Expanding the Middle Falls Universe: Introducing "The Deadly Life of Diana Penn"

What happens when a time travel author from New Zealand is invited to co-write in a much-loved American speculative fiction universe?

Something magical.

I’m thrilled to finally share that I’ve joined forces with bestselling author Shawn Inmon to write a brand-new story set in his beloved Middle Falls universe. But this time, we’re leaving Oregon behind and heading across the Atlantic to the hauntingly beautiful landscapes of Northumberland, England.

Welcome to Cheviot Hills.

Shawn has long imagined expanding his universe by inviting another writer to take the concept and explore how it might unfold in another part of the world. When we first connected to chat about a completely different topic, he had just finished reading my Fifteen Postcards series—and what started as a casual conversation turned into the beginning of a new creative journey.

He kindly wrote:

“The trick was finding the right author to partner with. I had to believe in them as a writer, of course. That was priority number one... Then I met Kirsten McKenzie. I read her 15 Postcards series and really loved it... More than anything, I am so interested to see what my concept will look like in the hands of another talented writer.”

The result of our collaboration is The Deadly Life of Diana Penn—the first book in what we hope will become the Cheviot Hills series. The “rules” of the Middle Falls universe still apply: someone dies with unfinished business and is given the opportunity to go back to an earlier point in their life to try and set things right.

All the familiar elements will be there—The Universal Life Center, the Watchers, and The Machine—but seen through a new lens, with a very British twist (expect ancient ruins, fog-drenched fells, and secrets buried deep in time).

It’s been an extraordinary experience working alongside Shawn, and I’m excited to bring readers something both familiar and fresh. The Deadly Life of Diana Penn is currently in production, with a release planned for later this year—along with an audiobook edition, produced by Podium Entertainment.

Stay tuned for more details. And if you’re already a fan of Middle Falls, I hope you’ll enjoy this new story, set on the other side of the world.

Learn more about Shawn Inmon: www.shawn-inmon.com