Mystery Novelist · New England
Mark Okrant
Mark Okrant is the author of fifteen books — but for a quarter-century he worked a different beat, coordinating tourism research and consulting for the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development.
That insider's knowledge of New England's resorts, grand hotels, and out-of-the-way inns is what gives the Kary Turnell mystery series and his other whodunits their unmistakable realism — real places, authentic detail, and a twist you never see coming.
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Latest Release by Mark Okrant
A Killer Serve
Old guys don’t always play nice. Lawrence Peters arrives at the historic Beachmere Inn in Ogunquit, Maine, with two simple goals: win the first ever regional ping pong tournament and save his crumbling marriage. But, when a fellow competitor is found brutally murdered at the start of the event, Peters’ plans—and his future—are thrown into chaos. As suspicion spreads and secrets surface, Peters must navigate old rivalries, his rocky marriage, and a relentless investigation.
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Stories Rooted in Real Places
Resourceful lead characters within authentic, desirable geographic settings.
1890s Historical Fiction
The Justice Seeker
Set against the backdrop of late-19th-century Flagstaff, Arizona, a Western coming-of-age tale unfolds—blending Hopi mysticism, Jewish ritual, and a formidable supernatural force—exploring a time when settlers encroached upon Hopi lands and resolved conflicts through violence.
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Kary Turnell Mystery
Whacked
When a guest at a prep school reunion is found dead on the resort’s golf course, Kary joins the investigation, while the body count multiplies.
Buy on AmazonThe Complete Bibliography
Other Books
Mark's full catalogue — fiction, nonfiction, and selected scholarly work. Titles available as ebooks link straight to Amazon Kindle.
Fiction — Murder Mysteries
- Murder Times Three. Concord, NH: Plaidswede Publishing (2021).
- One-Track Mind. Concord, NH: Plaidswede Publishing (2019). Kindle
- A Thief in the House. Concord, NH: Plaidswede Publishing (2019). Kindle
- Two If By Sea. Concord, NH: Plaidswede Publishing (2018).
- Death by Lobster. Concord, NH: Plaidswede Publishing (2017).
- Murder at the Grands. Concord, NH: Plaidswede Publishing (2014).
- Murder With a View. Bethlehem, NH: Wayfarer Press (2011).
- An Icy Reception. Center Ossipee, NH: Beech River Books (2010). Kindle
- I Knew You When. Manchester, NH: Oak Manor Publishing (2008).
- A Last Resort. Manchester, NH: Oak Manor Publishing (2005); Beech River Books (2010); Plaidswede Publishing (2014). Kindle
- Judson’s Island. Bethlehem, NH: Wayfarer Press (1995); 2nd ed. (2002); 3rd ed., Oak Manor Publishing (2006). A tourism-planning text assigned in university courses across the United States and Canada.
Non-fiction
- No Vacancy: The Rise, Demise, and Reprise of America’s Motels. Concord, NH: Plaidswede Publishing (2013). Kindle
- Sleeping Alongside the Road: Recollections of the American Motel. Manchester, NH: Oak Manor Publishing (2006).
Selected Journals, Proceedings & Monographs
A selection from more than 100 scholarly publications.
- “Ecotourism,” in Encyclopedia of New England, ed. Burt Feintuch and David H. Watters. New Haven: Yale University Press (2005).
- “Host Communities,” in Encyclopedia of Leisure and Outdoor Recreation, ed. John Jenkins and John Pigram. London: Routledge (2003).
- “Demography,” in Encyclopedia of Tourism, ed. Jafar Jafari. London: Routledge (2001).
- “The Novel as an Instructional Tool in Tourism Planning Courses,” in The ATTT Tourism Education Handbook, ed. Eric Laws. London: The Tourism Society (1997).
- “Tourism Education as an Investment in the Future: A New Hampshire Case Study,” Journal of Teaching in Travel & Tourism, vol. 8, no. 1 (2008).
- “Toward a Model of Balanced Tourism Development on Baffin Island” (with D. Larsen), Proceedings of the Travel and Tourism Research Association (2007).
- “Inuit Co-operatives: The Formative Years, 1959–1971,” Studia Universitatis Babeş-Bolyai, Geographia (2004).
- “Importance-Performance Analysis: Some Recommendations from an Economic Planning Perspective” (with Timothy J. Tyrrell), Tourism Analysis (2004).
- “Quinhagak, Alaska: Can This Village Be Saved From Tourism’s Dark Side?” Proceedings of the European Conference of the Travel and Tourism Research Association, Kiruna, Sweden (2001).
- “Rodeo” (with P. Starrs), in The Theatre of Sport, ed. Karl Raitz. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press (1995).
Reviews
What Readers Are Saying
Mark Okrant does an outstanding job of creating a mystery that takes place at an actual resort . . . his books blend quality writing, believable characters, proficient plot building . . . not to mention the scenery.
The Justice Seeker is filled with heart, humor, a multitude of twists, and characters that you will remember long after you finish reading. Mark Okrant has written a book that should be read by any reader with a taste for quality.
I enjoyed every word. The story is intriguing and keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next. And, for once, I didn’t guess the ending! A good mystery — well done.
News and Events
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Mark frequently appears at bookstores, educational facilities, area organizations, and libraries to discuss his writing and work in tourism. Visit his event page to browse upcoming events or connect with him to schedule a new event.
Journal
Notes from Mark
The author shares what's on his mind, including interesting places to visit, mysterious/quirky things you'll find there, and his current projects and events.
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