Coming September 2026:
Only The River Knows
A murder in the wings. A cold case resurrected. And a killer ready for an encore.
The curtain rises on Lykkins Lake’s community theater production of The Music Man—but the show turns deadly before the first line is spoken. During auditions, director Amanda Brodie spots someone on stage and bolts in fear. The next morning, her body surfaces in the dark waters beneath an abandoned railroad bridge.
Sheriff Red Hammergren’s investigation quickly leads to a chilling discovery: decades ago, Amanda’s sister was murdered in an unsolved case that shook the town. Now, Red suspects the two crimes are connected—and someone in the tight-knit theater troupe knows more than they’re letting on.
As the spotlight swings from center stage to long-buried secrets, Red races to uncover the truth. But the killer is already rehearsing their next move—and this time, the final act could be Red’s.
Praise for Linda Norlander:
“…an enjoyable story with an eccentric cast of characters and a strong female lead…unpredictable, with a satisfying ending…Mystery fans will enjoy…” ―Booklist
"…a gripping thriller that will chill you to the bone…Linda Norlander's well-crafted novel will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page." ―Susan Hunter, author of Dangerous Habits
"Readers will love Sheriff Red, and absolutely devour every layer of masterful misdirection in this twisty mystery." ―LynDee Walker, author of Fear No Truth
"…kept me hooked from start to finish…you won't want to miss this one." ―Ava Roberts, author of The Perfect Boyfriend
2026 Releases
Chilling cold cases resurface as Sheriff Red Hammergren hunts for a missing teen, exposing the dark underbelly of a storm-bound Minnesota town.
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“Death of a Starling, the second novel in Linda Norlander’s delightful A Cabin by the Lake mystery series, offers something compelling for every reader. If you’re partial to sense of place, Starling delivers a wonderful evocation of Minnesota’s great Northwoods. Interesting characters, some quirky, some very dark, jump from the pages of every chapter. There’s a bit of romance, a lot of suspense, some fine inclusion of elements of the Ojibwe culture, and a wonderfully serpentine plot that’s sure to keep you guessing to the end. I can’t think of a better read at a summer cabin or in front of roaring winter fire.”
— William Kent Krueger, author of the New York Times bestseller, This Tender Land
Death of an Editor
Death of a Starling
Death of a Snow Ghost
Death of a Fox
Death of a Dream Catcher
The Death of Goldie's Mistress: A Liza and Mrs. Wilkens Mystery
And the Lake Will Take Them (Sheriff Red Mysteries Book 1)
The Pines Were Watching (Sheriff Red Mysteries Book 2)
What the Fields Saw (Sheriff Red Mysteries Book 3)
