A Dead Market

The town feels so alive and charming — I wonder if the author based it on a place they love or imagined entirely. How much of the setting was mapped out before writing?

The clues were subtle but satisfying, and I loved the sense of community. Was the balance between cozy comfort and suspense intentional from the start?

The tone made me feel right at home while also wanting to solve the mystery. What specific choices in writing or description contributed most to that vibe?