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Author's Notes: Thank you for hosting me on your blog, Sue and the Northwoods Arts Council for including me in their Author 2020 Virtual Tour. In addition to my writing vocation, I am a Wright County Commissioner, a challenging and rewarding position. Previously, I served with the Wright County Sheriff, and spent two years as a mental health practitioner, working with mentally ill, chemically dependent, and chronically homeless people in St. Paul.
My husband, Dan and I celebrated our 48th anniversary last month and are blessed with four children, two sons-in-law, and seven grandchildren. I enjoy a number of volunteer civic and church activities.
I created stories even before I could read or write. I have a vivid memory of walking into my first-grade classroom and seeing the letters of the alphabet posted on the walls above the blackboards. I was in awe, excited I’d be taught to read and write. Then I could put my stories on paper.
I wrote short stories as a youngster and plays and poems as a teen. I didn’t think I had the patience to write a full novel, but as a young adult I persevered and wrote two romance novels that were never published. I loved reading mysteries, but it wasn’t until after my father’s bizarre death that the Winnebago County Mysteries were born. Dad’s death was ruled accidental and I obsessed about that, wondered what had really happened, for over a year. One day it hit me: What if it wasn’t an accident? What if someone had killed him? Who would that person be? What would be his or her motivation?
Alvie Eisner, fictional antagonist in Murder in Winnebago County was the first character that came to life in my mind. Alvie never recovered from her son’s suicide while he was incarcerated. She held everyone connected to his case responsible for his death. She seized an opportunity for revenge and began a killing spree, staging the murders to look like suicides, so their families would suffer as she had.
Sergeant Corinne “Corky” Aleckson is the young protagonist in the series. She conquered her mother’s helicopter-parenting and pursued her chosen career. Her innate need to help victims and solve crimes drive her. Her instincts and training aid her. Corky recognizes her shortfalls and works closely with her friend and mentor, the seasoned, smart, and sexy Detective Elton aka “Smoke” Dawes who experienced a lot over the years. Their relationship ebbs and flows throughout the series.
As the characters in Winnebago Sheriff’s office and Corky’s family members fleshed out and developed, I fell in love with them and knew what the next two cases/books would be about, based on dramatic incidents that happened when I worked for the Wright County Sheriff.
Blurbs about the books:
"Murder in Winnebago County" follows an unlikely killer plaguing a rural Minnesota county. The clever murderer leaves a growing chain of apparent suicides among prominent people in the criminal justice system. As her intuition helps her draw the case together, Sergeant Corinne" Corky" Aleckson enlists assistance from Detective Elton "Smoke" Dawes. What Corky doesn't know is the killer is keeping a close watch on her. Will she be the next target?
"Buried in Wolf Lake" A family’s dog brings home a woman’s dismembered leg and the Winnebago County Sheriff launches an investigation unlike any other. Sergeant Corrine Aleckson and Detective Elton Dawes discover they are up against an unidentified psychopath who targets women with specific physical features. Will they identify the killer in time to prevent another brutal murder?
"An Altar By The River" A man phones the Winnebago County Sheriff’ and reports his brother is on his way to the county to sacrifice himself. Sergeant Corinne Aleckson learns the alarming reasons why. They plunge into the alleged criminal activities of a hidden cult and the disturbing cover-up of an old closed-case shooting death. Will they find the altar in time to save the young man’s life?
"The Noding Field Mystery" When a man’s naked body is found staked out in a farmer’s soybean field, Sergeant Corinne Aleckson and Detective Elton Dawes are called to the scene. The cause of death is not apparent, and his placement there is a mystery. As Aleckson, Dawes, and deputies gather evidence, they hit one dead end after another. Then an old nemesis escapes from jail and plays in the shocking climax.
"A Death In Lionel’s Woods" A woman’s emaciated body is found in a woods. Sergeant Corinne Aleckson is coaxed back into the field to assist Detective Smoke Dawes. It seems the only hope for identifying her lies in a photo buried under her body. The investigation takes them into the world of human smugglers and traffickers, too close to home. All the while, they’re trying catch the person leaving Corky anonymous messages and pulling pranks at her house. A roller coaster ride to the electrifying end.
"Secret In Whitetail Lake" A homicide investigation is sparked when an old Dodge Charger with human remains inside is discovered on the bottom of a Winnebago County lake. Then Sheriff Twardy disappears the same day. Why? Sergeant Corinne Aleckson and Detective Elton Dawes probe into both mysteries. Little do they know they’re being closely watched by the keeper of the Secret in Whitetail Lake.
"Firesetter In Blackwood Township" Barns are burning, and the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office realizes they have a firesetter to flush out. The investigation ramps up when a body is found in a barn. Meanwhile, deputies are getting disturbing deliveries. Why are they being targeted? As they follow the clues, Sergeant Corinne Aleckson and Detective Elton Dawes wonder, what is the firesetter’s message and motive?
