Mary Jo Dyre, a talented author based in the Western North Carolina town of Murphy broke into the world of published works as she finished and then, in 2019, published her deceased brother, Arnold Dyre’s half-completed manuscript of Dark Spot. When she first agreed to tackle the task of finishing the fourth book in the Jake Baker Mystery Series, she initially thought only of the challenge of staying true to her brother’s swift moving, action packed, John Grisham styled plot line. The writing process soon awoke her own muse. Dusting off the proverbial box of a partially finished draft of her manuscript, Dyre took the opportunity presented in the reflective, inward time produced from a world impacted by COVID-19 to develop a novel that combines multiple genres of historical fiction, romance, mystery, adventure and fantasy to create a compelling story of self-discovery. Redhawk Publications out of Hickory, NC, published Springheads in July 2023.
Dyre offers a poignant glimpse of her writing journey. “The sheer joy of curling up with a good book proved a constant companion as I grew up in rural Mississippi. Nothing at that time transported me more quickly into the realm of dreams and possibility than the journey of a tale told well. The power of a good book in my life remained a constant companion as I moved to western North Carolina in my twenties. Accomplishments include a bachelor’s degree in education, a master’s degree in English; 15 years teaching experience, first in Quitman County High School in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, then at Tri County Community College, in Cherokee County, NC; in 1983, founding a private school then turned charter school in 1997; serving students and families in Cherokee, Clay and Graham counties as the Executive Director from 2000-21; presently expanding into greater community goals through Blu Sky Initiative and insurance sales with the Steven Aft Insurance group. “The baton passed from my brother, clarified the call. The time has come to bring stories to life on my own pages. Roots, legacy and a sense of place remain treasured elements in understanding what drives me as a writer as I awaken dreams and a sense of possibility in all my readers.”
Readers who enjoy mystery, history, adventure, romance and the inexplicable, as well as fans of Arnold Dyre’s “Jake Baker Mystery Series” will be captivated by Springheads. With its mix of genres and broad sweeps of history gleaned from the Appalachian Mountains, to rural Mississippi, even the wild west days of Arizona and adventures into the continent of South America, the novel is sure to delight readers from start to finish. Be sure a sequel plot is in the works.
“Springheads will take you to another time and still keep you wrapped in your own heart. Mary Jo Dyre is a master of story who weaves truth and tweaks it with what might be, ingrained with vibrant characters set in a world where all returns to two Springheads. Take this book to bed with you, but don’t expect to sleep.”
~ Mary Ricketson, author of “Mississippi: The Story of Luke” and “Marian and Precious the Mule.”
