K.P. Hilton

K.P. Hilton was first introduced to mysteries at age 12 while attending middle school. While reading in the library one day, a pair of older girls came in and huddled together at a nearby table. They talked in hushed tones about a dark-haired boy in their class who had asked the first one (henceforth referred to as Girl 1) out to see a movie that weekend. Her friend was against it since the boy had a “bad reputation.” Girl 1 thanked her friend for the warning and promised she wouldn't go out with him. Later, K.P. became confused upon discovering that not only had Girl 1 gone out with her young suitor, but that she wound up spending much of her free time with him during the rest of the school year. Thus began K.P.'s quest for figuring out the strange things that otherwise sane people do.

As time passed he eventually attended, then finished college. Finished meaning he was done with school even though he was one class shy of graduating with a journalism degree. Upon departure, he promptly enlisted in the U.S. Army. The move seemed like a good one since there were no wars going on at the time. He chose Infantry over the other military operational specialties since, if war did break out, he'd have a weapon at his side and could shoot back instead of merely being a target. Years later, after being honorably discharged, he returned to school where he took his remaining class and finished his degree. He enjoyed the feeling of accomplishment so much that he got a second degree in business administration. Other adventures ensued and eventually he started writing and publishing fiction since he has both right and left brain tendencies.

The main character from The Yellow Rose Mystery Series, Betty Hitchens, is loosely based on a family member who shall remain anonymous. Other characters are based in part on individuals he's either met or has known over the years. Chronicling life in the South has been both fun and cathartic for him, and things continue to go well with the exception of his daughter. She's at the age Girl 1 was many years ago and is fast becoming a mystery herself. Instead of worrying, though, he spends his time working on new stories and avoids places that confuse him -- libraries being chief among them.

The Yellow Rose Mystery Series.

A slightly different kind of cozy.