Lori Everly

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I grew up in Ottumwa, Iowa, in a family of four: my mom, dad, older sister, and me. My parents began their careers as school teachers before answering the call to ministry and becoming pastors. Looking back, storytelling was woven into the fabric of our family life. My dad was the creative writer in the bunch, and some of my favorite childhood memories involve listening to the stories he made up for my sister and me. Years later, he would do the same for my own children, passing along a love of imagination and storytelling to another generation.

If someone had looked at the highlights of my life, they probably would not have predicted that I would one day write a mystery novel. I married my wonderful husband, and together we raised three beautiful children, two daughters and a son. Along the way, I spent many years serving as a children's minister and pastor, where I wrote skits, curriculum, chapel lessons, and short stories designed to teach and encourage young hearts.

Later, I worked for a small Christian school while pursuing my master's degree and doctorate in counseling. Writing continued to be a constant companion as I developed curriculum, chapel lessons, and educational materials. Eventually, I opened my own Christian counseling practice, where I now have the privilege of helping individuals and families navigate life's challenges.

And then, somewhat unexpectedly, I wrote a cozy mystery.

When I look back, perhaps it isn't as surprising as it seems. Storytelling has always been part of my life. Whether through ministry, education, counseling, or now fiction, I have always been drawn to people, their stories, and the relationships that shape them. Wrinkles & Whodunits simply gave me a new way to celebrate those stories, with a little mystery, a lot of friendship, and plenty of laughter along the way.

Every book has a story behind it, and Wrinkles & Whodunits is no exception.

In 2021, my father passed away, and shortly afterward my mother moved to Georgia to be closer to our family. Wanting to maintain her independence, she eventually settled into a retirement village just a few minutes from our home.

I visited often, and many evenings Mom and I would share dinner with her friends. We were endlessly entertained by the lively personalities, humorous conversations, and occasional mischief of our tablemates. The more time I spent with these remarkable women, the more I realized they were far more interesting than many fictional characters I had encountered.

As the months passed, my mother began encouraging me to write a cozy mystery featuring her and her friends as the main characters. Since both of us have always loved a good mystery, the idea quickly took hold. What started as a simple suggestion soon grew into a story filled with friendship, laughter, secrets, and sleuthing.

Inspired by the wonderful women I met through my mother's retirement community, Wrinkles & Whodunits was born. While the characters are fictionalized, their spirit, humor, determination, and zest for life were inspired by the unforgettable seniors who proved that adventure doesn't end with age—it simply takes on new forms.

Every stage of life brings its own joys and challenges, and the Golden Years are no exception. While the spirit often remains young and eager, our bodies can sometimes place limits on what we once did with ease. In those moments, it can be tempting to believe that our best days are behind us.

I would challenge that way of thinking.

The seniors I have come to know are some of the wisest, funniest, and most resilient people I have ever met. They have raised families, built careers, weathered hardships, celebrated victories, and gathered a lifetime of experiences that cannot be found in any textbook. Their stories matter. Their advice matters. Their laughter matters. Most importantly, they matter.

I believe every day holds purpose and value when we continue to share what we have learned along the way. The gifts of encouragement, wisdom, friendship, and perspective become even more precious with time.

It is my hope that the Senior Sleuths Mystery series reminds older adults that they are still seen, still needed, and still capable of adventure. The characters in these stories may be solving mysteries, but beneath the clues and humor is a deeper message: life does not stop being meaningful because we grow older. There are still friendships to deepen, lessons to share, and new memories waiting to be made.

If my books help even one reader feel valued, encouraged, and celebrated for the life they have lived, and the life they are still living, then I will consider them a success.