Lois Schmitt has been a mystery fan since she read her first Nancy Drew as a child. She combines her love of mysteries with her love of animals in her in her series featuring wildlife reporter Kristy Farrell. She is a member of several wildlife and humane organizations as well as Mystery Writers of America and the Long Island Authors Group.

Lois received second runner up for the Killer Nashville Claymore Award for her second book, Something Fishy. Her books, which are cozy mysteries, all take place on Long Island. Although this is a series, each book can be read as a stand-alone.

Lois received her undergraduate and masters degree at Hofstra University. She is a member of the adjunct faculty at Nassau Community College where she teaches personal finance. She previously worked as education coordinator and media spokesperson for the Nassau County Office of Consumer Affairs.

Lois grew up in Brooklyn and attended Grover Cleveland High School. She now lives in Massapequa (for several decades) with her family which includes her 120 pound Bernese Mountain dog. This dog bears a striking resemblance to Archie, a large dog of many breeds, featured in her Kristy Farrell Mystery Series.

You can find out more about Lois and her books on her website, loisschmitt.com.

If you like both animals and solving puzzles, the Kristy Farrell Animal Lovers Mystery Series is for you!

When animals start mysteriously disappearing from the Pendwell Wildlife Refuge, wildlife reporter Kristy Farrell is on the case. Days later a body is found in a grassy clearing. As Kristy delves into the case, she finds herself up against the powerful Pendwell family, especially matriarch Victoria Buckley Pendwell, chair of the refuge's board of trustees, and Victoria's son Austin Pendwell, who is slated to run for the state senate.

Meanwhile strange things are happening back at the refuge. Soon another murder occurs. Kristy unearths shady deals and dark secrets as she draws the killer out of the shadows. Published 2021.

I read this in one afternoon because it was far too good to put down as one mystery twisted into many different branches—Lynchburg Reads

Playing Possum (I really get a smile out of her titles) is focused on the animal world, a big plus for me, and is built on an equally intriguing puzzle.—Buried Under Books

Lois Schmitt is a new author to me and after reading book #3 of her Kristy Farrell Mystery Series, I'm hooked. The author has a knack for writing short chapters that capture your interest and have you turning the page to see what happens next.—Waterside Kennel Mysteries.

When attorney Sam Wong goes missing, wildlife magazine reporter Kristy Farrell believes the disappearance is tied to her latest story concerning twenty acres of prime beachfront property that the Clam Shell Cove aquarium hopes to purchase. Sam works for billionaire developer Lucien Moray who wants to buy the property for an upscale condominium development. The community is divided on this issue like the Hatfields and McCoys.

Meanwhile, a body is found in an inlet, Kristy has a near death encounter with a nine foot bull shark, and another dead body is discovered. Kristy races the clock to find the "aquarium killer" before this killer strikes again. Published 2019.

Her protagonist excels at following every line of logic to its conclusion. The wildlife motif works well, providing a distinctive background to the mystery.—Kirkus Reviews

From the first couple of pages, this book pulled me in and kept me turning the pages to see what was going to happen next.—Margaret Yelton (Book Blogger)

With its lions, crocodiles, and snakes, a zoo is a dangerous place—a perfect place for murder. When the director of a local zoo is murdered by snake venom, Kristy Farrell, former English teacher turned wildlife reporter, takes a personal interest in the case. Her brother Tim, the zoo's curator of reptiles, is the leading suspect.

As she delves into each suspect's life, she uncovers weak alibis and powerful motives including greed, blackmail, infidelity, and revenge. Meanwhile the zoo is plagued by accidents, a second murder occurs, and Kristy's life is threatened. Soon Kristy discovers a killer with an agenda no one saw coming. Published 2017.