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We will be meeting Ellen J. Green to discuss her important new book, Murder in the Neighborhood. It’s about the first recorded mass shooting in the United States, and she is the first person to write about it. Ellen is an Amazon Charts bestselling author for her Ava Saunders fiction series, and standalone, The Book of James. Now she is making a big splash with her first true story, Murder in the Neighborhood. Thank you for joining us, Ellen! Bio, cover art, summary, and link for purchase are below.  Ellen J. Green is the Amazon Charts bestselling author of the Ava Saunders novels (Absolution and Twist of Faith) and The Book of James. She attended Temple University in Philadelphia, where she earned her degrees in psychology, and has worked in the psychiatric ward of a maximum-security correctional facility for fifteen years. She also holds an MFA degree in creative writing from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Born and raised in Upstate New York, Ms. Green now lives in southern New Jersey with her two children.  On 6 September 1949, twenty-eight-year-old Howard Barton Unruh shot thirteen people in less than twelve minutes on his block in East Camden, New Jersey. The shocking true story of the first recorded mass shooting in America has never been told, until now.
The sky was cloudless that morning when twelve-year-old Raymond Havens left his home on River Road. His grandmother had sent him to get a haircut at the barbershop across the street—where he was about to witness his neighbor and friend Howard open fire on the customers inside. Told through the eyes of young Raymond, who had visited Howard regularly to listen to his war stories, and the mother trying to piece together the disturbing inner workings of her son’s mind, Murder in the Neighborhood uncovers the chilling true story of Howard Unruh, the quiet loner who meticulously plotted his revenge on the neighbors who shunned him and became one of America’s first mass killers. With Ellen’s access to Howard’s diaries, newly released police reports and psychiatric records alongside interviews with surviving family members, Murder in the Neighborhood is a compulsive page-turner that will have you asking—how well do we ever really know those around us? Are we ever really safe? Click here to head to Amazon!
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We are flying to South Manchester to meet the fun and fabulous Chris McDonald! A Wash of Black, Whispers in the Dark, and Roses for the Dead were his first crime thrillers. They are his DI Erika Piper series. She is a tough investigator with some demons that are haunting her. His prose is stunning, and you will find yourself reading passages over and over until his words intoxicate you! We will be discussing The Stonebridge Mysteries Series with Chris. There are six novellas in this cozy mystery series, with his latest release, All At Sea, having just been set free into the world! This is a series about two amateur sleuths, Adam and Colin. These are lighthearted mysteries with humor and fun while digging into murder and mayhem. As Chris describes Adam and Colin: “Armed with an encyclopedic knowledge of detective shows, a misplaced sense of confidence and a keen desire to see justice done, these two are the closest thing the town has to saviors. Which isn’t that reassuring….” Find Chris’s bio, cover art and link to purchase the series below. Originally hailing from the north coast of Ireland and now residing in South Manchester, Chris McDonald has always been a reader. At primary school, The Hardy Boys inspired his love of adventure, before his reading world was opened up by Chuck Palahniuk and the gritty world of crime. He’s a fan of 5-a-side football, has an eclectic taste in music ranging from DamienRice to Slayer and loves dogs.  We are traveling to Scotland to meet the fabulous Sharon Bairden! We will be discussing her latest release, You Need Me. I stalked Sharon through one of her besties, Noelle Holten, who has also visited the KC Reads book club. I am beyond thrilled to feature You Need Me! But if you crave more after you read it, check out her fabulous debut novel, Sins of the Father. There could be a wee surprise for this book club, so don’t miss out! Find Sharon’s bio, cover art, and link for purchase below. By day Sharon Bairden manages in a small local independent advocacy service and has a passion for human rights; by night she has a passion for all things criminal. She blogs over at Chapterinmylife and is delighted to be crossing over to the other side of the fence to become a writer. Sharon's debut novel, Sins of the Father, was published in November 2020 and is published by Red Dog Press. You Need Me, will be released on October 12th 2021, also published by Red Dog Press. Sharon lives on the outskirts of Glasgow, has two grown up children, a grandson, a Golden Labrador and a cat. She spends most of her spare time doing all things bookish, from reading to attending as many book festivals and launches as she can. She has been known to step out of her comfort zone on the odd occasion and has walked over burning coals and broken glass – but not at the same time!  ‘Your secret didn’t die with me.’
