Spotlight on Mystery Writer Karlene R. Price

Karlene Price, a native New Yorker, enjoyed reading Nancy Drew mysteries as a kid. Her childhood fascination became an adult preoccupation with writing fun mysteries for juveniles and adults. Enjoying the trend of mixing genres, Price sometimes stirs in science fiction and fantasy into her work.

Price served her country in the U.S. Army for eight years. Toward the end of her tour of duty she met her husband. She is the proud mother of three adult children and four grandkids.

She graduated from college with an associate degree in computer programming and general studies. Price’s love for the written word motivated enrollment at the Institute of Children’s Literature and Writer’s Digest Novel Writing Programs, where she completed the Basic and Master’s courses.

Price says, “Reading science fiction, fantasy, and mystery is a favorite pastime, I enjoy watching pro and college football, figure skating and listening to music.”

Last year, when retirement confronted many baby boomers, Price wasn’t ready to spend her days babysitting her grandkids or take up knitting. At the ripe of old of sixty-five, she sold her first novel. Published by Keith Publications as an adult e-book, The Poisoned Pen Murders was released last January. It’s about a small town author who solves crimes when she isn’t working on her newest YA novel.

Price’s second book, The Missing Pelliger Papers, is a middle grade mystery set in a fantasy world. Keith Publications published it nine months after her first novel. More recently, her publisher has bought four more of Price’s books, but none have yet been released. 

Currently, Price is working on a contemporary murder mystery in an urban fantasy setting in a fictional town in central Alabama. Nancy Drew, watch your back.