Episodes

  • The Mysterious Alaska Triangle
    Jan 14 2025
    Episode 54: The Mysterious Alaska Triangle First named in 1972, the Alaska Triangle stretches from Anchorage in southcentral Alaska to Juneau in the southeast panhandle to Utqiagvik (formerly Barrow) on Alaska's northern coast. Since 1988, more than 16,000 people have vanished from this area, and every year, approximately four people go missing per every 1000 Alaska residents. This rate is twice the national average. Sources Alexander, Kathy. “The Alaska Triangle – Disappearing Into Thin Air.” March 2023. Legends of America. Dundas, Suzie. “Why do so many people go missing in the Alaska Triangle?” January 25, 2023. MapQuest Travel. Dunning, Brian. “The Japan Airlines Alaska UFO.” November 10, 2020. WayBack Machine. Gough, Cody. 2019. “Thousands of People Have Mysteriously Disappeared in Alaska's Bermuda Triangle.” Discovery. LeBlanc, Jocelyne. 2018. “10 Facts About the Little-Known Alaska Triangle.” Toptenz Liefer, Gregory P. 2011. Without a Trace. Aviation Mysteries of the North. Chapter 11: Anchorage, AK. Publication Consultants. Locations Unknown Team. “The strange stories of the Alaska Triangle.” November 26, 2019. Strange Outdoors. Weiss, Lawrence D. “Unfriendly skies: The extraordinary flight of JAL 1628. Alaska's best known UFO encounter.” October 28, 2019. The Anchorage Press. _____________________________________________ Read True Stories of Murder and Mystery in Alaska ________________________ Check out the Author Masterminds Website ________________________________________________________________ Get to know the authors at The Readers and Writers Book Club ___________________________________________ Meet Robin Barefield, your host for Episode 54: The Mysterious Alaska Triangle Robin Barefield lives in the wilderness on Kodiak Island, where she and her husband own a remote lodge. She has a master’s degree in fish and wildlife biology and is a wildlife-viewing and fishing guide. Robin has published six novels: Big Game, Murder Over Kodiak, The Fisherman’s Daughter, Karluk Bones, Massacre at Bear Creek Lodge, and The Ultimate Hunt. She has also published two non-fiction books: Kodiak Island Wildlife and Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier. She draws on her love and appreciation of the Alaska wilderness as well as her scientific background when writing. Robin invites you to join her at her website: https://robinbarefield.com, and while you are there, sign up for her free monthly newsletter about true crime in Alaska. Robin also narrates a podcast, Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier. You can find it at: https://murder-in-the-last-frontier.blubrry.net
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    28 mins
  • Will a Massive Deportation of Aliens Work?
    Dec 31 2024
    Episode 53: Will a Massive Deportation of Aliens Work? Donald Trump has said that on Day One of his Presidency, he would begin the largest deportation of aliens in American history. Best of luck, President Trump. We tried that before. In 1919. It didn’t go as planned. Well, what happened? For an answer, let’s look back in history. _________________________________________________________ Now Available! ___________________________________ ________________________ Check out the Author Masterminds Website ________________________________________________________________ Get to know the authors at The Readers and Writers Book Club ___________________________________________ Meet Steve Levi, your host for episode 53: Will a Mass Deportation of Aliens Work? Steve Levi is a 70-something writer in Alaska. He specializes in the impossible crime and the Alaska Gold Rush. An impossible crime is one in which the detective must figure out HOW the crime was committed before he can go after the perpetrators. As an example, in THE MATTER OF THE VANISHING GREYHOUND, the detective must figure out how a Greyhound bus with four bank robbers, a dozen hostages, and $10 million can vanish off the Golden Gate Bridge. Steve’s books can be seen at www.authormasterminds.com/steve-levi and www.steverlevibooks.com. He also does two historical uploads a week. Send Steve your email, and he will include it in the mailings.
