About EW Finke

Inspired by famed southwestern US mystery author, Tony Hillerman

I’m Eric Finke, known by my pen name, EW Finke. I’ve always had a passion for mystery novels. It would be no exaggeration to say that I eagerly read every one of Tony Hillerman’s mysteries while they were still warm. I can’t explain what it was about them. I can only say that where I might be distracted away only a few pages into any other novel, I would regularly finish a Hillerman in a single evening, trying to solve it before Joe Leaphorn, Jim Chee, or Bernadette Manuelito did. So it was that Tony Hillerman was the inspiration for writing my own mystery series, and “The Sweet Bounty” is the first result of that inspiration.

For nearly 35 years, I dedicated my career to the US Environmental Protection Agency, investigating environmental crimes, cleaning up environmental waste, and working to prevent further harm. Later on, I transitioned into a role as a mediator and facilitator, specializing in resolving environmental disputes. My work in the field allowed me to accumulate a wealth of knowledge and experiences, which I’ve now turned to crafting compelling environmental crime fiction.

My stories are set against the backdrop of the captivating Canadian island of Newfoundland, a place that took my heart during my first visit many years ago. Since then, I’ve returned to Newfoundland several times, drawing inspiration from its unique beauty and mysteries. Currently, I’m hard at work on my second novel, “The Coyote’s Wail.” You can find excerpts from both of my novels right here on this website.

I’m proud to call the picturesque Pacific Northwest town of Bellingham, Washington, my home. It’s a place that provides the perfect blend of natural beauty and tranquility, making it an ideal setting for my writing.

Thank you for joining me on this journey, and I look forward to sharing more mysteries and environmental crime stories with you in the future.