Welcome to Where Everybody Knows Your… Alibi— where we get to know the
fictional towns we’d happily move to… if they didn’t have such a suspicious body count
(but does that really matter?)
This month, I’m delighted to welcome cozy mystery author Courtny Bradley, a delightful friend with a knack for crafting clever whodunits and characters you’d happily follow anywhere (even into a murder investigation… maybe especially there).
Courtny made waves with her debut novel, DEATH ON DECK, the first in her Cruising Crew Mystery series, and she’s kept readers hooked with her latest release, DEADLY DRAFTS, from the charming Literary Stitches Mystery series. When she’s not writing page-turning mysteries, you might already know her as “Courtagonist,” her beloved online persona where she’s been sharing cozy mystery reviews and absolute bookish joy on YouTube since 2017.
This time, we’re heading somewhere extra special—because we’re not just visiting the fictional setting of DEADLY DRAFTS, we’re stepping right into Courtny’s real-life hometown of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma! That’s right, today’s tour is a blend of imagination and reality, giving us a peek into the place that inspires her stories.
So grab your favorite cozy drink, and let’s take a stroll through Broken Arrow with Courtny Bradley as our guide.
Welcome, Courtny! I can’t wait to learn some of the secrets of Broken Arrow. Tell me, if the town had a motto, what should it be?
“The Best is Yet to Come.” So while Broken Arrow is in my book as a fictionalized version, I actually live and work in the real-life Broken Arrow, or BA as we call it. Our town, in both the fictional world and in the real world, we are always looking into new ways to help bring others up, accepting that things don’t always happen the way we want, but knowing that we are better together.
I love that!
What’s the one place everyone ends up hanging out?
There are a few places everyone congregates, but The Tavern and Literary Stitches are the hubs of social activity.
I don’t blame them. I’d spend time there too.
What’s a small daily ritual that says, “This is life here”?
I feel like going to the local coffee shop, The Wild Bean Coffee and Cafe, is really the best way to start the day. This is loosely based on Laurannae Bakery. I actually got myself a drip coffee from there this morning. Addie loves walking across the street to grab a sweet and specialty coffee. It has beautiful leather couches, dried floral sculptures, and perfect lighting for writing.
That sounds lovely!
Now, where would I go to spend a lovely day reading a good book—and where would I pick up lunch to enjoy with it?
If you’re looking for a wonderful lunch with great atmosphere, you’ll need to go to The Tavern. It is a wonderful place for burgers, fries, and their brussels sprouts are to die for!
Yum!
Is there someone who insists they “never gossip,” but somehow knows everything?
This would be OF COURSE, Maemó! She isn’t gossiping, she is just checking in on everyone and making sure they are a-okay. I see her peaking over her garden wall, leaning into a conversation at The Tavern, or holding court in the reading area of Literary Stitches.
HAHA! I adore Maemó! I’d be disappointed if she wasn’t the one on the pulse of Broken Arrow’s hot goss!
What annual event brings out the best in everyone?
There are quite a few different annual events in Broken Arrow, in real life. One of them is going on during book two (which I’m currently writing), and that is called Rooster Days. It was started in 1931 to help local farmers sell excess roosters, but it has transformed into a morning parade, kids zone with bounce houses, carnival rides, and small businesses setting up a marketplace. It is one of a kind and happens on Main Street every year.
How fun!
Which season defines this town, and why?
Oooof! You are making me choose?! I would have to pick Winter. I love how Broken Arrow’s main street transforms into a Winter wonderland every season. We set up an ice skating rink, a 30-foot Christmas tree in the main area, Santa’s sleigh, and the annual Christmas lighting ceremony, where all of the trees lining Main Street and shops go all out with holiday decorations.
What a picture-perfect small-town Christmas!
How does a newcomer earn trust here?
In book two, a newcomer lands on Main Street, and you will see that anyone willing to help others and accept them for who they are will be trusted. It helps if someone who is from the town accepts them pretty quickly.
Makes sense.
Is there someone who always finds themselves in the middle of the town’s shenanigans?
Ollie tends to find himself mixed up in everyone’s business. Whether that is from his own design or he fell upon it. Of course, he will drag Addie and Winnie in these as well.
What would locals say is the best thing about living here?
That everyone is family here. And family is always worth protecting
I absolutely love that! What a special town!
Thank you so much, Courtny, for sharing Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, with us.
Welcome to Literary Stitches, where books, crafts, and murder go hand in hand.
Adelaide "Addie" Doyle thought she’d left small-town life behind for good. But when heartbreak and family duty pull her back to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, she finds herself stitching together a new chapter—one filled with second chances, small-town charm, and, unfortunately, murder.
When Addie’s former best friend (and worst enemy) turns up dead just before her wedding, Addie and her sister Winnie become the prime suspects. With a Montblanc pen as the murder weapon and the town’s rumor mill working overtime, Addie has no choice but to clear their names before they land in an orange jumpsuit. Armed with her writer’s intuition, a knack for uncovering secrets, and a little help from her quirky inner circle, Addie dives into the mystery—because in Broken Arrow, stories don’t just stay on the page.
Perfect for fans of Victoria Gilbert and Amanda Flower, Literary Stitches is a cozy mystery packed with wit, charm, and just the right amount of danger. Curl up, grab a cup of tea, and get ready to sleuth—because in this town, every book has a secret, and every stitch tells a story.
Mystery Hobbies | Mystery Cozy | Mystery Woman Sleuth [ Self Published, On Sale: May 27, 2026, e-Book, / ]
Meet Courtny Bradley, affectionately known as Courtagonist in the cozy mystery realm. An educator with over a decade of experience, Courtny has been unraveling cozy mysteries online since 2017. Married to her best friend, she juggles the delightful chaos of parenting two rambunctious toddlers in the heart of Oklahoma. Courtny's cozy expertise shines as she guides fellow mystery enthusiasts through the charming world of whodunits, a journey seasoned with warmth, wit, and a touch of Oklahoma flair.
Annie McEwen writes the Northwoods Mysteries, inspired by the pine forests and sparkling lakes of northern Wisconsin, where she spent childhood vacations and still visits family today.
A former farm kid, Annie now lives in rural Indiana with her husband. Their children and two young grandsons live nearby, making grandparenting her favorite role. Their home also includes four fur babies—two of whom appear in her books.
When she isn’t writing, Annie enjoys trash-to-treasure projects, gardening, working as a radiological technologist, and connecting with readers and fellow authors.
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