meet sharon kay
Hi, I’m Sharon Kay – a multi-passionate creative. I love doing so many things, it’s impossible to narrow down my description to a word or two, so we’ll see how this goes.
In sixth grade, I wrote my first novel. It didn’t matter that my teacher and my mother were the only ones who read it; I knew I wanted to be a writer.
Yet, it wasn’t until after watching way too many cozy mystery movies during the Pandemic, that I decided to delve into the world of cozy mystery writing with my debut novel, The Peculiar Case of the Petersburg Professor — the beginning of The Michelle Kilpatrick Mysteries,
The series is loosely inspired by my life as a commuting student in the 70s when I attended Bowling Green State University in Ohio as, you guessed it, a journalism major.
My experiences in the Commuter Lounge, my major in journalism, and my part-you’ve job working for my parents in their gift shop laid the foundation for Michelle’s (mis)adventures.
When I’m not exploring the antics of Michelle and her Commuter Lounge friends, you will find me designing my dream house, tending to my organic garden, learning more about photography and post-editing, and reading whatever catches my attention.
If you love classic mysteries, recurring characters, and stories that feel like coming home, then you’re in the right spot.
Whether you are visiting the world of Petersburg for the first time or returning for another mystery, I’m so glad you’re here.
There’s always another secret waiting to be uncovered.
THE SERIES
The Michelle Kilpatrick Mysteries is a nostagic cozy mystery series written by Sharon Kay and published by Hale & Thornton Press, LLC.
Set in the mid-1970s midwestern college town of Petersburg, the series follows Michelle Kilpatrick, a commuting student, aspiring journalist, and amateur sleuth who solves murders amid hidden secrets, friendship drama, and the charm of small-town life.
Blending Nancy Drew-style sleuthing with 1970s nostalgia, clean storytelling, and romantic tension, the books appeal to both cozy mystery readers who enjoy campus settings, found-family friendships, recurring characters, and mysteries connected by a larger unfolding story.
Readers describe the series as “clean, clever, and comforting” with “authentic 1970s details and heartwarming friendships.”
Publication and Availability
Published by Hale & Thornton Press, titles are available in paperback, eBook, and Kindle Unlimited formats on Amazon and other retailers.
Bonus extras, such as a 1970s playlist link, recipes, and discussion questions for each book, can be found on thesharonkay.com
