True Fiction Project – S7 Ep 6: "Corpse in the Craftsman Cottage"

Host: Reenita Hora
Guest: Lori Pollard Johnson
Date: January 27, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of True Fiction Project explores how life experiences and real relationships inspire fiction, focusing on the cozy mystery genre with guest author Lori Pollard Johnson. Lori discusses her latest book, Corpse in the Craftsman Cottage, her journey as a writer, the heart of sisterhood in her stories, and reads an excerpt from her new novel. The episode exemplifies the series' unique format: real-life interview followed by fiction inspired by that conversation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Lori's Writing Journey and Genre Choices

• Transition from Journalism to Fiction (02:40–03:41):

  • Lori began her career writing about food, wine, family, and accessibility.
  • Ventured into children’s middle-grade novels, some of which were accepted into the Accelerated Reader program.
  • Shifted to writing for adults—especially cozy culinary mysteries and young adult (YA) fiction.

• On Rejected Works:

  • “I think all writers have a...drawer or a disc or a flash drive now I guess of stories that didn’t quite make it, but at some point maybe so who knows.” (03:29, Lori Pollard Johnson)

What Makes a Cozy (Culinary) Mystery?

• Defining "Cozy" Mysteries (03:56–05:10):

  • Settings are typically intimate—small towns, teashops, or distinctive local businesses.
  • Violence remains off-page:
    • “A cozy mystery, the violence takes place off page...You don’t get attached to the dead body and you don’t see them being taken out, so to speak. And that works for me because I don’t really think violence is very entertaining, to be honest.” (00:30 & 03:56, Lori Pollard Johnson)

• Culinary Mysteries—A Slice of Real Life (05:17–06:48):

  • Frequently integrate recipes or food themes, although Lori’s Toxic Torte does not have recipes.
  • Inspiration comes from years profiling chefs—admiring their immersion and creativity.

• Critics, Chefs, and Motivations for Murder (in Fiction):

  • “I just thought, what would it take for a chef to be really angry, to do away with a critic, especially one who is especially caustic...Not a love of food...but maybe something ulterior, which of course my guy in Toxic Torte did.” (06:26, Lori Pollard Johnson)

The Importance of Sisterhood and Real-Life Inspiration

• Celebrating Female Friendships (06:58–07:28):

  • The protagonists of Corpse in the Craftsman Cottage mirror those in Fried Green Tomatoes—committed to each other regardless of romantic entanglements.
  • “I love the idea of sisterhood. And I really wanted to incorporate that in the book.” (06:58, Lori Pollard Johnson)

• Reflecting Modern Realities:

  • “Especially in this day and age...where you got a 55% divorce rate. You really do need to find that other person, like you said.” (07:28, Renita Hora)

Pets as Heart & Comic Relief

• Story of Moxie the Dog (07:55–09:53):
  • Moxie, a 10-year-old Chinese Crested, is the business mascot and emotional glue between the protagonists.
  • Based on Lori’s real-life shelter dog, Seamus, who brought humor, challenge, and affection.
  • “Moxie is a little bit of like a humorous element, but he’s also very much a glue between the women and a safeguard...between the women and sort of the outside elements that maybe are threatening their goals.” (09:33, Lori Pollard Johnson)

Getting to Know Lori Online

• Author Connections (10:04–10:45):
  • Lori recommends her Facebook page: Lori Pollard Johnson Books.
  • Books available via Wild Rose Press and Amazon.

Memorable Quotes

• On Cozy Mysteries:

  • “A cozy really has to do with how much, I guess, blood is on the page. A cozy mystery, the violence takes place off page...I don’t really think violence is very entertaining, to be honest.” (00:30 & 03:56, Lori Pollard Johnson)

• On Relationships:

  • “They’re going to be each other’s person regardless of what happens...and I like that idea.” (06:58, Lori Pollard Johnson)

• On Adopting an Older Dog:

  • “What we always say is that you kind of got...You get what you pay for. Because this dog was...this is a challenging dog...” (08:37, Lori Pollard Johnson)

Fiction Excerpt: Corpse in the Craftsman Cottage

• Reading by Lori Pollard Johnson (11:42–13:41):

  • The scene features the narrator discovering a corpse hidden in an aquarium within a closet—delivering classic cozy suspense mixed with dark humor.
  • “A man’s pale, nearly translucent blue irises stared at me from within the coffin sized aquarium inside the closet...he was clearly dead, had been for some time.”
  • “No amount of Lysol could remove this guy.” (13:41, Lori Pollard Johnson)

• Host’s Reaction:

  • Renita Hora responds with humor, connecting the Lysol line to her own nearby cleaning supplies: “It makes me think of Lysol I guess would do the...I’m looking at sort of my packet of Lysol right across here. I really would that do the trick...” (13:41, Renita Hora)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• What Makes a Cozy Mystery? – 00:30, 03:56, 05:10
• Lori’s Writing Path – 02:40–03:41
• Sisterhood & Character Inspiration – 06:58–07:28
• Dogs as Literary Glue – 07:55–09:53
• Where to Find Lori’s Books – 10:04–10:45
• Fiction Reading: Corpse Discovery – 11:42–13:41

Overall Tone

The conversation is light-hearted and friendly, mixing humor with insights into genre writing, women’s friendships, and the blend of real life with fiction.

Conclusion

This episode is a celebration of how daily experiences—whether fostering friendships, living with quirky pets, or working in unique industries—can spark rich, engaging fiction. Lori Pollard Johnson offers listeners a window into both her creative process and her novels’ themes, grounded in authentic relationships and community, making the leap from nonfictional inspiration to fictional storytelling.