Holland’s iconic Tulip Time Festival has long been a celebration of flowers, parades, and Dutch traditions — but in Myron Kukla’s new novel, it’s also the setting for murder.
The longtime journalist and humorist has published “Murder at Tulip Time,” a light-hearted mystery set against the backdrop of the 2000 Tulip Time celebration. The story begins with a body discovered among the tulips near Holland’s DeZwaan Windmill and unfolds into a web of black tulips, a century-old land swindle, and a possible killer with a history of violence.
Kukla, a former reporter for the Lakeshore Press — a now-closed Holland bureau of the Grand Rapids Press — draws heavily on his journalism background to bring the story to life. Many of the characters were inspired by the colleagues (not me) he worked alongside during his reporting years.
“I think it captures the feeling of Holland — except for the murders,” Kukla says, laughing.
Local culture is key character
The novel follows John Garth, a reporter for the fictional Lakeshore Press, and his competitor and occasional girlfriend, Jennifer Jones of the Holland Sentinel, as they race to solve the case. As they dig deeper, their own lives are put at risk.
Kukla said he wanted to capture the essence of Holland — its traditions, people, and sense of place — as an important backdrop.
“Holland city is also a main character in the book, from its founding by Christian Dutch settlers to celebrating their homeland with a tulip festival full of customs, costumes, and traditions from the 19th century,” he says.
The idea for the novel has been years in the making. Kukla wrote “Murder at Tulip Time” about a decade ago, revising it several times before deciding to publish it this spring. He dedicated the book to the people of Holland and released it through his own longtime publishing company, Lockport Entertainment.
Kukla, who has previously published two humor books and a history of the Tulip City Airport, continues to find joy in sharing stories. Recently, he joined this publication as a monthly columnist, bringing his wit to readers through a new humor column. His first piece, “
Trying — and failing — to escape spring cleaning,” tackled his least favorite season — much to the disappointment of his wife, Madeline.
Madeline often appears in his columns as a steady (and occasionally exasperated) presence. A beloved former principal of Pine Creek Elementary, she later worked at Hope College as an accreditation director and education professor.
‘There’s always something strange’
The couple’s home life offers endless material for Kukla’s humor writing.
“My wife and I recently had a pillow fight — not with pillows, but about how many pillows should be on our bed,” he says. “They keep multiplying!”
Family life plays a big role in Kukla’s world. He and Madeline raised three sons with unique and accomplished paths.
Jason, who has Down syndrome, formerly lived at Ben’s Hope and has entertained as an Elvis impersonator and a devoted Michael Jackson fan. Nathan, his middle son, is an art teacher who spent many years at West Ottawa before moving to Northview Public Schools in Grand Rapids. In 2023, he was honored as
Michigan Art Educator of the Year. Matthew, the youngest, is a colonel in the Georgia National Guard and works for the Department of Defense.
Humor has been part of Kukla’s voice since high school, when he first began writing about life’s oddities.
“I basically write about life experiences from a funny angle, because there’s always something strange,” he says.
That same outlook shaped his work as a journalist. Among his favorite memories is covering a Herrick District Library meeting where the board voted to allow concealed weapons but banned Dutch Dancers from wearing their klompen shoes while dancing inside.
“I wrote, ‘Guns are OK at the library, but leave your wooden shoes at the door,’” Kukla recalls. The story was picked up by the Associated Press and even mentioned on “The Tonight Show.”
“Murder at Tulip Time” is available at Holland bookstores, including Readers World, Espresso Books, Barnes & Noble, and others. It is also available online in paperback and eBook formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
As for future projects, Kukla is already thinking ahead.
“I thought about doing another one — maybe ‘Murder at the Saugatuck Film Festival,’” he says with a laugh.