I’m a mystery writer by night, published by Red Adept and Audible.
I was born in the heart of the Rust Belt and harbor a hesitant affinity for its grit. It’s gray and grimy and covered in graffiti and, yeah, I love it. It’s the perfect backdrop for crime fiction, among other things.
Prior to moving from Northeast Ohio to Michigan’s capital city, where I live with my partner and at least one too many four-legged creatures, I was a middle manager for a motion picture exhibition corporation, a copywriter and content editor for a natural foods store, a retail buyer of nutritional supplements and health-and-beauty aids, a guitarist in a post-hardcore band called The Dread Pirate Roberts, a graduate student, and a certified projectionist. I might be a dilettante.
Now, I’m lucky to be able to do what I love–write and teach. By day, I’m an assistant professor of writing and rhetoric. Although there aren’t enough hours in the day or days in the week, I’m never bored. Which is a good thing.
I’m a not-so-closeted existentialist who writes both short and long fiction in addition to the occasional academic article, and I play a variety of loud instruments. I’m hard at work on the next book in the Liz Boyle mystery series.
I’m represented by the fabulous Claire Anderson-Wheeler of Regal, Hoffman, & Associates.
KATE BIRDSALL 
Looking forward to purchasing a copy of your first book.
Thanks!
I just read “Anchors” and “Stuffy Time” and enjoyed them both immensely. I must go back to work – I too am an academic, but my incentive for maintaining my path of collaborating with artists and improving my creative research practices are renewed by your wonderful work. Thank you so much, Alison Neilson
Thank you, Alison, for the lovely compliment. You just made me day!
Hi Kate : Hope you write another one in this series. Posted this review in a bunch of places.
If you like detective fiction that is hard hitting, great characters with a riveting story line than this book is a must read. You can thank me later. If I could give it more than a 5-star I certainly would. Kate Birdsall has created one of the best new series going and I was actually sorry to have this book end. It was that good,
I have read a lot of books in this genre over the years and this is hands down one of the best in the detective genre that I have read in a long, long while. This is the second in the Liz Boyle series (2017 the Flats) and it is another winner. Kate Birdsall is a great writer and Detective Liz Boyle is becoming one of my favorite characters in this genre. She is in the Lucas Davenport, Harry Bosch level as far as police detectives go. This series is set in Cleveland and hey, we all know. Cleveland Rocks!
It’s also a timely book as it addresses police brutality and the wall of secrecy inherent in police departments today. Released two months prior to the George Floyd murder this is positively uncanny. Certainly, a story for these times. His is a fast paced read that involves characters that are well developed and add to the storyline. The dialogue is crisp and lively and adds to the interaction of all involved. I love this series and seriously hope that it continues. I highly recommend this book detective noir at it’s best. I’m sure that after reading this you will also want to check out the Flats as well.
Kate, So good to “reconnect “ with you through your latest book The Heights. Schulers didn’t have it but they were happy to order it for me. Liz Boyle is a no nonsense aggressive character with lots of integrity. I enjoyed following her adventures even more than in the first book. I hope you continue to write. I miss our weights class but continue to ZOOM with Kathy and friends. Hope you are doing well. Nancy M
Thank you, Nancy!