What happened to Saturday and Blue?
Hello, care to join me for a cup of coffee and a story about what happened to Saturday and Blue?
Blue is Sheriff Red’s five-pound poodle. Most of my characters are composites or people who simply showed up in my head while I was writing. Blue, however, is based on our five-pound poodle named Saturday. His goal in life was to find someone to crawl into bed with. We tried to teach him to fetch, and he looked at us and said, “No. I don’t do that.” We tried to teach him to come when he was called, and he turned a deaf ear. We tried to take him swimming, and he nearly drowned. But, in some ways, he was the smartest pet we ever had because he always got what he wanted—a warm place to sleep.
I created Blue for the sheriff because I wanted Red to have someone to come home to who was loving and non-judgmental. Red can wind down with a glass of wine and Blue on her lap. He only complains when she doesn’t come to bed when he’s ready. Blue plays against type, of course. Shouldn’t a sheriff have a big, protective dog? Not a little furry creature that Red’s friend Georgia calls a piece of shag rug. Like Saturday, Blue’s goal in life is a warm place to sleep.
Saturday went to the place where old dogs can spend their days in the sun many years ago. But his legacy lives on.
Death of an Editor
Harlequin Worldwide Library will be releasing Death of An Editor, for its mystery book club series in August. Here’s the new cover for it. Fingers crossed, they will pick up all the books in the Cabin by the Lake mysteries.
The Pines Were Watching
The second Sheriff Red mystery The Pines Were Watching will be released on September 23, 2025. Here’s a hint at what it’s about:
The pines are watching, the shadows are creeping closer, and no one―not even the sheriff―is safe from the secrets of the Northwoods.
When Joanie Crea is found strangled on the grounds of the crumbling Grandgeorge estate, Sheriff Red Hammergren faces a chilling mystery as dark as the dense forest surrounding the crime scene. All eyes turn to Derek Grandgeorge, the reclusive heir with a penchant for wearing a green jacket―even in the sweltering Minnesota summer.
But soon, a second body surfaces―a victim found with Joanie’s house key shoved into their mouth.
The gruesome discovery sends a shiver of dread through the tight-knit community. The key isn’t just evidence―it’s a macabre message from a killer who’s growing bolder and more brazen with each passing day. As the oppressive summer heat bears down and the shadows deepen, Red glimpses unsettling flashes of green at the edge of her vision. With a cunning murderer on the loose and the town spiraling into panic, Red must unravel the connection between the victims…before she becomes the final piece in the killer's twisted game.
What’s on the Horizon?
Join me this August at Lake Country Booksellers for a signing session. I love meeting people in this great outdoor setting. (No rain, please.)
When: Friday, August 15, 2025, 10:00-Noon
Where: Lake Country Booksellers,
4766 Washington Ave, White Bear Lake, Minnesota
Life is What Happens
Six months ago, Jerome, my soulmate, husband, and editor, succumbed to vascular dementia. In late May, we had a celebration of his life and interred his ashes in the family plot in rural Mille Lacs County, Minnesota. It’s been a time of sadness, but also a time of remembering the remarkable person we lost. I want to thank all the people who have supported me and kept me sane during this difficult time. This spring, I read a remarkable book by Geraldine Brooks, Memorial Days. It’s about the loss of her husband. I found comfort and kinship in what she experienced. I highly recommend it.
And On a Lighter Note
My author friend Lou Kemp of the Celwyn Series (https://loukemp.com) and I met with a group at a senior living facility to talk about writing. One of the first questions we were asked was, “How do you start?” The short answer—pick up a pen and put the words down. Of course, we had a longer discussion involving writing exercises, classes, and writing groups. The question reminded me of years ago when I decided I was going to start running. The first thing I did was buy a book on how to run. The author’s main advice—put one foot in front of the other.☺
Reviews are Welcome and Cherished
Even rating my books without writing anything gives them a boost. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Have a wonderful summer and remember to hug your loved ones!
Until next time,
Linda