Embracing the Magic of Cozy Mysteries: A Conversation with Author Iris Applewood
Iris Applewood never set out to become a writer. In fact, like me, she once thought writers were mythical creatures—like unicorns or leprechauns. But something cracked open during a moment of self-reflection and suddenly, the pull toward storytelling became undeniable.
In this week’s conversation on The Write It Scared Podcast, Iris and I dive into her circuitous journey from research analyst to perfumery owner to published cozy mystery author.
A Spiritual Autobiography Sparked It All
It wasn’t a writing workshop or a dream of writing a bestseller that kick-started Iris’s creative life.
Nope. It was a class on spiritual autobiography she took during the COVID lockdown. The act of writing her own story (in third-person, fiction-esque form) reminded her of the joy and power of words.
From there, she joined local writing groups, devoured craft resources, and leaned into an idea that came to her in a dream.
That first manuscript—a YA fantasy—taught her a ton, but ultimately left her frustrated. So, she set it aside and tried something totally different: a cozy romance with a hint of mystery.
That book became Keeper of Lost Loves, and it opened a creative floodgate.
Welcome to Serenity Falls
Set in a charming small town inspired by Iris’s own community in southern Indiana, Serenity Falls is a place where the magical mingles with the mundane, where elderberry shops and murder basements coexist, and where a perfumery might just hold the key to forgotten truths.
Her second novel, The Fragrance of Forgotten Truths, follows analytical protagonist Anna Attar as she returns to her quirky hometown after losing her research job. When a visit to her grandmother (suffering from dementia) sparks a moment of lucidity—and a cryptic question about their mother's death—Anna is pulled into a mystery she didn’t see coming.
There’s a love story here too, but Iris is in no rush to resolve it. Over the course of the series, readers will journey with Anna as she navigates grief, identity, and a town with more secrets than cobblestone streets.
Writing From the Real World
Iris’s day job—running a perfumery—infuses her stories with sensory detail and unique atmosphere. The shops, streets, and even the walking bridge (complete with color-changing lights and classical music) are inspired by real places. It’s a reminder that some of the best fiction is built on a foundation of lived experience.
And the magic? It’s subtle. Not fireballs and fairy rings, but something quiet and earthy that hums beneath the surface. A hint of magical realism that whispers rather than shouts.
When Plotting Breaks Down
Despite Iris’s analytical background and her love of plotting, she hit a snag in the middle of Fragrance of Forgotten Truths—she didn’t know who the killer was.
She kept writing anyway, trusting that the answer would come. And when it did, she went back to layer in clues and red herrings.
Mystery readers are clever, after all, and the sleight of hand needs to feel seamless.
Processing Real Life on the Page
One of the most powerful parts of our conversation was hearing how Iris wrote Fragrance of Forgotten Truths to process her own job loss and upheaval. The perfumery, the sisters, the journey back to a place she once rejected—it all mirrors aspects of her own story.
But it’s not a memoir. It’s a transformation.
Through Anna’s journey, Iris explored what it means to reconcile who you thought you were with who you’re becoming. And in doing so, she gave herself permission to claim a creative identity she’d long dismissed.
The Cozy Mystery as a Container
Cozy mysteries aren’t just about the whodunit. They’re about the ripple effects of disruption—how it shakes not just the protagonist but the entire community.
Iris reminded me that in these stories, the town itself is a character with its own arc. And part of the satisfaction at the end is watching that community come back into a new kind of balance.
It’s the difference between suspense and ick. Between fear and curiosity. Between gore and charm.
The Writing Gets Easier (And More Fun)
One of my favorite takeaways from Iris? You don’t have to know everything at the beginning. You just have to keep going.
She writes first thing in the morning—before the day takes over—and has learned to weave joy, discipline, and vulnerability into her practice. Even when she gets stuck. Even when the doubt creeps in.
And when she needs to process something big? She puts it into the story. Not as a thinly veiled memoir, but as fuel for transformation.
For Writers at the Beginning
Iris’s advice to new writers is simple and heartfelt:
Enjoy the process. Your first book—whether it ever sees the light of day or not—is special. Don’t let the pressure of perfection rob you of that experience.
Done is better than perfect. Growth comes from messing up. And yes, real writers are just regular people… just like you.
To connect with Iris and read her books, please visit her website: https://irisapplewood.com
