S5-EP13: Badge to Book: The Mountain Mysteries of R.L. Carpentier

In this compelling episode of Spirit Talk Show, we sit down with R.L. Carpentier—a former law enforcement officer turned mystery author—whose life has taken him from the gritty truths of crime scenes to the poetic silence of the Catskill Mountains. Rodney shares how nearly two decades in policing shaped his voice as a writer, imbuing his debut novel, Our Lady of the Overlook, with a realism that can only come from lived experience. We talk about his writing process, the influence of true crime podcasts, and the grief that lit the spark behind his story. As a seasoned hiker, Rodney also reflects on how trekking the remote 3,500-foot peaks of the Catskills inspired the rugged terrain of his fictional world—and how solitude can unlock storytelling. Together, we explore what happens when truth meets fiction, how cold cases stay warm in memory, and why small towns might just hold the most haunting secrets. This episode is a thoughtful journey through loss, creativity, and the enduring power of storytelling RL's Website: https://www.rlcarpentierwriter.com/books Spirit Talk Show – Bedtime Stories for Grown-Ups Hosted by Doyle Follow Spirit Talk Show on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spirittalkshow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doylespirittalkshow/ X: https://x.com/doylespirittalk  Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/spirittalkshow  www.spirittalkshow.info  If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and share it with someone who might need it. Sponsored by Incogni — they remove your personal data from broker sites automatically so strangers cannot buy your information. Get protected: https://deal.incogni.io/spirittalkshow