When Governor Gavin Newsom issued an order to extend the moratorium on executions in California in March, the lead detective and the victims’ families in the Hawks case were all very upset. After sitting through three trials in this case, two of which resulted in death sentences for defendants who killed their family members, they have been waiting a decade to see these murderers receive the ultimate punishment. But they are likely going to … [Read more...]
Rother Looks Back on the Career-long Coverage of a Murder Case
As a professional journalist for the past 32 years, I’ve published thousands of news and feature articles for newspapers and magazines. I’ve also written and coauthored 13 books since 2005, penned countless blog posts, and I’m working on two new books as we speak. But now that I’m looking back over my career, I realize that I’ve been researching and writing about the case of the transgender killer, Skylar Deleon, and the murder of Tom and … [Read more...]
DEAD RECKONING by New York Times Bestselling Author Caitlin Rother
Tom and Jackie Hawks loved their life in retirement, sailing on their yacht, the Well Deserved. But when the birth of a new grandson called them back to Arizona, they put the boat up for sale. Skylar Deleon and his pregnant wife Jennifer showed up as prospective buyers, with their baby in a stroller, and the Hawkses thought they had a deal. Soon after a sea trial and an alleged purchase, however, the older couple disappeared and the Deleons … [Read more...]
New York Times Bestselling Author Caitlin Rother Releases Updated Edition of DEAD RECKONING, Packed With New Details
I’m thrilled to announce that I’m working with WildBlue Press once again, this time to release a newly revised and updated version of my book, DEAD RECKONING, one of my most popular books. So much has changed since the book was originally released in 2011 that I barely know where to start. But suffice it to say that this meaty update provides lots of up-to-the-minute new material, including recent photos, many of which can be found on the … [Read more...]
DEAD RECKONING Photo Gallery
Beach House Writing Salon III Offers Stimulating Day to Aspiring Authors
It was a stimulating and inspirational day at our most recent salon in Cardiff-by- the-sea (or so I’m told). I was thrilled that a couple of repeat attendees said they got even more out of this one than the earlier ones. Apparently, we are improving over time, so that’s great to hear. As usual, I keep the salon small so it is an intimate and personal day, which allows the attendees to get to know each other and also ask questions of the … [Read more...]
NYT Bestselling Author Caitlin Rother Hits Ten-Book Milestone
As I'm about to go on tour for the release of my tenth book, THEN NO ONE CAN HAVE HER, I have been asking myself this existential question: Just how many books does an author need to publish in a lifetime? I haven't really come up with a good answer. I'm proud to have reached this personal milestone, but I also know that I'm still getting better with every book. Why stop now? THEN NO ONE CAN HAVE HER tells the true story behind the Steve … [Read more...]
Author Caitlin Rother Launches Her “Don’t Worry ‘Bout A Thing” Tour
By Caitlin Rother When things get rough or tough, I sing. When I want to stop thinking about writer’s block or the rejections I’m getting on the new book proposal, I sing. When I want to bring some light into the darkness, I sing. When I just want to be happy, I sing. And now, after singing in organized groups since I was a teenager—chorus, college glee club, community theater and a capella at the Bread Loaf Writing Conference—I am … [Read more...]
McStay Murder Case Moves to Trial, But Questions Remain
By Caitlin Rother After following the McStay case for the past five years, I drove nearly four hours to San Bernardino and back yesterday to cover the preliminary hearing of Charles “Chase” Merritt, who stands accused of murdering this family of four. Before I commit myself to writing a true crime book on a specific case, I must weigh many factors, including the logistical challenges of covering a trial as well as the strength of the … [Read more...]
NY Times Bestselling Author Caitlin Rother Talks Crime Fiction vs. True Crime
As the New York Times bestselling author of fiction and nonfiction books, I thought that readers might be interested to hear how the writing process differs between my two main genres, at least for me, and how I go about choosing the cases I feature in my books. So far, I’ve written or co-authored 10 books, including eight that are narrative non-fiction crime titles, and I'm working on #11 and #12. My latest title is I’ll Take Care of You and … [Read more...]
