Picture a Minnesota storyteller who swapped TV newsrooms for the thrilling world of mystery novels—meet Julie Kramer! With her Riley Spartz series, Kramer crafts gripping tales that blend her journalistic savvy with heart-pounding suspense, earning her a devoted following and a slew of literary awards. Her stories don’t just entertain; they pull back the curtain on the chaotic, ratings-driven world of television news.
From cold cases to quirky characters, Kramer’s novels are a love letter to the Midwest and a masterclass in mystery. Let’s dive into her journey, from a farm girl dreaming of stories to an acclaimed author who’s redefining the genre.
The Making of Julie Kramer
Growing up on a fourth-generation farm along the Minnesota-Iowa state line, Julie Kramer found her first escape in books. As a child, she eagerly awaited the bookmobile, devouring Phyllis A. Whitney novels that sparked her love for suspense. This rural upbringing, steeped in cornfields and cattle, shaped her grounded storytelling. After studying journalism, Kramer spent over two decades as a television news producer, working for NBC, CBS, and running the award-winning I-Team at WCCO-TV in Minneapolis. Her insider knowledge of newsrooms—where deadlines are tight and ratings are king—became the backbone of her fiction.
Tired of seeing TV reporters portrayed as shallow stereotypes in novels, Kramer decided to flip the script. She created Riley Spartz, a spunky investigative journalist who’s as flawed as she is fearless, drawing from her own experiences covering high-profile cases like the 9/11 attacks and Minnesota’s bridge collapse. Writing fiction, she found, was both liberating and daunting—free from facts but demanding a new kind of creativity.
Julie Kramer’s Unforgettable Stories
Kramer’s Riley Spartz series, launched with Stalking Susan in 2008, is a six-book thrill ride that blends mystery, humor, and media savvy. In Stalking Susan, Riley investigates a serial killer targeting women named Susan, inspired by real cold cases Kramer covered. The novel’s sharp dialogue and insider look at TV news earned it the Minnesota Book Award and RT Book Reviews’ Best First Mystery. Missing Mark follows Riley as she unravels the disappearance of a groom, weaving in quirky subplots like a missing fish and a heroic dog, showcasing Kramer’s knack for balancing suspense with wit.
Silencing Sam, a fan favorite, sees Riley as a murder suspect, navigating gossip, betrayal, and wind turbine sabotage. Delivering Death, the series finale, dives into identity theft and a killer who craves publicity, earning praise for its twisty plot. Kramer’s style is fast-paced, with snappy dialogue and authentic newsroom dynamics. Her themes—truth, ambition, and the cost of chasing ratings—resonate with readers who love Sue Grafton or Janet Evanovich but crave a Midwestern twist.
What sets Kramer apart is her ability to make Riley relatable yet heroic. Whether she’s dodging meth cartels or outsmarting killers, Riley’s self-deprecating humor and dogged determination shine. Kramer’s research, like lying in a casket for Delivering Death, adds gritty realism, while her Minnesota settings, from Minneapolis to Amish communities, ground her stories in place.
Why Julie Kramer Matters
Julie Kramer’s impact lies in her fresh take on the mystery genre. By making a TV reporter the hero, she challenges stereotypes and offers a rare glimpse into journalism’s high-stakes world. Her awards, including the Daphne du Maurier and Minnesota Book Award, reflect her storytelling prowess, while her starred reviews from Library Journal and praise from authors like Tami Hoag cement her influence. Kramer’s novels appeal to mystery fans and media buffs alike, blending entertainment with sharp commentary on newsroom ethics and societal issues like identity theft and Amish privacy.
Her legacy is also local pride. Based in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, Kramer’s vivid depictions of the Twin Cities and beyond make her a regional treasure. Fans love her for creating Riley Spartz, a heroine who’s tough, funny, and unmistakably Minnesotan, inspiring readers to see journalists as complex, driven people.
- Born: Raised along the Minnesota-Iowa state line
- Key Works: Stalking Susan, Missing Mark, Silencing Sam, Delivering Death
- Awards: Minnesota Book Award, Daphne du Maurier Award, RT Book Reviews’ Best First Mystery
Snag Stalking Susan and dive into Julie Kramer’s thrilling world of mystery and media mayhem!