About the Author

Below is an interview of the author.

What inspired the creation of your series?

How do you keep suspense in dog focused stories?
The series grew from my love of the world of dogs. I have spent over 50 years showing dogs and involved in many dog related activities, always with Samoyeds. I have a love of writing which I’ve had since a child. I was lucky enough during college to have as my advisor Walter Tevis who was the author of ‘The Hustler’ ‘The Man who Fell to Earth,’ and thee Queen’s Gambit,’ among other titles. He taught writing for four years and inspired me to consider it as a career. Life got in the way, so my careers ended being a schoolteacher and a librarian. But eventually the opportunity to write came along. The old saying “write what you know,” took over and knew I had to write about the dogs and include a large Irish-American family, which is my background. I love suspense, so it was a natural choice.

 What motivates Kate to take risks?

The need to see justice is Kate’s main drive. She has great loyalty for her family and the circle of people who become part of ‘Kate’s Team,’ along the way.

How do the dogs impact the plot?

Dogs are smart, intuitive, and loyal. What else would a detective want for a side-kick?

 What challenges did you face starting?

The major challenge is TIME. I decided early on; I wanted to publish the books myself. I’d been a single-parent since my son was quite young. As such, I had to do much without help. This leads to a desire to decide on the direction my new career would take. It hasn’t been easy, but writing is something I love.

How did your passion for the dogs begin?

When I was a graduate student wife working to put my husband through Caltech, I joined a needlework group of faculty and student wives. When I went to the home of the women in charge, I approached the door and a beautiful white dog stepped up, smiling and wagging his tail, and I fell in love. I became good friends with the owners, Sally and Giles, and followed Zeke through his career as a show dog. This gave me the opportunity to learn about the breed from all the experts in the breed, and on the day that Zeke finished his championship, I acquired my first Samoyed puppy. That puppy grew up to win the Samoyed Club of America National, the International Show in Mexico City, and became the first Samoyed to go Best in Show in the country of Mexico. Over 50 years later, I still have Samoyeds.