Mord in Monticello

The cats and animals add such warmth and charm, but I wonder if that was planned from the start or evolved during writing. What inspired this animal-centric approach?

The community dynamics really drew me in, making the murder feel like a breach of trust among neighbors. Did others find this added to the coziness or made it more intense?

The historical and cultural background of Monticello adds richness to the story. I'm curious if the author drew from real places or created a fictional version for the series.