Crooked Lane Books
A Celebration of Reporters in Cozy Mysteries
.
When I was eight, I read a book that would dictate the course of my life. That book was Harriet the Spy. As a kid in suburban California, I…
In These Novels, Friends Become the Family of Our Hearts
.
It never dawned on me how much I use ‘friends as family’ as a trope in what I write. Hindsight is a funny thing. From that first book I…
The Most Terrifying Abandoned Train Tunnels in the World
.
I’m often asked, “Where do you get your ideas?” My answer always varies, as each book is different. But for my latest, Mister Lullaby, the idea was sparked by…
Wildlife and Wonderlands in Mysteries
.
I’m a city girl, but I really enjoy reading stories set in state parks and forests and islands and other areas where there is less population, and the environment…
The Importance of the Plot Twist
.
Who doesn’t love a superbly executed plot twist? One that completely takes you by surprise and turns the story on its head. One that makes you gasp out loud…
The Amish Fence
.
You’ve seen the Amish culture in books, movies and even in exaggerated “reality shows.” Without electricity, automobiles, TV, radio or other modern conveniences, the Amish drive horse drawn buggies,…
Crafting Creepy Crime Fiction in the Danish Countryside
.
So there you are, sitting in a cozy café in Odense, the hometown of the great fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen, enjoying a flaky Danish pastry and a strong…
Historical Mysteries Set in Early America
.
I’ve always been passionate about American history, especially the Revolution and founding of the United States. When I think of what immigrants endured just to travel to our shores,…
Fictional Versus Real Settings: A Writer’s Dilemma
.
Every story has to start somewhere. And be somewhere. Take Dennis Lehane’s 2003 novel, Mystic River. Its setting is so pivotal to the plot that you can find it…
The Bane and Boon of an Unreliable Narrator
.
There has long been a discussion of whether or not a reliable narrator in fiction is something that truly exists. Since humans are prone to biases and judgment, a…