Felt like I was on a roll when I met a second follower of the Pete Culnane series in June. Larry has been a loyal fan since the first Pete Culnane mystery was published in 2011. I greatly appreciate him and everyone who has stuck with me through the years. What would I do without people like them? Here’s a photo of Larry and me.
By the way, book eight is in the editing process. Hoping to have it out this fall.
I had a wonderful week in Edmonton, visiting friends. While there, my loyal Canadian fans, Judy and Rick Winter introduced me to another Edmonton follower, Myrna Henderson. Here’s a photo Of Myrna and me on June 20th when I autographed her books.
Everyone’s invited to the book launch for the seventh Pete Culnane mystery, Dead Reckoning!
After another year of blood, sweat, and tears generated while staring at my computer monitor, I’m happy to say this book is now available.
Once Upon A Crime Mystery Books (604 W. 26th St., Minneapolis, MN 55405) is hosting my book launch. It will be at 1 p.m. (central time) on November 19th. That’s the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
.We’ll start with a reading from Dead Reckoning, followed by a discussion of the Pete Culnane series and my writing process, then a Q & A session. Hope to see you there.
If you’re unable to make it, the following link will take you to a simulcast of the event.
https://www.crowdcast.io/c/xoc1uvy122kv
You can also click on the link to watch a replay anytime after that date and time.
Happy to report I’m well on my way to completing the seventh Pete Culnane mystery. This time, the attack occurs along the Cherokee Trail, across the Mississippi from downtown St. Paul. Once again, Pete and Martin are working long days, scouring the Twin Cities for suspects and answers. The working title is Dead Reckoning. Publication is anticipated for the fall of 2022.
The sixth Pete Culnane Mystery was published on November 17, 2021. Due to COVID-19, the book launch was a virtual event hosted by Once Upon A Crime Bookstore, via Crtowdcast, on January 18, 2022. This event can still be seen at the following link: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/sl-smith-last-breath/register
Last Breath is available at Once Upon A Crime Bookstore in south Minneapolis and Setzer Pharmacy on St. Paul’s northside.
The fifth Pete Culnane Mystery published December 2, 2020. Due to COVID-19, the book launch will be a virtual event hosted by Once Upon A Crime Bookstore, via Crtowdcast, on January 7, 2021 at 7 PM (Central). Here’s the link to register for this FREE event: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/sl-smiths-murder-on/register
Registration is required in order to obtain the link to join me on January 7 for a reading, discussion of my writing, and Q & A.
Murder on Cathedral Hill is available at the following locations: Once Upon A Crime Bookstore in south Minneapolis, Subtext Bookstore in downtown St. Paul, and Setzer Pharmacy on St. Paul’s northside.
The book launch for Mistletoe and Murder was September 5, 2017 at SubText Bookstore in downtown St. Paul. Great turnout and lots of fun.
As expected, the Minnesota Show at the 2017 State Fair was phenomenal. Sadly, it’s the last one. So glad Amy Hass and I made it! 
The fair set an attendance record this year: 1,997,320. Enjoyed speaking with so many people, and felt honored each time someone wanted their picture taken with me.
On August 29. Fairborne’s arm got stuck in the door of a mascot-eating mailbox. Saw his distress and rescued him. Catastrophe averted. We both heaved a sigh of relief. 😉
Lost a dear friend and neighbor. Striving to accept and adjust to the loss. He was one in a million. Spent years picking me up at the airport between midnight and one AM, and taking me back between three and four-thirty AM. He was a beta reader for books two through four, and made many valuable recommendations. He served as a resource for Murder on a Stick, providing details on the workings of the ticket booths in the midway at the State Fair. He made my life so much easier and more joyful. Rest in peace, Gale. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Interested in learning more about me, my books, and my writing? Join my chat with Ally Shields. Feel free to leave a question or a comment. Here’s the link: Coffee Chat
Enjoyed lunch at the Christos in South Minneapolis with the Christos manager and waitress who play a part in Mistletoe and Murder: The Fourth Pete Culnane Mystery. You’ll have to read the book to learn how they contribute to solving the crime.
Michael, S.L., and Elizabeth at Christos
Mistletoe and Murder: The Fourth Pete Culnane Mystery is set for an August 1, 2017 release. It will be available at the 2017 Minnesota State Fair (August 24-September 4). The launch party will be on September 5 at Subtext Bookstore, 6 West 5th Street, St. Paul, MN at 7 PM. Join us for a reading, followed by a Q & A and treats. Everyone is welcome. I’d love to see you!
Wonderful opening day! Met lots of people and signed lots of books. If you’re at the fair this year, stop by the NE corner of Dan Patch and Underwood to say “hi.”
After a hiatus lasting nearly three years, i’m thrilled to announce that Blinded by the Sight is available for Kindle. This is thanks to help from my mother and my sister, Debbie.
Fair Wear booth on Dan Patch Ave. (about two blocks west of main gate on Snelling)
All three of my books will be available at the fair this year. Find them at any of the Gold Country booths: (1) the booth called Fair Wear” on the northeast corner of Judson and Dan Patch (see photos), (2) inside the main entrance of the Grandstand, (3) inside the main entrance of the Coliseum, and (4) in their tent at the entrance to the Visitors Plaza.
I’ll be outside the Fair Wear booth on the NE corner of Judson and Dan Patch, between 1:00 and 4:00, on August 27th and 31st. Stop by and say hi.
Care to guess what’s the number one moneymaking food sold at the Minnesota State Fair? Better yet, how would you like the recipe?
Check out my post for Tuesday, July 14, 2015 on Lois Winston’s blog Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers.
If you have a favorite state or county fair memory, please post it in the comments. I’d love to hear about it! …
Does humor have a place in a murder mystery? Check out my post on Leslie Diehl’s blog, to get my take on this. Here’s the link: www.lesleyadiehl.com/murder-at-the-fair
During the last week of October, I spoke to a second grade class about writing. The kids amazed me! One child asked, but not in so many words, if I ever had writers block. If I did, he wanted to know how I dealt with it. The class blew me away! They knew so much about writing.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself, because the kids were so attentive and interested.
Ever wonder how Pete Culnane got his last anme? I’ll be blogging about it on October 6. Please check it out at Marja McGraw’s blog.