Bio:
Karen Engstrom writes short stories and historical fiction. Shadowland is book two of a trilogy set in 1950’s northern Minnesota. The Fox, the first in the series, was published in 2024. Her short stories have been published in Minnesota Stories, A Collection of 28 Fiction Stories about the State We Love; Minnesota Not So Nice, Eighteen Tales of Bad Behavior; WINK Magazine; and The Star Tribune. Karen has several projects on the constantly intrusive back burner, including the translation of her father’s journals from Swedish to English, an illustrated cookie cookbook, and a unique family keepsake yearless calendar. When she’s not writing, Karen spends time making handcrafted fountain pen ink for a family company, Anderillium Inks. She is a native of Illinois and currently lives in Independence, MN, with her longtime partner and their ever napping dog.
Synopsis for Shadowland (2025):
In the summer of 1950, Carl and Elsa Swanson return to their tranquil Lake Vermilion cabin, hoping for a peaceful escape after the unsettling events of The Fox. But their knack for stumbling upon the lake's hidden truths resurfaces when Elsa reels in a human skull from the murky depths. This grisly discovery plunges them into a new, multi-generational mystery, one that stretches back decades to the roaring twenties and the dark underbelly of Prohibition-era Chicago. As Deputy Sheriff Pittella launches an investigation, Carl and Elsa find themselves drawn into the lives of the lake's long-time residents, including the enigmatic Jane Bradley, her elderly husband, Preston Bradley, and the jovial, yet secretive Irv Edgar. Their lives become even more entangled when Irv invites Carl and Preston on a fishing trip to Lake of the Woods. Through a series of unsettling flashbacks, the narrative peels back layers of deception, hinting at a clandestine love affair, a shocking betrayal, and the pervasive reach of organized crime. Who was the man whose remains lay hidden for decades, and what dangerous secrets did he uncover that led to his watery grave? Shadowland is a gripping tale of hidden lives and the inescapable consequences of past choices. It explores the profound psychological toll of secrets, the complex nature of justice, and the enduring resilience of the human spirit. With its richly drawn characters and a masterful blend of suspense and historical intrigue, this second installment invites readers to delve deeper into the shadows of Lake Vermilion.
Synopsis for The Fox (2024):
Set primarily in 1948, The Fox follows Carl and Elsa, a couple spending the summer at their cabin nestled on the rocky shore of Lake Vermilion in the wilderness of northern Minnesota. Their peaceful retreat is turned upside down when they stumble upon a body and an old treasure map, sparking a thrilling search for answers that unearths long-buried secrets tied to the lake’s past. As Carl and Elsa dig deeper into the mystery, they uncover the story of Nathan Stark, a man who vanished decades earlier after a failed attempt to develop a luxury vacation community. The discovery entangles the couple in a web of intrigue, unresolved history, and the ominous clues left behind. Each revelation brings them closer to the truth, but also raises new questions: Is the treasure real, or does it hide something far darker? The haunting beauty of the Northwoods serves as the perfect backdrop for a tale of legacy, loss, and the invisible threads that connect past and present. With richly drawn characters and a masterful blend of suspense and nostalgia, The Fox invites readers to join Carl and Elsa on a journey through family secrets, the impact of war, and the lure of uncovering the unknown. Engstrom’s storytelling, rooted in her own experiences at Lake Vermilion, captures the essence of life in a remote lake community while delivering a page-turning mystery. Perfect for fans of atmospheric fiction with heart, The Fox will eave you guessing—and reflecting on the power of the past—long after the final page.
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