So, Like, Where’s Cooper’s Mill?

Book 6 - a splash of scarlet

The sixth book in the Frank Harper series isn’t out yet but involves the return of a fan favorite and some folks digging in the dirt. There is also an ongoing investigation that Frank can’t seem to solve. PREORDER IT SOON. Many of the locations from the books are based on real-world locations in Tipp City. But remember, there’s a difference between fact and fiction! Here’s the Google Map link.

• Portions of this story take place in Tipp City’s beautiful downtown shopping district, of course, and at the Tipp City Library. There really is a “secret” parking lot behind the library, and yes, there’s a great conference room downstairs anyone can reserve.

• The Miami County Municipal Courthouse is an impressive building located at 215 W Main St. in downtown Troy, Ohio. Courthouse Plaza features a set of beautiful fountains out front, and there’s a great view from the fictional offices of Kevin Whitlowe on the second floor of the Safety Building next door. While you’re there, check out the new Ramen place next door, Speakeasy Miso, or the Mayflower, an indoor performance venue that used to be a movie theater.

• The impressive fountains in the same location that Winslow are obsessed with? They’re real and their spectacular (sorry Elaine) and there’s an interesting story behind them: a plaque on them reads: “These stones were originally part of the exterior wall of the county jail constructed in 1854 and located on this site. Set without the use of mortar, the offsets and notches provided an interlocking wall system. Each stone retains much of its original form.” Nifty, huh? And yes they did a “refresh” of this courtyard and fountain a few years back - I hope Winslow likes how it turned out.

• I don’t have an exact location in mind for the series of farms that make up the Church of Xavier’s refuge against the coming of the Tide, but I’d guess it’s somewhere close to the quarry at Milton Materials, located near 7131 Fenner Road in Ludlow Falls.

• I also don’t have an exact location in mind for the cemetery, but there are lots of them around that inspired the one in the book. There are, in fact, many small cemeteries dotted around the entire Midwest, and Ohio has its share of them. You might not even notice them as you drive around, but they’re there. And be careful—one of the headstones might be booby trapped.

• If you’re looking for “Tips and Tails,” the Walker’s dog grooming place over on Salem Avenue, you won’t find it, but if you’re in the area, check out George’s for a great meal. And alas the Salem Mall was torn down years ago—in my reality, it still exists.