News

A quiet January. After a gigantic Christmas party in our barn, we had a rather stressful turn of the year, as our little Berthie had to undergo emergency spinal surgery. Her chances of recovery were only fifty percent; otherwise she would have remained paralyzed. Thankfully, everything went well, and there is hope for a full recovery. For now, however, it’s strict rest—and that really applies to all of us. Dark, cool days, lots of rain, lots of reading, warm soups. It sounds wonderful to me.

What’s coming in 2026? The cozy crime novel Murder & Breakfast, published under the pseudonym Anne Gordon, in February with dtv; Almost Criminal in March with Amazon Crossing; Penny Pepper Volume 13 likely in the fall; and another middle-grade novel (ages 10+) with dtv junior sometime during the year.

Happy Wintering!

So many projects are on my plate right now, and it feels like I’m writing nonstop (why was I so lazy over the summer?). There’s Penny Pepper 13, the second volume of my Scotland series, short stories, translations, and new ideas—all of which I’d love to finish before Christmas. And on top of that, there are kilos of apples to harvest and four dogs to take on walks.The Mean Teacher is doing well, made it onto the hr2 audiobook bestseller list, and even found its way into the ARD Audiothek.

ARD Audiothek

hr2 Bestenliste

And saving the best for last—Oskar goes America! In March 2026, my book Oskar an Bord will be published in the U.S. in English. Amazon Crossing bought it last year and will be releasing it in March under the title Almost Criminal with a brand-new cover. I can’t wait!!

Today there's no book news, just pure summer vibes. For the first time in decades, I went to the Baltic Sea with my family, and it was wonderful - cold water, mixed weather, but lots of fish sandwiches and fun. There's simply nowhere else in the world with that unique Baltic Sea charm.

Barely back home, it's all about harvesting - does anyone need more tomateos or zucchinis?

And the best part at the end - we've adopted another dog from the animal rescue!

Berthie, a swett little Frenchie with only one eye, absolutely sweet and adorable. I will never understand the way some people treat such gentle litte creatures, but now she's with us, safe and sound, and will live the life of a princess  - that much I guarantee.

Sun, warmth, flowers. Vegetables and chicks that both seem to grow overnight each day. We haven't had such a beautiful spring in a long time. I'm in a between-books phase and have time for nature and animals. We even managed a short trip the Pacific Ocean.

What's new on the book front? This summer there will be the new children's book plus audiobook. The Penny Pepper Series has been sold to China, I'm working on volume 2  of my cosy crime series and  will also have a short story in the dtv anthology with the beautiful title "Alles wird gut" (Everything will be fine). Let's hope so!

Husky Ramsey is now part of the family for good and is getting cuter and more lovable every day. Our chickens lay colorful eggs and occasionally it even stops raining. Hopefully temperatures will rise soon too, but first there's the Leipzig Book Fair, a new wonderful project in the US, an audio book contract for my new children's book and the finished manuscript for my new cozy crime series. Yay!

Let me know if you want to meet up at the Leipzig Book Fair!!

The new year starts with a new book. Although technically speaking it's the new edition of Alma & Jasmin. Digital Publishing has revamped it with a fresh new cover, a quirky new title and a few updates and so "Verliebt, Verplant, Vertauscht" is arriving on January 25th. Hopefully it will find plenty of enthusiastic readers.

In 2025 I look forward to my new children's book, the Leipzig Book Fair, plenty of excitement on the agility course with Amy and Ramsey, lots of flowers and vegetables and the green (!) eggs from our new chickens and hopefully some dry weather soon.

Happy New  Year!

2024 began with tears when my dear Roonie died in January. Since then, not a day has gone by when I haven't thought of her. But then we discovered Amy in a dog rescue in our area and adopted her in the summer. Amy is simply the kindest and sweetest dog in the world and she healed my heart. When Ramsey, her best friend from the rescue and a husky,  was also available for adoption, we didn't think twice. Now we have three dogs, it's chaotic and wonderful and I would do it again and again, even though Roonie will always have a special place in my heart.

Otherwise - Christmas is approaching and we are decorating the house and the barn for another atmospheric Christmas party.

In 2025, a new children's book and a new adult book from me are being published. I'm looking forward to both!

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Ulrike