Picture a storyteller who weaves Native American mysticism with spine-chilling mysteries—meet S.D. Tooley! Writing under her own name and the pseudonym Lee Driver, this American novelist has carved a unique niche in paranormal mystery and urban fantasy. From her Sam Casey series, where a detective communes with the dead, to the shapeshifting adventures of Chase Dagger, Tooley’s tales captivate readers with their blend of the supernatural and sleuthing.
Born and raised near Chicago, Illinois, Tooley’s eclectic life and love for the unusual fuel her gripping narratives. With a career spanning casino dealing to car sales, she’s as versatile as the genres she explores. Let’s dive into the world of S.D. Tooley, where the dead speak, and mysteries unravel!
The Making of S.D. Tooley
Sandra D. Tooley grew up in a Chicago suburb, devouring Nancy Drew mysteries as a young reader. Her tastes evolved to embrace the eerie worlds of Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and James Patterson, who became key influences. Tooley’s fascination with the paranormal—she once subscribed to Dr. J. Allen Hynek’s UFO Reporter—shaped her distinctive storytelling. Before writing, she juggled diverse jobs: secretary, car salesperson, seminar coordinator, and casino dealer on a Lake Michigan riverboat, which she calls her favorite gig. This varied background infused her work with real-world grit and a touch of the extraordinary, leading to her debut novels in 1999.
S.D. Tooley’s Unforgettable Stories
Tooley’s Sam Casey series, set in a fictional Chicago suburb, stars Detective Sergeant Samantha Casey, a part-Native American sleuth who hears the dead speak. In When the Dead Speak (1999), Sam unravels a Korean War mystery involving a body encased in concrete, earning the Reader’s Choice Award for Best First Mystery. Nothing Else Matters (2000), a ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year winner, sees her tackle a murder on a riverboat casino. The series, likened to the TV show Medium with a Native American twist, blends police procedurals with mysticism across eight books.
As Lee Driver, Tooley pens the Chase Dagger series, featuring a private detective tackling bizarre cases with a shapeshifter assistant, Sara Morningsky, and a scarlet macaw with a photographic memory. The Good Die Twice (1999) kicks off with gruesome murders tied to lunar cycles, mixing mystery with sci-fi and horror. Tooley also crafted The Skull (2006), a Remy and Roadkill mystery for young readers, which won the Ida Chittum Award for Best Young Adult Mystery. Her cross-genre approach—melding fantasy, paranormal, and forensics—keeps readers hooked.
In 2023, Tooley merged her two worlds in Killer Double, uniting Sam Casey and Chase Dagger to hunt a copycat serial killer. Set from Hilton Head, South Carolina, to Lake Michigan, this thriller showcases her knack for intertwining mysticism, shapeshifting, and detective work, earning praise for its suspenseful narrative.
Why S.D. Tooley Matters
S.D. Tooley’s impact lies in her ability to blend genres seamlessly, creating stories that resonate with fans of mystery, fantasy, and the paranormal. Her strong female leads, like Sam Casey, bring Native American heritage to the forefront, adding depth to the genre. Library Journal lauded her series as “an exciting mix of police procedure, spiritual intuition, and creeping suspense.” With awards and a loyal readership, Tooley’s work inspires writers to explore the boundaries of traditional mysteries. Her stories, available in audiobook, large print, and eBook formats, continue to enchant readers worldwide.
- Born: Chicago, Illinois
- Key Works: Sam Casey series, Chase Dagger series, The Skull
- Awards: Reader’s Choice, ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year, Ida Chittum Award
Snag When the Dead Speak or Killer Double and dive into S.D. Tooley’s thrilling world of paranormal mysteries!