideas for the vet storyline in Murder at Honeysuckle Harbour came from that experience.
What are you writing at the moment?
I’ve literally just finished book number two in the Daisy Turner vet detective series, Murder at Sunrise Sands, and that’s out on the 27th April 2027 and is available to preorder now!
What inspired you to write this book?
I’d always wanted to a write a story in which the main character was a vet, so when the opportunity came up with Pellerin Books to write a vet detective, I jumped at the chance. I’ve really enjoyed spreading my wings and writing in a new genre. As a writer, I think it’s important to challenge yourself and try new things and it’s been a great experience.
What time of the day do you write best?
I’m definitely not someone with a clearly structured day mapped out, my writing times can be quite random. I’d say my most productive time is probably mid-morning through to early afternoon and by 4pm I’m ready to collapse in a heap.
What are your hobbies?
Obviously, reading! I’m really into audiobooks at the moment and I’m finding I’m getting through so many more books as I can listen on the go. My favourite thing on a writing day is to escape for a long walk and a coffee, and I’m always taking photos along the way, which I’m trying to get better at.
What advice would you give to other writers?
Never give up!! Becoming a published author doesn’t have to be an impossible dream, it is something that can happen, no matter how unlikely you think it is. Keep submitting, keep writing and keep going! I definitely wouldn’t have been published by now if I hadn’t joined the RNA’s NWS in January 2020. If you love writing, just keep doing it!
Fab advice, Julie. Lovely to talk to you today. Wishing you shedloads of success with your writing.
Meet Julie
Author bio
Julie Haworth writes both cosy crime and contemporary romance novels about love, friendship and community, bursting with charm and just a dash of mystery, from her home in the bustling city of Chelmsford, Essex. Her debut novel, Always By Your Side, won the RNA’s Debut Romantic Novel award in 2023 and her second novel, New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Café, was shortlisted for the RNA’s Popular Romantic Novel award in 2025. Julie’s first cosy crime novel, Murder at Honeysuckle Harbour, was published in September 2026.
Julie is still pinching herself that she’s realised her lifelong dream of becoming a published author! When she’s not busy writing, Julie can mainly be found visiting bookshops, drinking ridiculous amounts of coffee and hanging out with her two rescue cats. Julie is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and the Society of Authors.
Julie loves to chat with her readers and you can find her on X @jhaworthauthor or over on Instagram @juliehaworthauthor
More of Julie’s books
