Micki

The Novel

My mom cried the day I told her I wanted to be a cop. She’d always hoped I’d become a librarian. Something safe. It wasn’t an unreasonable dream based on the number of books I devoured as a kid. I used to read by flashlight under the covers well into the night. Most kids got grounded, I had my books taken away.    

I fell into law enforcement after a process of eliminating professions that were far beyond my patience—bookkeeping, professional knitter, and the like. Serendipity stepped in when I called a Southern California police department to inquire about openings and learned they were holding an orientation that very night. I started the academy shortly thereafter.

Fourteen years later, I tired of the California rat race and headed to Paris to finish my undergraduate degree in Medieval Studies. It was an unconventional path, but it cemented my lifelong fascination with ancient legends, secret histories, and the shadow world where logic meets lore.

Soon after my return, I heard the siren call of the Colorado. One trip over the spectacular Red Mountain Pass into the heart of Durango cinched it.

In Southwest Colorado, I returned to uniform as a patrol officer before promoting through the ranks to captain. Over my career, I ran the Durango Police Department’s investigative unit, evidence room, records bureau, hiring and internal affairs. I served as a hostage negotiator and training officer. As the department’s spokeswoman, my name regularly appeared across local, and regional news.

The absolute highlight of my career was my acceptance into the prestigious FBI National Academy—an elite executive leadership program in Quantico, VA. If you’ve seen Silence of the Lambs, you’ve seen the campus. I did my best Jodie Foster impression on the infamous Yellow Brick Road six-mile obstacle course. She had youth on her side; I had pure determination.

After more than two decades of service, I retired from law enforcement to turn to a life of crime fiction. Today, I still get to see my name in print, but now it’s on book covers and in magazines.

Like the character in my first novel, I moved to the Florida Keys where I became a professional dive master. Writing as Micki Browning, my debut diving thriller, Adrift, was published by Alibi-Random House and named an Agatha Award finalist for Best First Novel. The sequel, Beached, drew heavily on my love of the ocean and won the Royal Palm Literary Award for Book of the Year and Best Mystery.

Writing as M.E. Browning, I introduced readers to the rugged landscapes of the Rocky Mountains with the Jo Wyatt Mystery series. The debut police procedural, Shadow Ridge, won the prestigious Colorado Book Award for Mystery and the silver medal in the Florida Book Awards. The authentic small-town suspense continues in the gripping sequel, Mercy Creek.

What’s next on the horizon? I’m currently hard at work on a brand-new project—a thrilling pivot from pure mystery to the mysterious. This upcoming novel steps away from the badge to explore a modern myth, sisterhood, and secrets hidden within a small Colorado town. But fear not! I’m still cursed with creating characters who are far smarter than I am, and putting them into all kinds of unexpected, edge-of-your seat danger.

I’m a firm believer that a book isn’t truly a book until it’s been read. Thank you so much for your interest in my writing, my journey, and the worlds I love to build.

Stay safe,

Micki