Sit. Stay. Read.

Havoc: Trouble on the Trail is a thrilling page-turner. For this week’s episode, author Cam Torrens shares how his background in the military and Colorado search and rescue led to the story idea. When a Black Hawk helicopter goes down in the unforgiving Colorado backcountry, Deputy Tyler Zahn is thrust into a desperate search for survivors. But the mission quickly turns deadly. The stakes skyrocke...

Can you ever truly escape your past—or does it always find a way to haunt you? Author Elena Taylor joins me to discuss her chilling new thriller, The Haunting of Emily Grace . Emily Grace is desperate for a fresh start and even more desperate for a job. So when locals warn her away from the isolated house and the land she’s been hired to care for, she ignores them. But as the days stretch on, unea...

Who Can You Really Trust? You’re former teacher? Maybe. Maybe not. In Mrs. Oliver’s Twist , Quinn McFarland is thrilled that so many of her dreams have come true. She’s been accepted into medical school, married the love of her life and has adopted some sweet pups that bring joy to her every day. But then a sinister twist happens while working at her family’s funeral home. Quinn realizes after see...

In this episode, I’m joined by my friend, editor and The Writer’s Dossier blog creator, Jeff Circle to discuss Myopic Duplicity . Myopic Duplicity is a crime fiction anthology that explores moral gray areas and the deadly choices people make under pressure. We focus on They Eat Their Own , a chilling story set in an exotic animal sanctuary where survival of the fittest and betrayal collide. Jeff s...

It’s another paw-liday special! I’m joined by Paula Munier, USA Today bestselling author of the Mercy Carr Mysteries, to talk about her holiday thriller The Snow Lies Deep . When Northshire’s mayor—dressed as Santa—turns up murdered after the town’s Solstice celebration, Mercy Carr, Troy Warner, and their K-9 partners, Elvis and Susie Bear, must hunt down the Yuletide Killer before another promine...

Author and K-9 handler, Sheri Lewis Wohl, joins me this week to talk Search & Rescue (SAR) and writing. Sheri is the author of paranormal and supernatural novels including Necromantia, Twisted Screams (finalist for the 2017 Golden Crown Literary Award), and Twisted Whispers (winner of the 2016 Golden Crown Literary Award for Paranormal/Horror). Her stories blend romance, mystery, and chilling...

Need a fun holiday read? Look no further than David Rosenfelt’s AND TO ALL A GOOD BITE, Book #32 in the Andy Carpenter series. When Andy receives a phone call around Christmas time that a young man he knows, Jeff Wheeler, has been accused of murder, he realizes his football games and holiday relaxation will have to wait. Before his homicide charge, Jeff was best known for rescuing a Golden Retriev...

When K-9 Search and Rescue handler Jessica Cooper learns of a cold case involving a missing child, she knows she must help. With her K-9 Luke and six-month-old son in tow, Jessica sets out to solve the case. Is there a chance the child could still be alive? And if so, can they bring him home? Meanwhile, Jessica’s stepdaughter Amanda is working on healing from her own trauma. Amanda’s goal is to es...

What happens when an archaeological dig uncovers something far darker than artifacts? This week, Skye Griffith takes us inside her suspenseful debut Bone Hash , where a “bone hash” suggesting prehistoric cannibalism leads archaeologist Aideen Connor into a maze of threats, violence, and long-hidden secrets. We explore the book’s haunting discoveries, vivid setting, and the real-life inspiration be...

Single mom Paislee Shaw keeps busy with her sweater shop, knitting and wrangling a teenage son. She’s hoping for a day of fun at the Highland Games, but instead, accusations of cheating soon turn deadly. Paislee is pulled into the investigation. With the help of her friends, a Scottie named Wallace and one handsome detective, she must find the murderer before they strike again. If you enjoy cozy m...

In this episode, I’m joined by award-winning author and journalist Peggy Townsend to talk about her sharp, heartfelt, and wonderful new mystery, The Botanist’s Assistant. In The Botanist’s Assistant, we meet Margaret Finch—six feet tall, fiercely organized, lover of schedules, and proud inhabitant of a tiny cabin in the woods. Her obsessive attention to detail makes her indispensable in her univer...

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by cozy author Christa Nardi. She writes multiple fun and charming mystery series including Cold Creek, Sheridan Hendley, Stacie Maroni, and Izzie Di Sante. Drawing on her background as a psychologist, Christa infuses her stories with authentic emotions, believable motivations, and strong female sleuths. We discuss her inspiration for creating relatable, resilien...