The mysterious note tucked inside the pages of a recently returned book leaves librarian, Morag McLaughlin, chilled to the bone. She knows it was meant for her. Someone out there knows her darkest secrets and they could destroy everything. Torn apart from her own family, she will stop at nothing to create a perfect new one. Why are they all so ungrateful? She’s only looking after them... Isn’t she? Click here to head to Amazon! We met award-winning and bestselling author David-Matthew Barnes at 4pm on Thursday, December 16th!1/14/2022 We had a great time discussing The Everlasting Gift and David-Matthew’s play, Dummy! He writes plays, short stories, novels, novellas, and poetry. He is an extremely gifted author who is making a splash in the writing and film industries! David-Matthew is also a gracious and fun person. Below, please find the cover art and link to purchase his latest release, The Everlasting Gift. This is a heart-warming Christmas story with a few life lessons for all of us. It’s beautifully written and unputdownable! Visit David-Matthew at: http://dmbarnes.blogspot.com Link for purchase here!  The KC Reads book club is thrilled to feature Annie Two Faces by Lewis Kirts! This book is a collection of ten western short stories. Lewis Kirts is an incredible graphic designer who turned her attention to writing. She has written two spectacular westerns (the other is Sendero Esperanza, a compilation of three books and the half of an epic journey spanning nearly 50 years). Kirts’ experience with horses and rural living come alive on the pages of her stories. Join us to meet her and talk about her fascinating life! Bio, cover art and link are below.  Lewis Kirts was born in Maryland, where spring smelled like mud and winter was too cold for her comfort. With dairies on the matriarch side of the family, and orchards on the patriarch side, she was raised on peaches and cream.
She credits her love of western movies to her father, and her love of reading, to the English teachers of Poolesville High. Years of working outside in Maryland had her longing for the warmer climate of Arizona. She now resides in southeastern Arizona, and after thirty years in the desert southwest, she’s finally thawing out. Click here to visit Amazon! Welcome back, Ivan! The KC Reads book club is thrilled to feature The Redhead and the Ghostwriter! We met Ivan in April 2020 right after I started the KC Reads book club. We had a fabulous discussion about his first book, Redhead in a Blue Convertible. Ivan’s writing is visceral, and he made us all laugh and cry. This was my prediction (back then) about his second book: “Ivan is working on his second book, which will be out soon! Just you wait - he’s going to drag you through all the emotions a second time.” Turns out I was right! Purchase The Redhead and the Ghostwriter and join us in conversation with the illustrious Ivan Scott: Hoarder of all office products; lover of his feisty redhead, Kim; father of two - three if you count his rat terrier; a man who handwrites his manuscripts; bourbon lover, and bowtie wearer! You won’t be disappointed. *Let’s make this a happy hour discussion! Bring your favorite beverage, and drink up the time with Ivan! Don’t forget to follow Ivan on social media: @author.ivan.scott on Instagram and Author Ivan Scott on Facebook. Cover art and summary are below:  Everyone in the beach town of Turtle Point comes to Ghostwriters, the
craziest Bookbar on the Atlantic coast, where the party doesn’t end until sunrise as people read their favorite books while sipping their favorite adult beverages. The owner, an effervescent Redhead named Sienna McCaslin, loves two things: her Bookbar and her best friend, Pulitzer Prize winning author, Jasper George, who lost his passion for writing after a personal tragedy. The only thing Jasper writes these days is his name on a bar tab since he lives life at the bottom of a bourbon bottle. Sienna is desperate to bring him back to the living, and her prayers are answered when a young woman comes to town looking for help with her manuscript. However, Sienna’s plan backfires when Jasper’s mentoring of the aspiring author takes him further away from her, and when the manuscript is finished, Jasper is offered a job at the top literary agency in New York. Sienna knows her love is in vain, so she is the one who leaves Turtle Point first by selling Ghostwriters and starting a new life in wine country. Unfortunately, Jasper realizes he loves her, but is it too late to bring her home before he loses his Redheaded girl and Ghostwriters forever? Click here to head to Amazon! The KC Reads book club is excited to feature Indelible by Laurie Buchanan. She is an award-winning author, and this book is making a b.i.g. splash! We’ll be talking about Laurie’s book, her walking prowess, and her obsession with red licorice. Bio, cover art and link are below. Find Laurie at lauriebuchanan.com Laurie Buchanan writes the Sean McPherson novels--fast-paced thrillers set in the Pacific Northwest that feature a trifecta of malice and the pursuit and cost of justice. A cross between Dr. Dolittle, Nanny McPhee, and a type-A Buddhist, Buchanan is an active listener, observer of details, payer of attention, reader and writer of books, kindness enthusiast, and red licorice aficionado. Laurie's books have won nine awards, including the Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Gold Winner and the International Book Award Gold Winner. She and her husband live in the Pacific Northwest, where she enjoys long walks, bicycling, camping, and photography--because sometimes the best word choice is a picture.  When a sniper killed his partner, Sean McPherson was injured in the ambush. Now an ex-cop, he takes a job at a writing retreat in the Pacific Northwest. At Pines & Quill, he hopes to heal and put his life back together in the Zen-like capacity of groundskeeper and all-around handyman.
