Martha Grimes
Mysteries in “The Park”
Noted author, Martha Grimes finds Mountain Lake Park a perfect setting for a mystery series.
Grimes took up residency in “The Park” on F Street in a cozy cottage hidden amidst the hemlocks and rhododendron. From her quiet retreat, stories incorporating local personalities lent realism to her series of
books that introduced devoted readers to a fresh cast of characters.
In 1992, with the publication of The End of the Pier, Martha departed from her beloved cast of characters in the Richard Jury series to write a contemporary novel based in Western Maryland that combined a serial killer murder mystery with a poignant story of the problems in a mother and son relationship. The book established her as a writer of merit outside of mystery fiction.
The second book in the series, Hotel Paradise, was published four years later and was praised by the critics establishing her as a valued American novelist.
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Grimes spent summers with her Mother who owned the Mountain Lake Hotel. A popular fixture among the locals placed Grimes in the center of all things. A perfect fit for this budding author.