Aaron Stander

Aaron Stander is an American author, best known for his mystery/thriller novels. He is the author of the Ray Elkins series, which includes "Summer People" and ten other books set in northwest lower Michigan. Before becoming a published author, Stander worked as an English teacher and training writing teachers in the Detroit area.

Stander's writing career took off in 2000, with the publication of "Summer People," the first book in the Ray Elkins series. This was also the year that Stander and his wife left their teaching jobs in the Detroit area to move to a cottage in Traverse City, Michigan. In addition to writing fiction, Stander has written many articles, stories, poems, and reviews. He is also the host of a radio show on Interlochen Public Radio called Michigan Writers on the Air.

When he's not writing, Stander enjoys kayaking. He can often be found paddling along the shores of Lakes Michigan and Superior, taking in the natural beauty of his surroundings. Stander has a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, which has undoubtedly helped to inform his writing and teaching. His deep understanding of the craft of writing and his ability to teach it to others are evident in his work and his radio show.
Ray Elkins Mystery Books
# Title Year
1 Summer People 2000
2 Color Tour 2006
3 Deer Season 2009
4 Shelf Ice 2010
5 Medieval Murders 2011
6 Cruelest Month 2012
7 Death in a Summer Colony 2013
8 Murder in the Merlot 2016
9 Gales of November 2017
10 The Center Cannot Hold 2018
11 Destination Wedding 2020
Ray Elkins Mystery Series in Chronological Order
# Title Year
1 Medieval Murders 2011
2 Summer People 2000
3 Color Tour 2006
4 Deer Season 2009
5 Shelf Ice 2010
6 Cruelest Month 2012
7 Death in a Summer Colony 2013
8 Murder in the Merlot 2016
9 Gales of November 2017
10 The Center Cannot Hold 2018
11 Destination Wedding 2020