I grew up in a small, Iowa town where I dreamed of being an author. Instead, or maybe as a weird, natural progression of things, I got a BA in Political Science with a minor in Soviet Studies at the University of Iowa, later followed by a Masters in Arts Administration from the University of Illinois, Springfield. I worked for two colleges and ran literary arts programs for two local arts organizations before I sold my first book to a New York publisher one week after my 40th birthday.

I write 3 different mystery/comedy series. The Bombay Family of Assassins Series with its first book – ‘SCUSE ME WHILE I KILL THIS GUY; the Merry Wrath Mysteries with its first book – MERIT BADGE MURDER; and the Aloha Lagoon Mysteries with its first book – UKULELE MURDER.

I live in the Quad Cities on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River with my husband, Tom, two teenagers, three dogs and three cats. Our house is part madhouse/ part petting zoo. AND, I’m thrilled to be one of The Leslies!