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    23 mins
  • A Texas Christmas Murder Mystery
    Dec 17 2024
    Episode 52: A Texas Christmas Murder Mystery Who murdered Latricia White, and what happened to her boyfriend, Lee Wackerhagen (nicknamed Dub), and his nine-year-old son, Chance? This tragic tale occurred in 1993 in McMahon, Texas. Sources: “Episode 47: Murdered and Missing in Lockhart.” March 12, 2019. All Murder, No Cattle. Cargile, E. “New hope for a Caldwell Co. cold case.” June 25, 2010. KXAN. “Dub’s Last Stand.” March 15, 2010. Unsolved Mysteries. “Dub and Chance Wackergan: Last Christmas.” July 14, 2019. Lost n Found Blogs. __________________________________________________________ What would you do if someone was hunting you in the Alaska wilderness? Check out the Author Masterminds Website ________________________________________________________________ Get to know the authors at The Readers and Writers Book Club ___________________________________________ Meet Robin Barefield, Your Host for Episode 52: A Texas Christmas Murder Mystery Robin Barefield lives in the wilderness on Kodiak Island, where she and her husband own a remote lodge. She has a master’s degree in fish and wildlife biology and is a wildlife-viewing and fishing guide. Robin has published six novels: Big Game, Murder Over Kodiak, The Fisherman’s Daughter, Karluk Bones, Massacre at Bear Creek Lodge, and The Ultimate Hunt. She has also published two non-fiction books: Kodiak Island Wildlife and Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier. She draws on her love and appreciation of the Alaska wilderness as well as her scientific background when writing. Robin invites you to join her at her website: https://robinbarefield.com, and while you are there, sign up for her free monthly newsletter about true crime in Alaska. Robin also narrates a podcast, Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier. You can find it at: https://murder-in-the-last-frontier.blubrry.net
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    22 mins
  • Secret Cargo
    Dec 3 2024
    Episode 51: Secret Cargo A thick, impenetrable overcast concealed the heavily forested hills below, leaving only the jagged peaks of the snow-capped Rocky Mountains visible as they pierced the night sky. Far above, a U.S. Army Air Forces C-49K military transport aircraft navigated the cold, unforgiving skies of British Columbia. The plane, a Douglas C-49K—a variant of the Douglas DC-3—was a sturdy, reliable workhorse routinely used for administrative missions along the Northwest Staging Route during World War II. This route connected Fort Nelson and Fort St. John, threading its way through the remote wilderness of Canada. On February 5, 1943, the C-49K, operating under the command of the Air Transport Command’s Alaska Wing, departed Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, bound for Edmonton, Alberta. On board were three crew members, including the experienced Lieutenant Colonel Mensing, and eight passengers—four military personnel and four civilian technicians contracted by the U.S. Army. The aircraft also carried several sacks of mail and an unidentified cargo, whose contents were a mystery to all but a few. _____________________________ Now Available Five Dollars: How One Act of Kindness Changed the World tells the uplifting story of a single five-dollar bill that moves from person to person, sparking acts of kindness that ripple across communities and cultures. Each chapter introduces a new character touched by a simple act of generosity, revealing how even the smallest gesture can create a lasting impact. Whether shared with friends, family, coworkers, or community members, Five Dollars makes a heartfelt gift perfect for inspiring others. You can buy 20 copies for only $5 each—a wonderful way to pass it along to loved ones, neighbors, or even strangers, spreading its powerful message of kindness and encouraging others to join in creating positive change. To order your Five Dollars for $5 and start changing the world, kindly visit https://publicationconsultants.com/?s=five+dollars. For an extra 25% discount, type in Christmas on checkout. ___________________________________________ Check out the Author Masterminds Website ________________________________________________________________ Get to know the authors at The Readers and Writers Book Club ______________________________________________________________________________________ Meet Evan Swensen, your host for Episode 51: Secret Cargo Evan Swensen, book publisher, editor, author, and Author Masterminds charter member along with his wife, Lois, publishes books by authors worldwide. He has been the publisher and editor of Alaska Outdoors magazine and producer of Alaska Outdoors television show and outdoor videos, and host of Alaska Outdoor Radio Magazine. He has been an Alaska resident since 1957. As a pilot, he has logged more than 4,000 hours of flight time in Alaska, in both wheel and float planes. He is a serious recreation hunter and fisherman, equally comfortable casting a flyrod or using bait, or lures. Evan has been published in many national magazines and is the author of five books and publisher of more than 1,000 books by other authors. Evan claims to have the best job in the world; he gets up in the morning, puts on his fishing vest, picks up his fly rod, kisses his wife goodbye, tells her he’s going to work—and she believes him. Author Masterminds: https://authormasterminds.com/evan-swensen Author Masterminds One Last Cast book: https://authormasterminds.com/details/XLxrX One Last Cast on Amazon: https://bit.ly/3H0OzTo One Last Cast short video: https://youtu.be/2wzwWmim-2g Alaska Outdoors https://alaskaoutdoorsmagazine.com. Alaska Outdoors Blog: https://alaskaoutdoorsmagazine.com/blog/ Alaska Outdoors Videos: https://bit.ly/37xjUzl
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    22 mins
  • Why Did Japan Twice Attempt to Take Alaska?
