2024 Faculty: M through R
John Madinger
John Madinger’s law enforcement career spanned 35 years as a narcotics investigator and a U.S. Treasury agent, working on money laundering and terrorism financing cases. The award-winning author of two law enforcement textbooks, two novels, a history of the drug trade, and a memoir, he lives in Oklahoma City.
Lisa Malice
Dr. Lisa Malice received the 2024 IBPA Gold Medal for BEST NEW VOICE for her bestselling debut psychological thriller, LEST SHE FORGET. It released in December to rave reviews from authors, readers, and industry reviewers. Lisa is a contributing editor for ITW’s THE BIG THRILL and Program Chair for FL Gulf Coast SinC.
J.B. Manning
J.B. Manning’s Richter the Mighty, won the 2023 Silver Falchion for best comic action novel. In his new novel, The Kingdom of Hatch (9/25/24), a lawyer flees NYC in search of Eden, only to confront a collection of incompetent thugs in Vermont. Manning resides in Vermont with S. Lee Manning.
S. Lee Manning
S. Lee Manning's espionage thrillers have been finalists for Silver Falchions and Bloody Soil won best genre novel in 2023 from IPNE. Her next thriller, Deadly Choice, a standalone about a mother's revenge, debuts in September from Encircle Publications. She lives in Vermont with her author husband, J.B. Manning.
Ed Marohn
The Irish Times declares, “If comic crime fiction is your thing, Tim Maleeny delivers in spades.” Tim is the bestselling author of the award-winning Cape Weathers mysteries, including HANGING THE DEVIL, a global art heist with “a relentlessly fast-paced plot and delightful dry humor” according to Library Journal. (www.timmaleeny.com)
Ed Marohn
Ed Marohn was awarded three Bronze Stars and the Air Medal as a Captain in the Vietnam War. He retired as an executive with an International Fortune 500 Company. Ed is the author of the John Moore Mystery action-adventure novels: Legacy of War, Legacy of Evil, and Legacy of Lies.
Paula Martinac
Paula Martinac is the author of seven novels. Her first mystery, A Death on the Mezzanine, received the 2023 William F. Deeck-Malice Domestic Grant. She has received a Lambda Literary Award and fellowships from the North Carolina Arts Council and the Arts and Science Council of Charlotte-Mecklenburg. She teaches fiction writing at UNC Charlotte.
Ami McConnell
Ami McConnell is a writer, editor, publishing veteran, and the host of The WriterFest Podcast. She founded and directs WriterFest Nashville, an event for writers of book, song, and screen.
Arlene McFarlane
USA Today bestselling author Arlene McFarlane has won and placed in over 30 contests, including the Readers’ Favorite Book Awards, the Golden Heart®, Daphne du Maurier, and Chanticleer International Mystery & Mayhem Book Awards. She also walked the red carpet at Warner Bros. after her audiobook received a Voice Arts nomination. www.arlenemcfarlane.com
Richard Meredith
Richard Meredith’s latest novel, Maskirovka—The Russian Science of Deception, received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews and made its list of a Top 100 Indy Novel of 2022. His novel, The Crow’s Nest, won the Silver Falchion Award for Best Action-Adventure Novel at Killer Nashville in 2021.
Berend Mets
Berend Mets is a Professor of Anesthesiology at the Pennsylvania State University. He has published two non-fiction books: Waking Up Safer? An Anesthesiologist's Record. and Leadership in Anesthesia: Five Pioneers of the Deadly Quest for Surgical Insensibility. And, after an MFA from Carlow University, published his debut novel Immorality Act this year.
Amber Meyer
Amber Meyer is a Story Grid Certified Editor with a passion for murder mysteries. If you long to commit fictional murder, then Amber may be your ideal partner in crime. Amber currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three crazy kids and four fur-babies. She dreams of living on a beach In Hawaii and becoming the next Agatha Christie. https://www.mysteryeditor.com/
Teresa Michael
Teresa Michael is the award-winning author of the Mariposa Café Mystery Series. She enjoys reading, writing, great food and wine, and traveling with friends and family. She lives in Sarasota, Florida. https://teresamichaewrites.pubsitepro.com
Matthew Minson
Matthew Minson, MD is a screenwriter, author, and clinician whose work has been recognized by Library Journal, BIBA, and the Academy’s Nicholl Fellowship among others. His debut novel Sun City is the 2022 BIBA Award winner for Humor and his non-fiction series was Library Journal’s best of the year. www.writerminson.com
DL Mitchell
DL Mitchell, author of the Coral Shores Veterinary Mystery series and a 2024 Nominee for Georgia Author of the Year, brings her unique perspective as a small animal veterinarian to the world of mystery fiction. DL weaves entertaining tales into her novels, drawing from true-life cases and amusing anecdotes.
