Have you ever wondered how authors choose the settings for their stories? Is it a dart thrown at a map? A name plucked from a hat? Or maybe a place that whispers secrets, a place that’s woven into the very fabric of their imagination?
For me, the setting of a story is paramount. I’m very driven by place and often work a story and characters around a place that I can’t get out of my mind. When it came time to choose the setting for Frozen Lives, the fourth book in The Coroner’s Daughter series, I found myself drawn back to my roots of northern Michigan where my love of mysteries first took hold.
All of the books center around my real life hometown of Fremont, Michigan. Aka: Freeport in the series. My hometown is nestled in the northwest corner of “the mitten,” as we Michiganders affectionately call our state, it’s a place of snowy winters, close-knit communities, and a pace of life that feels both comforting and, at times, a little confining. It’s where I spent my childhood, a childhood that was, shall we say, a bit unconventional thanks to my dad’s rather unique profession.
My father, like that of my character Dr. Emily Hartford, was a medical examiner. During those decades where he served three north Michigan counties, his office wasn’t in some sterile city building or bustling hospital. No, it was in our home. Our dining room table often doubled as a workspace, piled high with case files, tissue samples, and autopsy reports. While other kids were hearing about their parents’ office meetings and business trips, I was getting a firsthand look at the intricacies of death investigations.
My dad covered three northern counties, and because those rural areas couldn’t afford dedicated medical examiner facilities, he built his own—right under our roof. Can you imagine? It was definitely a unique way to grow up, but it gave me an intimate understanding of forensic science, of the challenges of working in rural areas, and of the way small towns react to crime and loss. It’s no wonder those experiences became the foundation for Frozen Lives and the entire Coroner’s Daughter series.
Bringing Freeport to Life: From Memory to Page
Freeport, Michigan, the fictional town where Emily Hartford investigates those chilling crimes, is very much inspired by my own Fremont. From the snow-covered landscapes to the interconnected lives of its residents, Freeport captures the essence of small-town life. But the setting does more than just provide a realistic backdrop; it plays a vital role in shaping the story itself.
- Limited Resources, Unlimited Determination: One of the things I really wanted to explore in Frozen Lives is how death investigations differ in rural areas compared to big cities. In small towns like Freeport, resources can be stretched thin. Smaller budgets mean fewer staff, less access to fancy equipment, and challenges in getting specialized training. This can sometimes slow down investigations or force coroners like Emily to get creative and rely on their own ingenuity.
But here’s the thing: limited resources don’t mean a lack of dedication. In fact, I’ve often found that investigators in rural areas go above and beyond to deliver justice, even when the odds are stacked against them. In Frozen Lives, Emily’s resourcefulness and determination are a reflection of the dedication I witnessed firsthand growing up, watching my dad navigate the challenges of rural forensic work.
- Small Town, Big Emotions: Unlike the anonymity of a big city, small-town life means everyone knows everyone else’s business. When a crime occurs, it ripples through the entire community, leaving no one untouched. People take sides, rumors fly, and everyone feels personally affected, even if they didn’t know the victim. This creates a unique kind of tension, a pressure cooker atmosphere that adds another layer to the mystery.
In Frozen Lives, the disappearance of a young boy rocks the town of Freeport to its core. As Emily investigates, secrets bubble to the surface, relationships are tested, and everyone’s motives become suspect. The close-knit nature of the town means that no one is above suspicion, and every character has a personal stake in the outcome. This interconnectedness amplifies the emotional stakes and keeps readers rooting for justice for their beloved characters until the very end.
- The Morgue: A Place of Stark Realities: The morgue in Frozen Lives is another element drawn from my own experiences. My dad performed postmortem exams in the small morgue of the city hospital, a far cry from the gleaming, high-tech labs you often see on TV. These rural morgues were functional but modest, a reflection of the realities of small-town forensic work.
When I created Emily’s workspace, I wanted to capture that authenticity. Her morgue is simple and practical and her office is also at the family home. She can’t ever truly “get away” from her work or the people she’s serving. Just like my dad, her ability to adapt and overcome challenges is a big part of what makes her such a compelling character.
Shaping Emily: How Setting Influences Character
The setting of Frozen Lives isn’t just a backdrop for Emily’s investigation; it’s a force that shapes her journey, her choices, and her relationships. Small-town life influences everything from how she interacts with suspects to how she processes the emotional toll of her work.
- Community Dynamics: In a town like Freeport, everyone has an opinion, and gossip travels faster than a wildfire. This creates both opportunities and obstacles for Emily. On the one hand, the tight-knit community can provide valuable insights and connections. On the other hand, the pressure to solve the case quickly, with everyone watching her every move, can be intense. People make assumptions that aren’t also accurate, creating emotional obstacles to the truth.
- Personal Stakes: For Emily, returning to her hometown isn’t just about solving crimes; it’s about confronting her own past. The setting of Freeport forces her to deal with old wounds, strained relationships, and unresolved questions about her family. These personal stakes add layers of complexity to her character and make her journey all the more relatable.
From Fremont to Freeport: The Art of Fictionalizing the Familiar
While Freeport is deeply inspired by my own hometown, it’s not an exact replica. It’s a springboard where fiction allows me the freedom to enhance certain elements, condense timelines, add locations and places that don’t exist in the real Fremont, and create a world that serves my storytelling. For example, the winters in Freeport are a bit more dramatic than those in Fremont, adding a sense of isolation and urgency to Emily’s investigations.
But even with those creative liberties, I always strive to stay true to the spirit of small-town life. The camaraderie, the conflicts, the quirks of Freeport—they all reflect the essence of Fremont and the people who shaped my childhood.
Why Setting Matters: More Than Just a Pretty Picture
A compelling setting does more than just provide a backdrop; it influences every aspect of the story. In Frozen Lives, the rural setting is absolutely integral to the narrative. It adds tension, shapes the investigation, and creates a unique atmosphere that draws readers in.
- Enhancing the Mystery: The snow-covered landscapes of Freeport create a sense of isolation, making it harder to uncover clues and easier for secrets to stay buried. The setting becomes a metaphor for the characters’ struggles, as they navigate both literal and emotional coldness.
- Grounding the Story in Reality: By drawing on my own experiences in Fremont, I’m able to create a setting that feels authentic and lived-in. Readers can sense the history, the relationships, and the rhythms of life in Freeport, making the story more immersive and relatable.
A Love Letter to Small Towns: Where Mysteries Come Alive
Choosing the setting for The Coroner’s Daughter series and Frozen Lives was a deeply personal journey for me. Fremont shaped who I am, and its influence is woven into every page of the series. Through Freeport, I get to celebrate the beauty and complexity of small-town life while exploring the darker corners of human nature.
I hope readers feel that same connection to Freeport that I feel to Fremont. It’s a place where secrets simmer beneath the surface, relationships are tested, and justice is pursued against all odds. Most importantly, it’s a place where Dr. Emily Hartford can bloom into her purpose as a medical investigator, fighting for justice in her community. More so, the place where she finds true belonging. Because home is where the bodies are!
Let's Talk Setting!
What are some of your favorite small-town mystery settings? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or connect with me on social media—I’d love to hear from you! And if you’re ready to step into the chilling world of Frozen Lives, grab your copy today and join Emily Hartford on her most gripping investigation yet.