    Nov 19 2024
    Episode 50: Why Did Japan Twice Attempt to Take Alaska? It almost happened, you know. Japan almost took Alaska. Not during the Second World War; just after the First World War. It was a very clever plan and almost succeeded. Now, let me tell you the whole story!! _____________________________________________________ Now Available! Use the Code "Christmas" at the Publication Consultants Website to get 25% off the Cover Price! Vi___________________________________ Visit the Bazaar Meet the Authors Win Prizes Find Great Deals on Excellent Books ____________________________________ Meet Steve Levi, your host for Episode 50: Why Did Japan Twice Attempt to Take Alaska? Steve Levi is a 70-something writer in Alaska. He specializes in the impossible crime and the Alaska Gold Rush. An impossible crime is one in which the detective must figure out HOW the crime was committed before he can go after the perpetrators. As an example, in THE MATTER OF THE VANISHING GREYHOUND, the detective must figure out how a Greyhound bus with four bank robbers, a dozen hostages, and $10 million can vanish off the Golden Gate Bridge. Steve’s books can be seen at www.authormasterminds.com/steve-levi and www.steverlevibooks.com. He also does two historical uploads a week. Send Steve your email, and he will include it in the mailings.
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    27 mins
  • The Mysterious Michigan Stonehenge
    Nov 5 2024
    Episode 49: The Mysterious Michigan Stonehenge Stone circles found in many places in the world are remnants of the Neolithic Age and are predominantly found in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Most people are familiar with Stonehenge on the Salisbury Plain in England. It was built about 5,000 years ago and continues to make the curious wonder - who and why. The 300 stone circles found in Britain and Ireland are interesting, and people have been seeking answers about them for thousands of years. But what about a Stonehenge in Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay? A recently discovered Stonehenge on the North American continent is amazing news and fires up a whole new line of inquiry. Sources Clonehenge A blog about Stonehenge Replicas. We kid you not. https://clonehenge.com/2013/12/06/a-quick-list-of-stonehenge-movies-part-one-2nd-part-not-implied/ English Heritage. Avebury https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/avebury English Heritage. Castlerigg Stone Circle https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/castlerigg-stone-circle/history/ Exploring Lake Michigan’s 10,000 Year Old “Stonehenge”: Journey Into the Past https://medium.com/the-masterpiece/exploring-lake-michigans-10-000-year-old-stonehenge-journey-into-the-past-8afd6594e642 Holley, Mark. 2019. https://holleyarchaeology.com/index.php/the-truth-about-the-stonehenge-in-lake-michigan/ Jana, Rosalind. Stonehenge and the eerie allure of ancient stone circles. June 2022. https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20220615-stonehenge-and-the-eerie-allure-of-ancient-stone-circles Mardenfeld, Sandra. Sept. 2020. https://www.grunge.com/253934/the-truth-about-the-stonehenge-replica-in-lake-michigan/ Moul, Dr. Russell. Edited by Simmons, Laura. What Is A Henge, And Why Were They Built? IFLSCIENCE https://www.iflscience.com/what-is-a-henge-and-why-were-they-built-73755 Shavit, Joseph. 9000-year-old ‘Stonehenge-like’ monument discovered in Lake Michigan. The Brighterside of News. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/9000-year-old-stonehenge-like-monument-discovered-in-lake-michigan/ar-AA1rPaHF The Archaeologist. January 24, 2023 https://www.thearchaeologist.org/blog/9000-year-old-stonehenge-like-structure-found-under-lake-michigan ________________________________________________ Now Available __________________________________________________________ Check out the Author Masterminds Website ________________________________________________________________ Get to know the authors at The Readers and Writers Book Club ___________________________________________ Meet Valerie Winans, Your Host for Episode 49: The Mysterious Michigan Stonehenge Valerie Winans is a graduate of Northwestern Michigan College, a retired state government manager, and a former campground host in Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska. Valerie is the author of four books: Alaska’s Savage River: Inside Denali National Park and Preserve, Road Trip with Remington Beagle: Michigan to Alaska and Back, and A Hero’s Journey: Life Lessons From A Dog And His Friends, and The Extraordinary Life of Edwin B. Winans: From the Stampede for Gold in California to the Capitol of Michigan. A writer of both fiction and non-fiction, her books are written to inform and entertain readers of all ages. She currently resides with her husband in Traverse City, Michigan. More information can be found at www.valeriewinans.com.
