Picture a Texas-born storyteller who swapped real estate blueprints for gripping whodunits set in snowy mountain resorts—meet Shannon Work! A rising star in mystery fiction, Work’s Mountain Resort Mystery series, launched in 2020, blends heart-pounding suspense with the breathtaking beauty of Colorado’s Rockies. Her tales of betrayal and secrets have hooked readers who crave Agatha Christie’s intrigue with a modern, rugged twist.
From her debut novel to her latest page-turner, Work’s knack for crafting complex characters and vivid settings has earned her a loyal following. Let’s dive into her journey, from a small-town Texan to a celebrated author whose mysteries keep us guessing until the final chapter.
The Making of Shannon Work
Born in Del Rio, a dusty border town in West Texas, Shannon Work grew up with a love for stories and wide-open spaces. After high school, she headed to College Station, earning a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and a master’s in Land Economics and Real Estate from Texas A&M University. Her career in real estate development was a triumph, culminating in a national Best in America Living Award for one of her projects. Yet, a passion for storytelling simmered beneath the surface, inspired by masters like Agatha Christie and P.D. James. As an empty nester, Work traded property plans for plot twists, retiring to focus on writing mysteries that capture the thrill of the Rockies.
Shannon Work’s Unforgettable Stories
Work’s Mountain Resort Mystery series is her crowning achievement, featuring Detective Jack Martin, a former FBI agent from Texas turned private investigator. Set in elite Colorado resort towns like Aspen, Vail, and Telluride, the series kicks off with Now I See You (2020). In this debut, celebrity TV anchor Georgia Glass uncovers a frozen corpse in her inherited Aspen mansion, sparking a fast-paced hunt for a killer amid a stalker’s threat. Readers praise its relentless suspense and vivid mountain backdrop.
The series continues with Everything to Lose, set in Vail, where Jack Martin helps a widow clear her name in a murder case, unraveling a web of greed. The Killing Storm and Murder in the San Juans take readers to Telluride, with Jack facing blizzards and betrayals to solve chilling crimes. The fifth book, Death in a Harsh Land, ventures to West Texas, blending political intrigue with snowy peaks. Work’s style—taut, twisty, and rich with local flavor—evokes Mary Higgins Clark, with settings that feel as alive as her characters.
Her sixth book, Echoes in the Dark, is in progress, promising more adventures for Jack and his loyal dog, Crockett. Fans love Work’s ability to weave real-world issues, like local Colorado culture, into her plots, making each novel a love letter to the mountains she calls home.
Why Shannon Work Matters
Shannon Work has carved a niche in the mystery genre by blending traditional whodunit suspense with the unique allure of mountain resort life. Her stories resonate with readers who adore intricate puzzles and atmospheric settings, earning comparisons to Louise Penny and William Kent Krueger. As a female author who transitioned from a high-powered career to fiction, Work inspires aspiring writers to chase their creative dreams later in life. Her growing fanbase, evident in glowing Goodreads reviews, eagerly awaits each new release, proving her stories are as captivating as the landscapes that inspire them.
- About Shannon Work
- Born in Del Rio, Texas
- Key Works: Now I See You, Everything to Lose, The Killing Storm, Murder in the San Juans, Death in a Harsh Land
- Notable Achievement: National Best in America Living Award for real estate development
- Resides: Splits time between Houston, Texas, and Telluride, Colorado
Snag Now I See You and dive into Shannon Work’s thrilling Mountain Resort Mystery series—perfect for cozy nights by the fire!