Heather L. Montgomery
Heather L. Montgomery writes for kids who are wild about animals. An award-winning author and educator, Heather has published 18 nonfiction books, including: Something Rotten: A Fresh Look at Roadkill; What’s in Your Pocket? Collecting Nature’s Treasures; and Sick! The Twists and Turns Behind Animal Germs. www.HeatherLMontgomery.com
John Morrison
John Morrison is a former intelligence officer and expert in cybersecurity who published his first novel, The Perfection of Fish, in 2020. His manuscript for The Pieces of My Self won the 2023 Claymore Award for Best Sci-fi/Fantasy. He belongs to an astrophysics society and lives near Annapolis, MD.
Judy L. Murray
Winner of the Silver Falchion and a Top Pick, the IPPY Awards gold and silver medals, an Agatha Award nominee, and three PenCraft International first place awards. Judy L. Murray’s Chesapeake Bay Mystery series debuted in 2021. She is a former Philadelphia real estate broker and restoration addict.
Christa Nardi
Christa Nardi is an accomplished writer and an avid reader. She loves a good mystery, cozy or not-so-cozy. Christa has authored the Cold Creek Cozy Mysteries, the Sheridan Hendley Mysteries, the Stacie Maroni Mysteries, and the Izzie Di Sante Mysteries. She co-authors the Hannah and Tamar Mystery Series with Cassidy Salem. Christa is a member of Sisters in Crime. Christa supports animal rescue and other efforts to help others. When not reading or writing, Christa enjoys travel. She’s married and enjoys time with her three grand-daughters and dogs.
Jim Nesbitt
Jim Nesbitt is the award-winning author of four hard-boiled Texas crime thrillers that feature battered but relentless Dallas PI Ed Earl Burch, including a Silver Falchion winner, THE BEST LOUSY CHOICE. For more than 30 years, Nesbitt was a journalist with an eye for the telling detail and an ear for the voice of the people who give life to a story. He now lives in Athens, Alabama and is working on his fifth Ed Earl Burch novel, THE FATAL SAVING GRACE.
Barbara Newhart
Barbara Newhart writes stories about falling in and out of love, mixed with intrigue and mystery, because this roller coaster called life always keeps us guessing. Her newest book, Love and the Divorce Lawyer, will be released by The Wild Rose Press in December 2024.
Chad Nicholas
Chad Nicholas is a Texas native who grew up out on a farm with dial up internet, and so reading quickly became a large part of his life. Eventually he started writing his own novels, and so far has published three: Nightmare, Shade, and The Animal.
Lauren Nossett
Lauren Nossett’s debut novel, The Resemblance was listed as a 2023 Books All Georgians Should Read, nominated as a Best First Book by International Thriller Writers, and called “elegant and thoughtful” by The New York Times. Her second novel, The Professor, was published in November 2023. She lives in Nashville.
Kim Nuesse
Kim Nuesse is a former police chief in Ohio. She has published law enforcement articles for the Ohio Police Chief’s magazine and is an adjunct instructor for the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. She currently lives in Ohio and has written a crime fiction thriller novel.
Tj O'Connor
Tj O'Connor is a thriller and mystery author with a pending new thriller and multiple paranormal mysteries coming soon. He’s an anti-terrorism consultant—life experiences that drive his novels. He has lived and worked around the world and now lives with his wife and Labrador companions in Virginia. www.tjoconnor.com
Patrick O’Donnell
Patrick O’Donnell is a retired Milwaukee police sergeant with 25 years of street experience. He’s the author of 10 books, including his newest thriller, The Good Collar and has hosted crime documentaries for Tubi TV. He hosts the popular Cops and Writers Podcast & the Cops & Writers Facebook group for crime writers.
Kelly Oliver
Kelly Oliver is the award-winning and bestselling author of three mystery series: the seven-book Jessica James Mysteries; the three-book kid’s Pet Detective Mysteries; and the nine-book historical cozies Fiona Figg Mysteries.
Kelly is currently President of Sisters in Crime and Distinguished Professor Emerita of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University.
Randy Overbeck
Dr. Randy Overbeck is an award-winning educator, author and speaker, who served children for forty years and turned this experience into captivating fiction, earning bestseller status and twelve national awards. He has shared four different book talks featuring his books with over 250 audiences all over the country.
T.O. Paine
T.O. Paine is an award-winning author of fast-paced thriller suspense novels. He is a member of International Thriller Writers and holds a master’s degree in computer information systems. His high-emotion novels focus on the consequences of his character’s choices, resulting in spine-tingling, suspenseful twist endings. https://topaine.com/
Rebecca Papin
A Franklin, Tennessee native with a Bachelor’s Degree in Comparative Literature from The American University of Paris, Rebecca is represented by Julie Gwinn of The Seymour Agency. Her third novel, NOT HOME ALONE, is on submission, and she is in the process of writing her fourth novel, THE TERMS.
Susan Parker
By day, Susan Parker is a flavor chemist. By night, she writes, knits and more. Susan is editing her first police procedural novel. She started writing with the Memphis Writer’s Ensemble in 2012. She lives in Covington, Kentucky with her husband Jon and Feline Overlord Neko.