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    21 mins
  • E. T. Barnette, the man who embezzled the entire town of Fairbanks – AND GOT AWAY WITH IT!
    Oct 22 2024
    Episode 48: E. T. Barnette, the man who embezzled the entire town of Fairbanks – AND GOT AWAY WITH IT! The citizens of Fairbanks should have been so lucky. Fairbanks, like Juneau and Nome, was founded by accident. In August of 1901, Elbridge Truman Barnette convinced a gullible steamboat captain that his steamship could easily ascend the Tanana River without striking bottom. However, when it became apparent that Barnette did not know what he was talking about, the steamboat captain angrily evicted the protesting Barnette along with 135 tons of his supplies onto the nearest shore - which happened to be on the Chena Slough. As Barnette's supplies were being offloaded, a sourdough by the name of Felix Pedro suddenly appeared on the bank. He had just made a major find in the area and was wondering if Barnette would have any food to sell since he, Pedro, did not want to walk the 360 miles round trip to Circle for supplies. Then and there was established Chenoa City, later to become known as Fairbanks. __________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ Coming Soon! ___________________________________________________ Visit the Christmas Book Bazaar Event on Facebook, Beginning October 22 _______________________________________________________ Check out the Author Masterminds Website ________________________________________________________________ Get to know the authors at The Readers and Writers Book Club ___________________________________________ Meet Steve Levi, Your Host for Episode 48: E. T. Barnette, the man who embezzled the entire town of Fairbanks – AND GOT AWAY WITH IT! Steve Levi is a 70-something writer in Alaska. He specializes in the impossible crime and the Alaska Gold Rush. An impossible crime is one in which the detective must figure out HOW the crime was committed before he can go after the perpetrators. As an example, in THE MATTER OF THE VANISHING GREYHOUND, the detective must figure out how a Greyhound bus with four bank robbers, a dozen hostages, and $10 million can vanish off the Golden Gate Bridge. Steve’s books can be seen at www.authormasterminds.com/steve-levi and www.steverlevibooks.com. He also does two historical uploads a week. Send Steve your email, and he will include it in the mailings.
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    16 mins
  • How Many People Did Mary McKnight Murder, and Why?
    Oct 8 2024
    Episode 47: How Many People Did Mary McKnight Murder, and Why? Accurately recognizing and treating many diseases, including mental illness, was not prevalent in the 19th or early 20th centuries. Rural farm communities were accustomed to injuries and illnesses that often resulted in death. Some deaths could not be explained that’s just the way it was. On Monday, April 20, 1903, Gertrude Murphy left her three-month-old baby, Ruth, in the care of her sister-in-law, Mary McKnight. Gertrude left the baby with Mary to help with work at a new house she and her husband, John Murphy, were building on a nearby piece of land. When Gertrude and John came back at lunch time, Mary told them that baby Ruth had died. Baby Ruth’s death was only the beginning of a cascading series of deaths that resulted in the exposure of a mass murderer living in a little town in northern Michigan. John Murphy Death Certificate Sources: Buhk, Tobin T. Michigan’s Strychnine Saint: The Curious Case of Mrs. Mary McKnight. The History Press. Charleston, SC 2014 (When Nurses Kill by Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shadow-boxing/201204/when-nurses-kill) Lucy Letby: Inside the mind of a serial killer - the psychology behind healthcare murders by Gemma Peplow, culture reporter. https://news.sky.com/story/lucy-letby-inside-the-mind-of-a-serial-killer-the-psychology-behind-healthcare-murderers-12941902 _________________________________________ Now Available __________________________________________________________ Visit the Christmas Book Bazaar Event on Facebook, Beginning October 22 _______________________________________________________ Check out the Author Masterminds Website ________________________________________________________________ Get to know the authors at The Readers and Writers Book Club ___________________________________________ Meet Valerie Winans, Your Host for Episode 47: How Many People Did Mary McKnight Murder, and Why? Valerie Winans is a graduate of Northwestern Michigan College, a retired state government manager, and a former campground host in Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska. Valerie is the author of four books: Alaska’s Savage River: Inside Denali National Park and Preserve, Road Trip with Remington Beagle: Michigan to Alaska and Back, and A Hero’s Journey: Life Lessons From A Dog And His Friends, and The Extraordinary Life of Edwin B. Winans: From the Stampede for Gold in California to the Capitol of Michigan. A writer of both fiction and non-fiction, her books are written to inform and entertain readers of all ages. She currently resides with her husband in Traverse City, Michigan. More information can be found at www.valeriewinans.com.
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    22 mins