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Hi everyone, it's Gilbert. If you follow the Bone Valley podcast, you probably remember that I'm also the author of narrative nonfiction books focused on true crime and criminal justice. In fact, it was at a Florida conference while speaking about my book Devil in the Grove, that I met Judge Scott Kupp. He handed me his card and told me about Leo Scofield, a man he believed was completely innocent of the murder that that had kept him in prison for 36 years. The rest, as they say, is history. Except there's a new wrinkle. I'm excited to announce that I've been hard at work on a book about Leo's case. It's called Bone A True Story of Injustice and Redemption in the Heart of Florida. It will come out on October 7th and it's available now for pre order wherever books are sold. If you pre order, be sure to save your Receipt. The first 100 Bone Valley listeners will receive exclusive signed book plates personalized by me and Leo Schofield. Just sign up at the link in the podcast. Details I originally had no intention of writing a book about Leo's case and what happened when Kelsey and I began to work together to tell this story. And for years I didn't. I spent that time reporting two seasons of the podcast and several bonus episodes. But along the way, I realized there was so much more to the story, and since many of you had written to me asking me for more, I decided to return to the format. I've always loved the book, and I'm so glad I did. The book traces the origins of the Bone Valley podcast. When Kelsey and I began the project, we had no idea how vast the story would become or how to navigate a medium we'd never worked in before. We were learning how to make a podcast at the same time we were uncovering the details of Leo's case. Along the way, we faced setbacks and breakthroughs, most of which never made it into the series. I couldn't be prouder of the podcast, but the absence of audio or video footage from Leo and Jeremy's original trials in the 1980s limited how much we could share with you about them. In Bone Valley, the book, I've reconstructed those trials and brought to life some of the most dramatic and pivotal moments from those cases. There are also many witnesses, detectives, attorneys, family members, and investigators whose stories and voices didn't make it into the podcast simply because we didn't have the time or space. In the book, I'm able to go deeper, explore more angles, and bring in scenes that never aired this is a more expansive version of the story and in many ways a more personal one too. A lot of you have told me that your favorite moments in Bone Valley were the behind the scenes parts, riding along with me and Kelsey as we investigated Leo's conviction and tracked down Jeremy Scott, the man who confessed to killing Michelle Scofield. The book is full of those moments and so much more. And for those of you who've gotten used to hearing my voice, I'll be narrating the Bone Valley audiobook. It includes original material, voices and scenes that weren't in the podcast. I wanted to make sure that even our most devoted listeners would experience something new. I'm excited for you to all read Bone Valley or listen on audiobook. It goes on sale October 7th and I'd appreciate if you want to support it with a pre order. Thanks as always for listening and stay tuned for a lot more Bone Valley to come.
Podcast: Bone Valley
Host: Gilbert King (Lava for Good Podcasts)
Episode: Bone Valley Book Announcement
Date: August 21, 2025
In this special announcement episode, Gilbert King, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and creator of the Bone Valley podcast, reveals the upcoming release of his new book, Bone: A True Story of Injustice and Redemption in the Heart of Florida. King shares the journey that led him from podcasting to authorship, detailing why the book will offer fans a richer, more personal, and expanded version of the story of Leo Schofield, a man imprisoned for 36 years for a crime he insists he didn't commit.
"He handed me his card and told me about Leo Scofield, a man he believed was completely innocent of the murder that that had kept him in prison for 36 years. The rest, as they say, is history." (00:16)
"For years I didn't. I spent that time reporting two seasons of the podcast and several bonus episodes. But along the way, I realized there was so much more to the story, and since many of you had written to me asking me for more, I decided to return to the format I've always loved: the book." (01:13)
"When Kelsey and I began the project, we had no idea how vast the story would become or how to navigate a medium we'd never worked in before." (02:05)
"For those of you who've gotten used to hearing my voice, I'll be narrating the Bone Valley audiobook. It includes original material, voices and scenes that weren't in the podcast." (03:30)
On revisiting the story in book form:
"There are also many witnesses, detectives, attorneys, family members, and investigators whose stories and voices didn't make it into the podcast simply because we didn't have the time or space. In the book, I'm able to go deeper, explore more angles, and bring in scenes that never aired—this is a more expansive version of the story and in many ways a more personal one too." (02:37)
On the reader experience:
"The book is full of those moments and so much more. And for those of you who've gotten used to hearing my voice, I'll be narrating the Bone Valley audiobook. It includes original material, voices and scenes that weren't in the podcast. I wanted to make sure that even our most devoted listeners would experience something new." (03:30)
Closing words and gratitude:
"Thanks as always for listening and stay tuned for a lot more Bone Valley to come." (04:16)
This episode is an intimate and enthusiastic message from Gilbert King to Bone Valley listeners. King details why he chose to expand the story into a book, promising fans a far richer narrative than the podcast allowed. He spotlights the deeper exploration of the case, previously unheard stories, and the inclusion of dramatic courtroom scenes. The personalized announcement reassures fans that this is not just a rehash, but a new, immersive experience—available in both print and an audiobook narrated by King himself.