From Their Hands to Yours
Stories from the Market
From Harbor to Hardcover — KD Mason’s New Hampshire Stories
“Fill your life with experiences, not things. Have stories to tell…”
— Emma Mildon
New Englanders love a good story. They shape our memories, values and our sense of who we are — rooted in place, history and the people around us.
That’s why it feels especially meaningful when one of our own chooses to tell stories rooted in the landscapes we know so well. These familiar settings become a kind of literary trail: footprints that lead us back home, reminding us just how beautiful and interesting this place still is.
One such storyteller is KD Mason, the pen name of Doug (“KD”) Zechel.
Drawing on decades of experience in the restaurant world, along with a lifelong love of running, sailing, and the sights, sounds and smells of the New Hampshire Seacoast, Zechel brings authenticity and familiarity to his writing. The former owner of Saunders at Rye Harbor now spends his days as a master storyteller, weaving mystery, romance and suspense through the lives of his memorable protagonist, Jack Beale, and a core cast of characters who call the Seacoast home.
What began as a single story set against a New England coastal backdrop has grown into a popular series; one readers return to repeatedly for a cozy, compelling read … especially during the quieter winter months.
We caught up with Doug, who still lives on the New Hampshire Seacoast with his wife Nancy and their cats, Molly and Jasper, to talk about his writing journey and the characters who have made New England their home.
What made you decide to start writing, and why mystery, suspense and romance?
In 2006, when I knew my restaurant would be closing in the foreseeable future, my bartender and I decided we’d collaborate on the book she always wanted to write. Over several glasses of wine, we developed the story idea. Even though we talked often, I was the only one putting words on paper — and the rest is history.
Why choose coastal New Hampshire as your home locale? Are you a big traveler?
The series is set on the New Hampshire Seacoast because it’s the area I know best. That said, many of the books travel beyond the region, often inspired by my own travels.
How did your background in sailing, running and the restaurant business shape Jack Beale? Is he based on someone you know?
I’m a lifelong runner and sailor and spent 38 years running my restaurant. All those experiences influenced my characters. None of them are based on one specific person — they’re composites made up of bits and pieces of people I’ve known over the years.
What’s the most common positive feedback you hear from readers?
The question I hear most often is, “When will the series become a movie or television show?” But hearing how my books have affected people’s lives always amazes me.
What’s different about writing a series versus a standalone book?
When I wrote Harbor Ice, I had no expectation of writing more. I enjoyed it so much that by the time it was published, I was hooked. Continuing with the same core group of characters and following their lives felt like the natural next step. It doesn’t necessarily get easier, but it is more fun.
Do the characters feel alive to you? Do they grow with each book?
They really do. Jack and his friends live in my head and have become like friends and family. Managing their different personalities and relationships keeps the process fluid and full of surprises. Every day I sit down to write, I’m amazed by where they lead me. And those journeys keep me moving forward.
Stop by Doug’s table at the market and pick up a copy of his books. Brew your favorite hot beverage, settle into a cozy chair and enjoy reconnecting with some of the places — and stories — just outside your own door.