Meet Your Favourite Mystery Author

We are well and truly into 2026. It’s been such a tumultuous month on the global economic and political stage, I often need to pick up a book and escape into the pages to cleanse my brain. I’ve just started the latest Robert Galbraith book, “The Hallmarked Man”, at the same time as finishing Karen Slaughter’s “Pretty Girls”. Next on my list is “The Lamplighter’s Bookshop” by Sophie Austin. Will I get them all read by the end of February—I don’t know.

Following a very productive month in Blairmore, I sent the sequel to “The Aquamarine Necklace” off to BWL Publishing last week. Now begins their round of suggestions, book cover selection, etc., in anticipation of a July publication.

I also sent off a newly revised “Under The Ombu Tree”, the first in my Lady Mary women’s fiction series, to an editor, and submitted short stories for competitions in Australia and the US. It was a busy month.

Found Books in Cochrane hosted me for an afternoon book signing. I know you can’t take credit for the spectacular weather, Taylor, but thank you for setting things up for me. I loved visiting with everyone who stopped by. Found Books & Shop

Meeting with book clubs is a treat. On the 26^th I was invited to the International Women of Mystery Book Club. What an impressive group of women! They know mysteries and it was a delight to hear them discussing various authors, their characters, and the evolution of their debut novels to the most recent releases. It was an honour to have them ask questions about my writing process and journey, and about "The Aquamarine Necklace". Thank you.

Joni Delaurier, Troy Kokol and me!

I met up with an old friend, half of the amazing, award winning country music group, Scarlett Butler. www.scarlettbutler.com . Joni and I had just come in from a

brisk (and cold!) walk along the river. We discussed their music and my writing, and how to focus on the things we love (creating), while finding ways to get through the other business of promotion and marketing. Troy and Joni have a wonderful home studio, which hmmm, leads me to think about audio-book production! If only I could find someone with a great voice to do the reading.

While I humbly recognize that I may not be your FAVOURITE author, how would you like to meet Louise Penny, Kathy Reichs, Abir Mukherjee, Mark Greaney, Jennifer Hillier, Vicki Delany, Kevin Sands or P.J. Vernon? They are all going to be at Bouchercon this fall in Calgary.

Bouchercon is an international convention for readers who love mysteries. Each year, fans of crime fiction, published authors, aspiring writers, librarians, large and small publishers, editors, agents, and booksellers meet to attend lectures, panel presentations, workshops on all topics mysterious, crime-filled, and suspense-laden. You can buy books (or bring ones you’ve already got at home) and have them signed. There are even some special events planned, including an exclusive matinee performance at Vertigo Theatre, to encourage networking and getting to know both authors and their fans.

The Telus Convention Centre in Calgary, Alberta, will host this incredible event from October 21-25, 2026.

I've been working on the Local Organizing Committee since August 2023, and can hardly wait for the doors to open in less than ten months. My role is on the Registration Committee, keeping track of everyone who registers, answering questions about hotel registrations, getting lanyards, printing name badges, and making sure there are swag bags for everyone. I’m sure there will be free books in them, but there will be stacks of other books available for purchase in the Book Room.

Calgary Tourism has arranged for special tours both before and after the event that you should check-out. Go to the website, www.bouchercon2026.com. You can sign up now:  REGISTRATION | Bouchercon 2026. Registration, $260 USD, closes September 30. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me!

The days are gradually getting longer, and Groundhog day is just around the corner. Will our mild (at least here in Calgary) winter continue, will we get a blast of "the good old days", or is spring just around the corner.