Tipping Point
by Barbara Winkes
Released: Jul 09, 2026
Genre: Mystery
Why this book and why now?
Tipping Point is the second Lord and Burton Mystery. #1, Clean Slate, was also part of the Sapphic Suspense Collection, a curated collection of books intended to highlight Mystery, Thriller and Suspense within sapphic fiction. The response was a amazing, and I decided that my characters would live on as well.
As for the content, in this book, Rae and Dakota are dealing with the impact of misinformation and the manosphere in politics, which is uncomfortably timely. Rae has a young son from a previous marriage, and she worries that despite best parenting efforts, he could one day be vulnerable to the ideology.
Would you and your main character(s) get along?
Rae, yes, definitely. We could commiserate over menopause symptoms! And like me, she didn’t start out as a cat person, but became one as soon as there was one in the household.
Did any real-life events or personal experiences influence the story?
The characters are all fictional, but of course disinformation campaigns, rage farming and political scandals exist, so the climate described in the book reflects that.
How does it feel to finally share this book with readers?
Great! This one had to be postponed a bit, because I already had a full schedule, and when I was offered a contract for audiobooks for the Luce Allen series, I wanted to make sure these books were out first–so, Dakota and Rae had to wait a little longer! But here they are now.
What’s one fun fact about your book that most people wouldn’t know?
The time I spent looking at corgi puppies to find the perfect one to imagine Millie?
What TV show would your main character(s) most likely binge watch and why?
I think they would love Hacks! It’s just so good. Both of them are interested in politics, appreciate good comedy and a time-out from their jobs.
One of your main characters is planning a romantic night. Tell us about it.
I think they would each try to surprise the other with a special experience, like a dinner on a boat, or a getaway that includes a stay at a hotel in an unusual location, like a lighthouse. I’m planning a third book in the series, so there’s a possibility this could still happen!
Did any of your characters surprise you by developing in unexpected ways?
In this book, Rae calls a friend she hasn’t spoken to in a while. It was a bit of a surprise to learn who this friend was, and it’s a little Easter egg for my readers. 🙂
Publishing a book is a huge accomplishment and it’s time to party! Choose a celebratory beverage for one of your main characters to toast the release of your new book.
A fancy cocktail for Dakota (French 75?) and Rae’s favorite beer, plus various alcohol-free options. Simon, Rae’s son, would go for almond milk.
Your characters are throwing a party—what’s the theme?
I can see Dakota and Rae doing a Halloween party. Dakota, because of her upbringing, is used to lots of formal events, and she would appreciate something lowkey with Rae and their friends and colleagues (as lowkey as she can be, anyway). But she might surprise Rae with something fancy too, as long as it’s about something for the two of them, and not her parents’ expectations.
Do you outline your books in detail, or do you prefer to discover the story as you write?
Every book, I outline a little more, and it does help, but not prevent me from writing myself into a corner. So, the discover-as-I-go part will always be there. Usually that’s where I twist happens even (especially) I didn’t see coming.
What are you currently reading?
Love at First Write by Jae and Blood Betrayal by Ausma Zehanat Khan
If you could have dinner with any author, living or dead, who would it be?
So many, including the ones I’m reading right now! We’d have a lot to talk about!
