Isla Mysteries 1-5 recommended for travelers and mystery lovers!

Mikel Miller rated it: really liked it

Recommends it for: travelers, mystery lovers

If you can’t get away to a tiny island in the Caribbean, reading books set on the island is the next best thing. Here’s a Kindle boxed set of five books describing life on Isla Mujeres off the Yucatan peninsula and also providing some good mystery stories.

Tropical paradise? Check.
Pirates and buried treasure? Check.
Two 30-ish women looking for the treasure while being shadowed by mysterious men? Check.
Island men coming to the aid of the two damsels in distress? Check.
Romance? Check, check.
A loveable stray dog that helps solve the mysteries? Check.
A happy ending? Of course.

The five books are the work of Canadian author Lynda L. Lock, who retired to the island with her husband and began publishing the series in 2016. 

As a first-time novelist, her plots and character development improved with each book. One thing that remained constant throughout the series was her attention to detail in describing places and people and events, and customs on the island.

If you close your eyes and let your mind wander, you can imagine being there with her characters on the soft sand and in the small beach restaurant where the two women work shifts. 

Overall, it’s easy reading and will make you look forward to her next book. I am. 

Isla Mujeres Mystery

Anticipated launch date for Twisted Isla is May 2020 

Leaving my beloved Mexico and returning to Canada

Saint Philip Neri San Miquel de Allende

Sparky and I returned to Canada last night amid fears, rumours, and worries about the coronavirus pandemic, leaving behind my beloved Mexico. 

It wasn't an easy decision, but it was necessary. Just a few days ago, I realized that the world opinion was rapidly changing from one of optimism and economic growth to fear of what the future would bring.

For the first time in twelve years, I began to feel uneasy, being on my own in a country where my language skills were limited, and in a new city where I had barely begun to build a support network of new friends.

San Miguel de Allende

Then last week, the Canadian government sent out several emails advising citizens, living or vacationing abroad, to return home as commercial airline flights were diminishing and any government rescue flights would be very limited. That tipped the scales for me, and I searched for flights out of Leon to any large airline hub. Eventually, I found a flight from Leon to Cancun, and then to Vancouver BC on Friday.

On Wednesday, Sparky and I traveled to Leon via shuttle service and stayed in Centro. It was interesting to see another large city in Mexico, but Leon is not nearly as beautiful as San Miguel de Allende, even though it is about as old. I wandered the historic area, people-watching. Listening to snippets of conversation, I could hear an overtone of uncertainty and worry. Then, I heard a lovely voice singing, accompanied by beautiful guitar music, and I stopped to listen.

Leon, Mexico

He was an elderly gentleman, possibly in his mid-80s, perched on a stool near a restaurant. As I put the money in his cup, I noticed that he didn't acknowledge my presence, so I looked more closely at him. He was blind, and when I spoke to him, he didn't respond, so I touched his hand with the money. He thanked me, but I realized that when another person did the same thing, he was not only blind, but deaf. 

The reality of his situation brought a flood of tears to my eyes. There is no financial safety net for people in Mexico or in many other countries. If you don't have money, you don't eat. What was going to happen to this man and others like him as the tourism industry grinds to a halt?  Restaurants, bars, and shops - closed. Flights, cruises, tours - canceled. Many Mexicans depend on tourism to feed and house their families.

Sparky in the elevator discovers another dog

On Thursday night, Sparky and I over-nighted at a hotel in Cancun, staying away from our Isla friends - just in case I had come in contact with the coronavirus. 

The hotel staff was kind, helpful, and also very worried. Everyone expressed their concerns about their jobs and the ability to care for their families.

Once on board the WestJet flight to Vancouver, I felt a sense of relief. I was returning to an uncertain situation, but at least I would be in a country where I would be closer to family, speak the language, know how to get medical assistance, and I still had a large group of friends.

