Dennis Leppanen

Male

Sebring, FL

United States

Profile Information:

Hometown:
Munising, Michigan
About Me:
After a couple stints in Viet Nam, I went to Michigan State U. and came out with a minor in journalism. I've written for newspapers and magazines until going free-lance, my gosh, almost twenty years ago.
WHOO???, was released on July 1, about a murdering bunch of scoundrals that my intrepid reporter must track down. I will complete the re-write of Escape From Little Alcatraz, my first novel, by summer's end.
I Am A:
Reader, Writer
Website:
http://www.dlepp.com
Books And Authors I Like:
Elmore Leonard--Follows me to Florida & Michigan
Carl Hiaasen---If I could write characters like his
John Sanford---Ditto. Although his early stuff was more tense.
Robert Crais---Gotta love wise-cracking P.I.'s & Joe Pike
Loren D. Estleman--Best kept secret in hard-boiled reading.
Robert Parker--Rediscovered him through Stone & his westerns.
Movies And TV Shows I Like:
McMurtrey's stuff-though I didn't see Broke Back Mountain

My dad had a fishin' buddy--name a John Voelker-aka, Robert Traver.
As a puppy I watched Jimmy Stewart, Lee Remick, George C. Scott, Ben Gazzara, Arthur O'Connel, Eve Arden, Kathryn Grant, and Otto Preminger exit the Marquette County Courthouse after a day of filming.
I guess you could say that Robert Traver was an early influence. He wrote a bunch of other novels, most hilarious accounts of the U.P.

Comment Wall:

  • Robert Goldsborough

    Hi, Dennis,

    I'm interested in learning more about your new book & your 1890s newspaper reporter!

    Robert Goldsborough
  • Dennis Leppanen

    Thank you much, Robert. From one scribe to another. Me thinks you have an edge on me, but it is great to relate.

    It starts with a rumor of serious shenanigans in the the northern U.P. where they were logging the King. The timber from the White Pine. There were rumours of serious trouble, where a female reporter wrote about the 'Ram's Pasture'--a hell-camp of slavery and debauchery. Strangers were shanghaied on the frontier, shunted to camp, and help in peonage.

    Journalists came from all over the mid-west to see, if any of the report was true. The female reporter, Leah Brennan, is from Chicago. She plays a major role.

    This has stretched from Mackinac Island to the Last Frontier. My reporter, Kell Thomas, is coming back, just much older.
  • Dennis Leppanen

    Robert,

    We must get together, we have much in common. My dad took me back to the old Cubs, my mother still believes she is a fan. Where do I find your novel?

    I will go back and google for it. -Den
  • Donna Glaser

    Hey Robert,
    Your book sounds awesome. I've been to the UP and love the setting. Good luck!
  • N. J. Lindquist

    Hi Dennis,

    Re your post, I'm a Lindquist by marriage only, so I wouldn't look like any you knew - they were probably Swedish and I'm of Scottish ancestry. :) My husband is actually from Saskatchewan and (long story here) he wasn't related to them either, because his grandfather's name was actually Peterson before he changed it to Lindquist. :)

    Been in Michigan a number of times.
  • Robert Goldsborough

    Hi, Dennis,

    You can get "Three Strikes You're Dead" and my second Steve "Snap" Malek novel through Amazon and also direct from my publisher, Echelon Press (www.echelonpress.com). Thanks for your interest!

    Robert Goldsborough
  • Patti McCoy Jacob

    Hi Dennis -

    A bichon is a dog. Its full name is Bichon Frise, and although that sounds french, I heard a rumor they're actually from Spain. Anyway, why two? God knows! Sounded like a good idea at the time - provide each other with companionship when the rest of us are gone, etc. They're nothing more than partners in crime!

    Thanks for letting me add you as a friend!

    Patti
  • Larry W. Chavis

    HIi, Dennis,
    Thanks for stopping by my page & telling me about Loren D. Estleman. I always interested in new [to me] hard-boiled, and especially, western writers.
  • Robert Goldsborough

    Hi, Dennis,

    I hardly know where to start in recommending a Collins book, but you might try TRUE DETECTIVE (1983), one of his Nate Heller books, which is a favorite of mine.

    Bob
  • Jordan Dane

    Thanks for visiting my site and providing that detailed inventory of your spare PARTS. I love blogging and it is a release of my humor. I have threads of it in my books, but not nearly to the extent I do here and on MySpace. I've got quite a following there. I save my strangest things for MySpace. Thanks for exploding your humor on me. I LOVE it!!!
  • Larry W. Chavis

    Dennis,

    A week or so ago, you stopped by my page and recommended that I check out Loren D. Estleman's work. I'm deep into *The Master Executioner* now, and you were absolutely correct. Great writer. Thanks.
  • Larry W. Chavis

    Finished *The Master Executioner,* and it was excellent, although a bit different from my normal fare. I WILL be looking for more.
  • Kate Pepper

    Hi Dennis. 30 Rock is just a TV show! :)
  • Jordan Dane

    You went out on your walk or a THREE HOUR TOUR. What happened to you, Gilligan?
  • Dennis Leppanen

    Ha! I ran outta ice.
  • Amanda Stevens

    Hi Dennis. Just wanted to drop in and say hi. Thanks for befriending me.
  • Jordan Dane

    Denny---you've been a bad boy!! I hear you;re on Paris' A LIST.
  • Dennis Leppanen

    Paris' A list???

    I made the list, Jordan? It's only 10:30 here---am I allowed a scotch? Mebbe just a teeny-weeny nip...?
  • Bethany K. Warner

    Nice to know there are other newshounds around here.
    I write for the Oshkosh Northwestern in Oshkosh, Wis.
  • Jack Getze

    No anchovies for me, thank you. Reminds me of fish bait.
  • Dennis Leppanen

    Thanks Keith,

    I'm gonna check him and her put. Yes, this is cool.