Book One             Large print edition

“…perfect entertainment for a few afternoons or evenings when a chuckle is in order.” Poisoned Pen Bookstore

“Gertie is a lot like Evanovich’s Granny Mazur, but with more freedom to misbehave. An enjoyable romp in the country.” Deadly Pleasures

“A delightful new series by Deb Baker … For fans of Janet Evanovich, imagine Grandma Mazur with orange hair and a shotgun.” Green Bay Press Gazette

When her neighbor Chester Lampi gets shot dead in his deer blind on opening
day of deer hunting season, unconventional, irrepressible sixty-six-year-old
Gertie Johnson seizes the opportunity to become a detective. Gertie is
abetted (and hindered) in her investigation by her grandson Little Donny,
best friend Cora Mae, and volunteer bodyguard Kitty. Little Donny hasn¹t got
a clue, man-hungry Cora Mae can¹t keep her mind off flirting and on the
case, and Kitty needs a comb out. It doesn¹t help that Chester¹s death has
already been ruled an accident by the sheriff of their little backwoods
community in Michigan¹s Upper Peninsula (m-dash) Sheriff Blaze Johnson, a
by-the-books lawman who also happens to be Gertie¹s son.

Whether it¹s interrogating neighbors, spying, or impersonating the FBI
(m-dash) not to mention staying one step ahead of Blaze (m-dash) Gertie will
do whatever it takes to solve the case, even when the killer takes aim at
her.

"Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is a world of its own, and Deb Baker brings it alive in this impressive debut.  There’s danger and suspense here, and some great characters – but of course it’s Gertie Johnson who steals the show.  She’s one heroine you can really cheer for."  Steve Hamilton, Edgar award-winning author of A STOLEN SEASON

"A hoot with a heart." Cozy Library

"The voice will stay with you like an audio story...Laugh-out-loud book." Crimespree

On opening day of bear hunting season in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, a game warden is murdered right under Little Donny’s tree stand, and Little Donny has gone missing. Sixty-six-year-old Gertie is forced to use her “unique” investigative techniques to try to find her favorite grandson.

Gertie’s search is hampered by her pin-curled bodyguard Kitty, her man-hungry friend Cora Mae, and Grandma Johnson, who should be busy mushing peas between her new false teeth in the Escanaba Nursing Home. To top it off, the local sheriff—Gertie’s son Blaze—seems more concerned with arresting Gertie for cruising down Highway M35 without a license than finding Little Donny or catching the killer.

"Intrepid Gertie is a wonderfully drawn character, whose view of the U.P.'s denizens and their surroundings makes for enjoyable storytelling." Booklist

"Baker's animal-themed adventure of three madcap ladies' exploits in Michigan's Upper Peninsula will make you chuckle and keep you guessing." Kirkus Review

It's spring in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula—an exciting season of rising temperatures, budding romances, and the turkey-hunting opener. But for sheer adrenaline value, neither love nor turkeys can compete with the Credit Union being held up at gunpoint. It’s not the best planning to commit a robbery in a town where everyone is armed for combat, and the gunman is shot dead in a room full of witnesses—but the stolen money has disappeared right in front of their eyes.  Faster than you can say “Tom Turkey,” Gertie, Cora Mae, and Kitty are on the case.