Crew of flight #2057 WestJet

The WestJet staff did their best to lighten the mood on the plane, chatting and joking with the returning Canadians while struggling to hold back their tears. For that particular crew, flight 2057 on Friday, March 20th, was their last flight until...well, no one knows when. 

Sparky was a huge hit. He was cuddled and hugged by passengers, the flight attendants, and the pilots. The final announcement when we landed was a tear-filled thank-you from the crew, which had many passengers reaching for tissues.

As to my future, it is uncertain. I will sort something out in the next week or two, but in the meantime, Sparky and I are self-isolating at the home of dear friends in the Vancouver area.  

I will sorely miss the kindness of the people and the beauty of Mexico. I wish you well. Hopefully, we will meet again.

Sincerely, Lynda & Sparky

Available in online stores

Treasure Isla, the beginning of the successful Isla Mujeres Mystery series!

It's a great gift when a reader takes the time to leave a review! 

North Beach, sun, sand, and turquoise water.

A Customer

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun beach read

Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2019

Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase

I totally enjoyed this book. The story has a nice flow. I liked the two 28-ish single ladies who are the stars of the story. I liked the restaurant owner with a secret crush on one of the ladies. 

Motos are an inexpensive mode of transport 

I liked the “moto” they tooled around the isla on (I had one when I lived in Europe, ah memories...). I liked Alfredo the crocodile. I liked the pirate connection. I liked Grandmama. And, I liked the ending in that everything was wrapped up.

There’s a lot of drinking, but I guess they’re in a resort area, and that’s what people often do. 

I found their drunken crypt “borrowing” amusing. I could actually envision two people carrying out things the way these two did. 

Sparky guarding Mundaca's tomb

I like that the author date stamps each chapter; it makes it easy to know when and how fast the story is happening. I really liked a character’s concern about his armpit odor; that’s reality. 

I learned that in Mexico, if a person is arrested, they must remain in jail until they can prove their innocence. Yikes. 

(Author's note: the law was recently changed to the adversarial system, similar to the American judicial system. Defendants can now be released until their trial.)

Another thing I liked: Before the story started, the author dedicated the book to her husband. 

It was a beautiful dedication and also provided the details one might like to know. 

Crocodile, he/she lives at the Mundaca Hacienda

I really appreciated that she shared it. Also, at the end of the story, the author discusses some inspiration for parts of the story. I appreciated that, too.

Available in online stores

Coles Penticton

Coles Vernon

Ruby Blues Winery

SS Sicamous & Museum

Over 50? Take the risk, learn something new, go on an adventure...you're not dead yet!

Lawrie, launching Chris Craft. Me in the water!

Why women over 50 should start something big and new! 

That's the title of an interesting motivational article written by Julia Hook and shared on Facebook by a much younger friend, Kari Skaggs. I read it and I started thinking about my wacky life.

At age 50, I had recently switched careers for the tenth or twelfth time, and I was now managing a hotel in Canada. That year, I wanted to learn two new things. The first was to learn to Rollerblade (in-line skating), and the second was to prepare my income tax returns. Lawrie and I had, over the years, a succession of small businesses and had always relied on an accountant to do the tedious tax returns. Okay, I can do this.

Nana and Evan rowing on Okanagan Lake

Goal number one: I purchased a set of Rollerblades, a helmet, and hand protectors, and proceeded to figure out a five-mile-long route in our neighbourhood of Trout Creek, BC. 

It was a great workout, and I alternated between taking my rowboat out on Okanagan Lake for an hour every morning to strengthen my back muscles. I skated and rowed all year round for the six years that we lived in Summerland, except when the road was covered in snow or my boat was frozen to the dock.

Goal number two: I did my own income tax return. Easy. I was an employee and only had one official form to submit. Then, when an auditor from the Canada Revenue Agency called me at the hotel, asking a bunch of odd questions, I started to laugh.

"Laughing is not the normal response that I get when I call people to tell them we are auditing their files." He said.

I replied, "I turned 50 this year, and wanted to learn two new things." I said, and told him what they were.

