Author bio
Dianne Janczewski’s 20 years of exploring scientific concepts in her writing of technical documents, proposals, fact sheets and web content, have garnered her contributions a National Institutes of Health Plain Language Award. She is a sponge for anything that is unexpected or quirky in the natural world, and she draws upon her PhD in evolutionary genetics, and her awe of the complexity and fragility of biological systems and humanity, to weave threads of real science or historical fact into fictional avenues of mystery and good storytelling. Dianne is an activist, professional, wife, and mother of two grown daughters. As in her own life, her writing echoes a persistent balancing act, and honestly confronts the successes and failures of evolving and sustaining meaningful relationships. She has shared herself and her home with dogs through the decades, whose comfort and wisdom inspire her to focus on the world beyond her own species.
DECODED DOG – The Story
A mysterious illness threatening the lives of dogs, is sending a wave of fear across the country. From dog shows to animal shelters, pure bred to mutt, no group of dogs is immune. Is the cause a new virus or bacteria? Is it contaminated dog food? Or is there a coordinated plot involving intentional poisoning? Whose dog will be next? Dog lover and research geneticist Claire Winthrop, employs every technique in her scientific arsenal in a frantic hunt for clues and connections that other scientists may have let slip through the cracks. In her search, she realizes her carefully balanced life may be slipping as well. As the epidemic escalates, Claire and her research team make an alarming discovery that identifies the cause, and suddenly find themselves in a whole new world of clandestine meetings, powerplays, and betrayals. With offers to buy their results and their silence, and threats to ruin their careers, they must decide what they are willing to sacrifice to save the dogs, and themselves.
~The author’s love for dogs shines through and is very endearing.
~ Dianne Janczewski skillfully drew upon her knowledge and experience to craft a very original, interesting and well written mystery novel.
About Decoded Dog
I am an author. Finally embracing that ideal moved my writing of the prologue and vignettes to my first novel. I want all my work to be emotional, factual, and honest. I’ve researched, interviewed, and listened to my sole. I am so proud to have created this book, and I hope you enjoy it.
About the graphics
Christopher Matten, my amazingly talented nephew created the cover and internal watercolors, and pen and ink images. View his other work on Facebook. Chris and I created the cover, which includes images of many of my and my friends dogs. The cover image is copyright, but high quality prints are available for $30 by contacting me through this website’s contact page.
Maid for Dogs
A Clifton Matriarch celebrates her birthday surrounded by family and friends who are all suspiciously devoted to her, especially when she drops dead in the middle of her party.
Written by: Dianne Janczewski and Charlotte Yakovleff; Produced by: Dianne Janczewski; Directed by: Charlotte Yakovleff
Up next in 2020
My first historical fiction novel is a testament to the remarkable strength and resilience of several generations of women. Join my mailing list to get advanced notice of publication and be entered for a drawing to receive a for a free copy. Quo Vadis Publishing is an independent trademarked publishing house owned by Dianne Janczewski.
The Writings I Read
I became an avid reader in my 40s, a shame really, as I missed so many reading years and likely, so many great books. Below are some of my favorites.
Pictured right, John Steinbeck and Charley, of the travelogue Travels With Charley: In Search of America.
My favorite authors
There are so many talented authors. The few I name here are those whose writing is beyond what I could ever achieve, but who inspire me to keep trying.
T. Coraghessan Boyle
Min Jin Lee
Mary Doria Russell
John Steinbeck
My all-time favorite books
There are just a few books that so moved me, stuck with me, educated me, surprised me, or otherwise left and indelible mark on me.
A Prayer for Owen Meany, John Irving
Cider House Rules. John Irving
The Origin of Species. Charles Darwin
The Sparrow. Mary Doria Russell
Evolution’s Captain, Peter Nichols
Fiction
A Thread of Grace. Mary Doria Russell
After the Parade. Lori Ostlund
All the Light We Cannot See. Anthony Doerr
Be Frank With Me. Julia Claiborne Johnson
Before We Were Yours. Lisa Wingate
Descent of Man. T. C. Boyle
Dreamers of the Day. Mary Doria Russell
Drop City. T. C. Boyle
East is East. T. C. Boyle
In Between Days. Andrew Porter
Jurassic Park. Michael Crichton
Manhattan Beach. Jennifer Egan
Me Without You. Kelly Rimmer
Outside Looking In. T. C. Boyle
Riven Rock. T. C. Boyle
San Miguel. T. C. Boyle
Shadowshaper. Daniel José Older
Sold on a Monday. Kristina McMorris
Spin. Robert Charles Wilson
Talk Talk. T. C. Boyle
The Blue Diamond. Lynn Franklin
The Book of the Unnamed Midwife. Meg Elison
The Harder They Come. T. C. Boyle
The Inner Circle. T. C. Boyle
The Keys of Death. Clare T. Walker
The Last Painting of Sara de Vos. Dominic Smith
The Outsider. Stephen King
The Overstory. Richard Powers
The Pieces We Keep. Kristina McMorris
The Pirate’s Ruby. Lynn Franklin
The Promise. Ann Weisgarber
The Road to Wellville. T. C. Boyle
The Sparrow. Mary Doria Russell
The Tortilla Curtain. T. C. Boyle
The Women. T. C. Boyle
To Kill A Labrador. Kassandra Lamb
Unbound. John Shors
When the Killing’s Done. T. C. Boyle
Where the Forest Meets the Stars. Glendy Vanderah
World’s End. T. C. Boyle
Historical Fiction
Beneath the Kauri Tree. Sarah Lark
Circling the Sun. Paula McLain
Doc. Mary Doria Russell
Elizabeth Street. Laurie Fabiano
Golden Hill. Francis Spufford
Lincoln in the Bardo. George Saunders
My Name Is Mary Sutter. Robin Oliveira
Pachinko. Min Jin Lee
Promised to the Crown. Aimie K. Runyan
The Alice Network. Kate Quinn
The Beekeeper’s Promise. Fiona Valpy
The Diplomat’s Daughter. Karin Tanabe
The Gilded Years. Karin Tanabe
The Midwife’s Revolt. Jodi Daynard
The Underground Railroad. Colson Whitehead
The Women of the Copper Country. Mary Doria Russell
Tidewater. Libbie Hawker
Non Fiction
Atrophysics for People in a Hurry. Neil DeGrasse Tyson
Others
Shel Silverstein