Discovering Jan Dunlap was like killing two birds with one stone. No, forgive me. I didn't really say that. Seriously, two of my passions are birds and mysteries, and Jan has wrapped them both in an exciting package: her Bob White Birder Murder mysteries. Today, Jan tells us about how her passion for birds led to the creation of this exciting mystery series that takes place in the wilds of Minnesota.
As the author of the Bob White Birder Murder mysteries, I
hear a lot of bird stories from my readers. But my favorite bird story is my
own, which, as it happens, also explains where I got the kernel of the idea
that led to my series.
Almost 24 years ago, my husband and I were living just
outside Minneapolis when we took our four small children on a drive to Wabasha,
Minnesota. It was January and frigid, and I told my husband if we didn’t get
out of the house with the kids, I was going to lock myself in a closet and not
come out till June. I suggested we make the two-hour drive to Wabasha, the
little town on the edge of Lake Pepin, which is where bald eagles congregate in
the winter to fish in the open water. I’d always loved watching birds, and I figured
that eagles would be big enough for our little ones to easily see.
Plus, they would be strapped into carseats and selt belts
for a total of four hours, and I was hoping I might be able to regain my sanity
in that time. (Wishful thinking, I know – I was still young and foolish back
then.)
But the eagles did not disappoint me or my children. We
parked at a pull-out above the lake and got out of the car. More than thirty
eagles soared in the sky or dove for fish or perched in the trees not far from
our vantage point. While we watched, two swept right over us, so close we could
clearly see their strong yellow beaks and blinding white heads and tails. I was
breathless with delight, and my son Bob found his calling in life…at the age of
four. Today, he’s an expert birder, a professional naturalist, and the
inspiration for my fictional protagonist…thanks to a little cabin fever and
really big eagles!
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Jan Dunlap is the
Minnesota author of the Birder Murders, a laugh-out-loud mystery series
following the adventures of high school counselor/expert birder Bob White, who
has a bad habit of finding bodies while he birds. Hailed as "everything a
cozy mystery should be," on Amazon.com, Jan's novels mix birding,
environmental issues, witty dialogue and characters so real, you'll want to
invite them to dinner! Jan’s favorite things are the great outdoors, her five
kids, and frozen custard, though not necessarily in that order. The fifth book
in the series, “A Murder of Crows,” will be released in
September 2012. Jan welcomes visitors to her website at www.jandunlap.com.
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Jan Dunlap is the
Minnesota author of the Birder Murders, a laugh-out-loud mystery series
following the adventures of high school counselor/expert birder Bob White, who
has a bad habit of finding bodies while he birds. Hailed as "everything a
cozy mystery should be," on Amazon.com, Jan's novels mix birding,
environmental issues, witty dialogue and characters so real, you'll want to
invite them to dinner! Jan’s favorite things are the great outdoors, her five
kids, and frozen custard, though not necessarily in that order. The fifth book
in the series, “A Murder of Crows,” will be released in
September 2012. Jan welcomes visitors to her website at www.jandunlap.com. 