Bestselling author Beth Groundwater writes two mystery series, the Claire Hanover gift basket designer series and the Rocky Mountain Outdoor Adventures series starring whitewater river ranger Mandy Tanner. The first book in her Claire Hanover series, A REAL BASKET CASE, was released in hardcover in 2007 and re-released in trade paperback and ebook in November, 2011. The book garnered good reviews from national reviewers and was nominated for the 2007 Best First Novel Agatha Award. The second book in the series, TO HELL IN A HANDBASKET, was released in hardcover in 2009, also to good reviews, and was re-released in trade paperback and ebook in November, 2012. A BASKET OF TROUBLE, the third book in the series, was released in November, 2013.
DEADLY CURRENTS, the first book in Beth's Rocky Mountain Outdoor Adventures series starring whitewater river ranger Mandy Tanner, was released in trade paperback and ebook in March, 2011 with good reviews from Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, the Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, and Mystery Scene, among other reviewers. The Kindle format was a bestseller on Amazon. The second book in the series, WICKED EDDIES, was released in May, 2012 and was a finalist for The Rocky Award, for best mystery set in western North America. The third, FATAL DESCENT, was released in June, 2013.
Beth was an avid "river rat" in the 1980s, running whitewater rivers in the eastern US, and enjoyed reacquainting herself with that subculture while researching this series. In June, 2011, she was the parade VIP for the First in Boating on the Arkansas River (FIBArk) whitewater festival in Salida, Colorado, which is featured in DEADLY CURRENTS. Beth lives in Colorado and enjoys its many outdoor activities, including skiing and whitewater rafting.
Beth's science fiction novella, THE EPSILON ERIDANI ALTERNATIVE, was released in ebook and paperback in 2009. Also, she has published nine short stories, many multiple times in various formats, including audio. She enjoys meeting with book clubs in person or via Skype or speakerphone to discuss her books. Visit her website at http://bethgroundwater.com/ and her blog at http://bethgroundwater.blogspot.com/ for more information or to arrange a visit.
I read a wide variety of books. I'm in a Book Club that meets monthly to discuss literary and women's fiction. Some of my favorite reads from that group were The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant, Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult, The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri, Bel Canto by Ann Patchett, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini and The Time Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. I read a lot of mysteries, of course. Some of my favorite authors are Western writers who I've gotten to know at conferences: C.J Box, Kathy Brandt, Christine Goff, Maggie Sefton, and Margaret Coel. I also enjoy light-hearted series by Alexander McCall Smith, Donna Andrews, and Tim Cockey. My all-time favorite mystery writer is Sharyn McCrumb, and I'm collecting all her books. I read romance and science fiction occasionally and have enjoyed Diana Gabaldon, J.D. Robb, Anne McCaffrey and Douglas Adams.
Beth,
I'm no expert, but I'm a working cop. Been one on and off for fifteen years, including a former homicide detective. If you need police information, especially in Louisiana, just ask.
I have bummed around your beautiful state and almost accepted a grad assist position at Northern Colorado at Greeley. The pay was better at Southern Illinois University so I went there instead. Still I have enjoyed skiing at Winter Park and been through a snow storm in the mountains in an airport rental car. Can't say which was more exciting. A dear friend's daughter was married at Red Rocks. We had a great time that weekend.
I will check as that is where I get most of my reading! But To Hell In A Handbasket sounds familiar. I may have read that. I will look for it and if they don't have it, like you said, 'inter-library...' I am having to write down a bunch of titles and authors here.
Beth! I am placing orders today for new books and HANDBASKETS are definately in my shopping basket! It is such a pleasure to see you here after "seeing" you on the message lists so often.
And that is a darling picture of you.
Best regards,
Kate
PS I met Bob Levinson at a party a couple of months ago - he is even more delightful & charming in person!
I think you befriended me actually -laughing- And you're a published author. That's fantastic. I only write on a loop/group. Haven't gotten up the nerve to try to expand, even to e-books.
