ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Starting as co-authors living high in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, GaGa Gabardi and Judilee Butler were fascinated with the state’s mining history—thanks to the National Mining Museum in Leadville. On a September morning in 2019, they collaborated on a short story for an anthology fundraiser for the museum and the Phoebe Korneal Mystery Series was born: THE LAST HURRAH A PHOEBE KORNEAL MYSTERY, followed by THE LAST SLIDE A PHOEBE KORNEAL MYSTERY and now THE LAST LINE A PHOEBE KORNEAL MYSTERY.
This initial story sparked a passion for developing quirky characters and strong, stalwart women. Then filter in the value of life in a small town as a backdrop and an excuse popped up for the fun use of Colorado history. Throw in a mystery, a relentless female deputy sheriff, the small town of Oresville, Colorado, at an altitude of ten-five, and you have a fun read. What a ride!
Modern technology has led these septuagenarian co-authors down the yellow brick road of storytelling—Judilee in Wyoming and Florida, GaGa in Colorado. They are co-retired, co-authors, but not co-located.
Next up? The Phoebe prequal: Her life, romance, and career in Salt Lake City, Utah, before she moved to Oresville, Colorado. Look for it in 2024. Better yet, sign up for the newsletter for progress reports!
GAGA GABARDI
I'm livin' large in the Rockies—retired from some careers in telecom and consulting. Then a grandson named me GaGa—it stuck!
In September of 2019 I discovered writing with Judilee...a daily joy!
Our Gal, Deputy Phoebe Korneal, is a wannabe detective in a man's world. This makes for a platform for our stories and opinions as she solves the crime!
We hope you enjoy the series, get a chuckle here and there, learn a bit of Colorado history, and at the end, wonder what happens next.
JUDILEE BUTLER
Who really wants to retire? After a career in teaching and a longer career with IBM I thought I was ready for the halcyon days. Then I met GaGa Gabardi and the fun began.
Together we discovered the exciting life of co-authoring. Creating the adventures of our female detective, Phoebe Korneal, has been amazing.
We use technology to connect us every day as we write, edit, laugh and get close to crying. It's quite the journey. And one I love.
I hope you enjoy our stories as much as we enjoy writing them.
GAGA GABARDI
JUDILEE BUTLER
