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Today I’m welcoming author Lyn Farrell to chat about her mystery, In the Dead of Winter. From writing mysteries and balancing family life to finding inspiration in nature and treasured family history, Lyn shares thoughtful insights about her writing journey, favorite hobbies, and future dreams.
Interview with Lyn Farrell
Can you introduce yourself and tell us a little about your life in the story?
Hi, I’m Lyn Farquhar but my penname is Lyn Farrell. I’ve been writing mysteries since 2014 when my first, “One Dog Too Many” came out. The Mae December mysteries were written with my daughter, Lisa. We titled every chapter with the name of the character who was telling the story. There are books seven in the series, and they are still selling well.
Before I started writing, I worked for Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine where I was responsible for the administration of medical student and residency programs. After my retirement, I returned to my first dream of becoming a published author.
2. What is your favorite hobby or pastime, and why
My grandfather, Eugene Iverd, was a famous artist who painted covers for the Saturday Evening Post. I never got to meet him, as he died before I was born, but I search daily for his art. Since he did the paintings for over 100 magazine covers, ads and story illustrations, I can still find his published work. Recently, I found one of his paintings and after a spell of hard bargaining, managed to acquire it.
3. Who is the most important person in your life, and how do they influence you?
I don’t think I have one person. Rather I have a whole host of people, starting with my children and step-children and then my grandchildren. My husband, who died twenty-five years ago, was also hugely important in my life. He inspired me to go to graduate school and eventually get my Ph.D.
4. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far in your story?
The current book I’m writing is the third in the Blue Water Mystery series. The title is the “Equinox Enigma.” There are two themes in the story. One is about Annie who is looking for her father who was declared drowned five years before the book begins. She refuses to believe it. The second theme is about the murder of a local psychologist. As the team in the sheriff’s office in Charlevoix County struggles to find a motive, they wonder if the dead man wasn’t the intended victim. The challenge I face is trying to identify both the killer and the intended victim. I want to surprise my readers!
5. If you could change one thing about your past, what would it be?
I’d start writing way earlier. When I was younger, I did write, but only short stories or poetry. My daily life was chock-full with raising kids and working full-time—in the years before you could work from home. All those years went by before desk-top and lap-top computers and that work is lost. I wish I’d had the courage to stick up for myself and my dreams.
6. What motivates you to keep going when times get tough?
I have two things I use when I’m struggling. First, I have two lovely King Charles Spaniel dogs and I take the time to play with them. The other motivation I use is to go for long walks in nature. I’m lucky enough to have a huge 80-acre park that runs along a river with walking trails. Right now, there are wildflowers blooming everywhere: blood root, Dutchman’s Britches, Trillium, Dog Tooth Violets, and more.
7. Do you have any secrets or quirks that people might be surprised to learn?
One of the most surprising things about writing, is what happens when you access your sub-conscious. I recently was writing a scene describing the day a guide for fisherman on the Great Lakes set off in a small boat in a storm. A colleague of his was on the dock and tried to convince him to delay his venture. Red flags are posted on Michigan’s Great Lakes to warn people when the conditions are unsafe and that day they were whipping in the wind. When I wrote the name of the colleague, I was surprised into laugher. It was the name of a man who appears in an earlier book of mine. I hadn’t had any intention of having this character appear, but there he was. When the guide is declared dead by the Coast Guard, my character keeps a secret about his lost colleague, a secret that could be key to finding him.
8. What’s your favorite place in your world, and why do you love it?
My grandmother lived on a dairy farm in Wisconsin and I spent summers there when I was a child. Even now, when I’m struggling to sleep, I’m there in my mind, walking with my little sister to the lake. I grew up in an abusive household and those summers and that place saved my sanity.
9. If you could give advice to readers, what would you say?
When you sit down with a book, put away your phone! Remember all the people, including the author, who have worked hard to bring this story to you. Books can take us away to different lands, cultures and our place in time. Respect the work. Give it your complete attention. And if you want to help the author, write a review.
10. What are your dreams for the future?
I hope to live long enough to attend all 12 of my grandchildren’s weddings. So far, I’ve gone to the seven celebrations for those who are married. The five who are left rang in age from 30 down to 21, so I hope to hear about another engagement soon.
In terms of my writing, I would love to have any of my books become a made-for-tv series. My publisher has a subsidiary right agent and someday I hope she will read my books and propose them to a network.
