Michael Lister's Blog

Here are a few of the quotes from recent Meaning Mondays discussions.

“Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.” - Rumi

Thus the Master is available to all people

and doesn't reject anyone.

He is ready to use all situations

and doesn't waste anything.

This is called embodying the light.

What is a good man but a bad man's teacher?

What is a bad man but a good man's job?

If you don't understand this, you will get lost,

however intelligent you are.

It is the great secret. — Tao Te Ching

"But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” — Jesus

The Six Responses to Loss

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross originally developed stages to describe the process patients with terminal illness go through as they come to terms with their own deaths; it was later applied to grieving friends and family as well.

Denial – The first reaction is denial. In this stage, individuals believe the diagnosis is somehow mistaken, and cling to a false, preferable reality.

Anger – When the individual recognizes that denial cannot continue, they become frustrated, especially at proximate individuals. Certain psychological responses of a person undergoing this phase would be: "Why me? It's not fair!"; "How can this happen to me?"; "Who is to blame?"; "Why would this happen?".

Bargaining – The third stage involves the hope that the individual can avoid a cause of grief. Usually, the negotiation for an extended life is made in exchange for a reformed lifestyle. People facing less serious trauma can bargain or seek compromise. Examples include the terminally ill person who "negotiates with God" to attend a daughter's wedding, an attempt to bargain for more time to live in exchange for a reformed lifestyle or a phrase such as "If I could trade their life for mine".

Depression – "I'm so sad, why bother with anything?"; "I'm going to die soon, so what's the point?"; "I miss my loved one; why go on?"
During the fourth stage, the individual despairs at the recognition of their mortality. In this state, the individual may become silent, refuse visitors and spend much of the time mournful and sullen.

Acceptance – "It's going to be okay."; "I can't fight it; I may as well prepare for it."
In this stage, individuals embrace mortality or inevitable future, or that of a loved one, or other tragic event. People dying may precede the survivors in this state, which typically comes with a calm, retrospective view for the individual, and a stable condition of emotions.

Meaning - David Kessler has also proposed "Meaning" as a sixth stage of grief.

Mystery writer Michael Lister is inviting his readers and fans of true crime to investigate a real-life suspicious death case alongside him.

The intriguing case is the basis for the latest novel in his long-running mystery series.

“Many of my John Jordan mystery thrillers have been inspired by baffling true crime cases, and my forthcoming novel, “Beneath a Blood-Red Sky," is one of them. 

Over the past twenty-five years, Lister has been inspired by a number of true crime cases, including the Atlanta Child Murders, the JonBenét Ramsey case, the Maura Murray case, the Hae Min Lee case, the Brianna Maitland case, Columbine, Ted Bundy’s crimes, the Lost Girls of Panama and many, many others.

“I’m continuously searching for and attempting to stay open to inspiration,” Lister said. “I think this is key for all artists, but for a novelist writing a long series featuring the same core cast of characters, I think it’s absolutely essential. In hopes of keeping my John Jordan series fresh and vibrant and relevant, I’ve turned to three primary reservoirs for new ideas and inspiration—literature, current events, and unsolved true crimes. ‘Beneath a Blood-Red Sky’ draws from all three, but primarily from a baffling true crime case that has captured my imagination like few cases have. But instead of studying and researching and investigating it on my own as I write the new novel, I’m inviting readers and true crime aficionados to join me in the investigation.” 

Participants in Lister’s online investigation discussion group will examine evidence, listen to witness statements, discuss findings, and be encouraged to develop theories.

“Like me,” Lister said, “many of my readers are fans of both crime fiction and true crime, and this gives them a chance to be involved in the intersection of the two. And those who join me on this journey can participate as much or as little as they like. They can just observe if they like. They don’t have to do more than that unless they would like to.”

Lister believes that the global pandemic makes this the perfect time for a project like this.

“I really think this would be a cool project to do at any time,” he said, “but given the state of the world and how many people across the globe are isolated and looking for safe forms of engagement and entertainment I think there has never been a better time.” 

