Picture a Colorado storyteller who swapped newsrooms for the rugged peaks of the Flat Tops Wilderness—meet Mark Stevens! A former journalist turned award-winning mystery author, Stevens weaves suspenseful tales that pulse with the wild heart of the American West. His Allison Coil Mystery series has captivated readers with its sharp prose and thrilling plots, earning accolades like the Colorado Book Award.
With a knack for blending gritty crime with environmental themes, Stevens invites us into a world where hunting guides solve murders and the wilderness itself becomes a character. Ready to dive into his gripping mysteries? Let’s explore the life and legacy of this modern master of suspense!
The Making of Mark Stevens
Born to two librarians in Lincoln, Massachusetts, Mark Stevens grew up surrounded by stories. His early years were shaped by a love for mystery, sparked in the 1980s when he began wondering how to craft his own. After studying at Principia College in Illinois, Stevens dove into journalism, reporting for The Christian Science Monitor, Rocky Mountain News, and The Denver Post. His career also included producing for PBS’s MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour and even bartending at Denver’s Wynkoop Brewing Co. This eclectic path honed his keen eye for detail and human drama, setting the stage for his fiction career.
A pivotal moment came during a mule ride in Colorado’s Flat Tops Wilderness, led by a charismatic hunting guide. Inspired, Stevens created Allison Coil, a tough yet vulnerable protagonist who would anchor his mystery series. His transition from fact to fiction was seamless, driven by a passion for suspense and the untamed beauty of Colorado.
Mark Stevens’s Unforgettable Stories
Stevens’s Allison Coil Mystery series, set in the starkly beautiful Flat Tops Wilderness, is his signature work. The series kicked off with Antler Dust (2007), a Denver Post bestseller where Coil, a hunting guide, unravels a murder during hunting season. Buried by the Roan (2011) tackles land disputes and mysterious deaths, while Trapline (2014), a Colorado Book Award winner, dives into human trafficking and corruption. Lake of Fire (2015) weaves wildfire and climate change into a gripping tale, and The Melancholy Howl (2018) explores Colorado’s marijuana industry with wry humor and sharp twists.
Beyond the series, Stevens penned The Fireballer (2023), a standalone novel about a haunted baseball pitcher, showcasing his versatility. His upcoming No Lie Lasts Forever (June 2025) promises a chilling take on a reformed serial killer hunting an imposter. Stevens’s style is taut and vivid, blending clean prose with complex characters and timely issues like environmentalism and social justice. Critics praise his ability to make the Colorado landscape a living, breathing force in his stories.
His short stories, published in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine and Denver Noir, further highlight his range. Stevens’s love for authors like Patricia Highsmith and John Updike shines through in his tightly plotted narratives and deep humanity, making each book a puzzle wrapped in a love letter to the West.
Why Mark Stevens Matters
Mark Stevens has carved a niche in the mystery genre by rooting his stories in Colorado’s wild heart. His Allison Coil series not only thrills but also sparks conversations about environmental challenges, from wildfires to marijuana legalization. By centering a strong female protagonist like Coil, he challenges genre norms, offering readers a fresh perspective on the classic gumshoe tale. His awards, including two Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers’ Writer of the Year titles, reflect his influence in the literary community.
Stevens’s work resonates with readers who crave mysteries that feel alive with place and purpose. His podcasts for Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and leadership in Mystery Writers of America amplify his impact, mentoring aspiring authors and championing the genre. For fans of C.J. Box or Craig Johnson, Stevens is a must-read, blending suspense with a profound sense of place.
- Born: Lincoln, Massachusetts
- Key Works: Allison Coil Mystery series, The Fireballer, No Lie Lasts Forever
- Awards: Colorado Book Award (2014), Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers’ Writer of the Year (2016, 2023)
Snag Trapline or The Fireballer and dive into Mark Stevens’s thrilling world of mystery and wilderness adventure!