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Ellen Byron
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USA TODAY BESTSELLING & AGATHA AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR
Also Writing as Maria DiRico
Murder is a funny business.
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A Tour of Creole Mourning Customs
Last weekend, I was in Louisiana to do a panel and book signing at the Louisiana Book Festival. I decided to take the St. Joseph Creole...
Ellen Byron
Nov 7, 2017


A CAJUN CHRISTMAS KILLING now available!
The third book in my series just released! The contest in my newsletter ends tomorrow. Read about it here. Or click on the book cover...
Ellen Byron
Oct 16, 2017


The real-life NOLA places that inspired fictional locales
Some of the places I describe in my Cajun Country Mystery series totally spring from my imagination, but others are inspired by real...
Ellen Byron
Sep 14, 2017


Publishers Weekly Starred Review!
Quick post just to share... this! A starred review from Publishers Weekly.
Ellen Byron
Aug 19, 2017
An exclusive interview with Louisiana's legendary Edwin Edwards
Four-term former Louisiana governor Edwin Edwards turns ninety today. His past achievements and peccadilloes - including a prison stint -...
Ellen Byron
Aug 7, 2017


Cajun Country Mystery Newsletter: Coast or Prairie Cajun
In my latest newsletter, I talk about the fact that there's coastal Cajun and prairie Cajun. Read here to discover the difference...
Ellen Byron
Jun 20, 2017


A Left Coast Crime Lefty Award
Left Coast Crime is a fantastic author-fan convention that takes place in a different locale every year. And this year, that locale...
Ellen Byron
May 3, 2017


A Christmas Tree of Memories
When I was twelve, my dad experienced some business setbacks. He worked in advertising, so this happened periodically. If you ever...
Ellen Byron
Dec 22, 2016


The Cajun Country Mystery Cocktail
It's my book birthday, and I'm celebrating by sharing the recipe for a brand-new cocktail. I have the great good fortune of being friends...
Ellen Byron
Sep 13, 2016


Let the Bontemps Roll!
I’ve written before about some of the dear Louisiana friends who’ve inspired me. Jan Gilbert, the extraordinary artist. Gaynell Bourgeois...
Ellen Byron
Aug 20, 2016


A Star Mixologist Talks NOLA Cocktails
My good friend, D. Max Maxey, who's one of Los Angeles' most popular mixologists, just returned from New Orleans and Tales of the...
Ellen Byron
Aug 13, 2016


Ten New Orleans Do's and Don'ts
March 2018: As summer approaches and people start making travel plans, I thought I'd re-share this post for anyone planning a NOLA trip....
Ellen Byron
May 29, 2016


Swamp Tours - New Orleans Day Trip #3
If you're looking for an experience that's unique to Louisiana, nothing beats a swamp tour. I've done about a half dozen, ranging from...
Ellen Byron
May 4, 2016


Louisiana Plantations Day Trip #2 - East River Road
In my last blog post, I shared about the plantations along the west bank of the Mississippi River. Today I'm going to focus on those...
Ellen Byron
Mar 17, 2016


Louisiana Plantations Day Trip #1 - West River Road
The great thing about Cajun Country - and Plantation Country - is that they're close enough to New Orleans for wonderful day trips. Over...
Ellen Byron
Mar 1, 2016


Secrets of Louisiana's Legendary River Road: An Interview with author and expert Mary Ann Sternb
On a recent trip to Louisiana's River Road , I learned some fascinating details about plantation life and saw how the tours have adapted...
Ellen Byron
Jan 18, 2016


Handmade Memories For a Christmas Tree
When I was in middle school, I developed a passion for needlework. Crewel, counted cross stitch, embroidery, needlepoint... I did it all....
Ellen Byron
Dec 11, 2015


Hungry for Louisiana Home Cooking
In a recent newsletter, I recommended a wonderful new book, Hungry for Louisiana, by Maggie Heyn Richardson. I tracked down Maggie and...
Ellen Byron
Nov 28, 2015
An unwelcome visitor in my NOLA apartment...
I think it's fun to share anecodotes from my days in Louisiana. This one will not be accompanied by photos, and you'll understand why...
Ellen Byron
Oct 4, 2015


An Artist's Plantation Tour
As I was working on book two in my Cajun Country Mystery series (book one being my first novel, Plantation Shudders), I came across more...
Ellen Byron
Aug 16, 2015
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