Reality following fiction...

Authors say that real life events often inspire their stories. For me, this happened the other way around.

In my debut mystery, A Field Guide to Murder, my cranky main character Harry Lancaster is recovering from a fractured hip, and therefore needs the help of his Gen Z caregiver, Emma. In an odd twist of fate, I followed in Harry's unfortunate footsteps the day before Thanksgiving last year. In a freak accident involving an overexcited Golden Retriever and my knee, I fractured my tibia plateau and found myself also in need of assistance -- and as a result, a bit cantankerous as well.

As part of the research I did for this book, I interviewed people who had suffered from a fractured hip so I could accurately describe what Harry was feeling and how he healed. Now, I've gone through something akin to his temporary struggle. It has left an indelible mark on me outside of the break on my X-ray.

I better understand what it's like to have once been independent, and then forced to be reliant on others. The experience was humbling and frustrating and exhausting and increased my empathy for those battling with physical limitations and the caregivers who strive to help them. And it left me feeling tremendously grateful for my family and friends, who rushed to my aid, and by doing so, reminded me of how truly blessed I am.

Mystery writers being mystery writers, I also got some good-natured ribbing from author friends who put a smile on my face: "You've taken your research for writing to a whole new level" or "I've heard of doing anything for a sales hook, but isn't this a bit extreme?"

I'm happy to say that my leg is nearly back to 100% and, unlike the outcomes in my story, all of my neighbors survived throughout my healing.

Recent Reads

Melinda Mullet’s A Ghostwriter’s Guide to Murder is an endearing and engrossing read, with lots of twists and turns that kept me reading late into the night. I was charmed by the main character, Maeve, her colorful life on a houseboat, and her quirky friends. I highly recommend this book and hope there is a sequel.

I listened to The World’s Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liza Tully, which was wonderfully narrated. This cross-generational mystery is told from the POV of Olivia Blunt, the Gen Z assistant to a brilliant Boomer detective. The story is full of wit and intrigue, and I can't wait to see what's next for this fun pair.

Upcoming Events

I love chatting about books and writing. If you're in the area, please join me at one of my upcoming events. Since plans sometimes change, make sure you check my website for the most up-to-date details.

It's hard to believe that A Field Guide to Murder has been out in the world for more than two months. If you don't yet have your copy, you can browse booksellers and learn more about it here.

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