A Superior Way to Die: A Karin Niemi Mystery

by Linda W. Fitzgerald

Copywriter and mystery buff Karin Niemi has sworn off DIY murder investigations. Forever. Her first and only case brought her perilously close to death at the hands of a gun-toting sociopath, in her own kitchen, no less. It was an experience she has no intention of repeating. Now the only murder Karin is interested in solving is in the Nero Wolfe novel she plans to read during a long, relaxing and uneventful summer vacation back home, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She also harbors a quiet hope—a hope she would never openly admit—that maybe, just maybe, Lake Superior will work its magic and begin to heal the deep grief she still feels nearly two years after her husband’s death.

But life, as usual, has other plans. Two days after she and her best friend Bixie arrive in Munising, their former boss—a man with a penchant for cruelty and a gift for making enemies—is murdered in his vacation home, less than a mile from their own lakeside bungalow. Suddenly, they’re on the suspect list…and on the case.

The stakes are high. So despite the distractions of an infuriating downstate reporter, a formidable local sheriff, a motley array of Karin’s up-north family and friends, members of the local Ojibwe tribe with a grudge against the murdered man, and Bixie’s overly protective police officer brother—who arrives in town uninvited and unwelcome—they both remain deadly serious about pursuing the killer. A killer who, as they discover, is also deadly serious about pursuing them.

Genres: Mystery

303 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 22, 2025

About the author

Linda Fitzgerald grew up in Garrison Keillor country, in locales that ranged from the Twin Ports of Duluth-Superior to the mining and mill towns of Michigan's upper peninsula. After graduating from Northern Michigan University, she was lured downstate by a fellowship at the University of Michigan. With master's degree in hand and a national recession raging, she spent several years job hopping-doing brief stints as a junior magazine editor, a newspaper reporter, even a script writer for sales seminars-and consoled herself in off hours by devouring mysteries. Ultimately, she found her professional home as senior copywriter in an Ann Arbor ad agency and, from there, went on to launch her own one-woman firm. Thirty years and thousands of client projects later, she decided the time had come to take on a new challenge and revive a longtime, long-postponed personal goal: writing a mystery novel. She crossed that item off her life list with the publication of Death at the Doorstep, the debut adventure of Ann Arbor freelance writer and amateur sleuth Karin Niemi. Her second novel in the series, A Superior Way to Die, is set in the UP.

source: Amazon

Reviews

[Graeme Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Superior Way to Die: A Karin Niemi Mystery by Linda W. Fitzgerald is an engaging blend of traditional mystery and character driven storytelling set against the evocative backdrop of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The novel follows Karin Niemi, a reluctant amateur sleuth still grappling with past trauma, who finds herself drawn back into investigation despite her determination to stay away from danger.

Fitzgerald skillfully balances emotional depth with a well structured whodunit, using Karin’s personal grief as a grounding force that adds weight to the unfolding mystery. The lakeside setting and small town dynamics enrich the narrative, while a diverse cast of suspects, each with plausible motives, keeps the tension steadily building.

The interplay between Karin and her friend Bixie adds both warmth and momentum to the story, even as the stakes grow increasingly dangerous. With its mix of introspection, suspense, and community intrigue, A Superior Way to Die will appeal to readers who enjoy thoughtful mysteries with strong emotional undercurrents.

[Debbie Menk · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Superior Way to Die is an incredibly delightful read. I love the Upper Peninsula so much, and this mystery helped me feel like I was there. The setting on the shore of Lake Superior and UP's iconic places is a character all its own. It is wild, beautiful, and richly described.

The mystery is excellent, with just the right amount of intrigue to keep the pages turning. It has a more complexity and depth than a cozy mystery, yet never becomes dark or heavy. The writing is beautiful and thoroughly enjoyable, creating an experience that’s as much about atmosphere as plot.

The characters are well-drawn and fun, the setting is spectacular, and the story unfolds with a sense of place that makes you want to linger. This book is a fun mystery tour through one of the United States’ hidden treasures, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves the UP, mysteries with heart, or simply a great, well-crafted story. And, I want to say to the author: we want more Karin Niemi and friends!!!

[S.K. O'Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed A Superior Way to Die. Despite not having read the first book in the Karin Niemi series, I found that it stood perfectly well on its own. Fitzgerald provides enough context that I never felt lost or confused; instead, I felt immediately welcomed into the world.

What I loved:

Accessibility: You don't need to read Book 1 to enjoy this. The context is handled perfectly.

Character Depth: Every character felt like a real person. I felt like I knew them by the final page.

Vibe: Very warm, mature, and comforting. Total "comfort read" material.

What could be improved:

The Romance: There was so much great build-up, but the "big moment" felt a bit rushed and prudish. It felt like the author pulled back right when it was getting good! A little more descriptive emotion (even without being graphic) would have gone a long way.

Final Thoughts: A solid, heartwarming mystery that would make a fantastic TV series.

[Nancy Durance · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book! I had the rare chance to meet the author on Tuesday in Ann Arbor. It was fascinating to hear about the background of Karin, a character from the author's first book, especially since I haven’t read it yet. This second book is set in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, which feels like a completely different world for us city folks in Ann Arbor. The author provides a history and geography lesson on the rich, beautiful state of Michigan, along with an intriguing mystery that includes a touch of romance.

[Bruce Sembar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only ok

Seemed like an ordinary whodunit. Didn't really get into any of the characters. It wrapped up with a predictable ending.