In the Dead of Winter (The Blue Water Mysteries) by Lyn FarrellAbout In the Dead of Winter
In the Dead of Winter (The Blue Water Mysteries)
Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Michigan
Publisher : Camel Press
Publication date : February 10, 2026
Print length : 260 pages
Paperback
ISBN-10 : 1684923182
ISBN-13 : 978-1684923182
Digital
ISBN-13 : 978-1684923199
ASIN : B0G2TD4JKH
Victoria Treadwell, dispatcher for the sheriff’s office, is driving to work in a snowstorm when she sees a car fish-tailing behind her. Horrified, she watches at the car swerves off the road. When she heads back to help, she finds the driver bent over the steering wheel and barely breathing. In the back seat is a tiny child in a pink snowsuit. Victoria calls for an ambulance and then dials her boss, Pete Manstead, Undersheriff, of Charlevoix County. The ambulance arrives and the paramedic tries to shock the woman’s heart back into rhythm, but the driver, who they learn is named Carly Yellowwood, is dead. From the autopsy, Pete finds Carly died of a drug overdose, although she didn’t use drugs. The coroner lists the cause of death as murder. Pete sends his deputies to visit Carly’s neighbors and learns she has been seeing two men. One is her ex-husband, Joe Yellowwood, a Native American living on the nearby reservation. No one knows the second man. Since Carly Yellowwood was divorced and has a new boyfriend. Pete believes its a crime of passion. Victoria, who hopes to adopt Carly’s motherless child, thinks the motive is far darker.
About Lyn Farrell
Lyn Farquhar—pen name Lyn Farrell—holds a Ph.D. from Michigan State University and is an experienced author, having published the seven-book series (the Mae December mysteries) with Epicenter Press and four books in the Rosedale Investigations series. She has also published one women’s fiction book. To date, eight of her books have been picked up by a secondary publisher, Harlequin. Sales to date from both primary and secondary publishers are approaching 50,000. Lyn worked for Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine for 35 years before retiring to pursue her dream of becoming a published fiction author. Lyn is the mother of two, has six stepchildren, and twelve grandchildren. She loves gardening, playing with her Cavalier King Charles spaniels, and is always on the lookout for paintings by her famous artist grandfather, Eugene Iverd.
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Excerpt From In The Dead Of Winter
Twenty minutes later, Pete and Victoria were standing in the coroner’s office. They hoped that Carly’s fingerprints, even taken from her dead body, might open her cell phone. Looking dubious, Dr. Winter nonetheless took them down to the basement. Exiting from the elevator, they walked down the hall to the morgue. Once inside, the pathologist slid open the silver-fronted drawer containing Carly’s body.
“We know it’s a long shot, doctor, but do you think it might be possible to transfer a fingerprint from Carly’s finger to the plastic glove Victoria’s wearing?” Pete asked.
“I’m doubtful, but I’ll give it a try,” Dr. Winter said. “I’ve got some dental putty. If anything works it would be that.” He proceeded to copy the dead woman’s fingerprints onto the dental putty he took from a cabinet and then using the fingerprint dusting material carefully transferred Carly’s fingerprints to the thin plastic glove Victoria was wearing. “I presume your theory is that the mild electrical charge from a living person will come through the gloves and trick the phone,” Dr. Winter said.
“That’s what we hope. Go ahead and try your thumb on the home button,” Pete said.
Victoria took a deep breath and pressed the home button. It didn’t work. She looked at the men.
“Use your first finger this time and hold it down a little longer,” Pete said.
She tried again and to her amazement the phone actually opened. Rapidly clicking on the multi-colored pinwheel icon for photos, Victoria immediately found what they had been looking for. The picture showed the happy couple standing in front of a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. The tall blue-eyed Caucasian man with his arm around a smiling Carly was wearing a Santa hat. In the background they could see a window, a snowy landscape, blue water and two spotless white swans.
“Now about that raise I’ve been asking for,” she said.
“You’ll have it, if I can get the sheriff on board,” Pete said.
As the door to the morgue closed behind them, Dr. Winter shook his head, saying “Now I’ve seen it all.”
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Thanks to Lyn Farrell for stopping by Salty Inspirations today and sharing more about her writing journey, inspiration, and upcoming mysteries. If In the Dead of Winter sounds like your kind of mystery, be sure to add it to your TBR list and check out the links above for more information. And while you’re here, feel free to browse more book features, cozy mysteries, and reader fun around the blog.
As always, thanks for stopping by for some Salty Inspirations! —Michelle❤️
