Meet Our Staff

Below are bios for each member of the MBTB staff, including a list of some of their favorite authors.  Click on a staff member's name to be taken to a page with their staff picks and reviews!

 

Kaeleigh DeMeter, at Murder By The Book since 2023

Kaeleigh is an avid reader with a TBR list that may actually reach the moon one day. Coffee is life and she buys plants almost as often as she buys books. When she isn't lurking in book stores and trying to figure out where to put the new books she buys, she is teaching her daughter to love books as much as she does. And oh yea.. she is an investigator for the medical examiner's office too.

Some of her favorite authors include: Laini Taylor, Karin Slaughter, Elle Cosimano, Tana French, Richard Osman, Meg Gardiner, Alix E. Harrow, and Daniel O'Malley.

 


Brenda Jordan at Murder By The Book since 2009

Brenda's "Claim to Fame" is she is McKenna's mother. Some of Brenda's favorite authors: Martin Walker, Alan Bradley, Kate Morton, Jacqueline Winspear, Louise Penny, Daniel Silva, Charles Todd, Anne Zouroudi, and Ariana Franklin

 


McKenna Jordan, Store Owner at Murder By The Book since 2003

McKenna has her Bachelor's Degree in English and a Master's in Violin Performance from University of Houston. She's owned Murder By The Book since January 2009.

Some of McKenna's favorite authors; Megan Abbott, Cara Black, Ken Bruen, Kerry Greenwood, Charlaine Harris, Carolyn Haines, Peter Lovesey, Daniel Silva, Jacqueline Winspear.

 


Brooke Kaiser, at Murder By The Book since 2023

Brooke is a lifelong Houstonian who is happiest when surrounded by great books, fine wine, fresh black coffee and large animals, preferably at the same time. When she isn’t reading or sneaking new books into the house, Brooke can be found riding her horse, Lewis. 

Brooke’s favorite authors: Jo Nesbo, Elle Cosimano, Alice Feeney and Lucy Foley. 

 


Chesli Lobue, at Murder By The Book since 2023.

After briefly living out of state, Chesli is happy to be back in her hometown of Houston. While away, she fell in love with working in the indie bookstore scene and is happy to continue exploring this career path with Murder By The Book! She has always enjoyed reading and pretty much will go for any genre if it grabs her attention. Lately, she has been captivated by horror and fantasy books. When not in the bookstore, Chesli enjoys catching up on new tv and movies, crafting props and costumes for cosplay, and working through her never-ending "to be read" list.

Chesli's favorite authors include: Grady Hendrix, Kazuo Ishiguro, Leigh Bardugo, Hanna B. Hölling, Christopher Moore, Madeline Miller, Shirley Jackson

 


John McDougall, Event Coordinator at Murder By The Book since 2010

In previous career incarnations, John has sold model and toy trains, and been a barista.  Prior to joining the Murder By The Book team he managed one of the local chain bookstores.  When his nose isn't in a book he loves going to concerts, seeing musicals, going to Las Vegas, and spending afternoons in Hermann Park.

John's favorite authors include: Arturo Perez-Reverte, Tasha Alexander, Kelley Armstrong, Melissa Marr, Daphne Du Maurier, Wilkie Collins, Jacqueline Susann, Victoria Laurie, Mary Kay Andrews, Beatriz Williams, and Jon Steele.

 


Donna Vass, at Murder By The Book since 2023.

Donna has been a preschool teacher, teacher-supply-store manager, and production editor of legal books but now has her dream job being surrounded by mysteries and thrillers. When she's not reading, she's listening to an audiobook and tending her garden or watching the Houston Astros. 

Some of her favorite authors are Michael Connelly, Harlan Coben, Dervla McTiernan, Daniel Silva, Jussi Adler-Olsen, C.J. Box, William Kent Krueger, Jane Harper, and Louise Penny.
 


Mike Wilson, at Murder By The Book since 2023

Mike has over two decades in corporate HR and is currently a consultant. He has been an avid reader of mysteries and thrillers for much longer.

Some of his favorite authors include: Stephen Mack Jones, David Baldacci, Michael Connelly, Vince Flynn, Steve Cavanagh, SA Cosby, Jeffery Deaver, Joe Ide, Meg Gardiner, Dennis Lehane, Gregg Hurwitz, and Carl Hiaasen.