A mystery fan since she read her first Nancy Drew, Lois Schmitt combined a love of mysteries with a love of animals in her series featuring wildlife reporter Kristy Farrell.  She is a member of several wildlife conservation and humane organizations, as well Mystery Writers of America. Lois received 2nd runner up for the Killer Nashville Claymore Award for her second book in the Kristy Farrell series, entitled  Something Fishy. Lois worked for many years as a freelance writer and is the author of Smart Spending a consumer education book for young adults.  She previously served as media spokeperson for a local consumer affairs agency and curently teaches at Nassau Community College on Long Island. Lois lives in Massapequa, New York with her family, which includes a 120 pound Bernese Mountain Dog.  This dog bears a striking resemblence to Archie, a dog of many breeds, featured in her Kristy Farrell Mystery Series.