Lister says he’ll wait to reveal the crime to be investigated to the group, but he says it’s compelling and fascinating and heartbreaking. 

“I consume true crime content almost daily,” Lister said, “and only on very rare occasions does a case capture my imagination enough to inspire a John Jordan novel, so I think that speaks to how unique and baffling this particular case is.”

Everyone who signs up for Solve a Mystery with Michael Lister will receive exclusive access to the investigation team discussion group and a copy of “Beneath a Blood-Red Sky” when it is published in the fall. 

 To register for Solve a Mystery with Michael Lister, go to www.MichaelLister.com and join the investigation today. 

Posted on August 10, 2020 by Michael Lister.

Tony SimmonsThe News Herald

WEWAHITCHKA — A man walks into a bar — and never walks out again.

That's the central mystery of Michael Lister's new novel, "Dark and Radiant Rain," which is based upon the real-world case of Brian Shaffer, a college student who disappeared without a trace in Ohio in 2006.

"There have been all these online citizen sleuths trying to solve it for years," Lister said. "Some are so thoughtful and take a really careful approach to the evidence."

Shaffer was 27, a medical student at Ohio State University, when he went out with friends to mark the start of Spring Break on March 31, 2006. At some point, he got separated from them and they left the bar, thinking he had gone home. A security camera showed him briefly talking to two women near the bar's entrance, but when the bar closed, he was never seen on camera leaving from any exit.

More: Local author invites fans to investigate real-world mystery

Lister's approach to exploring this mystery is to couch truth in fiction. To tell this story, he stepped away from his ongoing series of mysteries about former prison chaplain John Jordan and created a new setting and characters to investigate a young man's unsolved disappearance. The result is what he hopes is just the first of a new series focusing on Sawyer Payne and Kace Mason, two very different amateur detectives.

"I had a lot of different ideas, like an '80s detective, a more 'classic' detective like in the Agatha Christie mysteries," Lister said. "What came together were these two people that I get to take this journey with."

Sawyer and Kace are in very different places in their lives when they meet. Sawyer is a counselor with a successful self-help book and podcast, but he's going through a divorce and had to move in with his mother at The Estates, a fictional retirement village in north Florida. Kace is a former nurse and journalist who is being stalked by an old boyfriend and is in hiding at the Estates.

They get involved with a neighbor of Sawyer's mom, whose son disappeared two years ago; he went to a bar outside the Estates and never left it. Security cameras on the doors show him entering but not leaving.

"They find it so intriguing and begin investigating, but they approach it from different perspectives and really complement each other," Lister said. "It's a how-dunnit as well as a whodunnit. ... How does someone just vanish?"

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Sawyer and Kace must put aside their budding sexual attraction and the downward trajectory of their personal lives to try solving a case the authorities haven't been able to. But, Lister warns, powerful and evil people don't want the truth coming out and will do anything to stop these two new detectives from exposing their roles in the mystery.

"I hope it will be the beginning of many mysteries for them," Lister said, mentioning that he has focused on non-John Jordan novels several times in his career. "Any time I've done this before, I come back to the John Jordan series of renewed vigor and interest. It's nice to have that home base to return to when I go out and do other things. ... I'm going right back to John Jordan as soon as this book is out."

Lister grew up in Wewahitchka, captivated by stories since childhood. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in theology with an emphasis on story, myth and narrative. In the early 1990s, he became the youngest chaplain within the Florida Department of Corrections, a unique experience that led to his first novel, 1997’s critically acclaimed "Power in the Blood," introducing John Jordan.

Lister's other novel series include the Jimmy "Soldier" Riley mysteries, Cataclysmos, Remington James novels, and others. He is also the writer and/or editor of multiple short story collections.

Recently, Lister began a weekly Zoom conversation with readers and friends called "Meaning Mondays." The inspirational talks cover living with purpose, meaning, love, relationships, faith, fear, anxiety, letting go and much more.

"It's a good way to start the week by being mindful," Lister said of the videos. "We have had some great conversations."

