Where does the Stories of Jim Toner Take Place?
My novel Under the Blood takes place in Niagara Falls, New York where I was born and raised. The places mentioned in the novel are familiar to me. Many people I knew had to leave the Love Canal area of the city when the United States Government declared the area unsafe to live due to chemicals buried there earlier by Hooker Chemical Corporation. Cayuga Island is where I have taken many bicycle rides. The Falls itself is an area where I have taken many bicycle rides and taken relatives from Germany.
The Purity Ring Murders take place in Toronto. I have been there numerous times. Relatives lived there. I used to take train rides to Toronto and walk around various places within the city limits such as the Eaton Centre and the North York Centre. I have visited Centre Island which is accessible by ferry boat from the city. I have taken several subway rides in Toronto. Gil and Jan use the subway as a means of transportation.
Summer Danger is based on a trip I took to Royan, France. Some of the characters are based on people I encountered there. A few of the scenes in the story contain said characters. Royan is on the Atlantic coast of France and contains several beaches. I thought a beach town would be the perfect setting for a young adult mystery. Because of its location, Royan was different from other regions I visited in France. In fact, had it not been for signs in French and people speaking French, I would have thought I was in Greece. Many buildings were white and contained orange suits.
Intercepted takes place in Warren, Pennsylvania where my first memory took place. Since I have relatives there, I have visited the small city many times. My cousin’s husband was a police officer there and told me about a case involving a theft ring. I used scenes from the city including Kinzua Beach which is outside of Warren. My readers have commented on their ability to recognize the places in the novel.