Home > Columns > Partners in Crime by Janet Elizabeth Lynn & Will Zeilinger > Ending a Novel Series: Calling it Quits by Janet Elizabeth Lynn

My husband, Will Zeilinger and I co-write the Skylar Drake Mysteries, a hard-boiled detective series that takes the reader to 1950s Los Angeles and other areas of the west. Our new book, GAME TOWN, is set in Hollywood and exposes a scandal that rocks the toy industry in Los Angeles. GAME TOWN is the fifth and final book of the series.

          Ending the
Skylar Drake Mystery series was a heartbreaking decision for us. After all, the
series has been in our lives for five years. It was difficult to end the relationship
not only with Sky but his partner Casey Dolan, FBI Special Agent Olivia Jahns,
and their secretary Lory Carrington. However, the time was right to let them
find their own way.

          So, the
question we had to face was do we do a sequel or spin-off?

          Doing a sequel would bring back the characters and more glimpses of 1950s Hollywood.  Spin offs, re-orienting the characters we fell in love with and the villains who pushed the twists and turns of each book are still possible. I think it’s important that as writers and creators we assure our readers that everything turned out okay for the characters and they moved on.

book cover of Game Town shows silhouette of man with gun and a woman in a long gown with palm trees in the backrougnd

          For now, we
have no plans for a sequel or spin off.

          Some series can standalone. Others may be ruined by a sequel because the readers wanted to remember the characters the way they were.

          Whatever the future holds for those in the Skylar Drake Mystery series it’s been fun creating great characters, clever plots, fun subplots and making up the twists and turns, and devious red herrings too.

          What’s in
the future for us? We’ll be writing more books, short stories, and more separately
and together.

          For now, we
are a little depressed. We understand that this is par for the course when
ending a series. And the best cure for the depression, they tell me is to move
on and keep writing. So, stay tuned…there is more to come.

GAME TOWN is the fifth in the series and yes . . . we are still married!

Website:  Janet Elizabeth Lynn    

Website:  Will Zeilinger        


The Skylar Drake Mystery Series

SLIVERS OF GLASS

Buy now!
SLIVERS OF GLASS

STRANGE MARKINGS

Buy now!
STRANGE MARKINGS

DESERT ICE

Buy now!
DESERT ICE

SLICK DEAL

Buy now!
SLICK DEAL

GAME TOWN

Buy now!
GAME TOWN

Author Details
Author Details
Will Zeilinger and Janet Lynn had been writing individually until they got together and wrote the Skylar Drake Mystery Series. These hard-boiled tales are based in old Hollywood of 1955. Janet has published seven mystery novels, and Will has three plus a couple of short stories. Their world travels have sparked several ideas for murder and crime stories. This creative couple is married and lives in Southern California.
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  • BOOK RESEARCH—PEOPLE WATCHING by Will Zeilinger

    Researching for a book takes many forms. When it comes to finding unique characters, I love to people-watch. That activity allows me to discover interesting physical characteristics and mannerisms I can use to flesh out some of the people (and animals) who make up the cast of characters.

  • Elizabeth Taylor and Eddie Fisher: Scandal

    It’s hard to forget the 1950s scandal with Eddie Fisher and Elizabeth Taylor, leaving a furious Hedda Hopper, and heartbroken Debbie Reynolds.

  • The Birth of the Christmas Card

    John Callcott Horsley designed the world’s first commercially produced Christmas card for Sir Henry Cole in 1843.
    Cole was part of the elite social circle in Victorian England. During the holiday season of 1843, having too many friends caused Cole much anxiety.

  • Vintage 1960s Books: A WRINKLE IN TIME by Madeleine L’Engle   

    A WRINKLE IN TIME by Madeleine L’Engle published in 1962 by Ariel Books. Genre: Fiction, Science Fantasy

DESERT ICE

Buy now!
DESERT ICE

SLIVERS OF GLASS

Buy now!
SLIVERS OF GLASS

STRANGE MARKINGS

Buy now!
STRANGE MARKINGS

SLICK DEAL

Buy now!
SLICK DEAL

GAME TOWN

Buy now!
GAME TOWN
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Will Zeilinger and Janet Lynn had been writing individually until they got together and wrote the Skylar Drake Mystery Series. These hard-boiled tales are based in old Hollywood of 1955. Janet has published seven mystery novels, and Will has three plus a couple of short stories. Their world travels have sparked several ideas for murder and crime stories. This creative couple is married and lives in Southern California.

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