Thinkingdog Publishing

If you ever see a kid in the corner at a party with their nose in a book, oblivious to the games, snacks, and mild chaos around them—yep, that was me . Always reading. Always scribbling something. Sports? Please. I was too short to make any team that didn’t require a step stool. Science? It was fun until they asked me to memorize the periodic table—pass. But reading? Writing? Oh, baby, that was my jam. I tried my hand at writing my first mystery novel at age 14. My protagonists were (shockingly) teenage kids who solved crimes. There were flashlights, a lot of sneaking around old buildings, and absolutely no understanding of how actual criminal investigations work. But hey—what I lacked in forensic accuracy, I made up for in enthusiasm and lots of dialogue tagged with “he said dramatically.” Then came the romance years. You know the ones. All fluttery hearts, brooding strangers, and small towns with improbably high numbers of single billionaires. I loved it. I still do. There’s noth...

Dear Human Readers, Hi. It’s me. Pixie. The fluffy superstar of the Magical Papillon Mysteries —and the uncredited, unpaid, and completely underappreciated behind-the-scenes talent of this entire household. So apparently, this week’s blog post is “About the Author.” But really, who knows her better than me ? I see all. I hear all. I nap through most of it. So buckle up, because I'm about to tell you what it’s really like living with a writer who moonlights as an audiobook narrator—and spoiler alert: it involves a lot of dramatic whisper-talking and an unreasonable amount of “SHHHH-ing.” Let’s talk about the Little Room. No, not the bathroom. The other little room. The one filled with foam panels and wires and that giant puffy microphone that looks like it should be chasing Indiana Jones through a cave. This, apparently, is where “the magic happens.” I call it the Box of Solitude and Unjust Barking Bans. Every day, Mom walks in there with her mug of tea (that I’m not ...

Every morning as I sit down to write, my own Papillon, Blueberry, curls up beside my keyboard. Her expressive eyes follow my fingers as they dance across the keys, almost as if she's reading along. Sometimes I swear she nods in approval when I nail a particularly good plot twist. It's this daily ritual that breathes life into Pixie, the telepathic Papillon in my Magical Papillon Mystery series. In creating Sarah Anderson and her four-legged detective companion, I didn't just want another cute animal sidekick. I wanted to capture that ineffable connection that exists between humans and their beloved pets—the silent understanding, the comfort in shared solitude, and yes, those moments when you'd swear they can read your mind. The Secret Language of Pets in Cozy Mysteries If you've ever found yourself in a quiet room, looking into your pet's eyes and feeling utterly understood, you already know why animals are the perfect addition to cozy mysteries. They witn...

Happy Valentine’s Day, dear readers! Today, I want to take a moment to celebrate love, connection, and the magic of storytelling that brings us together. Whether you’re spending the day with someone special, enjoying some "me-time" with a cup of tea and a cozy mystery, or just sneaking a few extra treats to your furry friends (Pixie certainly would!), I hope your day is filled with warmth and joy. Writing the Magical Papillon Mysteries series has been such a labor of love, and knowing that Sarah, Pixie, and the enchanting world of Rosewood Hollow have found a place in your hearts means the world to me. From uncovering hidden treasures in Whispers in the Attic to solving daring heists in Sapphires & Secrets and unraveling holiday murders in A Pinch of Peril , these stories are a reminder that love and mystery often go hand in hand. This Valentine’s Day, let’s celebrate the bonds we share—not just romantic love, but also the friendships, family ties, and communities that...

 🎄 A Pinch of Christmas Magic: Welcome to Rosewood Hollow! It's launch day, mystery lovers! I'm practically bouncing with excitement to finally share this very special Christmas adventure with you. Pour yourself a cup of hot cocoa, snuggle up with your favorite pet (enchanted or otherwise), and let me tell you about the magical world of Rosewood Hollow. You know those small towns where everyone knows your name? Well, in Rosewood Hollow, even the ghosts know your business! And today, I'm inviting you to join Sarah Anderson - single mom extraordinaire, supernatural detective, and proud owner of the world's sassiest enchanted Papillon - as she faces her most personal case yet. What happens when your best friend is accused of murder just weeks before Christmas? If you're Sarah Anderson, you rally the troops: two teenage kids with detective skills that would put Nancy Drew to shame, a mind-reading dog who's never met a secret she couldn't sniff out, and a pair o...