Tuesday, February 7 at Noon
Attend on Zoom at home or watch remotely at all three libraries.

Jeanne Cooney is the author of the popular Hot Dish Heaven mystery series: Hot Dish Heaven, A Second Helping of Murder and Recipes, and A Potluck of Murder and Recipes, all published by North Star Press. Her new series, It’s Murder, kicks off in March 2022 with the release of It’s Murder, Dontcha Know.

Cooney’s books are set in the Red River Valley of northwestern Minnesota, home to an array of colorful, Scandinavian-Lutheran farmers. Along with an old-fashioned, make-believe, who-done-it, each story includes Midwest references, time-honored hot dish, Jell-O, and bar recipes, as well as a few Ole and Lena jokes. And while the books may be read as a series, they can stand on their own too.

Cooney is a highly sought speaker for conferences, libraries, community gatherings, and organization fundraisers, where she offers her humorous take on life in the Midwest. She and her off-beat mystery books have been featured on television and radio as well as in newspapers and magazines throughout the region. Minnesota Public Radio named Cooney one of a handful of Minnesota-based mysteries authors to read.

Tuesday, February 14 at 3 PM
Attend on Zoom at home or watch remotely at all three libraries.

Lorna Landvik is the author of ten novels, including the best-selling Patty Jane’s House of Curl, Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons, Oh My Stars, and Best to Laugh.

Landvik's checkered (but legal) past includes working as a chambermaid in Bavaria, winning a trip to Tahiti as a contestant on '$25,000 Pyramid' (MacGyver was her partner), temping at the Playboy Mansion (it was strictly a clerical position) and walking across the country as a member of The Great Peace March.

She has acted in many theatrical productions, including a half dozen shows she conveniently wrote for herself. Her all-improvised show, “Part in the Rec Room” is a local legend, due in no small part to the margaritas she mixes up onstage.

She is currently working on two novels, one of which is a sequel to her first book. She has one husband and two daughters and lives in the beautiful blue and green state of Minnesota.

Tuesday, February 21 at 7 PM
Attend on Zoom at home or watch remotely at the Jackson Library.

Chad Lewis is a paranormal researcher and author for Unexplained Research. Chad holds a Master’s of Science degree in Applied Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. For over 25 years Chad Lewis has traveled the back roads of the world in search of the strange and unusual. 

From tracking vampires in Transylvania and chasing the Chupacabras in Puerto Rico, to searching for the elusive monster in Loch Ness, and pursuing ghosts in Ireland’s castles, Chad brings over 18 years of research experience to his presentations. 

Chad has been featured on the Discovery Channel's A Haunting, William Shatner's Weird or What, ABC's Scariest Places on Earth, and Monsters and Mysteries in America along with being a frequent contributor on Ripley's Believe it or Not Radio. With a Masters Degree in Psychology, Chad has authored over 25 books on the supernatural, including the Road Guide to Haunted Locations book series.

Tuesday, February 28 at 7 PM
Attend on Zoom at home or watch remotely at the Jackson Library.

Brian Freeman writes psychological thrillers that have been sold in 46 countries and 22 languages. His novel, Spilled Blood, won the award for Best hardcover in the annual Thriller Awards, and his novel, The Burying Place, was finalist for the same award. His novel, The Deep, Deep Snow was a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best Paperback Original. 

He has also been named by Putnam and the Robert Ludlum estate as the official author to continue Ludlum’s famous Jason Bourne franchise. Brian’s first Bourne novel, The Bourne Evolution, was named one of the Best Mysteries and Thrillers of 2020 by Kirkus. 

“My goal is to write books with haunting characters and a lightning-fast pace,” Brian says. “My stories are about the hidden intimate motives that draw people across some dark lines. The twists and turns keep you turning the pages and each piece in the puzzle gives you new insight into the heroes, victims, and villains.” 

He is particularly known for the “you are there” sense of place in his novels, from dead-of-winter Minnesota to the tropical storms of Florida. He scouts real-life locales for all of his books and brings to life dramatic settings such as Duluth, San Francisco, Tampa, Las Vegas and Door County, Wisconsin. 

Brian has lived in Minnesota for more than 35 years with his wife, Marcia, who is his partner in life and in the book business.