Unburying Family Secrets in the Paniolo Country with Tori Eldridge

There is a particular kind of suspense that settles into the land, into families, and into histories that refuse to stay buried. In this episode, award-winning broadcaster, narrator, and author Terry Shepherd takes a deep dive into the writer's craft with one of his favorite authors—and best friends—Tori Eldridge.

Tori joins the show to discuss her gripping seventh novel, Hawaii Rage, a multi-layered mystery that trades the typical tourist backdrops for the lush, complicated, and dangerous terrain of the Big Island's North Kohala. The story follows Mekalani, a highly overqualified seasonal interpretive ranger who gets pulled into a seemingly tragic ranching accident involving a grieving family and a deadly bull. But as the breadcrumbs unravel, a single death begins to expose generations of hidden secrets.

Terry and Tori explore:

The Rich History of the Paniolo: Discover Hawaii’s deep, historic cowboy traditions that pre-date the United States.
Writing Place as a Character: How Tori uses visceral details—from trade winds to the sound of horse hooves—to ground her complex plots.
The High-Wire Act of Audio Narration: Tori shares her experience stepping back into the studio with Brilliance Audio to personally narrate her diverse cast of characters, dialects, and Olelo Hawaii.
Stepping Into the Unknown: A sneak peek into Tori’s next project—a standalone, first-person, present-tense psychological domestic suspense novel.

Whether you are a fan of classic thrillers, rich cultural history, or the fine mechanics of storytelling, this deeply personal conversation offers an invigorating look behind the curtain of a master novelist at the height of her craft.

About the Guest

Tori Eldridge is the author of the Ranger Makalani Pahukula mystery series and the Lily Wong series. A former actor, singer, dancer, and martial artist, she has expanded her repertoire to audio narration, bringing her own complex, multi-generational characters to life. She currently lives in Portland, where she balances her writing life with being a proud tutu (grandmother).

Connect with Tori: Learn more about her books, background, and upcoming projects at ToriEldridge.com.

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