Whether you're just browsing or looking for information, welcome. I would like to take a few minutes to tell you about myself and my novel, Shaded Light.

Shaded Light is the first book in a series that will feature Paul Manziuk, who someone recently likened to Simenon's Maigret – "a working man's cop," and Jacqueline Ryan, a young woman of color who is out to prove she not only deserves to be Manziuk's partner, but also his equal.

Shaded Light is my first mystery. It took me 17 years from when I first thought of the characters and plot to when I actually got it in print. Okay, I was doing a lot of other things in those years, including raising four sons, homeschooling, cooking meals, doing a bunch of stuff in our church, and completing a number of other writing and editing projects.

I have read mysteries all my life – since I first found Trixie Beldon when I was a teenager. And I have read thousands of others since. So when I thought about writing, it was natural for me to think about writing a mystery.

I personally prefer to read traditional puzzle-style mysteries with interesting, believable characters and witty dialogue. And that's what I have tried to write. My favorite mystery writers over the years include Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, Erle Stanley Gardner, Margery Allingham, Dick Francis, Desmond Bagley, and Georgette Heyer. More recent favorites are Faye Kellerman, Sue Grafton, Gillian Roberts, Patricia H. Sprinkle, Peter Robinson, Sinclair Browning, and so many others I can't possibly list them here.

For years now, every place I go I have been finding spots that would be good locations for bodies. I know, I know. Sounds crazy. But it isn't my idea! The places just call out to me! One of the places I visited on a trip to Vancouver was a beautiful, serene Japanese garden. At the time, I thought, "This would be a really neat place to find a body!"

During Christmas holidays, 1983, I threw a book (a mystery – they aren't all great!) on the floor and muttered, "I could do better than that." My husband, who was in the room, said, "Well, why don't you then?" Taking that as a challenge, I did! Remembering my Japanese garden, I started figuring out where my garden would be and who the body could be, and I was away. Honest. That's how Shaded Light got going. Okay, maybe there's a little more to it. Like about 20 drafts. And a metaphor or two. And although the book is mostly written to entertain, I suppose there is some deeper meaning in there somewhere. Like maybe "money can't buy you happiness" or "we don't always see things clearly" or...Oh, come on, you decide...

Please do visit my website (http://www.NJLindquist.com) for a lot more information about me and Shaded Light, plus a short story, writing tips, and the best Brownies recipe ever!

N. J. Lindquist [who also answers to Nancy, Mom, Grandma, and Lady (No, I don't have a title – sons # 2 and 3 have called me that for about five years!)]