A week ago I had lunch with my first beta reader for King Harald’s Snow Job, the third in my canine cozy mystery series. Her overall reaction was positive, but she had some great ideas for tweaking Andy and Aunt Bev’s roles in the story. After making those changes, it’s time to move forward with more beta readers. And a few days ago I sent the manuscript to my editor, for her review. When I hear back from these folks, I’ll have a good idea of what may still need doing. Of course, I’m hoping the book won’t need much more work. But I really count on my editor and beta readers to help me identify the weak spots.

In the next few weeks I’ll be meeting with my designer to start development of the new cover. Since this is an early-winter, holiday-related story, I may ask him if he can put in snowflakes and stick a knit cap on Harald’s head. And on the back cover of the paperback will be a poison dart frog. To find out what it means, you’ll have to read the book.

I started work in earnest on King Harald’s Snow Job the middle of last summer. And, as always, it’s a relief to be so close to the finish line. But it’s been a real pleasure hanging out in Beaver Tail County with Harald and Andy as they untangle yet another perplexing mystery. I hope King Harald fans will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.