Below are bios for each member of the MBTB staff, including a list of some of their favorite authors. Click on a staff member's name to be taken to a page with their staff picks and reviews!
Brenda Jordan at Murder By The Book since 2009
Brenda's "Claim to Fame" is she is McKenna's mother. Some of Brenda's favorite authors: Martin Walker, Alan Bradley, Kate Morton, Jacqueline Winspear, Louise Penny, Daniel Silva, Charles Todd, Anne Zouroudi, and Ariana Franklin
McKenna Jordan, Store Owner at Murder By The Book since 2003
McKenna has her Bachelor's Degree in English and a Master's in Violin Performance from University of Houston. She's owned Murder By The Book since January 2009.
Some of McKenna's favorite authors; Megan Abbott, Cara Black, Ken Bruen, Kerry Greenwood, Charlaine Harris, Carolyn Haines, Peter Lovesey, Daniel Silva, Jacqueline Winspear.
John McDougall, Event Coordinator at Murder By The Book since 2010
In previous career incarnations, John has sold model and toy trains, and been a barista. Prior to joining the Murder By The Book team he managed one of the local chain bookstores. When his nose isn't in a book he loves going to concerts, seeing musicals, going to Las Vegas, and spending afternoons in Hermann Park.
John's favorite authors include: Arturo Perez-Reverte, Tasha Alexander, Kelley Armstrong, Melissa Marr, Daphne Du Maurier, Wilkie Collins, Jacqueline Susann, Victoria Laurie, Mary Kay Andrews, Beatriz Williams, and Jon Steele.
Rebecca Minnock, at Murder By The Book since 2018
Rebecca has been living in Houston for 4 years now, having moved from England. In her former life she taught middle and high school French but much prefers being surrounded by books as they don't talk back! She also loves to bake and had a home bakery before arriving in Houston.
Favorite authors are Lee Child, Peter James, Linwood Barclay, Harlan Coben, Robert Galbraith, Mark Billingham & Stuart MacBride
Mike Wilson, at Murder By The Book since 2023
Mike has over two decades in corporate HR and is currently a consultant. He has been an avid reader of mysteries and thrillers for much longer.
Some of his favorite authors include: Stephen Mack Jones, David Baldacci, Michael Connelly, Vince Flynn, Steve Cavanagh, SA Cosby, Jeffery Deaver, Joe Ide, Meg Gardiner, Dennis Lehane, Gregg Hurwitz, and Carl Hiaasen.
Kaeleigh DeMeter, at Murder By The Book since 2023
Kaeleigh is an avid reader with a TBR list that may actually reach the moon one day. Coffee is life and she buys plants almost as often as she buys books. When she isn't lurking in book stores and trying to figure out where to put the new books she buys, she is teaching her daughter to love books as much as she does. And oh yea.. she is an investigator for the medical examiner's office too.
Some of her favorite authors include: Laini Taylor, Karin Slaughter, Elle Cosimano, Tana French, Richard Osman, Meg Gardiner, Alix E. Harrow, and Daniel O'Malley.