Lorrie Holmgren

Lorrie Holmgren is the author of Murder on Madeline Island: An Emily Swift Travel Mystery.  Like her fictional heroine, Lorrie loves to travel and learn about the history, art and culture of other places.

She grew up in Wilmette, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, an ardent Cubs fan.  Her lifelong love of travel began when she was eight years old and lived in Milan, Italy with her Mom, Dad, and brother.  It was an unforgettable year—skating in St. Moritz, visits to Sforza Castle, gondola rides, Easter in Florence, trips to art museums.

 She received a BA in English from Wells College in Aurora, New York, where she began to write short stories in a class taught by Mildred Walker, author of Winter Wheat. 

 After graduation, she and a friend, traveled through Europe, living on $5 a day.  Even on that frugal budget, money eventually ran out and she came back to the U.S. and enrolled in the theatre department of the University of Minnesota, specializing in directing for television.  At the same time she worked at the public television station.

 After receiving her MA, Lorrie was hired as broadcast television coordinator at Dayton’s Department store where she wrote ad copy and helped produce TV and radio ads.  There she met Jon Holmgren, whom she soon married.

 Lorrie also worked as a public relations assistant at Walker Art Center, and taught English at a technical college.

For many years, she was director of communications for Minnesota Medical Association, where she was in charge of public relations, web site content and, publications.  It was a fascinating job that allowed her to use her writing skills to support smoking prevention, use of seatbelts and other good causes.

 Serious efforts at writing a novel took off after she took the Split Rock Writers’ Workshop taught by Will Weaver, author of Gravestone Made of Wheat, and joined a writer’s group that continues to give her excellent advice.

Lorrie lives in Minneapolis with her husband, close to her daughter and son, their spouses, and an adorable grandson.   In addition to travel, she enjoys Salsa and Bachata dancing, aqua aerobics, Zumba, gardening, and playing checkers with her grandson.