Alumna Releases Second Mystery Novel Set in U.P.

Northern Michigan University 1973 English alumna Linda Fitzgerald's second mystery novel, A Superior Way to Die, is an Upper Peninsula-based story that draws deeply on her Munising roots and lifelong love of writing.

Fitzgerald's debut novel, Death at the Doorstep (2023), introduced readers to Karin Niemi, an Ann Arbor copywriter who finds herself drawn into a murder investigation.

"In her latest adventure, my UP-transplant heroine Karin Niemi heads back to her home in the Munising-Marquette area for a long overdue summer vacation," Fitzgerald stated. "But instead of enjoying, relaxing, 'beaching' and communing with the Big Lake, she becomes a suspect in the murder of her former ad agency boss. He has relocated from Ann Arbor to Munising, and shifted his focus to property development. In this case, the property includes a possible Ojibwe ceremonial site."

From Lake Superior's atmosphere to the community dynamics that define small-town life, A Superior Way to Die reflects both affection and authenticity. The book also includes Ojibwe characters inspired by real relationships Fitzgerald's family has shared for generations. She said she wanted to portray the Upper Peninsula as more than just a backdrop. It serves as an essential part of her storytelling.

"People misunderstand the U.P.," said Fitzgerald. "I wanted readers to feel what it's really like to smell the pines, see the lake and understand the people. Even my East Coast editor was so captivated by the regional details that she now hopes to visit in person. There's a kind of goodness up there that you don't find everywhere."

Though Fitzgerald now lives in Ann Arbor, she continues to stay connected to NMU and her Upper Peninsula heritage. She said returning to campus recently brought back vivid memories of her student days and reminded her of how much Northern helped her grow.

"I learned independence at NMU," she said. "It was where I learned to think critically, to take risks and to find my own voice. That foundation led me everywhere else. The professors who guided me helped boost my personal confidence and creative voice. Northern and the U.P. shaped who I am, and they'll always be at the heart of my stories."

Fitzgerald arrived at NMU almost by chance. She had other ideas for her future, until her mother insisted she attend college first. Once on campus, she quickly found a home in the English Department, which encouraged her to delve more deeply into literature and language.

She also joined NMU's forensics team, which she credits with teaching her how to think on her feet and present herself with confidence.

"We even made it to nationals," she said. "Once we faced Harvard, we didn't do quite as well, but that experience taught me how to communicate, and that's something I've used throughout my life."

Those experiences, she said, helped her earn a graduate fellowship to study at the University of Michigan, where she continued developing her craft and literary knowledge. After graduate school, Fitzgerald worked as a magazine editor and newspaper reporter before finding her niche in advertising. As a copywriter and later as the owner of her own one-woman firm, she built a career focused on persuasive storytelling.

"Copywriting teaches discipline," Fitzgerald said. "You have to capture attention fast and communicate meaningfully. That skill carried over when I started writing fiction."

A Superior Way to Die is published by Level Best Books and available through major booksellers.