August 14, 2003

Boise State Emeritus Professor Publishes Murder Mystery Set In Boise 

A born-again minister, an ex-Texan private investigator, a woman in danger, a former bouncer and a punk with an attitude join together to form an intriguing mystery novel from Boise State University emeritus professor of English and American literature Lonnie L. Willis. Red, White, and Dead, set in the City of Trees, is available through Vista Book Gallery and Book and Game in Boise, at www.Amazon.com and at www.1stbooks.com.     The mystery begins in earnest when the Reverend Roy Sweetner, a former rockabilly guitar picker, is found murdered in the sanctuary of his church. When Boise private investigator Clayton James gets involved in the case, he uncovers evidence of the minister’s obsession with racist culture. Red, White, and Dead follows James and his brother, a former wrestler and carnival bouncer, as they explore the culture of bigotry that, until recently, marred the reputation of Idaho.     Willis was raised on Texas ranch land, where he earned a hardscrabble education in country schools. Following a stint with the Army, he earned graduate degrees at the University of Texas in Austin and the University of Colorado before beginning his teaching career at Boise State. He has published works of short fictions as well as several scholarly articles on American writers. Willis is currently writing a memoir about his free-for-all boyhood in Texas titled Only the Sky Never Changes. He lives in Boise with his wife, Carol Martin.     Willis will sit on two panels during the Log Cabin Literary Center’s BookFest Sept. 9-13. Copies of Red, White, and Dead will also be available for purchase during the event. -30- Red, White and Dead by Lonnie L. Willis ISBN 1-4033-8999-3 paperback 194 pages  6” x 9” 1stBooks Library, 2003 Contact Lonnie L. Willis 208 345-2160 lwillis17@excite.com Media Contact Kathleen Craven communications and marketing 208 426-3275 kcraven@boisestate.edu Return to News home