See you at Bouchercon, then. I'll be one of the 73 mystery authors engaging in their Continuous Conversation Tract. Mine is on Saturday a.m. How about you?
Thanks for the welcome Beth. I discovered this forum by accident yesterday in trying to satisfy my curiosity about Lilian Jackson Braun. This look like a fun place to spend a little time. I recently left print media advertising sales and am hoping to be able to work from home. I have started a few blogs and have an online store. I love to read and not having to slog to an office everyday may allow me a little more time to enjoy books. I'll have to check out some of your work.
I'll be glad to check out your novels Beth. I'll have a look as soon as I get a chance. I'm a little overwhelmed in the short term, reading old standbys as I work to the late hours most days building my online empire :-) or anthill - who's to say which? I love to read and am always looking for new additions to the "to be read" pile.
Hi Beth, Like you I'm a Multi-genre writer. I'm from Australia and new to Crimespace. I have a near-completed Crime Faction Novel, Sayonara, which has already been requested by a Publisher. Sayonara ... a Japanese girl vanishes ... a forensic student investigates.
I also have a Memoir "Me and Her: a Memoir of Madness " under consideration.
Take a peak at http://www.karentyrrell.com Thanks, Karen :))
Thanks for friending me. I bookmarked your blog after reading the great interview you did with G.M. Malliet. (I didn't know she was a woman until I saw her picture in your previous post!)
Great news. I love hearing there are agents willing to work hard at selling the work of writers committed to writing mystery series. I write police procedural series. Will have to check out your blog for good tips.
Hi Beth, thank you for the invite! I have read a lot of books, but I have to admit I have never heard of "quilting mysteries". Could tell me about them?
I like a lot of the same authors you mentioned in your profile. I haven't read Sharyn McCrumb in years, but I remember liking her books. I don't know if I should be embarrassed but I like the "Cat Who..." series too, more for the characters than the stories I think. I like science fiction too. I recently listened to Daniel Suarez's "Daemon" and "Freedom" books, which are I think techno-suspense, and really liked those. Thanks for reaching out. I've been a technical writer but never a fiction writer.
Just signed up for your newsletter and looked at your websites. Sorry about your dog, I used to have a part Lab names Blackie but he was much smaller than yours. You have a great deal of good information on your website. Good job!
HI Beth, great to meet you here, fellow Nancy Pickard fan! And Sharyn McCrumb is a favorite of mine as well. You've reminded me to read The Rosewood Casket again...
I'll check out the books. Thanks for the recommendations. I signed up for your newsletter too. I see Nancy Pickard mentioned in a post on your page and it reminded me of Nancy Kress, whose books I like a lot too.
Hi Beth. Thanks for adding me on CrimeSpace.
BTW ... I went to your blog and found some good info. I ended up signing up for DorothyL. Like I really needed more Internet stuff to read. LOL
Hi Beth. I'm so glad to see you survived the Central Texas flooding. Hope you enjoyed the Hill Country anyway. We got a lot of rain up here, but nothing like they did there. We hope it's not the last for the summer!
I'm glad you liked my movie list. Picking favorite movies seemed easier than identifying favorite authors or books. Too many to count!
Hello Beth,
Sure, I will put your books on my to read list--I've already added 3 new authors. This is a great way to make new crime fiction discoveries.
It's always good to see a name I recognize, and good to hear from you. We've had computer problems the past couple of days, but now I'm back in circulation.
Is this a site here we can announce a new book? Bogey Nights just got picked up and will be coming out sometime in August. I'm pretty excited. If you were here you'd know that by the fact that I'm hanging from the ceiling fan.
B.R.Stateham
Aug 30, 2009
O'Neil De Noux
I'm no expert, but I'm a working cop. Been one on and off for fifteen years, including a former homicide detective. If you need police information, especially in Louisiana, just ask.
