Picture a storyteller who swapped a police badge for a pen, diving into the murky waters of mystery—meet Micki Browning! This former law enforcement captain turned award-winning author crafts thrilling tales that blend scientific precision with the unpredictable depths of human nature. Her Mer Cavallo Mystery series, starting with the acclaimed Adrift, has hooked readers with its vivid Florida Keys setting and gripping plots.
Browning’s unique journey—from commanding officers to charting shipwrecks—infuses her stories with authenticity and intrigue. With a professional divemaster’s finesse and a medieval scholar’s curiosity, she’s a literary force who makes every page pulse with adventure.
The Making of Micki Browning
Micki Browning’s path to authorship wasn’t a straight line. After serving 22 years in municipal law enforcement, rising to the rank of captain and graduating from the FBI National Academy, she retired to pursue a quieter life in the Florida Keys. Her love for scuba diving led her to become a professional divemaster, while her Bachelor of Arts in Medieval Studies, earned while working full-time, sharpened her research skills. These diverse experiences—cops, corals, and castles—shaped her knack for weaving intricate, fact-driven narratives. Inspired by the messy complexities of human behavior she witnessed on the beat, Browning turned to crime fiction, finding her voice in the mystery genre.
Micki Browning’s Unforgettable Stories
Browning’s debut novel, Adrift (2017), introduces Dr. Meredith “Mer” Cavallo, a marine biologist turned divemaster in the Florida Keys. When a dive goes wrong, Mer is accused of a chilling crime, unraveling a mystery that teeters between accident, murder, and the supernatural. The novel, an Agatha Award finalist and winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award, dazzles with its underwater suspense and Mer’s razor-sharp wit. Its sequel, Beached (2018), dives deeper, as Mer hunts for a legendary Spanish galleon, facing modern pirates and betrayal. This Royal Palm Literary Award winner blends nautical archaeology with pulse-pounding danger.
Writing as M.E. Browning, she launched the Jo Wyatt Mysteries with Shadow Ridge (2020), a police procedural set in Colorado that won the Colorado Book Award for Mystery. Its follow-up, Mercy Creek (2021), continues Jo’s gritty investigations. Browning’s style shines through her meticulous research, vivid settings, and flawed, relatable characters who navigate life’s messiness with courage. Her short stories and nonfiction, featured in anthologies and diving magazines, showcase her versatility, often exploring themes of justice and discovery.
Why Micki Browning Matters
Micki Browning’s impact lies in her ability to bridge worlds—science and suspense, history and humanity. Her Mer Cavallo series brings the Florida Keys to life, immersing readers in a subculture of divers and dreamers while tackling real-world issues like crime and betrayal. Her Jo Wyatt Mysteries offer a raw, authentic look at law enforcement, drawing on her decades of experience. As a member of Mystery Writers of America and former president of Sisters in Crime’s Online Chapter, she champions the genre and inspires aspiring authors. Browning’s stories don’t just entertain—they invite readers to question, explore, and dive into the unknown.
- Key Works: Adrift, Beached, Shadow Ridge, Mercy Creek
- Awards: Agatha Award finalist, Colorado Book Award, Royal Palm Literary Award
- Fun Fact: A professional divemaster, she uses her scuba gear for “research” in the Florida Keys.
About Micki Browning
Snag Adrift and dive into Micki Browning’s thrilling mysteries! Whether you’re a fan of underwater adventures or gritty crime dramas, her stories will keep you hooked past bedtime.