Where the Tracks End is a narrative historical true crime account of one of Washington, D.C.'s most compelling forgotten murder investigations. On a snowy January morning in 1935, trolley station cashier James Mitchell was found murdered inside the Chevy Chase Lake Trolley Office, while night watchman Emory Smith—Karen Smith's great-uncle—vanished before his body was discovered hours later in nearby Rock Creek. Told through the eyes of the original lead investigator, Detective Theodore Vollten, the story immerses readers in the political intrigue, organized crime, corruption, and social upheaval of Depression-era Washington as Vollten relentlessly pursues the truth against mounting obstacles. Blending meticulous historical research with authentic investigative insight, Where the Tracks End reconstructs a long-forgotten case through original police records, court documents, newspapers, and modern forensic analysis, revealing how one detective came remarkably close to solving the murders nearly ninety years before retired investigator Karen Smith uncovered the final pieces of the puzzle.
Where the Tracks End is a completed manuscript, awaiting representation and publication.
Where the Tracks End
Other Books and Screenplays
Karen's creative work extends far beyond historical true crime. Her growing slate of books and original screenplays explores a wide range of genres, including forensic thrillers, historical mysteries, supernatural suspense, dystopian science fiction, psychological drama, and dark comedy. From meticulously researched true stories rooted in real investigations to entirely original fictional worlds, each project is driven by compelling characters, immersive settings, and the enduring question of how ordinary people respond when confronted with extraordinary circumstances. Whether unraveling a century-old murder, exposing government conspiracies, exploring the boundaries of science and faith, or imagining humanity's future, Karen's stories share one common thread: an unwavering pursuit of truth, justice, and the complexities of the human condition.
Completed Pilots