The live conversations are recorded for those who can't catch them in the moment and may be viewed on his page at Facebook.com/MichaelLister. Or participate in the discussion at 10 a.m. (11 a.m. ET) each Monday by signing up on Lister's website at Michaellister.com/meaning-every-moment for a link to the Zoom session.

At 2 p.m. Feb. 23, Lister will be the guest of the Bay County Public Library in an "Author Talk" presented via Zoom. He will share his new mystery series, discuss its origins in the true-crime case of Brian Shaffer, and there will be time for questions after the program.

The conversation will be led by Sarah Burris, the community relations and marketing coordinator for the Northwest Regional Library System. Register in advance for this webinar at https://link.edgepilot.com/s/35ab4cef...

Mystery writer Michael Lister is inviting his readers and fans of true crime to investigate a real-life suspicious death case alongside him.

The intriguing case is the basis for the latest novel in his long-running mystery series.

“Many of my John Jordan mystery thrillers have been inspired by baffling true crime cases, and my forthcoming novel, “Beneath a Blood-Red Sky," is one of them. 

Over the past twenty-five years, Lister has been inspired by a number of true crime cases, including the Atlanta Child Murders, the JonBenét Ramsey case, the Maura Murray case, the Hae Min Lee case, the Brianna Maitland case, Columbine, Ted Bundy’s crimes, the Lost Girls of Panama and many, many others.

“I’m continuously searching for and attempting to stay open to inspiration,” Lister said. “I think this is key for all artists, but for a novelist writing a long series featuring the same core cast of characters, I think it’s absolutely essential. In hopes of keeping my John Jordan series fresh and vibrant and relevant, I’ve turned to three primary reservoirs for new ideas and inspiration—literature, current events, and unsolved true crimes. ‘Beneath a Blood-Red Sky’ draws from all three, but primarily from a baffling true crime case that has captured my imagination like few cases have. But instead of studying and researching and investigating it on my own as I write the new novel, I’m inviting readers and true crime aficionados to join me in the investigation.” 

Participants in Lister’s online investigation discussion group will examine evidence, listen to witness statements, discuss findings, and be encouraged to develop theories.

“Like me,” Lister said, “many of my readers are fans of both crime fiction and true crime, and this gives them a chance to be involved in the intersection of the two. And those who join me on this journey can participate as much or as little as they like. They can just observe if they like. They don’t have to do more than that unless they would like to.”

Lister believes that the global pandemic makes this the perfect time for a project like this.

“I really think this would be a cool project to do at any time,” he said, “but given the state of the world and how many people across the globe are isolated and looking for safe forms of engagement and entertainment I think there has never been a better time.” 

Lister says he’ll wait to reveal the crime to be investigated to the group, but he says it’s compelling and fascinating and heartbreaking. 

“I consume true crime content almost daily,” Lister said, “and only on very rare occasions does a case capture my imagination enough to inspire a John Jordan novel, so I think that speaks to how unique and baffling this particular case is.”

Everyone who signs up for Solve a Mystery with Michael Lister will receive exclusive access to the investigation team discussion group and a copy of “Beneath a Blood-Red Sky” when it is published in the fall. 

 To register for Solve a Mystery with Michael Lister, go to www.MichaelLister.com and join the investigation today. 

By Tony Simmons

News Herald Writer

Truth is stranger than fiction, but somewhere in the creation process the two become one.

“Blood Pathogen,” the next adventure in local author Michael Lister’s ongoing John Jordan Mystery series, is being written in real-time during the COVID-19 pandemic. The storyline follows Jordan as he investigates the murder of the first confirmed case of coronavirus in Gulf County, where he is a seasoned sheriff’s investigator.

“In the same way I never planned to set a John Jordan novel during an actual Cat-5 hurricane, I never expected to set one during a global pandemic,” Lister said, “but when each catastrophic event came along and I had the opportunity and challenge of living through them, I knew I had to write about it.”

