Tornado Alley Mystery Writers

Tornado Alley Mystery Writers
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Interviews with regional mystery writers from south central states, such as Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kansas

  1. DEC 12

    Episode 51: Interview with Mariana Llanos

    Mariana Llanos is a children’s book writer, poet, and translator. Born in Lima, Peru, she’s the author of several books including the 2024 Pura Belpre Honor Book from the American Library Association, Benita y las criaturas nocturnas/Benita and the Night Creatures. She is also the winner of the 2022 Oklahoma Book Award for Run Little Chaski/Corre Pequeño Chaski (Barefoot Books 2021). Her latest book is a chapter book series titled Vampirita and the Angry Mob (Reycraft Books 2024), and she's a teaching artist of creative writing for the Oklahoma Arts Council. Tune in for Mariana’s take on thrillers and mysteries for children and her thoughts about AI and creativity.

    53 min

  2. NOV 14

    Episode 50: Interview with Vanessa Lillie

    Vanessa Lillie, who grew up in Oklahoma, is an enrolled member of the Cherokee tribe and a member of Sisters in Crime. She is the USA Today bestselling author of Blood Sisters, the first in a new series centered on the stories of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. It was awarded best mystery of the year from the Washington Post, Amazon Editor’s and Reader’s Digest. The sequel, The Bone Thief, has been recently released. Her other bestselling thrillers are Little Voices and For the Best. She lives in Providence, RI, but she comes back to visit Oklahoma from time to time. Tune in to hear her read a selection from her latest novel and discuss her approaches to writing about the history of her own tribe and other Native peoples.

    38 min

  3. OCT 17

    Episode 49: Interview with Yvette Walker

    Yvette Walker is a multifaceted storyteller whose work spans gripping crime fiction, faith-centered nonfiction, and award-winning journalism. She is the author of the Linda Radcliffe crime-novel series, including Sixty and the sequel, Trial of the Heart, in which she blends sharp suspense with deeply human characters, crafting narratives that explore justice, redemption, and the complexities of the heart. An accomplished journalist and Opinion Editor inducted into the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame, Yvette brings decades of editorial leadership to her storytelling. Listen to Yvette’s story and learn about her dedication to helping women work through the experience of divorce.

    42 min

  4. SEP 12

    Episode 48: Interview with Candace Kade

    Candace Kade is a novelist and screenwriter drawn to stories involving tech, psychology, culture, and the occasional sword fight. She’s the author of The Hybrid Series, a YA sci-fi trilogy. The first book, Enhanced, has been optioned for film, and the next book is coming out soon. A third culture kid, she calls both Chengdu and OKC home. She’s also a certified Krav Maga instructor and an unapologetic fan of writing fight scenes. When she’s not building new worlds on the page or screen, you’ll find her hiking national parks, exploring new countries, or teaching her two sons Mandarin. Listen to her inspiring career history in this interview.

    40 min

  5. SEP 10

    Episode 47: Interview with Merle Davenport

    Merle Davenport is President of the Tulsa NightWriters, where writers help writers. He writes in a variety of genres and enjoys speaking at conferences. He and his wife collaborate on historical romance novels, turning their love story into stories for others. His new book, based on twenty-five years of experience teaching inside prisons as well as extensive research, is titled “Echos of the Criminal Mind.” Coming out this fall, this true crime book is written for authors to give them a better idea how to create authentic, 3D villains. After all, if you know how your villain thinks, you’ll know how he talks and acts in your story.

    32 min

  6. JUL 18

    Episode 46: Interview with Rev. Dr. John F. Toles

    The Rev. Dr. John F. Toles is an Episcopal priest and author. He has served as the rector of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Enid since 2015 and has been an ordained priest in the Episcopal Church for over twenty years. In addition to his pastoral duties, Fr. Toles is an accomplished writer, known for his engaging mystery novels featuring the character, Father Anthony Savel. His works often blend elements of faith, humor, and suspense, drawing from his experiences in ministry. Tune in to hear an excerpt from The Golden Fistula and learn more about the snarky, lovable Father Savel.

    33 min

  7. JUN 22

    Episode 45: Interview with Debbie Burkart

    Tornado Alley's June 2025 interview is with a renaissance woman, Debbie Burkart. She's a writer of fiction and nonfiction. She's also a quilter, a horsewoman, and a native of the middle of the country. Hear her story.

    25 min

  8. MAY 16

    Episode 44: Interview with J. M. Linkhart

    J. M. Linkhart is a fantasy writer and co-founder of Goblin Booth Productions, a small multi-media studio based in Oklahoma. Her Kirkus-starred, debut novel First-Degree Magic releases May 6, 2025. She is the writer, editor, and primary voice actress of The Harrowing of Minerva Damson, an audio-drama available on all major podcasting platforms. When not writing or recording one of the many podcasts she produces, you may find her reading about her latest historical hyperfixation or rewatching Buffy the Vampire Slayer for the umpteenth time.  Listen to her thoughtful discussion of genre-blending and staying true to her vision.

    44 min
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About

Interviews with regional mystery writers from south central states, such as Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kansas

Information

  • Creator
    Tornado Alley Mystery Writers
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Tornado Alley Mystery Writers
  • Show Website
    Tornado Alley Mystery Writers