About Me
Hi, I’m Tessa Aura, a cozy mystery author with a serious soft spot for small towns, sassy dogs, and murder (the fictional kind, of course).
I grew up in the Midwest on a farm, which sparked my lifelong love of animals. These days, I live with my husband and our three dogs: Teo and Mitz (the chihuahuas you see in my books) and Mabel, our gentle black lab.
When I’m not plotting murders (on the page!), I’m solving logic puzzles, traveling to new places for inspiration, or letting my dogs “help” me write. Spoiler: they’re terrible typists but excellent muses.
I write the mysteries I love to read—cozy, heartwarming, filled with quirky characters and loyal companions. If you’re looking for small-town charm, dog detectives, and endings where justice (and love) always win, you’re in the right place.
Welcome to the cozy corner. Pull up a chair, grab a cup of tea, and let’s solve some mysteries together. 🐾
The Real Detectives Behind the Books
Teo
Teo is my teacup chihuahua and the inspiration for Penelope Sinclair’s sidekick in the Bath, Maine series. In real life, Teo is small but mighty—full of attitude, confidence, and an uncanny ability to sense when I’m about to open a snack.
He sits tucked under my arm while I write, supervising every plot twist. In the books, his fictional counterpart is just as sassy, protective, and scene-stealing!
Mitz
Mitz is my second chihuahua and the heart behind Molly Montgomery’s detective companion. Sweeter than Teo but just as clever, Mitz is the protector of the family.
In the Maple Lake series, Mitz helps Molly solve mysteries with gentle persistence and an instinct for sniffing out trouble (and treats).
Mabel
Mabel is our gentle, loyal, and the ultimate guardian of our home. She’s the kind of dog who investigates every sound and keeps watch over everyone she loves.
In the Penelope Sinclair series, Mabel is the rehomed lab that has a natural instinct for right and justice, and this is why she ends up being trained as a police dog.
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