Saugatuck Douglas Historical Society

Welcome! I just graduated with my Master's degree in Writing Popular Fiction at Seton Hill University, Greensburg, PA. Check out my blog on LiveJournal for the two-year "story" of my progress. I feel so blessed to have learned important insights while writing my sixth manuscript, to have made so many wonderful friends and to work with Victoria Thompson, published author of the Gaslight series for Berkley.

My thesis, Murder at River Point, is set in 1908 Saugatuck, a small resort village on Lake Michigan.  Artist Sydney Sinclair's summer visit turns deadly after a woman's burned, strangled body is found at the local lighthouse. She is drawn into the investigation when a friend begs for help in clearing her brother as the primary suspect. Sydney soon clashes with by-the-book Cooper Dean, assigned to the case. Their efforts uncover secrets that lead to a second murder ... and  puts Sydney directly in the path of the killer.

I'm an artist as well, and incorporating my experience into Sydney's character was fun and creative. I've enjoyed visiting lighthouses throughout the Great Lakes region. My husband and I have driven along both the eastern and western coasts of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, and each lake has its own personality. Lake Huron is often green and choppy, quite different than Lake Michigan with its deep navy blue hue. Lake Superior truly has superior sunsets.

My plans for book two in the series will focus on the lighthouse near Harbor Springs. I also plan to set one book on Mackinac Island. Its rich history and the lovely Grand Hotel will offer many possibilities for a heroine such as Sidney Sinclair, and the gruff inspector Captain Cooper Dean.