Author Peggy Townsend Shares Her Secrets with South Bay Writers

Veteran journalist and crime fiction writer Peggy Townsend discusses character development and finding inspiration for her latest novel

Apr. 15, 2026 at 10:10pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a stack of hardcover books with a glossy, textured cover in deep, rich colors like burgundy and forest green, captured with dramatic, high-contrast lighting to create a sense of luxury and sophistication.Townsend's meticulous research and character development process elevates her crime fiction to a level of literary sophistication.Los Gatos Today

After 33 years as a journalist covering the cops beat and writing features for the Santa Cruz Sentinel, Peggy Townsend is well-placed as a crime fiction writer. Her latest novel, 'The Botanist's Assistant,' centers around Margaret Finch, a six-foot-tall, big-boned, mid-life research assistant to a charismatic botanist at a small university. When a dead body is found on campus grounds, Finch finds herself thrust into the role of detective in a race to catch the killer.

Why it matters

With the growing popularity of the cozy mystery genre, it's crucial for authors to craft compelling characters that readers want to spend time with. Townsend's approach to character development, which involves extensive research and drawing inspiration from real-life encounters, provides valuable insights for aspiring writers looking to create distinctive and memorable protagonists.

The details

Townsend's research process for a new manuscript involves compiling a substantive file of detailed notes, consisting of at least thirty pages, to get where the manuscript needs to go. She emphasizes the importance of making characters more than just a list of features, and instead focusing on what sets them apart and makes them distinctive. For her protagonist, Finch, Townsend drew inspiration from a Meals On Wheels service user, a Montanan who grew up in a small cabin without running water, as well as her own sister's expertise in botany.

  • Townsend has been a journalist for 33 years, covering the cops beat and writing features for the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
  • Townsend's latest novel, 'The Botanist's Assistant,' was recently published.

The players

Peggy Townsend

A veteran journalist and crime fiction writer who has been covering the cops beat and writing features for the Santa Cruz Sentinel for 33 years.

Margaret Finch

The protagonist of Townsend's latest novel, 'The Botanist's Assistant,' a six-foot-tall, big-boned, mid-life research assistant to a charismatic botanist at a small university.

Nina Simon

A best-selling New York Times author who has praised Townsend's novel, 'The Botanist's Assistant,' describing it as 'The Maid' meets 'Lessons In Chemistry.'

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What they’re saying

“I know more serial killers than is good for me.”

— Peggy Townsend, Author

“To craft believable characters, they need to be more than a list of features. What sets characters apart? How can you make them distinctive?”

— Peggy Townsend, Author

“The characters need a goal, something they want. Readers want to cheer them on —even the villains. They should change and grow through the book. Characters drive the story, but you can't let them get lost in it.”

— Peggy Townsend, Author

What’s next

Townsend will be a featured speaker at the South Bay Writers' meeting on May 9th, where she will share more insights on character development and writing craft.

The takeaway

Townsend's approach to character development, which involves extensive research, drawing inspiration from real-life encounters, and making characters more than just a list of features, provides valuable lessons for aspiring writers looking to create distinctive and memorable protagonists in the growing cozy mystery genre.