David Gullstrand
Author · Storyteller · Class Clown
From heartwarming children’s tales to small-town murder mysteries packed with wit — David Gullstrand writes stories that make you laugh, think, and feel right at home.
Stories that make you smile, think, and reach for the next page
About the Author
David
Gullstrand
I was the class clown in high school. The party animal in college. I worked in juvenile detention for 34 years — long enough to know that every person has a story worth telling.
I was a single father, proud to say I didn’t ruin him. Now I’m a very proud grandpa to three kiddos: Vada Grace, Clara Jo, and Baker Edward. I love you more than you will ever know.
My writing spans two very different worlds — a whimsical children’s adventure about a little girl and her beloved Great Dane, and a sharp-witted murder mystery set in a small Illinois town where everyone knows everyone’s business. What they both share is heart, humor, and a whole lot of wordplay.
The Collection
David's Books
Sandy's New Best Friend
Eileen Anya the Blue Great Dane
A 5-year-old Sandy and her parents visit a farm and discover a litter of Great Dane puppies. She learns about responsibility,
friendship, and the gentle giants — all while falling head-over-heels for a blue puppy who leans on her like Velcro. With help from Great-Grandpa Jack, Sandy finds the perfect, heartwarming name for her new best friend.
Mason Mills
Monster of Mortar
Officer Liz Walker and her banter-loving partner Pity Cherry patrol the quiet streets of Mason Mills, Illinois — a once-booming brick-and-mortar town now
fading in the rearview mirror. When a dark secret surfaces, this tight-knit community must confront a monster hiding in plain sight. A murder mystery packed with sharp wit, small-town charm, and characters you won’t forget.
The Collection
David's Books
Sandy's New Best Friend
Eileen Anya the Blue Great Dane
Mason Mills
Monster of Mortar
David M. Gullstrand
The Christmas Quilt
What's Inside
Key Themes & Highlights
01
Heart & Humor
David weaves laugh-out-loud wordplay into every page — whether it’s a 5-year-old outsmarting her Mommy or two deputies trading wisecracks on patrol.
02
Unforgettable Characters
From the sharp-tongued Officer Liz Walker to little Sandy’s Great-Grandpa Jack with his hard candy and wisdom — David’s characters leap off the page.
03
Small Town Soul
Mason Mills, Illinois feels as real as your hometown — with its Casey’s store, the Hoot N Nanny tavern, and neighbors who know everything about everyone.
04
Responsibility & Love
Sandy’s New Best Friend gently teaches children about caring for a pet, family bonds, and the special connection between a child and her Great Dane.
05
Two Very Different Worlds
One book for your youngest reader at bedtime. One for yourself late at night. David writes across genres with the same warmth and the same love for a good punchline.
06
Mystery That Hits Close to Home
Mason Mills: Monster of Mortar draws on David’s 34 years in juvenile detention — bringing a lived-in authenticity to the darkness lurking behind small-town picket fences.
Reader Reviews
What Readers Are Saying
"
Sandy’s New Best Friend is absolutely precious. My daughter asked me to read it five nights in a row. The name reveal at the end — Eileen Anya — had us both in tears of laughter and joy. Pure magic.
MK
Michelle K.
Verified Reader · Children's Book
"
I haven’t laughed this hard reading a mystery novel in years. The banter between Liz and Pity is sharp, real, and absolutely hilarious. David clearly knows these kinds of people — because he’s worked alongside them.
RJ
Robert J.
Early Reader · Mason Mills
"
I bought Sandy’s New Best Friend for my granddaughter, then ended up reading Mason Mills myself in one sitting. This man can write. Can’t wait to see what David puts out next.
DP
Diane P.
Verified Reader · Both Books
"
My son is 5 and obsessed with Great Danes now. He named his stuffed dog Eileen. That tells you everything you need to know about this book. Thank you, David!
MK
Tracy L.
Verified Reader · Children's Book
"
Mason Mills has that rare quality — it feels like a place you’ve already been. The characters are flawed, funny, and completely real. David’s sense of humor shines through even the darkest scenes.
SB
Steve B.
Early Reader · Mason Mills
"
As a teacher, I’m always looking for books that teach responsibility without being preachy. Sandy’s New Best Friend does it perfectly — through laughter, love, and one very adorable Great Dane puppy.
AL
Amanda L.
Educator · Children's Book
From the Author
A Word From David
The best piece of advice I can give to anyone is: listen to your elders. They tell remarkable stories. Never walk away because you’ve heard the same tale before — someday you’ll wish they were still around to tell it again.
That’s why I write. To preserve those stories. To make people laugh the way I’ve always tried to make my friends and family laugh. And to leave something behind for Vada Grace, Clara Jo, and Baker Edward.
The Grandpa Behind the Stories
Dedicated to the Ones He Loves
🌸
Vada Grace
Grandkid #1
🌼
Clara Jo
Grandkid #2
⭐
Baker Edward
Grandkid #3
📚
34 Years
Juvenile Detention Officer
✍️
2 Books
Published & In Progress
Latest
From David's Desk
01
Children's Books
Why I Wrote Sandy's New Best Friend
The story behind the story — how a grandfather’s love for his grandkids sparked a children’s book about Great Danes, responsibility, and wordplay.
02
Writing Life
34 Years of Stories: From Juvie to the Page
How working in juvenile detention for over three decades gave me more characters, plot twists, and dark humor than I could fit into one book.
03
Mason Mills
Meet Officer Liz Walker & Deputy Pity
A deep dive into the two lead characters of Mason Mills: Monster of Mortar — their dynamic, their banter, and why they work so well together.
04
Updates
Book 2 Progress Update: What's Coming
Mason Mills: Monster of Mortar is deep in revisions. Here’s where things stand, what to expect, and how to get notified when it drops.
Get the Books
Available In Multiple Formats
Sandy’s New Best Friend is available now. Pick your format and start reading today. Sign up to be first in line for Mason Mills: Monster of Mortar.
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