He chuckled and asked, "So, how's the Rollerblading working out?"

"Apparently, much better than me doing my tax return."

Dinner on our beach, Isla Mujeres

When I was fifty-seven and Lawrie was sixty-six, we moved to Isla Mujeres, Mexico, to live on a tropical island in the Caribbean Sea. The incredulous comments from friends and family were quite interesting. They worried that Mexico was (according to American newscasters) dangerous! They worried because we would lose our free Canadian medical once we were out of the country for more than six months. They worried. We smiled.

Moving to Mexico was a fun, learning experience; however, retirement on a small island can be boring after a while. At age sixty-three, I decided I wanted to write a book. I self-published The Adventures of Thomas the Cat, then, when I turned sixty-five, I started writing my Isla Mujeres Mystery Series. 

Oh, and I started rollerblading again at age sixty-four, much to the amusement of the people who watched me skate in the little park just south of our house on Isla. I skated like a hockey player, with my broom out in front of me to sweep away the small rocks that the little kids liked to toss onto the concrete pad. 

I am a little taller now. 

Now, I am almost sixty-nine and on my own. I have recently moved to another city in Mexico, where I didn't know anyone. It is a struggle at times to make myself get out and meet people, but I am slowly working my way into the social fabric of the city. Every day I find new places to explore, new streets to walk, and new experiences to savour in San Miguel de Allende. 

The people are very friendly, and I have been invited to join several groups, but as one of my good friends on Isla used to say, "You and I are reluctant extroverts." 

I admit it. I am a reluctant extrovert, but it doesn't stop me from trying new things or starting a new adventure.

To you 50-year-old-youngins, you ain't dead yet, just because you've ticked over another decade. Enjoy the adventure!

Cheers, Lynda & Sparky

~

Murder and Mayhem. Revenge and romance.

Isla Mujeres Mystery series

Grab your copy today!!

Chihuahuas, chickens, children and clothing

A Pink Room make-over!

I had my hair done recently in San Miguel de Allende at The Pink Room. 

The calm, serene environment made me smile. 

It was nothing like my normal hair appointments on Isla Mujeres, where a parade of relatives, kids, and dogs, or even customers interested in buying clothes, ambled through my friend Amaranta Ancona Cerveras' home. 

She lived about a block south of my casa, and hair appointments were always an adventure. Behind her house were an assortment of roosters and chickens owned by a neighbour. The roosters didn't know they were scheduled to crow only at sunrise. 

They bellowed whenever they felt the need, which would set Amaranta's two ankle-biting chihuahua-security-alarms into a frenzy of barking and yapping. 

Neighbourhood chickens

Some days her large assortment of siblings, cousins, nieces, and nephews would be in and out of her house chatting, searching for another relative, or wanting their hair cut in a particular way for the start of school the next day.

I always marveled at Amaranta's unflappable ability to, as Katie Cain once said, simultaneously manage at least four clients. She was efficient, quick, and inexpensive. Color, shampoo, cut, blow-dry, and you were on your way. 

At my request, Amaranta spoke only Spanish to me, to try and force my brain to hear the words. I usually understood what she was saying, especially when the story was accompanied by hand gestures and hilarious facial expressions. I miss my monthly entertainment.

Two chihuahuas and her son, a few years ago

Amaranta and her young family have moved to the colonial town of Izamal, near Valladolid. The move was to benefit her son, with a better education at a good private school. She works at the Tattoo Barber Shop G-P in Izamal, taking appointments for new and former clients. She returns to the island on a fairly regular basis to visit with her large and extended family and take care of long-time customers. 

However, for me, that doesn't work. I just have to get used to the peace and quiet. It's relaxing, but not nearly as entertaining.

Now, where did I put my glass of champagne?

Cheers from Mexico, Lynda 

Wandy and Olga on a warm summer's evening

Islanders probably remember Amaranta's grandparents, Wandy and Olga, sitting on their front steps and greeting passersby. Wandy recently passed away, leaving another hole in the fabric of the neighbourhood. 

