Jun 26, 2008 11:14 pm US/Central
Former WCCO Producer Writes Murder Mystery
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
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Julie Kramer's first novel, "Stalking Susan" hits bookstores on July 15.
CBS
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For more than two decades local audiences watched Julie Kramer's award-winning work on WCCO-TV.
CBS
The Twin Cities has produced some big-name mystery writers including John Sandford and Vince Flynn. Now a former WCCO journalist is hoping to join their ranks.
Julie Kramer's first novel hits bookstores on July 15. This week's People magazine calls "Stalking Susan" a snappily-produced debut thriller that's "truly scary, no matter what your name is."
For more than two decades local audiences watched Julie Kramer's award-winning work on WCCO-TV. From stories about a possible suspect in the disappearance of Iowa anchor Jodi Huisentruit to reports on Minnesota veterans not getting decent dental care. Kramer's investigative reports often got results, and big ratings.
"It's the ones who didn't have a conclusive ending that you can't really forget," said Kramer.
While Kramer's stories were high-profile, as a producer she was always in the background with the on-air reporters getting most of the recognition.
"I'm most comfortable working the behind-the-scenes stuff and I have always found that very gratifying," said Kramer.
However, her low visibility is about to change as she steps into the spotlights to promote her first crime novel.
"One of the things that I wanted to do was take readers inside the world of television news," she noted. "People will recognize the setting as a downtown newsroom, Channel 4. A lot of the stuff is made up but I like to include enough real stuff so that people aren't sure what's real and what's not real."
"Stalking Susan" is a about a TV reporter investigating a serial killer who preys on women with that name.
"Typically, the television reporter in fiction is an obnoxious, secondary character who is killed off when the plot starts dragging. And I wanted to write a novel in which the TV reporter was the star," said Kramer.
Kramer was inspired by a real-life cold case she did with WCCO crime reporter Caroline Lowe 10 years ago. It focused on two Susans murdered on the same day, two years apart, in St. Paul, Minn.
"It was a case that I never forgot. And it's a story I always wished we could have done more with. So when I sat down to write a book that kind of was on my mind," said Kramer.
Kramer's murder story is much different from the real Susans' case but she hopes publicity about her novel might get results.
"You can't help but think about that, and I would sure find it gratifying if any tips came in," said Kramer.
She spent little time in the library doing research for her book. Instead, she consulted her old news colleagues for accuracy and anecdotes.
"I like to live my research," said Kramer.
And she relied on her own experience as a journalist.
"I was used to dealing on deadlines. I could type fast. I had interviewed people on the best days and worst days of their lives," she said.
Doubleday Publishers have already signed Kramer for a sequel to "Stalking Susan." It features the same TV reporter as the heroine.
"There's a little bit of everybody I have ever worked with, for or against, in my novel," she said.
For now, Kramer plans to keep working as a freelance network news producer. Readers will decide if her first two books are successful enough to let her permanently switch from journalism to fiction.
"I'm hoping that the book maybe brings a smile to people's face," said Kramer.
If you would like to met Julie after "Stalking Susan" is released July 15 or get information on where she will be signing her book, you can go to her Web site at www.juliekramerbooks.com
If you want to watch or read cold case reports Kramer and Lowe have done on the real Susans' murders or the abduction of Jodi Huisentruit, go to Caroline's cold case page at wcco.com/coldcase.
You can also read Lowe's blog about Kramer at wcco.com/crimesceneblog.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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