From Corgis to NFL Panic: Memorable Reader Reactions to My Books

Connecting with readers has become one of my favorite parts of being an author. Before the Thomas Austin and S.W.O.R.D. series took off, I spent well over a decade writing without ever hearing much from readers, so I genuinely appreciate every message, comment, and conversation that comes my way nowadays. Some of these messages have really stuck with me, so I thought it would be fun to share a few of the more memorable comments I’ve received over the last few years.

1. “Your books are going to ruin Kitsap.”

This comes up often at local events. People worry the books will draw too much attention to Kitsap County—more traffic, higher housing prices, fewer quiet places. I understand the concern. While I’m grateful for the support the series has received, and I know a few readers have made visits to the area, I don’t think it’s likely to drive a major tourism wave. Certain genres can definitely inspire destination travel (think Twilight and Forks), but that’s generally less common with mystery and crime fiction. Plus, while the books have thankfully found a dedicated readership, we’re not quite at the global phenomenon level that would transform Kitsap into a major tourist destination just yet.

2. “I can never feel safe at an NFL game again.”

To this day, one of the most common comments I hear is from readers who’ve just finished The Terror in the Emerald City (Thomas Austin book 5) saying they’ll never look at an NFL stadium the same way again. I won’t give away spoilers here, but if you’ve read book 5, you probably know what they’re referring to. A few even mentioned feeling uneasy watching games on TV. I love hearing that the books can get hearts racing with suspense, even if I do feel a bit guilty about making Sunday game day a little more nerve-wracking for some fans. 🤣

3. “This book triggered my 1970s Bainbridge Island drug flashbacks.”

This was probably the most unexpected message I’ve received. After The Horror at Murden Cove (Thomas Austin book 4), someone reached out and told me the book brought back vivid memories from a summer spent on Bainbridge Island in the 1970s—specifically, a summer that involved a lot of questionable decisions and psychedelic substances. I wasn’t sure whether to be flattered that my descriptions of Bainbridge felt accurate or apologetic for the unexpected trip down memory lane, but it’s definitely one of the most memorable messages I’ve received.

4. “Your books made me get a corgi.”

This one always makes me smile. In the Thomas Austin series, the main character has a corgi named Run, who’s lovingly based on our real-life corgi, Pearl. Over time, I’ve heard from several readers who decided to adopt corgis after reading the books or seeing Pearl’s photos online. I never expected that kind of ripple effect, but I’m happy to know these books have helped spread a little more corgi joy (and chaos) into the world.

5. “I’ve never been to the Pacific Northwest, but now I want to visit.”

Some of my favorite messages come from readers who’ve never been to the Pacific Northwest but say the books made them want to visit. A few have even added Kitsap County to their road trip plans. My wife and I absolutely love living here, so it means a lot when the settings in the books connect with people enough that they want to see the real places.

6. “I used to live in the Pacific Northwest, and reading your books makes me feel like I’m back home.”

Quite a few readers have reached out to let me know that they used to live or grew up in the area but have since moved away, and reading the descriptions of local spots in Kitsap County or beyond brings them back a bit. Hearing that the books can reconnect people with a place they once called home is one of the highest compliments I could receive as a writer.

Thank you to everyone who reads the books, and to everyone who has taken time out of their day to reach out over the years. Hearing from readers remains one of the most rewarding parts of being an author. If you have a story about how the books connected with you in some way, I’d love to hear it in the comments below.

My latest standalone novel, The Crime Beat, is available now in ebook, paperback, and Kindle Unlimited on Amazon. You can also find my Thomas Austin and FBI S.W.O.R.D. series on Amazon, with signed copies of all my books available on my website.