~

Grab your copy today! Murder and mayhem. 

Revenge and romance on Isla Mujeres. 

Available in online books stores.

Out and about in our new 'hood, San Miquel de Allende

Calle Quebrada near my place 

I am Canadian. I was born, raised, married, and lived in Canada for fifty-seven years, until Lawrie and I moved to Mexico in 2008. 

I love my country, but I admit, I really love the European feel of Mexican towns and cities, where small businesses are conveniently located. Similar to Isla Mujeres, in our new 'hood, I can find a lot of items within a few blocks, interspersed between the houses. 

It's a bit chillier here in the mountains north of Mexico City, and I needed warmer clothing. Two blocks away, a small store had the quilted black vests, which are very popular in San Miguel, for $270.00 Mx pesos. (About $18.00 CDN). I stood on the sidewalk with Sparky at my feet while the young lady rooted around to find the size I needed. I tried it on and handed her the money. Done! 

No plastic bags as of Jan 1st.

Up the street is a veterinarian who also stocks doggie beds, bowls, harnesses, and food in his tiny space. Sparky has a second bed to snooze while I am writing, and new inexpensive water bowls on each level so that he doesn't have to walk too far for a drink. They also carry a brand of food that he can eat without bloating up with stinky gas. 

I know, TMI. Too much information.

My jazzy new red hose!

The best find so far is a tiny hardware store that is about five feet wide, and who-knows-how-deep. It disappears into the dark, dimly lit depths, beyond where I can easily see. 

The family is helpful to this Spanglish-speaking Gringa. Sparky and I step about two feet inside the doorway and wait at the counter while they find what I need. 

A few days ago, I wanted another garden hose so that I didn't have to lug the only hose from the second level to the rooftop to water the pots. Their son custom-made me a new one. 

"How long?" He asked.

I shrugged, "Ten meters, I guess."

"What colour? Red? Green?"

"Red!"

"Do you also want the male and female connections?"

"Sí, por favor."

And for about $10.00 CDN, I got my custom-made garden hose.

Fresh juice stand

The chicken store, drugstore, bakery, pharmacy, hair salon, barber, shoe store, and street vendors are all within a two-block radius of our house. On the main streets are dozens of restaurant options and cafes. 

I enjoy this small-store shopping, and I am resisting the big Costco shop that we typically did once a month when we lived on Isla Mujeres. 

I buy fresh, eat fresh, and do not stockpile supplies. How much food does one person really need?

Cheers from San Miguel de Allende

Lynda and The Sparkinator

~

Come join the adventure!

Grab your copy today - online book stores

My view of San Miguel de Allende - by Sparky

Early morning San Miquel de Allende

Hi, this is Sparky. My hooman, whom I call Servant, said it is my turn to write the blog. 

We recently moved from Isla Mujeres on the eastern coast of Mexico to San Miguel de Allende, located in the mountainous region north of Mexico City. We left the hot sunny beaches for a cooler climate. I was born with an enlarged heart, and the heat bothers me. Here I can walk for an hour and not get tired. 

Rooftop terraza at our hotel 

After a week in a funny hotel with lots of skinny spiral stairs to climb, we are now in our own little place. It has a sunny rooftop deck and an enclosed garden - they are my favourite places to hang out. My only complaint with our new place is that the windows aren't designed for doggies to look out at the street. Everything is people's height. Even the patio wall upstairs is too high for me to see over. 

Different horses, police troop

Last night, three big brown horses carrying police officers came by our house. I had to get Servant to pick me up so that I could see them. Because she was holding me in her arms Servant couldn't take a photo of the horses, so you will just have to take my word for it.

Yesterday I saw a super-fast little bird in the garden. It was a bright green colour and had a long, skinny beak that looked dangerously sharp. I'm going to stay a long way away from that guy. Servant said he was a hummingbird. Funny, I didn't hear him humming, but he did chirp at me a few times.

