Picture a New England storyteller who weaves murder mysteries with the charm of small-town life and the drama of the theater—meet J.A. Hennrikus! Writing under multiple pen names, including Julianne Holmes and Julia Henry, Julie Hennrikus has carved a niche in the cozy mystery genre with her Clock Shop Mystery Series and Theater Cop series. Her tales, brimming with quirky characters and clever puzzles, have captivated readers and earned her an Agatha Award nomination.
But Hennrikus is more than a writer. By day, she’s a theater advocate and educator, serving as the Executive Director of StageSource and teaching arts management at Emerson College. Her unique blend of literary and theatrical worlds makes her stories as vibrant as a Broadway stage.
The Making of J.A. Hennrikus
Julie Hennrikus, the woman behind J.A. Hennrikus, grew up with a love for stories, devouring Encyclopedia Brown and Nancy Drew before falling for Agatha Christie’s intricate puzzles. Her passion for theater took root early, leading her to a career in arts administration. From running box offices to managing Harvard’s Sanders Theatre, Hennrikus honed her storytelling instincts backstage. Her writing journey began about 25 years ago when a workshop peer suggested she try mysteries, sparking a creative shift that led to her debut novel in 2015.
Choosing pen names like J.A. Hennrikus and Julianne Holmes (a nod to her almost-name, vetoed by her grandmother for being too long) allowed her to explore different series for various publishers. Her multifaceted career and love for community-driven narratives shape her cozy mysteries, set in picturesque New England towns.
J.A. Hennrikus’s Unforgettable Stories
Hennrikus’s Clock Shop Mystery Series, written as Julianne Holmes, follows Ruth Clagan, an expert clockmaker in Orchard, Massachusetts. The series kicks off with Just Killing Time (2015), where Ruth inherits her grandfather’s shop, the Cog & Sprocket, and stumbles into a murder mystery. Nominated for an Agatha Award for Best First Novel, it blends clockmaking lore with sleuthing. Sequels Clock and Dagger (2016) and Chime and Punishment (2017) deepen Ruth’s adventures, showcasing Hennrikus’s knack for crafting tight plots and likable characters.
As J.A. Hennrikus, she pens the Theater Cop series, starring Edwina “Sully” Sullivan, a retired cop turned theater manager in Trevorton, Massachusetts. A Christmas Peril (2017) sees Sully solving a murder during a chaotic production of A Christmas Carol, while With a Kiss I Die (2019) takes her to Boston for a deadly Romeo and Juliet. These books pulse with theatrical flair, reflecting Hennrikus’s insider knowledge. Under the name Julia Henry, she also writes the Garden Squad series, proving her versatility in cozy mysteries.
Her style is quintessentially cozy: murders happen off-stage, puzzles drive the plot, and communities—like the fictional Orchard or Goosebush—feel like home. Hennrikus’s love for theater and New England infuses her work with warmth and authenticity, making her books perfect for readers craving a smart, feel-good whodunit.
Why J.A. Hennrikus Matters
J.A. Hennrikus has left a mark on the cozy mystery genre by blending her theatrical expertise with storytelling finesse. Her series offer escapism through relatable heroines like Ruth and Sully, who solve crimes while navigating personal growth. Her Agatha nomination and active role in groups like Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America highlight her influence. As Executive Director of Sisters in Crime since 2023, she champions women crime writers, amplifying diverse voices in the genre.
Beyond her books, Hennrikus’s work with StageSource and Emerson College fosters artistic communities, mirroring the tight-knit towns in her stories. Her ability to juggle writing, teaching, and advocacy makes her a standout figure in both literary and theatrical circles.
- Pen Names: J.A. Hennrikus, Julianne Holmes, Julia Henry
- Key Works: Just Killing Time, A Christmas Peril, Pruning the Dead
- Awards: Agatha Award nomination for Best First Novel (2015)
- Current Role: Executive Director, Sisters in Crime
Ready to cozy up with a clever mystery? Snag Just Killing Time or A Christmas Peril and dive into J.A. Hennrikus’s delightful world of clocks, cops, and curtain calls!