Everyone is invited to the book launch for the ninth Pete Culnane mystery, The Trigger. It will be at Once Upon A Crime (604 W. 26th St., Minneapolis 55405) on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 4:00 (Central Daylight Time). In this prequel, Pete tells why he became a cop.

There will be a reading, followed by a question and answer session. I hope you join me on the 28th and bring your questions.

If you’re unable to make it, I hope you’ll join me via Crowdcast. Here’s the link:
https://crowdcast.io/c/3npqc6bbw0qz
This viewing will be available starting that day and time, as well as afterwards whenever the day and time work for you.

Cover Summary:

After the birth of his first child and the powerful emotions associated, Pete Culnane is not so sure he can go back to being a police detective. With long hours away from home, he questions whether he can be the kind of father he’s determined to be.

Aware of his personal quandary, his wife Katie tries to help by asking what drove Pete to become a police officer in the first place. He relates back to his freshman year in college, pursuing his dream of playing major league baseball, when his friend is found dead of a presumed but unlikely suicide. On Pete’s dogged hunt for the truth, he becomes a target of a murderer.

If you love baseball, you may especially like this book. Hate to be a name dropper, but Harmon Killebrew makes a cameo appearance.

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.