Greta sits down for a question-and-answer session with dru’s book musings so that we can learn more about what makes her tick. Let’s see what she has to say.

What is your full name?
Greta Maria Plank

How old are you?
I’m just shy of thirty years old.

What is your profession?
I serve as the Library Director at Larkspur Community Library.

Do you have a significant other?
*blushes furiously* Not officially, no. But off the record, Detective Mark McHenry isn’t the grumpy law enforcement officer I pegged him to be when he was accusing me of murder earlier this year. I actually think there might be a gooey cinnamon roll of a man beneath his gruff exterior. The two of us have formed a fledgling friendship. We’ll see where it goes, I guess.

What is their name and profession?
Detective Mark McHenry. He did just tell me I can call him by his first name, but I’m not sure I’m there yet, so we compromised, and now I call him McHenry.

Do you have any children?
No children. Not yet. Someday, I hope!

Do you have any siblings?
My sister, Kelly, passed away in a snowboarding accident when we were teenagers.

Are your parents nearby?
Yes! My parents, Dale and Louisa, live in the neighboring town of Churchill, where I grew up. It’s just a little over an hour away, so we see each other a lot. My mom is a lawyer, and she’s an excellent resource. My dad doesn’t love when I stick my nose into police business because he doesn’t want me to get hurt. But I couldn’t ask for a better support system. The three of us are very close.

Who is your best friend?
Josie and Iris, my co-librarians, are my best friends. It’s a dream come true to get to go to work each day and hang out with the two of them and be surrounded by our favorite books. Allison, who owns Mugs & Hugs, the cutie café that’s located across the street from the library, is another one of my good friends.

Do you have cats, dogs, or other pets?
I have an adopted Siberian tabby cat named Biff. He’s a rambunctious little fellow, and he’s proven himself an adept sounding board for all of my ideas and questions.

What town do you live in?
Larkspur, Wisconsin. It’s a lakeside, small town nestled in the Wisconsin Northwoods. It’s charming, welcoming, and the perfect place to live…minus the recent wave of murders.

What type of dwelling do you own or rent?
I own a log cabin on the lake.

What is your favorite spot in your home?
The outdoor deck that looks over the water is my favorite place to collect my thoughts and take in the gorgeous scenery.

What is your favorite meal and dessert?
Lately I’ve been loving loaded grilled cheese sandwiches. Comfort foods forever, am I right?

Do you have any hobbies?
I love paddleboarding. I’m much more graceful on the water than I am on land. I’m also a voracious reader. I’m often juggling three different books at once. Reading them, that is. If I were actually trying to juggle them, someone would end up concussed…likely me.

What music do you listen to?
I really enjoy movie soundtracks. I’m usually playing the music from the 2005 version of Pride & Prejudice.

What is your favorite color?
My favorite color changes with the seasons. In the fall, I’m all about jewel tones—deep green, cranberry, and mustard. In the spring and summer, give me all the bright pinks, greens, and blues. Bonus points if it’s a floral pattern.

What is your favorite vacation spot?
Gosh, I don’t know. I love it here in Larkspur so much that I don’t often consider taking a vacation. Maybe a trip to the beach? Let’s say Key West. Then I could hit up Ernest Hemingway’s house while I’m there.

Are you a morning or night person?
Morning person. I love getting out on the water first thing on my days off. When I’m working, there’s nothing better than being in the library before we open and getting organized for the day ahead. Also, mornings mean coffee, and coffee is my favorite.

What is your idea of a really fun time?
The regularly scheduled girls’ night I have with Josie, Iris, and Allison. We always dish on the happenings in Larkspur, our personal lives, and anything else that merits discussion. Josie’s got a secret admirer, so that’s been a hot topic lately. Plus, there’s a charcuterie board and wine involved. Need I say more?

If you were to write a memoir, what would you call it?
The Story of My Life

Amateur or professional sleuth and whom do you work with?
Amateur, for sure! Like I told McHenry, I never intentionally jump into the middle of things. I just sort of end up there…much to his chagrin. Fortunately, Iris and Josie always have my back. I like to think we make a formidable trio of avenging librarians.

What is a typical day in your life like?
I wake up early and have quiet time out on my deck. I eat breakfast at home and hang with Biff before I walk the mile into town. Before heading to the library, I usually swing into Mugs & Hugs for a hazelnut latte. Allison fills me in on any local news. Then it’s off to work. The library is busy these days. Children’s story time, book clubs, and adult programming, oh my! I like to have a forward-facing role as often as I can, interacting with our patrons, answering their questions, and helping with their book needs. I also have to handle things like the library budget, meetings at town hall, and grant writing. After work, I unwind with a book—usually a cozy mystery. Sometimes Iris, Josie, and I will grab dinner. But lately, all of my free time has been filled with prepping for the upcoming festival. I’m giving the welcome speech at the town-wide kick-off banquet. Wish me luck!

Mayhem In Circulation, A Larkspur Library Mystery Book #2
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: December 2023
Format: Print, Digital
Purchase Link

Librarian Greta Plank is hard at work planning and preparing for Larkspur’s Fall Festival and regional tourism showcase which, if successful, will be a boon to the local economy. But disaster strikes and chances of a positive review look slimmer than a periodical’s spine when a series of pranks escalates and one of Larkspur’s own is found dead the same day the reporter is set to arrive.

Desperate to defend her town’s character and get to the bottom of the circulating mayhem, Greta begins indexing suspects. Could the crimes be an outside job, undertaken by someone intent on harming the town’s reputation? Or is someone closer to home trying to ruin Larkspur from the inside?

With destruction of property, sabotage, and strange animal mishaps piling up on top of murder, Greta wouldn’t recommend this ‘choose your own (disastrous) adventure’ to anyone. In the end, she must decide who she can trust so she can close the book on these crimes before the shadowy vandal authors another kill.

About the author
Leah Dobrinska is the author of the Fall In Love romcom series, the Larkspur Library Mysteries, a cozy mystery series set in the Wisconsin Northwoods, and the Mapleton novels, a series of award-winning standalone small town romances. She earned her degree in English Literature from UW-Madison where she was awarded the Dean’s Prize and served as a Writing Fellow. She has since worked as a freelance writer, editor, and content marketer. Leah lives in Wisconsin with her husband and their gaggle of kids. When she’s not writing, handing out snacks, or visiting the local library, Leah enjoys reading and running. Find out more about Leah, join her newsletter community, and connect with her through her website at leahdobrinska.com.