Jan McCanless has a new book out this month, “Murder for the Profit.”

It seems a cult has moved into Beryl’s Cove, upsetting the citizenry, most especially Pastor Gerald Kapas, pastor of the Mariner’s Chapel that sits on the hill overlooking the town.

The Rising Son Temple of Peace has rented and renovated one of Suzanne Thomas’  properties, and the whole town is upset and angry about it, to the point where they eventually turn on poor Suzanne.

Soon, some of its followers turn up missing or dead, and as the chief of police looks into the crimes, all manner of mayhem occurs, trapping the citizens of Beryl’s Cove  in an endless web of deceit, all the while putting Suzanne’s best friend Lorraine into a life threatening situation.

Favorite characters are back in this newest crime drama from McCanless, including the ever present and adorable Dawg and Elvis.

She will appear at the Spencer Doll and Toy Museum the afternoon of Feb. 18, and in April she’ll kick off her out-of-town engagements at the Park Road Book Store in Charlotte.

Check out Jan’s website at www.janmacbooks.com for more information.

Literary festival

The Rose Glen Literary Festival in Sevierville, Tenn. will feature Ben Montgomery, Pulitzer Prize finalist, author of “Grandma Gatewood’s Walk.”

This is the story of Emma Gatewood, the first woman to through-hike the entire Appalachian Trail alone, as well as the first person, man or woman, to then walk the entire 2,050 miles two additional times, all after the age of 65.

Other featured speakers include the New York Times best-selling team of Jefferson Bass, authors of the “Body Farm” series, June Hall McCash, author “Almost to Eden” and “Marguerite’s Landing,” and Jim Stokely, who is the son of Wilma Dykeman. He will be presenting, “Family of Earth: A Southern Mountain Childhood,” a manuscript written by his mother while living in a stone cottage in the English Mountain area of Cocke County during the final months of World War II.

Additionally, the festival features lectures, workshops and more than 40 authors on-hand, who will be signing and selling their books.

The festival will be held at the Sevierville Convention Center on Feb. 25, 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. All programs at the festival are free with the exception of the luncheon ($20 per person).

For more information and luncheon tickets, please contact the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce at 865-453-6411.