MAKING A KILLING

When bookish Winifred flees to a sleepy village to escape her past, she reluctantly partners with larger-than-life Sylvie to open a charming bookshop-café. After the slight inconvenience of a dead customer threatens their new venture, the unlikely duo discover they have a talent for creative problem-solving – and disposal.
Dark, witty and deliciously macabre, this tale of murder, friendship and small-town secrets will leave you hungry for more.

MAKING A KILLING

When bookish Winifred flees to a sleepy village to escape her past, she reluctantly partners with larger-than-life Sylvie to open a charming bookshop-café. After the slight inconvenience of a dead customer threatens their new venture, the unlikely duo discover they have a talent for creative problem-solving – and disposal.
Dark, witty and deliciously macabre, this tale of murder, friendship and small-town secrets will leave you hungry for more.
;

"BRAVO! Clever and funny, rock-solid characterisation."

-Sean Fraser

"A fun new cosy crime novel, Making a killing is a lovely, easy read, set in a small village in SA."

– Good Book Appreciation Society

"An easy read. A compelling read. But it took me in a completely opposite direction to what I even vaguely expected. Which is good, we like surprising books."

– @musingsofasouthafricanbookworm

"I'm halfway, really enjoying the read. It's such an entertaining romp, and Sylvie is a truly delucious character. Very well done👏🏻

– reader

"J'ai terminé le livre de ta tante. Il est fantastique, j'ai adoré!"

– reader

“I've just spent a lovely afternoon enjoying the warm sun on my stoep, the fur kid by my side, and engrossed in your book! Sjoe, Sylvie and Wins have got themselves in a right pickle! 🫣 Can't wait to read what happens next.”

– reader

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Upcoming Events
WEBSITE

Open Book Cape Town

Bonnie will be at Open Book Festival 5-7 September 2025 in Cape Town. Details TBC. You can visit the website here for the latest updates.

BOOK

Stanford in Bloom Nave Narratives

Date: 18 September | 14:00

Nave Narratives is a boutique literary festival (10–24 Sept) in the nave of St Thomas Church, Stanford as part of the Village’s Stanford in Bloom festivities.
Bonnie’s talk is entitled Cuppa, Corpses & Chaos and she will be in conversation with Susan Booysen.

 
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Toyota Stellenbosch Wordfees

Before it gets too cosy
11 October

If you like your crime with a generous splash of hot chocolate, then “cosy crime” is the genre for you. Bonnie Espie (Making a Killing), Tom Eaton (An Act of Murder), and Andrea Shaw (Unsolicited) chat with Jonathan Amid about this trend in the genre of crime fiction, and how crime novels can be enriched by also exploring the lighter side of life. Amateur detectives, small towns and quirky characters are all hallmarks of a good cosy crime – and these three authors know just how to mix the perfect amount of humour with the satisfaction of a surprising solution.

Fynarts Hermanus

Beth Hunt talks to Bonnie Espie

Monday 9 June @ 16.30 – 17.30
Venue:
Windsor Hotel (Whale Room)
Tickets:
R120 | R100 (early bird)

Kingsmead Book Fair

Bonnie will be at Kingsmead Book Fair on May 24th:
Cozy crime: Readers, writers and plotting around wrongdoing
Bonnie Espie (Making A Killing) and Paige Nick (Book People: A Novel) revel in the reality that, for writers, crime does pay with Gail Schimmel (The Finish Line)

The Road to Publication: A Special Celebration Webinar

WATCH REPLAY

Date: 14 May 2025 | 17:00 BST / 18:00 SAST

All About Writing alumna Bonnie Espie, will be joined by acclaimed psychological thriller author Marina Auer (Single Minded, Double Edged and the soon to be released Three Echoes) and their publisher Stevlyn Vermeulen from Kwela Books.
Together, they’ll explore their writing journeys, the path to publication, and the creative process behind their compelling stories.
RSVP

Empowering Women Author Panel

07 August | 6pm | Exclusive Books Constantia

Please note: RSVP is essential for all events.

All events are free unless otherwise advertised.
RSVP

Empowering Women Author Panel

06 August | 6pm | Exclusive Books Constantia

Please note: RSVP is essential for all events.

All events are free unless otherwise advertised.

Bonnie Espie

Bonnie writes fiction about ordinary characters who do dark things for the right reason. She lives in a small Overberg village with two rescued lurchers.

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