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Dean Klinkenberg

Goodreads Author

Born

Kansas City, Kansas, The United States

Website

http://deanklinkenberg.com/

Genre

Mystery, Travel, Historical Fiction

Member Since

October 2008

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/deank

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Dean Klinkenberg explores themes of place, identity, ambiguity, and the quiet tensions that linger beneath everyday lives through historical fiction, essays, guidebooks, and noir-inspired fiction. Much of his work has been inspired by life along the Mississippi River. He lives in St. Louis with his husband.

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What mystery in your own life could be a plot for a book?

Dean Klinkenberg My great-grandfather came to the US around 1900 as a teenager. His life has always fascinated me, in part because he was the immigrant ancestor and in…moreMy great-grandfather came to the US around 1900 as a teenager. His life has always fascinated me, in part because he was the immigrant ancestor and in part because I look a lot like him. I've never been able to pin down exactly when he arrived or what the circumstances of his departure from what is now Belarus might have been. I've located 2 of his brothers on ship passenger lists and other public records, but my great-grandfather shows up in few public records before his marriage some 10 years after he arrived in the US, and he doesn't seem to have a paper trail with the INS. All this really intrigues me. I've always assumed that there's a good story buried in there somewhere (was he running from something?), if only I could find a few more clues.(less)

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Was disappointed not to win your book Mr Klinkenberg. I live in the Quad Cites and have read some other Looney books. I enjoy historical books about our region. I understand that your next book is up river from us in Galena - a great weekend location - close to me. Can you tell me who is selling your book locally? Thank you. Thak you

Dean Klinkenberg Hi, Sandi! Thanks for the question, and sorry you didn't win one of the giveaways. The Quad Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau store in Moline has …moreHi, Sandi! Thanks for the question, and sorry you didn't win one of the giveaways. The Quad Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau store in Moline has copies. Other than that, I'm not sure, although any bookstore should be able to order copies without trouble. I also sell directly through my website (http://mississippivalleytraveler.com/...) and through the usual on-line outlets.

You are right about the next book. Most of it will be set in Galena and Dubuque. I hope to have a rough draft finished by early March, but I expect it will be the end of the year before it'll be available. Thanks for your interest, and here's to river towns!(less)

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Dean Klinkenberg’s books

Average rating: 4.0 · 118 ratings · 47 reviews · 23 distinct works • Similar authors

	Rock Island Lines (Frank Dodge Mystery, #1) 3.97 avg rating — 33 ratings — published 2014 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Keeping Secrets in St. Louis 3.68 avg rating — 25 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Double-Dealing in Dubuque (Frank Dodge Mystery, #2) 4.32 avg rating — 19 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Wild Mississippi: A State-by-State Guide to the River’s Natural Wonders 4.44 avg rating — 9 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Mississippi River Mayhem: Disasters, Tragedy, and Murder on Ol' Man River 3.25 avg rating — 8 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Road Tripping Along the Great River Road: Volume 1: 17 Weekend Escapes Along the Upper Mississippi River 3.60 avg rating — 5 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Rock Island Lines: A Frank Dodge Mystery (Frank Dodge Mysteries Book 1) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 4 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Quad Cities Travel Guide it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 3 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Mississippi Valley Traveler Guide to the Driftless Area: Along the Mississippi River From Hastings, Minnesota to Lansing, Iowa it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 2 ratings — published 2010	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Letting Go in La Crosse (Frank Dodge Mystery, #3) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 2 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Series by Dean Klinkenberg

Frank Dodge Mystery Series (5 books)
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Dean Klinkenberg (Goodreads Author)

3.99 avg rating — 81 ratings

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Dean rated a book really liked it Freeform by Jack Dickson	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
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Dean rated a book it was amazing Raña (Pomme) by Caleb True (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
True’s sharp, evocative writing drew me deep into the life (and head) of a restless, beaten down man who never stops fighting. An engrossing story, cinematic in style, that kept me turning pages from start to finish. Loved it!
Jul 11, 2026 12:20PM · like · see review
Dean rated a book really liked it What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding by Kristin Newman (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
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