When Melanie Travis’s six-year-old son decides he needs a Great Dane, she figures a visit to a breeder will settle things. But in Die Another Dane, that simple trip turns into another twisty murder mystery for Melanie and her pack! Join me for a delightful chat with beloved cozy mystery author Laurien Berenson as we talk about giant dogs, family life, horses and her 31st Melanie Travis mystery. Ex...

Joining me for the10th book celebration in the FBI K-9 series is Jen Danna who writes as Sara Driscoll. I enjoyed learning more about the story behind Deadly Trade where FBI Special Agent Meg Jennings and her handsome black Lab, Hawk must solve one of their toughest cases yet involving wildlife trafficking. On her honeymoon Meg, Hawk and her husband Todd, stumble across a brutal poaching ring. Can...

In Tails From The Crypt , A Pumpkin Glow festival turnsdeadly in the small town of Twilight Cove. Georgie Johansen has kept her dogs’ magical powers secret…until now. When the murder of a new unpopular town resident happens and Georgie’s best friend becomes the prime suspect, Georgiemust rely on her sleuthing skills. With the help of her handsome and charming boyfriend, heraunt and her special dog...

I had the pleasure of chatting with the delightfulaward-winning author Marie Tierney about her book, Deadly Animals— a great read for this time of the year. Deadly Animals was the International Thriller Writers debut book of the year and won the McDermid debut award for crime fiction.   Marie and I had a fun conversation about the inspirationbehind her main character, Ava, who while out late at ni...

I’m welcoming back my fellow K-9 author, Margaret Mizushima, to celebrate her latest release, Dying Cry . In this 10th Timber Creek K-9 mystery, our favorite team—Mattie, Robo, and Cole—set out for a peaceful day of snowshoeing, only to be drawn into a chilling mystery when a hauntingcry echoes through the canyon. Known for her suspense and authentic K-9 work, Margaret once again delivers a story...

New York Times bestselling author Robert Dugoni joins me for a fun conversation about his hit Tracy Crosswhite series and the real-life dogs who inspired canine characters Rex and Sherlock. We discuss becoming a dog owner later in life and how his beloved pups found their way into his stories. Joinus for this fun, heartfelt episode filled with wagging tails and inspiring conversation for mystery f...

What do you get when you have a retired cop, podcaster andauthor? Patrick O’Donnell! I had the opportunity to speak to Patrick on the show about his amazing career as a sergeant in the Milwaukee Police Department. Find out who his all-time favorite officer was (hint—he had four-legs and was covered in fur) and learn about his own podcast, Cops and Writers. Patrick has been a big part of the writin...

What happens when you mix a talking otter, magical beasts, porpoises who need saving and a dash of mystery? You get Elle Hartford’s enchanting How to Treat Talking Beasts . In this episode, Elle joins me to dive into the world ofSunlit Haven—a marine biologist and animal rescuer whose sanctuary becomes the center of magical (and sometimes mischievous) attention. Sunlit’s journey is one of courage,...

Bestselling author Bruce Borgos joins me to discuss his latest release, The Blue Horse . Set against the backdrop of Nevada’s high desert, Sheriff Porter Beck faces one of his toughest cases as a helicopter is shot out of the sky during a wild horse round up. This gripping mystery blends the untamed spirit of the mustangs with the wild heartsof those who won’t be broken. In our conversation, Bruce...

In this episode, I sat down with fellow K-9 author Jeffrey B.Burton to talk about his second book in the Chicago K-9 Thriller Series, The Second Grave . In The Second Grave , it’s just another day and anothercase for dog trainer Cory Pratt with his cadaver dogs Alice and Rex. But when they uncover a mass grave with three bodies and a single grave more than thirty years old, Cory and his detective...

Award-winning author R Weir joins me on the podcast to discusshis gripping new mystery, Justice For The Forgotten . In this mystery,retired police officer Donnie Steel and his loyal K-9 partner, Kogel, are hiredto dig into a cold case murder—only to find themselves up against a powerfulcult leader determined to keep dark secrets buried. We chat about R’s inspiration for his newest series, how hecr...

Author and speaker Rebecca Minelga joins me to share herpowerful novel, Third and Long, about Abby, a trauma survivor who findspurpose through her therapy dog, Gen. When Abby crosses paths with young Dylanand his father, Scott, their lives become intertwined in ways that test love,loss, and resilience. We also discussed Rebecca’s passion for raising guide dogpuppies, her next adventure working a t...

Award-winning author DL Mitchell joins me to chat about her latest cozy mystery, Parrot Prose —a cozy mystery featuring quirky characters, a missing billionaire, a chaotic treasurehunt, and one very opinionated parrot. When this bird talks, people listen—and murderers better watch out! From big-city animal hospitals to her current house call concierge veterinary practice, DL’s firsthand small anim...