Click here to head to Amazon! From his spectacular book cover to his mystery identity, James Wallace Birch has us curious! Next up for the KC Reads book club: If You Find Emory Walden. We’ll be trying to solve the mystery of a missing person and a missing three million dollars! Join us to discuss this debut novel! Cover art, summary and link for purchase below.  Eight years ago, James’ friend Emory disappeared, leaving behind his memoirs and the promise of a hidden cache of $3 million. James published the memoir and became a famous professor. But his obsession with Emory’s disappearance destroyed his personal life. He never went to find the money.
Years later, James’ former student, Melanie, knocks on his door with a clue that Emory might still be alive. Together, they take to the road with a copy of Emory’s memoir and a taunting riddle someone sent them. Is the riddle a hint from Emory? Why is he reaching out? And what happened to the money James never went looking for? If You Find Emory Walden is author James Wallace Birch’s long-anticipated follow up to the reader-acclaimed Discontents: The Disappearance of a Young Radical. Join James and Melanie on a journey through claustrophobic cities, suburban nightmares, and wide-open roads as they chase down the riddle of the disappearance of a notorious fugitive. Follow their van life on the road. Sing along with them to early 2000s pop punk and emo bands. But don’t trust everything you read in this fascinating blend of suspense, mystery, adventure, and nostalgia. Amazon link here. The KC Reads book club is thrilled to feature Pay to Play by retired FBI special agent Jerry Williams! Join us to talk about her accomplished career, podcast, books, and her current shenanigans. Jerri’s bio, cover art for Pay to Play, and link to purchase are below. Jerri Williams-Short Bio: Jerri Williams has always been a storyteller and, after serving 26 years as a special agent in the FBI, she has plenty of stories to tell. During most of her Bureau career she worked major economic fraud investigations and was amazed at the schemes and deceptions con- artist and corrupt corporate and public officials would devise to steal other people’s money. She notes that with a gun, they can steal hundreds. But with a lie, they can steal millions. She is using her prior professional experiences with scams and schemers to write crime fiction about greed and often jokes that she is reliving her glory days by producing and hosting FBI Retired Case File Review, a true crime and history podcast where she interviews retired FBI agents about their high-profile cases and careers. Based on her experience as an FBI spokesperson, she also debunks misconceptions about the FBI and is under contract as a technical consultant for major TV networks and production companies wanting to create authentic FBI dramas and characters.  Special Agent Kari Wheeler may have made the worst decision of her life.
The deeper she digs into the new assignment she unwisely accepted, investigating corruption in the Philadelphia strip club industry, the more her work threatens everything she values most--her FBI career, her marriage, even the closely held secrets of her painful past. Her new case has her gathering the evidence to prove that a corrupt city official is accepting bribes and breaking the same adult entertainment laws he's supposed to enforced. But when Kari enters the seductive world of high-end clubs and sleazy strip joints she faces temptations too difficult to resist. Before she becomes the star of a media scandal that could sidetrack the corruption investigation and trial, the married mother-of-three must devise a counter plan to protect all at risk of being destroyed. How far will she go? Amazon link here.  The KC Reads book club has been hijacked! Because Karen will not feature herself, a hostile takeover has occurred. Purchase Housewife for 99 cents and join us on March 25th to meet Karen Crawford and talk about her newest release! This is a stand-alone book that she wrote in between books two and three in her Taryn Winter series. Find out how Erica Forsythe muscled-out Taryn to finish first! Karen’s bio, cover art, and link to purchase are below.  Karen Crawford worked in the community supervision field for 20 years. During her career, she spent countless hours with criminal offenders, delving into the details that make them tick and gaining insight about human behavior. Her passion and drive for helping people and promoting best practices in criminal justice earned her numerous awards during her tenure. She has always valued those who serve, and those who are served, in the criminal justice system. Now, she lets her imagination run wild, writing about the other side of the law. Karen lives in Northern Arizona with her husband, dogs and cat. Her two children have flown the coop.
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