Aug 31, 2009
barbara
This site keeps growing on me!
Aug 31, 2009
Karyn J. Powers
Aug 31, 2009
barbara
Sep 1, 2009
Robert S. Levinson
Just what we need...Another place to hang out... : )
Best,
Bob
Sep 1, 2009
Conda V Douglas
Sep 1, 2009
Sandy Vaughan
Sep 1, 2009
Kate Thornton
And that is a darling picture of you.
Best regards,
Kate
PS I met Bob Levinson at a party a couple of months ago - he is even more delightful & charming in person!
Sep 3, 2009
Karyn J. Powers
Sep 4, 2009
Jennie Spallone
Sep 15, 2009
Edith Glass
Sep 15, 2009
Edith Glass
Sep 16, 2009
Jennie Spallone
Sep 22, 2009
Gwen Mayo
Oct 7, 2009
Harvee Lau
Oct 13, 2009
Pat Gallagher
Oct 14, 2009
Sarah E Glenn
Oct 15, 2009
Ramona DeFelice Long
I laughed at your river rescue while snowing comment. Stay warm--and indoors!
Ramona
Oct 30, 2009
Keith thomson
Nov 18, 2009
Gale Borger
Nov 25, 2009
Lisa Isbell
Dec 1, 2009
Lisa Isbell
Dec 3, 2009
Ken Kuhlken
Jan 12, 2010
Richard Godwin
Best, Richard.
Feb 13, 2010
Karen Tyrrell
I also have a Memoir "Me and Her: a Memoir of Madness " under consideration.
Take a peak at http://www.karentyrrell.com Thanks, Karen :))
Feb 15, 2010
Karen Tyrrell
Thanx Beth
Karen :))
Feb 15, 2010
Kathy McIntosh
I've got to take a look at your blog, too! Soon. So much to do. I like the way you lead into your blog here.
Feb 22, 2010
Tracy Haben
Thanks for friending me. I bookmarked your blog after reading the great interview you did with G.M. Malliet. (I didn't know she was a woman until I saw her picture in your previous post!)
Mar 4, 2010
Phyllis J. Towzey
Mar 4, 2010
Sandra Balzo
Mar 6, 2010
Lorie Ham
Apr 27, 2010
Jo A Hiestand
May 26, 2010
Joyce Ann Fugit
May 26, 2010
Glenna Fairbanks
May 26, 2010
Michelle Fryer
May 27, 2010
Jo A Hiestand
May 27, 2010
Julie Dolcemaschio
Julie
May 27, 2010
Audrey G Jones
May 28, 2010
Diana Rehfield
May 29, 2010
Carol Naomi Wong
Jun 3, 2010
Carol Reid
Jun 3, 2010
Jerry Peterson
Jun 3, 2010
Diana Rehfield
Jun 4, 2010
Carol Reid
I haven't read any of the NASCAR series, the idea doesn''t grab me, either. I keep hoping for more Appalachian stories.
Jun 5, 2010
Mollie Cox Bryan
Jun 15, 2010
Melissa Emerald
BTW ... I went to your blog and found some good info. I ended up signing up for DorothyL. Like I really needed more Internet stuff to read. LOL
Jun 17, 2010
Anne Claybrook
I'm glad you liked my movie list. Picking favorite movies seemed easier than identifying favorite authors or books. Too many to count!
Jun 18, 2010
Caroline Trippe
Sure, I will put your books on my to read list--I've already added 3 new authors. This is a great way to make new crime fiction discoveries.
Jun 28, 2010
Marja McGraw
It's always good to see a name I recognize, and good to hear from you. We've had computer problems the past couple of days, but now I'm back in circulation.
Is this a site here we can announce a new book? Bogey Nights just got picked up and will be coming out sometime in August. I'm pretty excited. If you were here you'd know that by the fact that I'm hanging from the ceiling fan.
Jul 3, 2010