Initially, the concept was to release “Blood Pathogen” as a serial, with a new episode coming out every week or so, then make the full novel available at the end of the process. But Lister changed his plan when the majority of fans who subscribe to his newsletter indicated they would rather wait and receive the book when it is completed.

“I’m writing in part as a response to what is happening in the world around me — and I have John Jordan living in that same world,” Lister said. “To me, this makes the books and the series more dynamic, more relevant, more realistic — at least, that’s my hope.”

Lister has also made the audio version of the newly revised 20th anniversary edition of his first John Jordan novel, “Power in the Blood,” available for free. Narrated by Kyle Tait, it can be streamed on Lister’s Youtube channel (Youtube.com/user/MichaelListerBooks).

By  TONY SIMMONS  
News Herald Writer 

Hurricane Michael has passed, and while the region’s residents struggle to put together their lives, writers and other creatives have risen from the wreckage.

Best-selling author Michael Lister, who rode out the storm in his native Wewahitchka, incorporated the hurricane into the latest novel in his John Jordan Mysteries series. “And the Sea Became Blood” will debut at a pair of events on Saturday, Feb. 9, and will benefit hurricane relief efforts.

‘AND THE SEA BECAME BLOOD’

Lister will have a book launch party at the Panama City Center for the Arts, 19 E. Fourth St., from 1-3 p.m. Saturday. The event will include a benefit concert by Atlanta singer-songwriter Lexi Street, as well as readings, interviews, signings, a video presentation by The Public Eye, and a silent auction. Other local musicians, authors and artists will participate, including singer-songwriter Aaron Bearden, artist Jayson Kretzer, and this reporter presenting “Survivors,” the anthology of local poetry, prose, photos and artwork created immediately after the hurricane.

“And the Sea Became Blood,” the 21st John Jordan thriller, centers on an investigation into the murder of a retired Catholic priest that is interrupted by Hurricane Michael. Lister said writing “And the Sea Became Blood” was like reliving the hurricane over and over again.

“My last few John Jordan novels have been pretty topical,” Lister said. “But nothing is more topical for those of us in the Panhandle at the moment than Hurricane Michael and its aftermath. ... I was actually working on this novel before Hurricane Michael hit, but the moment it made landfall and I realized the scope of its devastation, I knew it had to be a big part of this book. In the same way, the hurricane has interrupted and disrupted our lives here, the storm interrupts and disrupts John’s case and makes solving it all the more problematic.”

In addition to the Center for the Arts event, Lister will also host a debut party at the Lister Family Dairy Farm in Wewahichka from 6-9 p.m. (EST). Both events are free and open to the public. Donations for hurricane disaster relief will be accepted.

“I can’t wait to share this book with everyone and to introduce people in this area to Lexi Street’s music. She’s such a great singer and songwriter,” Lister said. He added that the next three John Jordan novels will address the hurricane’s aftermath. “I really tried to write a novel that places people right in the middle of the storm — but then also lets them experience what the aftermath is like and how much life here in the Panhandle has been altered by the storm.”

For instance, after the storm tragedy continued to strike. Lister lost a good friend one week and one day after Hurricane Michael made landfall when Brad Price, firefighter and emergency services coordinator, was killed when a tree fell on him while clearing debris. The launch party will include a special tribute to the fallen firefighter.

“Brad was in my band in high school and was a very dear friend,” Lister said. “He meant a lot to me and to this community. I do my best to honor him in the book, and I have dedicated this novel to him.”

All of the proceeds from the launch event and benefit concert are going to hurricane disaster relief, and a quarter of all profits from the book are going to the same cause. The author’s charity has been busy since the storm, providing generators, food, water, clothes, tarps, and supplies to those in need.

“We are all in this together and nothing feels better than being able to help a neighbor whose desperate need you get to see firsthand,” Lister said. “I have been so moved and impressed — and at times overwhelmed — by the service and generosity of people who do not live here but care about us in this area. Many of my readers from all over the world have sent in contributions to help with the recovery, and best-selling author Michael Connelly has been particularly generous. We have such a long way to go. We’re really just getting started in terms of recovery.”