Priscilla Paton
Priscilla Paton writes the award-nominated Twin Cities Mystery series (Coffeetown Press). A retired English professor (B.A. Bowdoin, Ph.D. Boston College), she taught at St. Olaf College and has published a scholarly book and a children’s book. In addition to writing, she participates in community advocacy programs. Website: priscillapaton.com.
KL Peacock
KL (Kelli) Peacock lives in Tucson, AZ, where she works customer service for a large credit card company. She is active in the Public Safety Writers Association. In her spare time, she travels and loves photography. She writes a mystery/police procedural series – The Crossings and has won two PSWA awards. Kelli uses her real-life experiences to write her interesting characters.
Ray Peden
Following 43 years as a Civil Engineer, General Contractor, Architect, Land Developer, and Copywriter, Ray Peden nurtured his muse and published two award-nominated suspense/thrillers: One Tenth of the Law and Prime Cut. A 7‑time veteran of Killer Nashville, Ray’s third novel, The Bourbon Conspiracy is underway.
Linda Duncan Petrilli
Linda Duncan Petrilli is a triage/trauma nurse,has been a Commissioned Officer, firefighter, Tactical EMS for SWAT, trained as a pilot, flew rescue and DEA missions for the CAP. Proficient in martial arts and most weapons. Has published her first mystery, In Her Sights, this past year. Member of MWA, RWA, SinC. She lives in Colorado with her Newfoundland Einstein, who doesn't live up to his name and answers to Buddy.
Jeffrey Philips
Jeffrey “Hammerhead” Philips strapped on a scuba cylinder for the first time in 1967. Dove for two years, then obtained his scuba certification from NASDS, then became a PADI instructor. In 1980 he married the prettiest mermaid in the ocean, Kitty. Today, he lives in Hilham, Tennessee, writing fictionalized events of his travels.
Dale T. Phillips
Stephen King was Dale's college writing teacher, and since then Dale has published the Zack Taylor mystery series, other novels, over 80 short stories, story collections, poetry, and non-fiction. He's appeared on stage, television, radio, in an independent feature film, and competed on Jeopardy (losing in a spectacular fashion). https://www.daletphillips.com/
Chris Plowe
Chris Plowe grew up in South Dakota before earning a BA in philosophy and MD at Cornell and an MPH in tropical medicine at Columbia. A world-renowned malariologist, he published hundreds of journal articles and Op-Eds in the NY Times, LA Times and other outlets before turning to writing fiction.
Ellis K Popa
When Ellis isn’t moonlighting as a coffee aficionada, you might find her hiking in Transylvania, doing photoshoots in Old Town Bucharest, or trying to convince her husband to move to Eastern Europe. She’s a lover of history, with a penchant for WWII and the Cold War, and an award-winning author.
Carol Potenza
Carol Potenza, an award-winning author, transitioned from teaching biochemistry to becoming a full-time mystery writer. She blends strong women sleuths, murder mysteries, and science to create a mix she calls “BiocheMystery.” All her books are set in the beautiful state of New Mexico, and you can visit her at www.carolpotenza.com.
Heather Riley
A high school teacher for twenty-five years, Heather Riley is also a yoga and meditation teacher in Pennsylvania. After learning about positive psychology at the school where she taught, she enrolled in a 400-hour program to get certified in it, and now consults organizations on the intersection of Eastern wisdom and Western social science. https://www.hive-thrive.com/
Lori Robbins
Lori Robbins writes the On Pointe and Master Class mystery series and is a contributor to The Secret Ingredient: A Mystery Writers Cookbook. She won two Silver Falchions, the Indie Award for Best Mystery, and second place in the Daphne du Maurier Award for Mystery and Suspense.
Erica Rodgers
Erica Rodgers lives with her husband, two children, and one very lovable, frenetic pit bull mix. Her constant state of ‘fernweh’ fuels a love for travel, but she calls Nashville, Tennessee, home.
When she isn’t writing or talking story over coffee (or tacos), you can find her rock climbing, in the woods, or beneath an ever-growing pile of bookish quilting fabric.
Carolyn Rowland
Carolyn Rowland is a real estate and corporate lawyer turned writer. She writes the Haunted City mystery novel series set in Savannah, Georgia. Her short fiction can also be seen in various anthologies. You can keep up with Ms. Rowland’s upcoming fiction at www.carowland.com.
Tanya Russell
Tanya Russell is a consultant and technical writer for SAP ERP software. Her pastimes include reading, writing, and attending sci-fi/fantasy conventions where she honed her panel discussion skills. Under her pen name Taliya J. Martin she is a 2024 Claymore Award Finalist for Best Comedy.
Richard Rybicki
Richard Rybicki, a former homicide lieutenant from Chicago, began his writing career with the publication of his first novel, The Pain Game, in 2016. Three novels followed in the Sam Laska Crime Thriller series with the fifth of the series slated to be published later this year.