On August 7th, Julie Kramer celebrated the release of SHUNNING SARAH at ONCE UPON A CRIME in Minneapolis. SHUNNING SARAH is the fifth book to feature TV reporter Riley Spartz.
A young boy’s freak accident leads TV reporter Riley Spartz to investigate a homicide in the closed religious society of the Amish. No women near the small Minnesota tourist town have been reported missing and because the victim’s face is damaged, she can’t be identified without the help of a forensic artist. When she finally is recognized as Sarah Yoder, a young Amish woman, the police have difficulty investigating the case because the Amish believe in forgiveness rather than prosecution, and no one in the community is talking. Because of the biblical ban on graven images, Sarah’s family objects to her picture being used by the media even though the police believe the publicity might lead to tips. But when Riley finds a clue the cops miss, she uncovers a dark web of fraud and deception in the community—driven by motives as old as the Bible: sex and money.
The event had a crowd of around 70 fans, friends and family. Julie’s family turned out in impressive numbers to show their support and stayed busy, making keeping the event stocked with cookies, water and wine. The overall mood was quite relaxed as folks seemed quite content to chat with one another and sample the refreshments while waiting to meet the author.
SHUNNING SARAH earned a starred review by the Library Journal, who said it “has the perfect mix of suspense, excitement, romance, and surprises to keep the discriminating crime fiction reader captivated.” The Minneapolis Star-Tribune also gave it a very warm review, as did Mysteries Galore.
Fans throughout the Midwest will have a chance to meet Julie in the coming months. If you are a fan and have not met her before, take the time to do so. Julie is sweet and as grounded an author as you will meet.

Saturday, August 25, 1 pm
Austin, MN 
Austin Artworks Festival
Historic Downtown Power Plant
501 4th Ave. NE
Speaking & signing
Tuesday, August 28, 6:30 pm
White Bear Lake, MN
White Bear Lake Library
4698 Clark Ave.
speaking & signing
Saturday, September 8, 1 pm
Washington, MI
Graubmer Library
7th annual Mystery Comes to Michigan
65821 Van Dyke Rd.
Sunday, September 9, 1:00 pm
Ann Arbor, MI
Kerrytown Book Festival
Ann Arbor Farmer’s Market
Kerrytown Concert House
Monday, September 10, 6:30 pm
Hartland, MI
Cromaine Library
3688 N. Hartland Road
speaking & signing
Thursday, September 13, 6:30 pm
Duluth, MN
Fitger’s Books
600 East Superior Street
Speaking & signing
Saturday, September 15
Montezuma, IA
Montezuma All-Iowa Writer’s Conference
Montezuma Community Schools
504 N. 4th Street
Friday, September 21, 6:30 pm
Hudson, WI
Chapter 2 Books
422 2nd St.
Speaking & signing
Wednesday, September 26, 7 pm
Rochester, MN
University Center Rochester
851 30th Ave. SE
Speaking & signing
Thursday, September 27, 6 pm
Pine Island, MN
Van Horn Public Library
115 3rd Street SE
Speaking & signing
Friday, September 28, 7 pm
Belgrade, MN
Myrtle Mabee/Belgrade Public Library
324 Washburn Ave.
speaking & signing
Saturday, September 29, 1 pm
Maple Grove, MN
Maple Grove Library
8001 Main Street N
speaking & signing
October 4-7
Cleveland, OH
Bouchercon
Cleveland Renaissance Hotel
Saturday, October 13, 10 am
Edina, MN
The Author’s Studio interview w/Colin Nelson
Edina Arts Center
4701 W. 64th St.
Saturday, October 13, 4 pm
Le Sueur, MN
Le Sueur Public Library
118 E. Ferry St.
speaking and signing
Sunday, October 14, 1 pm
Houston, MN
Houston Public Library
202 E. Cedar St
Speaking & signing
Wednesday, October 17, 6:30 pm
Bloomington, MN
Penn Lake Library
8800 Penn Ave. S.
Penn Lake Mystery Book Club
Saturday, October 27, 8 am
Rose Creek, MN
Annual Waffle Feed
Southland Elementary School
Signing & chatting
Thursday, November 8, 7 pm
Chatfield, MN
Chatfield Public Library
314 South Main St.
Speaking & signing