In Conversation with Lisa Gardner
Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 | 12 – 4 p.m.
Mile Hi Church
9077 W. Alameda Ave., Lakewood, 80226
Experience an unforgettable afternoon of storytelling with New York Times best-selling author of mystery and thrillers, Lisa Gardner, joined by a panel of talented local authors!
Lisa began writing at 17, first publishing romance novels before finding her voice in the thriller genre. In addition to hearing from Lisa, this special event will include a local author panel featuring:
- Mario Acevedo
- Jon Bassoff
- Kristin Koval
- Mark Stevens
- Cynthia Swanson
The event will be moderated by the celebrated author and emcee, Carter Wilson.
Event Schedule
11 a.m. Doors open, live music by guitarist Ryan Valentine
12 – 12:30 p.m. Welcome
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Local Colorado authors panel
1:30 – 2 p.m. Break, live music by Valentine
2:15 – 3:15 p.m. Lisa Gardner conversation and audience Q&A
3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Closing remarks and book signing
Book Purchases: Boulder Bookstore
All invited authors will be available for a book signing at the end of the event. Boulder Bookstore, opens a new window will have the latest book by each author available, but attendees may also bring older titles for signatures.
Featured Author: Lisa Gardner
Known for meticulous research into police procedure and criminal psychology, Lisa's work has been published in more than 30 countries and inspired four TV movie adaptations, with appearances on TruTV and CNN.
Her novel The Neighbor won the International Thriller Writers Award for Best Hardcover Novel and France’s Grand Prix des Lectrices de Elle. In 2017, Gardner received the Silver Bullet Award for her advocacy on behalf of at-risk children and the Humane Society.
Works by Lisa Gardner
Emcee: Carter Wilson
Carter Wilson is the USA Today bestselling author of 10 psychological thrillers and numerous short stories. A finalist for the ITW Thriller Award, he's a five-time winner of the Colorado Book Award, and his works have been optioned for TV and film.
He is the host of the Making It Up, opens a new window podcast and the founder of Unbound Writer, opens a new window, offering coaching, retreats and online classes. Carter lives in Erie, Colorado, in a Victorian house that's spooky — but not haunted… yet.
Works by Carter Wilson
Local Author Panel
Mario Acevedo
Mario is a Denver-based author of the bestselling Felix Gomez detective-vampire series, including Rescue From Planet Pleasure from WordFire Press. His debut novel, The Nymphos of Rocky Flats, opens a new window, was selected by Barnes & Noble as one of the Best Paranormal Fantasy Novels of the Decade and was a finalist for the Colorado Book Award.
Jon Bassoff
Jon is the author of 10 novels and a high school English teacher, affectionately known as "the deranged writer guy." His mountain gothic novel, Corrosion, was nominated for France's Grand Prix de Littérature Policière. His psycho-noir novel, The Disassembled Man, has been adapted for the screen. He also wrote the short film screenplay, Bizarre Love Triangle.
Kristin Koval
Kristin is a former lawyer who always wanted to be a writer but initially wandered down other paths. Her debut novel, Penitence, opens a new window, is a Barnes & Noble Discover Pick, a Book of the Month Pick, an Indie Next Pick, an Apple Books Staff Pick, an Apple Audiobooks Must Listen, a People Magazine Book of the Week and a Goodreads Most Anticipated Pick.
Mark Stevens
Mark is the award-winning author of the Flynn Martin Thriller series, including No Lie Lasts Forever, and the Allison Coil Mystery series. His novels Trapline, opens a new window, Buried by the Roan and Lake of Fire, opens a new window were finalists for the Colorado Book Award, with Trapline winning. Stevens also coedited Four Corners Voices, opens a new window, which won the 2025 Colorado Book Award for Best Anthology.
Cynthia Swanson
Cynthia is a Denver-based author of three psychological suspense novel: Anyone But Her, The Bookseller, opens a new window and The Glass Forest, opens a new window. She is also the editor of the anthology Denver Noir. Cynthia's work has been on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists, won the Colorado Book Award twice, been featured by Indie Next and received other awards and honors. The Indie Author Project named Cynthia their 2025 Indie Author of the Year.
