Welcome to our mini-series on A Warm Mug of Cozy Anthology, which celebrates the writers whose stories are featured in Volume 2 of our yearly anthology.
Today, Denise Johnson is sharing what inspired her story “New Job.”
I wrote “New Job” while my father was still alive. He relocated to assisted living and I thought it would be interesting to place a mystery in that environment. Even a place that appears to be what it seems—a simple home to older adults—can have darker secrets lurking about.
The plot naturally unfolds with a young woman’s first day coincidentally occurring at the same time a police investigation is being undertaken there.
The woman, who is the main character, most certainly expected a normal first day on the job. The typical employee handbook is provided and perhaps a few videos of dos and don’ts are shared. A day, by all accounts, one would consider boring. But this was no ordinary day, the young woman discovers. Rather, she finds that it is anything but.
Mysteries surround us and I think the best part of the story is knowing that any ordinary day can turn into an extraordinary one.
Denise Johnson has written several mystery, horror, and science fiction short stories that have appeared in Kings River Life and Blood Moon Rising magazines as well as several anthologies, including Determined Hearts: A Frankenstein Anthology; Black Buttons Vol. 3: A Family Affair; Buried; Murder of Crows; WhoDunit!; A Warm Mug of Cozy: Volume 1; Portal: The Inner Circle Writer’s Group Children’s Anthology 2019; Cold and Crisp; and in It’s All in My Mind.
Website: http://www.denisehjohnson.com
Thank you for sending us your story, Denise! We know people will love reading it as much as we have.
In the meantime, don’t forget to order your copy of A Warm Mug of Cozy Anthology: Volume 2.
Cendrine & David
I read it, and it’s a great story! Full of twists and turns, it keeps you wondering… Whodunit?
We are glad to know you enjoyed the story. We can’t wait to read your review of the anthology!