Andy Straka is an award-winning mystery author whose latest book, Split City, features identical twins who are also former pro bowling champions. When one of them is called upon by the small Midwest town sheriff to identify the other’s body in the morgue, as you can imagine, all hell breaks loose.Hi there, I’m your host Jenny Wheeler, and today in Binge Reading Andy talks about the similarities between his own life and the characters in his story. He too is an identical twin who spent a lot of his youth in the local bowling alley.

As usual, we have a great giveaway of free books to offer you–this time a selection of clean and uplifting historical romance. Details of where to download them are in the show notes or on the Binge Reading Facebook page at www.thejoysof binge reading.com or https://www.facebook.com/JennyAtBingeReading

https://books.bookfunnel.com/escape_into_history/1lcyxeuzfl

Don’t forget exclusive bonus content on the Binge Reading on Patreon page – like hearing Andy’s answers to the Five Quickfire Questions. You can hear those by becoming a Binge Reading on Patreon supporter for the cost of less than a cup of coffee a month.

We would love to have you as a supporter. It takes a lot of work to put this together every week and although my time is not paid, it would be great to get a little extra benefit for supporting our sound crew, the people who transcribe the page, and our podcast hosts. Details at www.patreon.com/thejoysofbingereading

Links to be found in this episode

The Weird World of Extreme Ironing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowling_Alone

Twin Cities: ttps://www.amazon.com/New-Hampshire-Vs-Vermont-Sibling/dp/0965250202)

Bowling Alone by Robert D. Putnam: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowling_Alone

Raymond Chandler: The Big Sleep https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2052.The_Big_Sleep

Falconry: https://www.n-a-f-a.com/page/What_is_Falconry

Dashiel Hammett: The Maltese Falcon: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29999.The_Maltese_Falcon

Jeffrey Deaver: https://www.jefferydeaver.com/

Mary Kay Andrews: https://marykayandrews.com/

Brian Freeman: The Deep Deep Snow, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52282213-the-deep-deep-snow

Claire Huffacker: The Cowboy and The Cossack, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220812.

Lee Goldberg, Gated Prey http://leegoldberg.com/books/

Leif Enger Virgil Wander https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39027388-virgil-wander

AND Peace Like A River: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/227571.Peace_Like_a_River

Viet Thanh Nguyen: The Sympathizer, https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1229277604

William Gibson: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/10003/william-gibson/

James Lee Burke: https://www.jamesleeburke.com/

Dave Robicheaux: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Robicheaux

Anthony Doerr: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Cloud-Cuckoo-Land/Anthony-Doerr/9781982168438

C.J. Box: https://www.cjbox.net/

Amazon's new Jack Reacher series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSycMV-_Csw

Where to find Andy Straka

Website: https://www.andystraka.com/Email: [email protected]

What follows is a "near as" transcript of our conversation, not word for word but pretty close to it, with links to important mentions.

But now, here’s Andy.

Introducing mystery author Andy Straka

Mystery Author - and falconer -Andy Straka with one of his birds

Jenny Wheeler: Hello there Andy, and welcome to the show. It's great to have you with us.

Andy Straka: Thanks Jenny. I appreciate you having me on.

Jenny Wheeler: You are an award-winning and bestselling author whose latest book, Split City, is book one in a new series called Jesus Spares. It’s about identical twin brothers who have both been professional bowlers. I understand there is a big injection of personal biography into that backstory. Tell us about that.

Andy Straka: I grew up in upstate New York,