Local Authors with Who-dun-its to Tell
The greatest mystery novels all have one thing in common: the solution cannot be too obvious. When the grand dénouement is at last unraveled, the reader must be struck with wonder, shock, deep fascination, and close the book thinking, “how did I miss that,” salivating with an unquenchable thirst to join the detective on their next adventure.
The world is littered with inspiring destinations to author and devour immersive mystery tales. While Europe boasts Paris, Rome, Edinburgh, and San Sebastian, America offers New Orleans, Los Angeles, Portland, and Washington D.C. But perhaps one of the most incredible locales to crack the next case is a little less… obvious.
Camano and Whidbey Islands are entangled with a thriving mystery novelist scene, home to countless published authors, and attracting thousands of guests and part-time residents each year to escape to the islands’ solitude and world apart. Camano Island authors Mimzi Schradi, author of Frantic in Fiji and Poisoned in Paris, and Naomi Wark, author of Wildflowers in Winter and Songs of Spring, find Island County a writer’s paradise. “[This] is such a cool place to write, I can go to my backyard or window, and feel like I’m in a special place, where creativity abounds,” says Schradi. “Your senses are stimulated on a daily basis – sound, taste, smell – we have the most wonderful coffee shops and French pastries. I don’t have to go on a [writer’s] retreat – my environment is my retreat.”
“I love The Loft at Camano Commons,” echoes Wark, a popular coffee shop for gathering and local artists to paint. “Besides living two blocks from the beach, an ever-present source of inspiration, is the incredible supportive community for writers.” Whether at Camano’s Terry’s Corner, one of the many branches of the Sno-Isle Library system, the Skagit Valley Writers, Camano Island Library Friends, or directly with one another, the Islands’ novelists frequently engage one another to brainstorm, share new pieces, critique each other’s work, and grow together as masters of storytelling. “Uniquely to Island County is that the traditional art community has truly embraced and blended with local authors,” says Schradi. “They consider us as equal artists, participating in exhibitions, and sharing a mutual respect. It’s been a love fest with the Stanwood Camano Arts Advocacy Commission (SCAAC), where art is all-encompassing, it’s not just for someone holding a paintbrush.”
For those who are already inspired by the atmosphere and mysterious “vibe” of the Pacific Northwest, Seattle, Edmonds, or Port Townsend, Camano and Whidbey Island have myriad locales to escape to wrap up with a warm blanket and cup of hot cappuccino and get lost in the next great book. From the covered picnic tables at English Boom County Park to the cozy couches next to the river-rock fireplace in Cama Beach’s Cafe, Matzke Sculpture Park to innumerable isolated beaches, there’s no shortage of inspiring spots to follow the next great caper.
We love mystery novels because they’re an escape from our daily lives. It’s exciting to crack open a case; and while many of our own problems may take years to resolve, a good fictional detective can catch the culprit in an afternoon’s cozy page-turner. Books are a way for us to travel the world of wondrous sites and fascinating characters, and the greatest escape to write or read the next one is just a ferry’s ride away – where you may find Whidbey and Camano Island’s author’s quietly studying the passengers, integrating them into the next great mystery adventure.
A Book to Curl Up With
Island Booksellers
The Book Rack
A wonderful outlet to role dice and read something nice.
551 NE Midway
Building #4
Oak Harbor, 98277
www.bookrack.com
[email protected]
(360) 675-6705
Owner Matt Daniel
Kingfisher Books
A seaside inspirational haven for literary learners, creators, travelers, and dreamers.
16 NW Front St.
Coupeville, 98239
www.kingfisherbookstore.com
[email protected]
(630) 678-8463
Owners Meg and Brad Olson
Moonraker Books
Named for a swift topsail, this bookstore has served generations of Langley residents and guests.
209 1st St.
Langley, 98260
www.bookshop.org/shop/moonraker
[email protected]
(360) 221-6962
Owner Josh Houser
Mutiny Bay Books
Browse over 1,500 titles immersed in the smell of old tomes and the tons of soft classical music.
1638 E Main St.
Freeland, 98249
[email protected]
(206) 474-6246
Owner Bob Markey
Camano Commons Marketplace
This community anchor is well known for its pastries, coffee, ice cream, local gifts, and excellent atmosphere
848 N Sunrise Blvd
Suite C
Camano Island, 98282
www.camanocommons.com
(360) 722-7459
Owner Brandon Ericson
