You could forgive Bill Peel for confusing fact from fiction yesterday.
Sitting in bed engulfed in the plot of his murder mystery novel, Peel got news of his daughter's breakthrough podium finish in the opening round of the aerial skiing World Cup in Canada.
In just her second season of World Cup competition, Laura Peel finished third behind Ukrainian Olga Volkova and Emily Cook, from the USA.
It was the 22-year-old's first podium at World Cup level having only taken up the sport four years ago.
The Canberran has been skiing at Perisher Valley since she was three and took up gymnastics with the Woden Valley Gymnastics Club when she was five.
Then the Victorian Institute of Sport suggested she combine her two passions and take up aerial skiing.
It's a switch that's starting to pay off and she looks set to follow in the ski tracks of Olympic gold medallists Alisa Camplin and Lydia Lassila.
Laura ''wasn't really expecting'' her bronze medal, but it came as no surprise to her dad, Bill, when he got a text from Laura's mum.
''I was over the moon, I just replied that I was very, very proud of her ... she's a very determined and committed girl,'' he said.
While he was at home in Canberra, Laura's mum Teresa Harrington was over in Canada cheering her on.
Bill hopes to be there next season and then again at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia, should Laura qualify.
Her god-mother, Amanda East, found out through friends on Facebook.
''We're a bunch of cold-climate creatures,'' East said.
''She's been skiing since she was three - skiing and gym has always been a part of her life and this combines the two perfectly.''
''She's incredibly focused and works hard, she's dedicated ... and her hard work is starting to pay off.''
The next round of the World Cup is in Lake Placid, USA, on Friday.
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