"Remains In Coyote Bog" Bodies marked with religious symbols are recovered from Coyote Bog, sending Sergeant Corinne Aleckson and Detective Smoke Dawes on a quest. Who buried them in there? They pore through missing persons’ files, consult an FBI profiler, and are soon in pursuit of an angel of death. Their investigation leads them into uncharted and dangerous territory, but they’ll stop at nothing to end the death angel’s reign.
My membership in the Twin Cities Sisters in Crime gave me an unexpected opportunity. A New York agent contacted our then president, Erin Hart, in his search for a Minnesota author to write a cozy series set in a snow globe shop. After I spoke with the agent, he decided I would be that author. I wrote a proposal, plot synopsis for three books, and other required info that he submitted to an editor at Penguin Random House. He landed me a three-book deal.
Camryn Brooks is the thirty-six-year old first-person narrator in the Snow Globe Shop Mysteries. Cami’s biological parents died when she was five and her maternal aunt and uncle and their four children welcomed her into their family.
Cami served as a Director of Legislative Affairs in Washington D.C. until a scandal ended her career. She reluctantly returned to her hometown in Minnesota with the consolation her parents, the Vanellis, needed help in their Curio Finds Shop; a store that specialized in snow globes from around the world. The business is housed in a 1924 brick building with an archway open to an adjoining coffee shop, “Brew Ha-ha”, run by Cami’s quirky friend Pinky Nelson.
Blurbs about the Snow Globe Shop Mysteries
"Snow Way Out" Cami and her friend—coffee shop owner Alice “Pinky” Nelson—are hosting a snow globe making class. After the flurry of activity has ended and everyone has gone off with their own handmade snow globes, Cami spots a new globe left behind on a shelf, featuring an odd tableau—a man sleeping on a park bench. On her way home, she drifts through the town park and is shaken to come upon the scene from the globe—a man sitting on a bench. But he isn’t sleeping—he has a knife in his back. When the police arrive, it’s clear they consider Cami a little flaky and possibly a suspect. After her friends also come under suspicion, Cami starts plowing through clues to find the cold-blooded backstabber—before someone else gets iced. 
"The Iced Princess" It’s that time of the year again—the Christmas rush is about to begin, and curio shop owner Camryn Brooks and her BFF, coffee shop owner Alice “Pinky” Nelson, need to hire additional help. Their former high-school classmate, Molly Dalton, is not exactly who they had in mind. Has the rich socialite worked a day in her life? But Molly practically begs for the job. On her first day, Molly seems to be in her own little world, and Cami worries that her new employee may flake out. The problem turns out to be far worse than that when Cami discovers Molly dead in the back of the shop, after drinking a poisoned cup of coffee. Soon there is an avalanche of suspects as Cami starts shoveling through the clues—including a shattered snow globe of Marilyn Monroe. Now Cami will have to venture out of her safety zone before the pathological poisoner stirs up more trouble. 
"Frosty The Dead Man" Mayor Lewis Frost has always been known as Frosty to his friends—not that he has many these days. Controversies swirling around the city council have members wondering if Frosty is trying to snow them. After one councilman storms off in a huff, the mayor turns to curio shop manager Camryn Brooks and asks her to consider taking a seat on the council. Later, when Cami goes to his office to discuss the proposal, her blood runs cold. She finds Frosty dead, and the very snow globe she sold him earlier that day lies in sparkling shards on his carpet—along with a large diamond. Does the snow globe—which features a peculiar tableau of an armed man and three menacing bears—hold a clue to Frosty’s demise? One way or another, it’s up to Cami to shake things up before the killer’s trail goes cold.
Christine's parting words..."I’ve learned a great deal about writing and the ever-changing publishing world since my first book launched in 2008. It’s been quite a ride and I’m grateful for every day!"
My husband, Dan and I celebrated our 48th anniversary last month and are blessed with four children, two sons-in-law, and seven grandchildren. I enjoy a number of volunteer civic and church activities.
I created stories even before I could read or write. I have a vivid memory of walking into my first-grade classroom and seeing the letters of the alphabet posted on the walls above the blackboards. I was in awe, excited I’d be taught to read and write. Then I could put my stories on paper.
I wrote short stories as a youngster and plays and poems as a teen. I didn’t think I had the patience to write a full novel, but as a young adult I persevered and wrote two romance novels that were never published. I loved reading mysteries, but it wasn’t until after my father’s bizarre death that the Winnebago County Mysteries were born. Dad’s death was ruled accidental and I obsessed about that, wondered what had really happened, for over a year. One day it hit me: What if it wasn’t an accident? What if someone had killed him? Who would that person be? What would be his or her motivation?
