Panel

Our friends at the Historic Temple Theatre are hosting New York Times bestselling author Michael Perry in conjunction with the Ridges & Rivers Book Festival. A farm boy turned humorist, Michael Perry is known for his funny and heartwarming takes on life in rural America, and he is the author of Population 485: Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time; Truck: A Love Story; the recently published Forty Acres Deep; and many other books. You can purchase tickets for this Historic Temple Theatre production at www.historictempletheatre.com/tickets.

Bestselling author William Kent Krueger explores how books have helped him and others survive the chaos of life. A question-and-answer session and book signing follow the presentation. Admission is free, but registration is requested at www.historictempletheatre.com/tickets. Seating is limited.

Join author Amy Pease as she discusses her gripping debut novel, Northwoods, a layered mystery that explores how far people will go to protect the ones they love. Set against the atmospheric backdrop of Wisconsin's lake country, the story follows a troubled sheriff's deputy investigating the death of a teenage boy, while confronting his own demons from military service. Pease will share her journey crafting this emotionally resonant thriller, including how she developed its rich cast of characters, built suspense across multiple timelines, and tackled sensitive themes like PTSD, addiction, and family trauma. She'll discuss how setting plays a crucial role in mystery writing and how she used the stark beauty and isolation of the Northwoods to amplify the story's mood and themes. Join us for an engaging conversation about writing, redemption, and finding light in dark places.