Picture a Catskill storyteller who turned her quiet mountain town into a hotbed of mystery—meet Tina deBellegarde! This American author burst onto the literary scene at fifty with her debut novel, Winter Witness, launching the Batavia-on-Hudson Mystery series. With a knack for weaving small-town secrets into gripping whodunits, Tina’s stories are as cozy as a fireside chat but gritty enough to keep you guessing.
From her home in Catskill, New York, Tina draws inspiration from the Hudson Valley’s winding trails and quirky villages. Her life—split between writing, beekeeping, and trips to Japan—infuses her work with a unique blend of heart and intrigue. Ready to dive into her world? Let’s explore the journey of this late-blooming literary star.
The Making of Tina deBellegarde
Tina deBellegarde’s path to authorship was anything but conventional. Born and raised in the U.S., she spent decades juggling varied careers—exporter, paralegal, middle school teacher, and library clerk—while secretly writing in the margins of her life. A self-described practical person, Tina shelved her literary dreams until her fifties, when a now-or-never moment spurred her to share her stories. Her graduate studies in history and love for authors like Martha Grimes and Japanese novelists like Haruki Murakami shaped her character-driven approach to mystery.
Moving to Catskill, New York, with her husband Denis, Tina found the perfect muse in the Hudson Valley’s serene yet secretive landscape. Her decision to write seriously coincided with a newfound confidence, fueled by mystery writing conferences and a determination to craft stories that linger. This pivot marked the birth of her literary career, proving it’s never too late to chase a dream.
Tina deBellegarde’s Unforgettable Stories
Tina’s debut, Winter Witness (2020), introduces the fictional Batavia-on-Hudson, a Catskill village where a nun’s murder unravels a web of secrets. Protagonist Bianca St. Denis, a grieving widow, teams up with Sheriff Mike Riley to solve the case, blending cozy charm with gritty realism. The novel, nominated for an Agatha Award for Best First Novel, earned praise for its lush setting and nuanced characters, often compared to Louise Penny’s Three Pines series.
The follow-up, Dead Man’s Leap (2022), deepens the series’ exploration of community and buried pasts. A storm and a corpse wash up new mysteries, with Bianca and Mike navigating rising tensions. Tina’s short fiction, like “Tokyo Stranger” in the Mystery Writers of America anthology When a Stranger Comes to Town, showcases her versatility, earning a Derringer Award nomination. Her flash fiction, published in outlets like Retreat West, distills her knack for emotional depth into bite-sized tales.
Tina’s style is a slow burn, prioritizing character over plot. Her mysteries double as studies of human nature, set against the Hudson Valley’s vivid backdrop. Themes of grief, belonging, and hidden truths resonate, making her work both thrilling and profoundly relatable.
Why Tina deBellegarde Matters
Tina deBellegarde’s impact lies in her ability to elevate the cozy mystery genre into something richer—a meditation on community and resilience. Her Batavia-on-Hudson series captures the complexities of small-town life, appealing to readers who crave depth with their suspense. By drawing from her Catskill home and diverse influences, including Japanese literature, Tina offers a fresh voice in American mystery fiction.
As vice-president of the Upper Hudson Chapter of Sisters in Crime and a member of Mystery Writers of America, Tina fosters a tight-knit writing community. Her late start inspires aspiring authors, proving passion can triumph over timing. With more Batavia-on-Hudson novels on the horizon, Tina’s legacy is just beginning to unfold.
- Residence: Catskill, New York
- Key Works: Winter Witness (2020), Dead Man’s Leap (2022), “Tokyo Stranger” (2021)
- Awards: Agatha Award nominee (Best First Novel), Derringer Award nominee
- Hobbies: Beekeeping, shiitake mushroom harvesting, gardening
Snag Winter Witness and dive into Tina deBellegarde’s captivating mysteries! Whether you’re a cozy mystery fan or just love a good story, her Catskill tales will keep you hooked.