Sinclair Lewis and the Gentlemen Cowboys is the first published book by D.M.S. Fick, who grew up in southwest Minnesota.
Fick, who has lived in Boston, London and the Twin Cities, worked in graphic design for PBS and created the cartoon The Oracle of Nuttown for the Minnesota State Arts Board.
Inspired in part by tales from the popular WE Fest in Detroit Lakes, Fick wanted to create a mystery around the country music scene with her book.
Sinclair Lewis ("Lew") & the Gentlemen Cowboys are an up-and-coming country band scheduled to play at “Falls Fest,” a premier country music festival in Minnesota. But Lew, the frontman, has just been dumped by his girlfriend and the band’s manager is mishandling their affairs. When a murder is committed, Lew and the Gentlemen Cowboys are among the suspects.
The murder mystery aspects of the story are satisfying, and the festival in the backdrop adds an extra layer of flavor. But the characters really shine. Fick’s characters were inspired by music videos, various musicians at performances, and fans she observed at WE Fest.
“I like hanging out with the characters,” said Fick about mysteries. “I like solving puzzles, but I like visiting where it takes place and I like the characters.”
“He layered insult and spite over and over onto itself like a malicious baklava."from "Sinclair Lewis and the Gentlemen Cowboys"
Fick clearly had fun writing this book and playing with language. One phrase “malicious baklava” is introduced in regards to the band’s hateful manager, Archie. Fick explained that phrases with “cowboy tinge” from western TV shows, author Nick Hornby, and musician Elvis Costello were all influences for her writing style.
Aside from a murder mystery, Sinclair Lewis and the Gentlemen Cowboys also highlights themes of family. “There’s the family you make and the family you’re born into. It can be nurturing. It can be bad. But we should all strive to have good family,” said Fick.
Find out more about D.M.S. Fick and her new book at her website.
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