Barbara Deese couldn't not write. After a tragic loss with painful repercussions, writing became the source of healing that worked. After a while, that writing evolved into something much more, an entire mystery series centered on powerfully authentic women (members of a fictional book club), who investigate murder mysteries set in the Minnesota landscape where Barbara lives (for real).

Barbara is author of the No Ordinary Women Mysteries Series, including the book we discuss in this episode, Murder at Spirit Falls. Her short story "Release" appeared in Festivals of Crime and "Twisted" appeared in Dark Side of the Loon.

Barbara's website

Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and writing mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats.

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