Picture a cozy mountainside village where mysteries unfold against a backdrop of golden aspens and pine-scented air—meet Lori Roberts Herbst, the award-winning author who brings this world to life in her Callie Cassidy Mystery series! A former educator turned storyteller at age 58, Herbst crafts engaging cozy mysteries that blend psychology, photography, and small-town charm, proving it’s never too late to chase literary dreams.
With her debut novel, Suitable for Framing, Herbst captured readers’ hearts and earned the prestigious Chanticleer International Book Award. Her stories, set in the fictional Rock Creek Village, Colorado, invite readers into a world where amateur sleuth Callie Cassidy solves crimes with her golden retriever, Woody, and tabby cat, Carl, by her side.
The Making of Lori Roberts Herbst
Born and raised in Texas, Lori Roberts Herbst spent much of her life in Dallas, where she nurtured a passion for storytelling through teaching journalism and counseling teenagers. Her love for the Rocky Mountains, a frequent family vacation spot, inspired the vivid settings of her novels. After decades in education, Herbst transitioned to writing fiction, debuting with Suitable for Framing in 2021. Her background in psychology and photography deeply influences her character-driven narratives, which explore themes of personal growth and community.
Lori Roberts Herbst’s Unforgettable Stories
Herbst’s Callie Cassidy Mystery series is a delightful blend of cozy mystery staples—quirky characters, picturesque settings, and clever whodunits—with a modern twist. Suitable for Framing introduces Callie Cassidy, a disgraced photojournalist who returns to her Colorado hometown and stumbles into a murder investigation. The novel’s success, including a Silver Falchion finalist nod, set the stage for sequels like Double Exposure, where Callie investigates a summer murder amidst blooming wildflowers, and Frozen in Motion, inspired by a real-life hockey game moment where Herbst imagined a deadly fall from a catwalk.
Herbst’s writing style is light and humorous, with a keen eye for psychological depth. Her protagonists grapple with vulnerability and self-reliance, reflecting her own insights from years of counseling. The Rocky Mountain setting, modeled on Estes Park, Colorado, serves as a vibrant character, with seasonal details like snow-draped peaks or autumn leaves enhancing the cozy atmosphere. Later works, such as Photo Finished and Graven Images, continue Callie’s adventures, tackling mysteries at a dude ranch and a cemetery, respectively, while earning multiple Chanticleer awards.
Why Lori Roberts Herbst Matters
Lori Roberts Herbst has carved a unique niche in the cozy mystery genre, offering stories that balance lighthearted fun with emotional resonance. Her late start in fiction writing inspires aspiring authors, showing that passion and perseverance can lead to success at any age. As a proud member of Sisters in Crime, where she serves as Board Secretary, Herbst fosters a supportive writing community, mentoring new voices in the genre. Her vivid characters and immersive settings have garnered a loyal readership, making her a rising star in cozy mysteries.
- Born: Texas, USA
- Key Works: Suitable for Framing (2021), Double Exposure (2021), Frozen in Motion (2022), Photo Finished (2022), Graven Images (2024)
- Awards: Chanticleer International Book Awards (Murder & Mayhem), Silver Falchion Finalist
Snag Suitable for Framing and dive into Lori Roberts Herbst’s charming world of cozy mysteries, where every page brims with heart, humor, and a hint of mountain magic!