Cozy Mystery Review & Author Interview: Lies Are Better at the Lake
Thanks to Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours for the chance to review this fun cozy, and to interview the author!
Lies Are Better At The Lake: A Claire O’Keefe Mystery
by Cindy Quayle
About Lies Are Better At The Lake
Lies Are Better At The Lake: A Claire O’Keefe Mystery
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Setting – Arkansas
Independently Published
Publication date : February 24, 2026
Print length : 242 pages
Digital
ASIN : B0GF38FDVD
Welcome to Osage Springs, where small-town charm meets big trouble.
When Claire O’Keefe’s father suffers a stroke, she puts her plans to teach overseas on hold and returns home to Osage Springs, Arkansas. Between caring for her parents and reconnecting with her roots, she expects a quiet few months—until a chance encounter at the grocery store changes everything.
An old high school classmate, now an English teacher at Lakeside High, asks Claire to fill in during her maternity leave. It sounds simple enough—grading essays, managing teenagers, and maybe sneaking in a lakeside walk or two. But when a fellow teacher is found dead in Beaver Lake, the sleepy Ozark town turns tense, and Claire once again finds herself drawn into a mystery she can’t ignore.
This time, the sheriff’s department is asking for volunteers to aid the search, and Claire can’t resist lending a hand. But as secrets rise to the surface, she begins to wonder if the lake is hiding more than just one deadly truth.
Can Claire help solve the case before the next body surfaces… or will she be the one caught beneath the calm, cold water?
My Review:
An Interview with Author Cindy Quayle
RD: When did you start writing? Did you always know you wanted to be a writer, or did you stumble into it later in life? Talk a little about your path to publication.
CQ: I have always loved stories, but I did not start writing seriously until later in life. During the pandemic, like many people, I finally decided to stop saying “someday” and start writing. That first step led to my first cozy mystery, and I have been happily chasing clues and deadlines ever since. I chose independent publishing because it allows me to stay closely involved in every part of the process and connect directly with my readers.
RD: What are your books about and who is the audience?
CQ: My books are cozy mysteries filled with small-town charm, lovable characters, gentle romance, and twisty whodunits. They follow Claire O’Keefe as she solves murders while juggling family, friendships, and everyday life. They are written for readers who love clever mysteries without graphic content and who enjoy curling up with a comforting story and a cup of coffee or tea.
RD: Sounds wonderful—maybe add a cookie in
there.
What is your favorite thing about being
a writer?
CQ: My favorite part is hearing from readers who tell me my books helped them relax, smile, or escape for a while. Knowing that something I created brought someone comfort is incredibly special. I also love getting to visit my fictional town whenever I sit down to write.
RD: I agree! So, aside from Claire’s hometown, if you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be, and why?
CQ: I would love to live somewhere near the ocean, where I could scuba dive and walk along the beach every day. Somewhere with beautiful water, friendly people, and lots of cozy cafés for writing sounds pretty perfect to me.
RD: I like that too, though I’m also big on mountains. In your perfect (if imaginary) beach home, do you draft your books longhand or compose at the keyboard?
CQ: I am definitely a keyboard writer. My thoughts move much faster than my handwriting, and my laptop keeps up with my imagination better than a notebook ever could. However, I do keep notebooks for each new story idea.
RD: I definitely understand about the handwriting. Also, sometimes I can’t read what I wrote, so it’s keyboard all the way for me! Writing isn’t just about composing the MS. There’s the background work, which brings me to my next question: what is the weirdest thing you have had to research for one of your books?
CQ: Probably the details of underwater diving emergencies and how bodies behave in water. It is not something you ever expect to Google, but mystery writers become very good at searching for unusual things.
RD: Do you have any other creative outlets you enjoy without the demands of being a pro at it?
CQ: I love reading and listening to music. Like my main character Claire, I enjoy trying the local cuisine when I travel. I also like experimenting with new crafts now and then, even if the results are sometimes more charming than impressive.
RD: Is there anything else you would like your readers to know about you?
CQ: I am incredibly grateful for every person who picks up one of my books. I never take that trust for granted. Writing these stories is a joy and sharing them with such kind and supportive readers makes the journey even more meaningful. Thank you for being part of it.
You’re more than welcome, Cindy! Thanks for stopping by to answer my questions about your writing journey.
About Cindy Quayle
Cindy Quayle is the author of the Claire O’Keefe Mystery series, cozy whodunits set in a variety of scuba diving destinations. After years of teaching students, Cindy took the plunge into fiction with her debut novel, Death on Cozumel Island, inspired by a family scuba diving vacation to Cozumel.
When she is not writing, Cindy teaches ESL part-time and draws inspiration from her love of travel and the underwater world. An avid scuba diver, she enjoys exploring new dive sites and weaving the sights, culture, and atmosphere of each location into her stories. Cindy enjoys connecting with readers and is active on social media, where she shares updates on her writing life, travel adventures, and upcoming Claire O’Keefe mysteries.
Author Links
Website: www.cindyquayleauthor.com
Facebook: @authorcindyquayle
Instagram: @authorcindyquayle
TikTok: @authorcindyquayle
Purchase Link – Amazon
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
March 16 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
March 17 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
March 18 – Caboodle of Cozies – CHARACTER GUEST POST
March 19 – Sarandipity’s – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
March 19 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
March 20 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
March 20 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST
March 21 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST
March 21 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
March 22 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT
March 22 – deal sharing aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
March 23 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
March 23 – Rebecca M. Douglass, Author – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW
March 23 – Salty Inspirations – CHARACTER GUEST POST
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FTC Disclosure: I was given a digital ARC of Lies Are Better At the Lake as part of this virtual tour, and received nothing from the writer or publisher in exchange for my honest review. The opinions expressed are my own and those of no one else. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Rebecca M. Douglass, 2026
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Nice interview. I do love a good cozy mystery. Thanks for telling me about this one.
ReplyDeleteI'm fond of the genre, too (I should be--I write in it!), though I get cranky when they tip too far toward romance. This one was nicely balanced that way.
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