Reading the local pee-mail

When we walk the streets in San Miguel, Servant thinks I am on the trail of suspects, criminals, and murderers, but really I am reading the pee-mail left by other doggies. 

I like it here, but I am still getting accustomed to walking on busy sidewalks. At times, my hooman gets a bit testy with me, yelling, "Sparky, watch where you are going!" 

It's not my fault that the sidewalks are crowded with hundreds of pairs of feet. Those people should watch where they are going! I'm a busy detective dog.

My favourite Ojo de Agua, 2 blocks from home

In our neighbourhood, we have discovered four restaurants that allow well-behaved doggies to come inside. 

It's a nice treat for me to lie on a sunny patio while Servant has her morning coffee, or sometimes we stop in for a glass of wine in the evening. Well, she has a glass of wine, and I have a drink of water.

Well, that's all for this time. Woof! Woof! Sparky.

Protein bowl and a latte at the Ojo de Agua

~

Read all about me in the Isla Mujeres Mystery series, 

available in online book stores

Murder and mayhem. Revenge and romance.

Get your copy today!

Why San Miguel de Allende?

San Miguel de Allende at sunrise 

Why did you choose San Miguel de Allende? 

That one question keeps coming up on my social media posts, over and over again. After skimming the last few blog posts, I realized I hadn't fully explained my reasons. So, here's the Cole's Notes version:

#1, my fascination with history 
When Lawrie and I, plus his sister and brother-in-law, drove from BC, Canada, to Isla Mujeres in 2008, one of our stops was San Miguel. We arrived on October 31st and stayed until November 2nd. We were in the city during the Day of the Dead, Día de Los Muertos, celebrations. I was hooked, and I always wanted to return to fully explore the city.

That beautiful Caribbean Sea

#2, change is good
Lawrie and I were restless people, always looking for the next adventure. We had several discussions, while enjoying our evening glass of wine, about where we would like to live if we ever tired of looking at the Caribbean Sea. He was reluctant to leave the warm temperatures and our view of turquoise water. He insisted he never wanted to be cold again, so we stayed and enjoyed our lives on Isla Mujeres.

San Miguel de Allende in December 

#3, a temperate climate
We loved the warmth of the Caribbean area of Mexico, but neither one of us was a worshipper. We rarely ventured to the beach, preferring instead to hang out in the shade of our palapa, or refresh ourselves in our own pool. One of our cheeky friends suggested that we didn't even know how to find Playa Norte. I flapped a hand in the general direction of the north end of the island and replied, "It's over there, somewhere."

Summers on Isla Mujeres can be very hot and humid. Not as hot as some parts of Mexico or the southern USA, but occasionally uncomfortable. We rarely used our air conditioning except to sleep at night during July, August, and September. We had adjusted quite well to the climate until recently. As I get older, the heat affects me more. Showering and changing my clothes three times a day became a nuisance. 

Image from San Miguel Writers' Conference

#4, a flourishing community of writers and artists
I started writing and self-publishing books in 2014. The first was a bilingual book for children, The Adventures of Thomas the Cat - Las Aventuras de Tomás el Gato, in partnership with islander Diego Medina. Then in 2016, I self-published my first novel, Treasure Isla. I have published four more novels in the Isla Mujeres Mystery Series, and Diego and I are working on completing the second bilingual children's book. I am hopeful that my new community will help improve my writing skills.


#5, San Miguel has only a few memories associated with Lawrie and me as a couple.
I was being crushed by the powerful memories of a romantic and joyful life. He was on every street corner and in every restaurant of Isla Mujeres. He shared my morning coffee, my afternoon meal, and my evening glass of wine. 

He is still with me and always will be, but I can walk the streets of San Miguel without living in the past, our past. 

I am looking forward to this next chapter of my life.

Cheers from San Miguel de Allende
Lynda, and my furry sidekick, Sparky

~

Murder and mayhem. Revenge and romance.

Grab your copy today in online book stores

A surprise gift - Sparky's story