PHOTO: Author Sheryl C.D. Ickes shares stories inspired by life on the road and behind the cake counter, turning everyday moments into unforgettable mysteries.
Blending Real-Life Adventures with Whodunits That Charm and Intrigue
Sheryl C.D. Ickes draws on her trucking and cake-decorating background to craft unique cozy mysteries, balancing character depth and suspense while highlighting overlooked professions in heartfelt, twist-filled tales across America.
Sheryl C.D. Ickes infuses her cozy mysteries with a voice as authentic as the open road she once traveled. With years of experience as a cross-country truck driver and a two-decade background in cake decorating, Ickes channels her rich personal journey into mystery novels that feel both fresh and heartfelt. Her stories take readers from small-town bakeries to the sprawling highways of America, offering not only suspenseful whodunits but also genuine glimpses into the lives of everyday people behind the wheel or behind the counter.
Her popular “Slice of Life Mysteries” and the “Becky and Rufus Cross Country Mystery” series have captured the attention of cozy mystery fans with their compelling characters and original settings. These novels aren’t just page-turners—they’re invitations into worlds rarely explored in the genre. Recognized as both winners and finalists in cozy mystery awards, Ickes is fast becoming a distinctive voice in the mystery-writing landscape.
Sheryl C.D. Ickes delivers refreshingly original mysteries, infused with authenticity, wit, and heart, offering readers suspenseful journeys unlike any other.
The inspiration behind her truck-driving protagonist Becky Bridgewater stems from Ickes’ own upbringing. Her father, a trucker and mechanic, introduced her to the road, and her husband later became her partner in long-haul driving.
“I grew up with a love of trucking,” Ickes explained in her Reader’s House interview. “My dad was an owner-operator and taught me to drive. I liked to travel, and I loved cozy mysteries. I thought combining the two could be something different—and I hadn’t come across a cozy series featuring a truck driver before.”
This unconventional backdrop allows Ickes to break free from the common cozy trope of a small town plagued by repeated murders. Instead, her mobile setting lets readers experience new communities and characters with every installment, all while avoiding the implausibility of a single town’s ever-diminishing population.
When it comes to character development, Ickes keeps things lean but meaningful. “I want readers to understand who each character is without becoming bored,” she said. She’s careful to strike a balance—enough detail to build a full picture, but not so much that it drags the pacing.
Setting plays an important role in her novels, particularly in Death of a Dispatcher, which takes place in Tennessee. “No two states are the same,” she noted. “Tennessee has gorgeous scenery and rich history. Southern culture—the food, the pace of life, the humor—is so different from the North. I try to draw from each state’s unique qualities in my books.”
Like many authors, Ickes doesn’t stick to a rigid writing process. She prefers to let ideas marinate in her head until a storyline takes shape. Then it’s off to the laptop—often with a stack of napkins, receipts, and scrap paper in tow. Her “note pile” might also include voice memos and jotted thoughts from the road or kitchen, showing her commitment to capturing inspiration wherever it strikes.
“My way may not be for everyone, and it’s definitely a bit messy,” she admitted with a laugh, “but it works for me, and hopefully readers enjoy the result.”
With Death of a Dispatcher, Ickes hopes to offer not just a thrilling mystery but also a new perspective on the world of trucking. “There are so many great people out on the roads. Yes, like any profession, there are a few bad apples, but trucking can be exciting, challenging, and deeply human. I want readers to see that side of it.”
By blending real-life experience with her love of storytelling, Sheryl C.D. Ickes is steering cozy mysteries down a road less traveled—and readers are happily along for the ride.
This article was adapted from an interview with Sheryl C.D. Ickes in the latest issue of Reader’s House.
