Kristen Panzer puts pen to paper

millerton ­­— For those with a literary turn of mind, there are few things as exciting, wondrous and downright comforting as brewing a nice strong cup of tea, finding that sweet spot on the couch, and curling up with a good book. Millerton author Kristen Panzer gives readers a reason to do exactly that with her freshman novel, “Thea Gallas Always Gets Her Man.”Panzer’s story takes place in Jamaica Plain, Mass., not far from Boston, and centers around the life of a wannabe lactation consultant — not your average sleuth but an endearing and competent one. The story weaves around her main character’s suspicion that something is not right with her next door neighbors, primarily with the fact that the husband seems to be missing while the wife exhibits extremely odd behavior. Gallas is sure she’s sniffed out something criminal, and with the rest of the world thinking she might have lost it, pursues an investigation as fun to read about as Panzer must have had writing it.What many in the book world might categorize as a classic cozy murder mystery (one that might not be a murder at all!), Panzer acknowledges her book is targeted toward a female audience. Yet it’s written in such a way that no matter who picks it up it’s certain to be enjoyed. Fun dialogue, vivid descriptions, lovable and deplorable characters living side-by-side — “Thea Gallas Always Gets Her Man” is the type of book the reader doesn’t want to end.Panzer said it took her seven years to complete, and that it was based on real-life events.“It’s based on a true story that really happened,” she said, explaining the main character is based on herself, and the plot revolves around a situation she found herself in while living in Jamaica Plain a decade ago. “I knew somewhere in there was a good story.“And then I’m a lactation consultant, and I think it’s an intriguing world that most people don’t know anything about, so I wanted to bring it out,” she added, noting she researched other books to see if there were other authors writing about lactation consultants, and found none. “There are books with cupcake bakers, and cat lovers, but no, I don’t think so. I think this is a first for fiction.”And it’s interesting. The heroine in the story also happens to be pregnant, with three children and a husband. Reading about her balancing her family while training to become a lactation consultant and sleuthing on the side to discover criminal activity may sound chaotic, but it wasn’t. It made for a good read, and kept the pages turning quickly. Panzer said that’s what she was hoping for while writing the book, something she said was enjoyable from start to finish.“It was really fun to think of the perfect thing someone would say and the perfect way they would say it — it almost made me giggle,” she said. “It got to the point where I could hear their accent, see the way they stood when they spoke, that kind of stuff. In my mind the characters came alive and I hope that’s fun for the people who read it. That’s what it’s all about.”The most difficult part, the author said, was getting critiqued. But she said she valued those opinions.“When you give it to someone to read and then don’t get the reaction you were hoping for [it’s hard],” Panzer said. “I’m grateful for all that input but it’s crushing.”Despite any hardships, Panzer said she always knew she would see her project through to the end. It was made easier, she said, thanks to the support of her husband and children. Sometimes they wanted her attention, or their dinner, but throughout it all she said she knew the support was there.“They were great,” she said. “They were just kids growing up so they don’t care what I’m doing. But they’re excited for me.”Panzer said she was excited, too, especially to work with some really “great people.” Judy Moran of Amenia was the graphic designer. Annie Dwyer Internicola, who does graphics for the Hudson Valley magazine, Chronogram, did the jacket design. Robin O’Connor of Lake-ville, Conn., did the copy editing. And Sharon, Conn., photographer Stephanie Stanton took her head shot for the jacket cover. Panzer said she felt privileged to work with all of them, as well as with the women she served as a lactation consultant throughout the years.“I owe a big debt of gratitude to so many women,” she said. Right now “Thea Gallas Always Gets Her Man” is available as an ebook. But, Panzer said, it’s “super close” to being printed and will be available on Amazon, as well as at Oblong Books & Music and other select stores in the area.There will be a book-signing party for Panzer at No. 9 restaurant in Millerton, where copies of the book will be sold. The date and time of the event will be announced once known.