Two Killers and a Sweetheart - Author Panel
2026-01-27 17:00 - 18:00 (America/Denver) | Cortez Public Library, 202 N Park St, Cortez, CO, 81321, United States
Two Killers and A Sweetheart Headed for Cortez Library Tuesday, Jan. 27
Calling All Readers (And Writers, Too!)

Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park, is pleased to welcome three nationally successful authors, all from right here in our beautiful little corner of Colorado. This free event is Tuesday, Jan. 27 from 5 to 6 p.m.
Thriller author Mark Stevens from Mancos, murder mystery author Scott Graham from Durango, and Cortez’s own beloved romantic comedy author Bethany Turner will draw back the curtain on what it takes to make it in the world of fiction writing today, sharing their behind-the-scenes tales from the world of publishing. There will be plenty of time for questions and a discussion about the publishing business today.
About Scott Graham
Scott Graham is the author of the National Park Mystery Series, published by Torrey House Press. The nine-books-and-counting in the critically acclaimed series feature archaeologist Chuck Bender and his family as they encounter villainous intrigue in America’s iconic western national parks, illuminating environmental and social justice issues specific to the parks along the way. In addition to his mysteries, Scott is the author of five nonfiction books, including Extreme Kids, winner of the National Outdoor Book Award. More about Scott:www.scottfranklingraham.com
About Mark Stevens
Mark Stevens is the author of The Flynn Martin Thriller series including No Lie Lasts Forever (June 2025) and Two Truths and A Lie (April 2026), both from Thomas & Mercer; The Fireballer (Lake Union, 2023), and The Allison Coil Mystery Series including Antler Dust, Buried by the Roan, Trapline, Lake of Fire, and The Melancholy Howl. Trapline won the Colorado Book Award for Best Mystery. Stevens has published short stories in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Mystery Tribune, and Denver Noir (Akashic Books, 2022). Denver Noir went on to win the Colorado Book Award for Best Anthology in 2023. Stevens was one of three co-editors for Four Corners Voices, an anthology of fiction, essays, and poetry that won the Colorado Book Award for Best Anthology in 2025. More: www.writermarkstevens.com
About Bethany Turner
Bethany Turner is the author of eleven romance novels, including Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other, winner of the 2024 Colorado Book Award and an Amazon Editors’ Pick for Best Romance. Its follow-up, Cole and Laila Are Just Friends, was a 2025 finalist for the Colorado Book Award and winner of the Colorado Authors League Award for Best Romance. The popular Adelaide Springs series, published by HarperCollins, concluded in the summer of 2025 with Wes and Addie Had Their Chance. Bethany writes pop culture–infused rom-coms for a new generation of readers who crave fiction that tackles the thorny issues of life with humor and insight. She lives in Cortez, Colorado with her husband, whom she met in the nineties in a chat room called Disco Inferno. As sketchy as it sounds, it worked out pretty well in this case, and they are now the proud parents of two grown sons. Learn more at bethanyturner.com.