Sergeant Corinne “Corky” Aleckson is the young protagonist in the series. She conquered her mother’s helicopter-parenting and pursued her chosen career. Her innate need to help victims and solve crimes drive her. Her instincts and training aid her. Corky recognizes her shortfalls and works closely with her friend and mentor, the seasoned, smart, and sexy Detective Elton aka “Smoke” Dawes who experienced a lot over the years. Their relationship ebbs and flows throughout the series.
As the characters in Winnebago Sheriff’s office and Corky’s family members fleshed out and developed, I fell in love with them and knew what the next two cases/books would be about, based on dramatic incidents that happened when I worked for the Wright County Sheriff.
Blurbs about the books:
"Murder in Winnebago County" follows an unlikely killer plaguing a rural Minnesota county. The clever murderer leaves a growing chain of apparent suicides among prominent people in the criminal justice system. As her intuition helps her draw the case together, Sergeant Corinne" Corky" Aleckson enlists assistance from Detective Elton "Smoke" Dawes. What Corky doesn't know is the killer is keeping a close watch on her. Will she be the next target?
"Buried in Wolf Lake" A family’s dog brings home a woman’s dismembered leg and the Winnebago County Sheriff launches an investigation unlike any other. Sergeant Corrine Aleckson and Detective Elton Dawes discover they are up against an unidentified psychopath who targets women with specific physical features. Will they identify the killer in time to prevent another brutal murder?
"An Altar By The River" A man phones the Winnebago County Sheriff’ and reports his brother is on his way to the county to sacrifice himself. Sergeant Corinne Aleckson learns the alarming reasons why. They plunge into the alleged criminal activities of a hidden cult and the disturbing cover-up of an old closed-case shooting death. Will they find the altar in time to save the young man’s life?
"The Noding Field Mystery" When a man’s naked body is found staked out in a farmer’s soybean field, Sergeant Corinne Aleckson and Detective Elton Dawes are called to the scene. The cause of death is not apparent, and his placement there is a mystery. As Aleckson, Dawes, and deputies gather evidence, they hit one dead end after another. Then an old nemesis escapes from jail and plays in the shocking climax.
"A Death In Lionel’s Woods" A woman’s emaciated body is found in a woods. Sergeant Corinne Aleckson is coaxed back into the field to assist Detective Smoke Dawes. It seems the only hope for identifying her lies in a photo buried under her body. The investigation takes them into the world of human smugglers and traffickers, too close to home. All the while, they’re trying catch the person leaving Corky anonymous messages and pulling pranks at her house. A roller coaster ride to the electrifying end.
"Firesetter In Blackwood Township" Barns are burning, and the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office realizes they have a firesetter to flush out. The investigation ramps up when a body is found in a barn. Meanwhile, deputies are getting disturbing deliveries. Why are they being targeted? As they follow the clues, Sergeant Corinne Aleckson and Detective Elton Dawes wonder, what is the firesetter’s message and motive?
"Remains In Coyote Bog" Bodies marked with religious symbols are recovered from Coyote Bog, sending Sergeant Corinne Aleckson and Detective Smoke Dawes on a quest. Who buried them in there? They pore through missing persons’ files, consult an FBI profiler, and are soon in pursuit of an angel of death. Their investigation leads them into uncharted and dangerous territory, but they’ll stop at nothing to end the death angel’s reign.
My membership in the Twin Cities Sisters in Crime gave me an unexpected opportunity. A New York agent contacted our then president, Erin Hart, in his search for a Minnesota author to write a cozy series set in a snow globe shop. After I spoke with the agent, he decided I would be that author. I wrote a proposal, plot synopsis for three books, and other required info that he submitted to an editor at Penguin Random House. He landed me a three-book deal.
Camryn Brooks is the thirty-six-year old first-person narrator in the Snow Globe Shop Mysteries. Cami’s biological parents died when she was five and her maternal aunt and uncle and their four children welcomed her into their family.
Cami served as a Director of Legislative Affairs in Washington D.C. until a scandal ended her career. She reluctantly returned to her hometown in Minnesota with the consolation her parents, the Vanellis, needed help in their Curio Finds Shop; a store that specialized in snow globes from around the world. The business is housed in a 1924 brick building with an archway open to an adjoining coffee shop, “Brew Ha-ha”, run by Cami’s quirky friend Pinky Nelson.
Blurbs about the Snow Globe Shop Mysteries
Christine's parting words..."I’ve learned a great deal about writing and the ever-changing publishing world since my first book launched in 2008. It’s been quite a ride and I’m grateful for every day!"
Check out her website for more information.
2019 Participant NAC Art and Book Festival
Christine Husom concludes our 2020 Author Virtual Tour sponsored by Northwoods Arts Council. See you in 2021 August 14th for Art and Book Festival. For previous author postings see https://www.northwoodsartscouncil.org/
Since I am a fan of mysteries and Minnesota writers, Christine has moved onto my reading list. Thank you for featuring her and her writing.
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