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Mary Logue is a renowned writer from The United States, who is popular for writing mystery, thriller, fiction novels and poetry. She is particularly famous for writing the Claire Watkins novel series. Author Logue was born in April 16, 1952 in Minnesota. She had developed an interest in reading and writing when she was just a child. She had understood very early in life that reading can get her to far and wide places in the world. When Logue was in the 6th grade, she had attempted to write her first mystery story. That story was set around a small pond. Logue continues to writer mystery stories even today, the difference is that her Claire Watkins books are set around Lake Pepin. Author Logue considers poetry as the foundation of her work. She has penned 4 poetry books, the latest being Hand Work, which was published in 2009. Logue mentions that Hand Work was the outcome of an experiment that she carried out by writing one poem everyday for one full year.
Besides writing poetry and novels, Logue has also penned a few standalone books in her career. One such work is the young adult called Dancing With Alien. She has collaborated with author Pete Hautman for writing the Bloodwater mysteries. Logue has worked out a nonfiction book in the form of her grandmother’s biography called Halfway Home. She has also written one book on the courthouses of Minnesota. Author Logue has served as an editor for Village Voice, The Creative Company, and Graywolf Press She has even taught for several years at Minneapolis’ Loft Literary Center. Currently, Logue is listed as a faculty at Hamline University’s low residency MFA program of Children’s literature. Author Logue has homes located on both the sides of Mississippi river, that is, in Wisconsin and Minnesota. As a versatile author, author Logue has established her presence in the world of literature as an author, poet and editor. She started by writing anthologies that she edited for a number of times before publishing. Logue has claimed that it takes her about 5 to 10 years to finish a poetry book, but it has always been constant in life, both as a reader and writer.
Author Logue is particularly famous for writing mystery books for adults. However, she has also produced some children’s books, including the biographies of Elizabeth Barret Browning, Mahatma Gandhi, Walt Disney, Helen Keller, etc. Also, there is a couple of children’s mysteries released under her name that feature the protagonist Barb. After Logue wrote the first 2 mysteries of her literary career as standalone novels, she settled down to create a mystery series. The character she developed for the mystery series is Claire Watkins. She is depicted as a deputy sheriff living in western Wisconsin’s Pepin County. Claire is shown as a widow and has a young daughter named Meg. All the stories featuring Clair Watkins are police procedurals. A renowned critic has written about author Logue that she makes use of her poetic talents for depicting the life of small town people and giving rich insights about her characters. Many other have praised Logue for developing intriguing characters and presenting them gracefully in the stories. Logue’s books have succeeded in reaching out to a large number of readers from across the globe. They have sold millions of copies and have received excellent reviews from thr critics and her fellow writers. Logue’s career received a huge boost when she wont the First Poetry Book Award from the Mid List Press for the book, Discriminating Evidence. As of now, she is working to develop her latest mystery book, Maiden Rock.
The Claire Watkins series written by author Mary Logue is comprised of a total of 9 books, which were released between the years 1999 and 2013. Each of the books of this mystery series consists of the main protagonist in the role of Claire Watkins, a widow and deputy sheriff from Pepin County, Wisconsin. The other important characters developed by Logue for the series include Meg, Jeb Spitzer, Harold Peabody, Daniel Reiner, Patty Jo Tilde, Rich Haggard, Krista, Daniel Walker, etc. A successful book of the series is entitled ‘Dark Coulee’. It was released by the Walker Books in the year 2000. At the start of the story of the book, it is shown that Claire Watkins is trying to overcome the nightmares of her tragic past and she is experiencing healing effects in the rural border country of Wisconsin. A new murder case comes to her for investigation. As she plunges into the investigation process, Claire feels that she is confronted by the demons haunting her.
Claire arrives at the crime scene and learns that the victim, Jeb Spitzer, was killed with a knife. He was widower for the past 4 years and this tragic incident his 3 daughters have become orphans. Claire sees that there is a kind of desperate relief among the kids. As she digs deeper into the case, she comes to know about a shocking revelation related to the ‘accidental’ of Jeb’s wife. Claire Watkins also unravels some secrets that appear to have premeditated the two incidents. Claire tries everything in her capacity to prevent the loss of another innocent life. She even prepares herself to confront the haunting demons from her past. By doing so, she puts her life at a great risk, but seems determined to let justice be served.
Another mind blowing that Logue wrote in this series is known as ‘Poison Heart’. The Fawcett publishers released it in 2006. At the beginning of the book’s story, it is depicted that Claire Watkins faces another evil during the fall in Pepin County. After moving out of the Twin Cities, she has started adapting to the small town life. She has also found new love in Rich Haggard. A wealthy businessman and part time resident of the town named Daniel Reiner starts buying too many lands, which makes the locals concerned. Patty Jo is introduced as a gold digger and gambling addict. She marries a widowed man 20 years older than her. She has her eyes set on the property of her husband and intends to sell it to Daniel Reiner. Patty hopes to move out and live the rest of her life without any worries with the money she will get from the deal with Reiner. But, for her plan to succeed, her husband’s life must come to an end. And with a few other restless folks in the town, the situation seems all set to explode at any time. Claire Watkins tries to unearth the mystery and in the process she uncovers a history full of deadly lies, arson, poison, and deceit. She faces a hard time in proving all this. Soon, she also becomes aware of the circumstances in which Patty’s last husband had died. Claire knows she has to act fast or else Patty’s current husband will also fall prey to an evil plan of hers.
Hi Mary, I worked for 34 years for Dr. Paul Nelson, DDS. When I first started there in the early 1980’s, it was Dr. Frank Franta’s office. HIs daughter, Mary Ann, introduced me to your books. I remember your Mom, and her Dad continued to come to our office for years after she passed away.
I grew up in Little Plum Valley, and have loved your Claire Watkin’s mysteries. How I wish you would write a few more!! I just finished Halfaway Home and enjoyed it very much. We have the home place in Little Plum where I grew up, spending most weekends there. I married a young man from Lund in 1961, and we have raised 3 daughters, and have 3 grandchildren. A great granddaughter is due in August!!
Thanks for many hours of enjoyment reading your books.
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Hi Mary, I worked for 34 years for Dr. Paul Nelson, DDS. When I first started there in the early 1980’s, it was Dr. Frank Franta’s office. HIs daughter, Mary Ann, introduced me to your books. I remember your Mom, and her Dad continued to come to our office for years after she passed away.
I grew up in Little Plum Valley, and have loved your Claire Watkin’s mysteries. How I wish you would write a few more!! I just finished Halfaway Home and enjoyed it very much. We have the home place in Little Plum where I grew up, spending most weekends there. I married a young man from Lund in 1961, and we have raised 3 daughters, and have 3 grandchildren. A great granddaughter is due in August!!
Thanks for many hours of enjoyment reading your books.