What happens when an investigative journalist shifts from documenting true crime to crafting psychological suspense? You get the gripping, multi-layered world of the Katrina and Goode series.

In this episode, host Terry Shepherd sits down with New York Times bestselling author and veteran journalist Caitlin Rother to discuss Staged, the taut second book in her acclaimed fiction series. From pulling emotional truth from personal tragedy to navigating the "incredible shrinking media" landscape, Caitlin pulls back the curtain on how she weaves intricate webs of corruption, suspense, and raw human chemistry.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

The Secret to Author Longevity: How Caitlin has published 17 books by channeling her impatience and creative drive into a relentless "just keep going" work ethic.
The Evolution of Staged: A deeper look into the amorphous, dangerous "cabal" pulling the strings in La Jolla's glittering underworld, and the fictional, high-stakes sexual enhancement drug at the center of the corruption.
Katrina & Ken's Dangerous Dynamic: The intense psychological bond and ethical boundaries that keep an investigative reporter and a homicide detective fighting their natural chemistry while dodging a lethal stalker.
Verisimilitude in Fiction: How Caitlin relies on her 20 years of newsroom experience and real-world law enforcement consultations to ensure her stories never feel cartoonish.
The Reality of "Success": A candid conversation on why even a New York Times bestseller list placement doesn't erase the daily pressure of the publishing industry and changing social media landscapes.

About the Guest

Caitlin Rother is a New York Times bestselling author, investigative journalist, and writing coach. Across 17 books spanning true crime, memoir, and psychological thrillers, she has explored the machinery of justice with a reporter’s eye and a storyteller’s soul. Her latest series follows reporter Katrina and Detective Ken Goode as they untangle parallel trails of murder and corruption in San Diego.

Connect with Caitlin:

Website: caitlinrother.com
Featured Books: Hooked (Book 1) and Staged (Book 2)

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