Mystery authors talk about their work and forthcoming books at a writer's conference.

Beth Luey explores that history of the region with three books which focus on several historic houses, first in Fairhaven, MA, where she settled, then across the area, picking several homes and talking about the people who inhabited them. By so doing, she gives a vivid and entertaining tour into the history of New England and the characters who molded the region, from millionaires to servants to immigrants.

Richard Mangone went from poverty to making 25k a week through shady land deals through the credit union he headed. Deals went sour, and the credit union turned into a Ponzi scheme. The law took away his $600,000 of Ferrari and other fast cars worth more than $600,000. Knowing he was going to get a long sentence, he spent 18 months on the run, finally turning himself in where he spent 18 years behind bars. He now runs a prison ministry.

Dr. Brady tells us what the planet's climate was like in the past 1500 years and how it's changed so abruptly in the past 35. After he and two other scientists presented their findings in front of a Senate hearing, their credibility as scientists came under attack by a couple of Republican senators. Bradley describes the whole story, and he says whether he's optimistic or pessimistic about our climate future.

Moran-Thomas, at the MIT Anthropology Department, traveled to Belize to study worm diseases but found that everyone wanted to talk about diabetes, which is a number one killer there. Diabetes is not just a disease for people with obesity, but it is tied to a greater worldwide ailment of rich vs poor, violence, and changing environment.

Brunonia Barry's writing is skilled and diverse. Her latest book features a traumatized colonial-era scholar who studied the 1692 witch trials and has become a suspect in the murder of three women, called the goddess murders. She takes refuge under the oak tree in front of the house of Salem's chief of police. Barry's writing explores what it means to be ''the other'' and wonders if a new type of witch hysteria might happen again.

Jeanette loves the Cape, and there's no where as unique as Provincetown. In the summer it's crazy, with theme weeks that draw thousands. Jeanette has drawn upon these theme weeks to deliver beautiful books. A best selling novelist who also writes books in other genres, such as the Middle Ages. Fun Interview.

From TV Jingles to orchestral works, Erik looks at the process of creating music. He talks especially about his collaboration with musicians to create the novel work Extreme Spirituals. Erik also talks about how the internet destroyed the music business and how musicians needs new ways to make a living. Delightful interview. Erik is positive and engaging.

Historical fiction: a love story centered on the 1953 Iranian coup. Marjan talks about how Iran changed since that year.

Helene's debut novel is based on the true story of her sister who was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in her forties, though she never smoked. In the novel, the sisters are close and deal with the illness together. Both know the trajectory of lung cancer, which is the deadliest cancer in the US. The novel delves into the personal lives of families. It's a story of loyalty, of losing a loved one, but also of the strength of the human spirit.

Clea Simon has authored about thirty books. She’s most noted for her various cat mysteries, but she started in non-fiction and journalism. As well as talking about her books, she discusses growing up with siblings who had mental illness and her research into others who had family members with mental illness. Clea is a New England treasure; her writing is fun and engaging, and she is a lively guest.

Raosto has written a wonderful book principally about Nur Jahan, one of the wives of Mughal ruler Jahangir, who commanded armies and built palaces and shot tigers from elephant back. Because Jahangir was addicted to opium and wine, Nur Jahan molded India in the early 1600s. A fascinating story of an unlikely powerful Muslim woman.

Former MIT Media Lab director talks about the development of the program and the work of the original faculty. His first book, ''The Human Interface'', has become a classic of the disciple. He turned to crime fiction to produce ''Sailor Take Warning'', which also takes place in a mysterious MIT lab. A professor finds his graduate student floating face down in the Charles River and begins delving into the student's secret activities, including a program that could propel a boat to an America's...