James Foley returns to discuss Blue Ridge, the second book in his Lisa Owens crime-thriller trilogy.

After Treasure Coast, the action moves from Florida to Washington, D.C., where FBI agent Lisa Owens is investigating the bombing of the homes of three prominent Black members of Congress.

Karen and Jim discuss what he loves about Lisa, how she continues to develop as a character, and why he moved the series to the nation’s capital.

They also explore the challenges of writing political events, racial violence, and national division into a thriller during a politically troubled time—while keeping the story centered on character, mystery, and suspense.

The case eventually takes Lisa into the Blue Ridge Mountains, where buried history becomes part of the present danger.

Plus, book recommendations.

What happens when two childhood friends turn a real-life experience into a zany cozy mystery series?

Wilnona Marie and Jade Dee join Karen E. Osborne to discuss the Famous House Cleaners books, featuring Pete and Violet—two former tech professionals whose lives take a bizarre turn when they become house cleaners and somehow wind up solving murders.

The Ladies share how the series began, how they collaborate, and how their creative roles naturally divide.

Wilnona brings the mystery.

Jade brings the comedy.

They also discuss The Famous House Cleaners All Bleached Up, the second book in the series, and preview number three along with the many creative projects they juggle as authors, entrepreneurs, publicists, poets, and media creators.

A fast-talking, funny conversation about friendship, collaboration, and turning chaos into fiction.

Why does Karen E. Osborne write?

Emmy Award-winning journalist, historian, bestselling author, and radio host Dr. Janus Adams turns the microphone on Karen in this special episode of What Are You Reading? What Are You Writing?

Their conversation explores Karen’s writing life, how her characters lead her into difficult social and justice issues, and why trauma, family, resilience, race, and moral choices recur throughout her fiction.

Janus also asks what changed during the nine years between Karen’s debut novel and the completely reimagined Getting It Right: A Psychological Thriller.

Karen reflects on studying her craft, learning through writing communities and classes, and reading accomplished authors not just for pleasure but to understand how they make stories work.

They discuss what it means to write trauma without reducing characters to their wounds, why Karen returned to Alex and Kara, and how becoming a more experienced thriller writer transformed the novel.

Janus also reads an excerpt from Getting It Right.

A conversation about storytelling, growth, justice, and the lifelong work of becoming a better writer.