A month-long trip to England during her college years introduced Jo to the joys of Things British. Since then, she has been lured back nearly a dozen times, and lived there during her professional folksinging stint. This intimate knowledge of Britain forms the backbone of the Peak District mystery series. Jo’s insistence for accuracy--from police methods and location layout to the general "feel" of the area--has driven her innumerable times to Derbyshire for research. These explorations and conferences with police friends provide the detail filling the books. In 1999 she returned to Webster University to major in English. She graduated in 2001 with a BA degree and departmental honors. Jo founded the Greater St. Louis Chapter of Sisters in Crime, serving as its first president. Besides her love of mysteries and early music, she also enjoys photography, reading, creating recipes, and her backyard wildlife. Her cat, Tennyson, shares her St. Louis home.