Elaine L. Orr’s Iowa Beyond the Corn Fields

Iowa brings to mind corn fields, a superb state fair, first-in-the nation caucuses, and the Iowa Summer Writing Festival in Iowa City, which I attended twice.

As a Southeast Iowan for many years, I envision of all those things as I write. I also imagine the Des Moines River meandering through the southern tier in towns such as Keosauqua, Bonaparte, and Farmington (where I took the photo with poppies). All are small communities with economies that reflect the tourists they cultivate and the corn and soybean fields that surround them.

The Des Moines River can be friend or foe. Every few years it spills from its banks into towns and fields. In 1993 and 2008, the impact was especially damaging. The photo shows sandbagging efforts in the town of Bonaparte in Van Buren County, in 2008. In true Iowa spirit, the town's Opera House became the site of daily meals and the place for the National Guard and First Responders to gather. 

So, what truly comes first to mind when people think of Iowa? Likely Grant Woods' Gothic house with its iconic farm couple and their pitchfork.

Today a visit to Wapello County's Eldon Iowa would include the Gothic House Museum and gift shop, which sit next to the house. The continually changing exhibits present varied time periods and places in eastern Iowa, usually with a rural theme. 

People who live on the coasts, even in small towns, may not be familiar with the vibrant social structures in rural Midwestern towns. Sure, you can head to a larger area to shop or visit a mall, but the local high school sports teams, spring or fall festivals, and holiday season bazaars are the glue that cements friendships.

Authors in Southeast Iowa

 

Iowa City has the famed University of Iowa Writing Program, but Southeast Iowa has its own large cluster of authors. Perhaps best known is Leigh Michaels, who has published more than 100 romance novels (selling more than 35 million copies). She also published, with late husband Michael Lemberger, many local history books. Work she continues. 

The book about how fires shaped the landscape of Ottumwa is with Doug Potter, who for years facilitated a monthly meeting of local writers. Because towns initially had so many wooden buildings, almost every Southeast Iowa town was rearranged by fire at one time or another.

Leigh and the Ottumwa Public Library also sponsor an annual October event to celebrate Independent Author Day. It draws dozens of authors and – even better – readers. While the books are varied, many feature Iowa in words and images.

Bringing Mystery to Iowa

My mind has an internal debate about favorite Iowa mystery authors. Two win. Karen Musser Nortman of West Liberty writes mystery series about camping, a time travel trailer, and senior sisters who cavort as they solve crimes. My favorite is Trailer on the Fly.  The Pampered Pet Mystery series, with titles such as The Dogfather and Barking with the Stars, is written by Sparkle Abby (nom de plume of Mary Lee Woods and Anita Carter).

When I decided to set a mystery series in my adopted state of Iowa, there was no question about the setting – it had to reflect the southeastern river towns. They may look sleepy, but they're vibrant.

For the River's Edge series, I didn't pick an existing town because I know people in many of them. How would I explain picking one over another? I created River's Edge, a town of a few thousand people not far from Keosauqua and Farmington, within easy driving distance of Ottumwa, the town I've lived in. 

Why reference any real towns? I think it gives readers a better sense of place. Perhaps they'll look up one of the towns (all of which are along the Des Moines River) and create a mental image beyond those I paint in the three books. 

From Newsprint to Footprints begins with Melanie's last day as a reporter, having been fired by grouchy publisher Hal because she sometimes veered from photos of accident scenes to capturing images of nearby flowers. No surprise that she starts her own gardening and landscaping business. But what a nasty find in the mulch pile the first day of work.

Each book lets readers see the town square, baseball diamond by the river, and events such as Farm Bureau dinners and (ugh) funerals held in small churches. Not every sleuth would attend funerals or stop by the funeral home to "sign the book," but if she lives in a small town, she better let people know she cares.

Second books in any of my series are always easier – I've made so many decisions I don't have to revisit. Demise of a Devious Neighbor, a finalist for a 2017 Chanticleer Mystery and Mayhem Award, was just plain fun to write. Even the plot twists seemed to come easily, as Melanie and her brother fought to retain clear rights to their late parents' farm.

There's always so much going on in a small town beyond solving a murder. And in Demise of a Devious Suspect Melanie's starting to think about one of her landscaping clients as more than that. Romance on the horizon adds an element of intrigue.

And then we have the curly-haired terrier, Mr. Tibbs, and an ornery black cat romping where they shouldn't. Mel's pets aren't crime solvers, but they can be beacons of bad tidings – and interesting companions. Mr. Tibbs reflects my odd sense of humor. Her prior owner had picked a boy from a litter, but when she went back to get him he'd been selected by someone else. She couldn't bring herself to change the name she'd planned, so the female Mr. Tibbs confuses a lot of people.

The Best State Fair 

Future books in the River's Edge series will venture outside of Southeast Iowa occasionally. Almost every year since the mid-1990s I have attended the Iowa State Fair with my husband. The last couple years I've made notes about interesting aspects beyond the Butter Cow and goat barn (which brings a smile every year). The fair may not be the setting for a murder, but perhaps the place to solve one.

Most fair attendees have not entered animals, vegetables, or minerals (literally), but they love looking at them. For a 4-H member, to win a ribbon is a huge accomplishment.

Nearly every attendee visits is the Dairy Building, which houses the famous Iowa Butter Cow. Other fairs have butter sculptures, but Iowa's was the first and (among the several other fairs I've visited) the largest.

Non-attendees might like to know

that the Agriculture Building (perhaps better known as the Dairy Cow Building) also houses exhibits of bees, milk, and much more. You can tell by the photo that the lines to visit the exhibits are long. Because it's the polite Midwest, they move quickly.

I hope you'll consider a visit to Iowa, either via the River's Edge series or for a lengthy fall drive. Your sense of peace will get a nice boost.

Elaine L. Orr writes three mystery series, and loves sharing Southeast Iowa with readers.

www.elaineorr.com

http://elaineorr.blogspot.com

(All photos by Elaine L. Orr. Leigh Michaels designed her book covers, and Angel Nichols designed those for the River's Edge Series. Provided and released by Author)