I've lived in Northwest Washington State for more than 30 years but grew up in rural Mason County, Michigan. I longed to be a writer but as a child believed it was impossible since I didn't live anywhere near New York City. I left Michigan and headed west after college, positive I was destined to write about the wider, more exotic, world. But curiously, nearly all my books and short stories either have a connection to, or are set in, Michigan.

My first books: Glom Gloom, The Lone Sentinel, and My Cousin the Poodle, (Atheneum) were written for my two children. Since then, I've written eleven books in the Miss Zukas (Avon/​Harper) mystery series, and three books in the Ruby Crane (Dell) mystery series.

I've drawn heavily on my Lithuanian background and my love for the oddities of the Library world for the Miss Zukas series. Forgery, always an interest since I forged my first absence excuse in fourth grade, figures heavily in the Ruby Crane series.

I now live in the foothills of Mt. Baker in Washington State.

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Promotional Info - Jo Dereske


Jo Dereske is the author of seventeen published books: two mystery series and three books for young people. Index to Murder, published in April, 2008 by Avon/​HarperCollins is the eleventh Miss Zukas mystery, set in the fictional town of Bellehaven, Washington. In Index to Murder, Helma's artist friend Ruth creates havoc in Bellehaven by creating a series of paintings depicting the disappointments of her life.


The New York Times called the Miss Zukas series, "a loving sendup of the stereotype of the prim and proper librarian." The Toronto Sun said, "You're in for a good time."


Her books have been on numerous bestseller lists, including BookSense, Amazon and several individual bookstores. Bookmarked to Die spent two months as the number one paperback on the nationwide Independent Mystery Booksellers Association' bestseller list. Catalogue of Death also received the number one honor.

Jo has taught in the University of Washington Creative Writing program, and spoken at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC as part of the Judith Austin Memorial Lecture series. She also teaches writing workshops and speaks at events.

Jo lives in the foothills of Mount Baker near Bellingham, Washington and her website is www.jodereske.com