Hometown Madison - May & June 2017

North said that his most recent book actually began with a different title in
mind, but his mother Evelyn, who was a long time high school English instructor
and who has a strong background in literature, suggested a different title, after
having read the novel. North said he often leans on his mother to answer questions
on grammar and as a proofreader.
“If there is a gene for literature–if it is something that can be inherited, it came
to me from my mother,” North said.
North’s writing and publishing career sprung its roots early in his life when he
won a book cover contest for Charlotte’s Web in junior high school and later at the
University of Mississippi, as editor-in-chief of the 1978 Ole Miss yearbook and
1982 Medic. Prior to attending medical school, North graduated magna cum laude
from the University of Mississippi, where he also served as vice-president
of the Associated Student Body, president of the Interfraternity Council, and
Order of Omega. He was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order, Omicron Delta
Kappa and Mortar Board. North was also named to the University of Mississippi
Hall of Fame.
In addition to being a physician and author, North leads workshops on
constructing mysteries and thrillers at writing seminars and has participated in
several author panels at author conferences including Killer Nashville, Murder
on the Menu, and Murder in the Magic City. He is also available for appearances, book
signings, and book clubs.
He lives in Jackson with his wife, Sally, who is a realtor with Nix-Tann &
Associates. The two met, became friends, and fell in love on the yearbook staff at
Ole Miss. The couple has two adult children, William and Anderson, who work
in the medical field, two dogs, and two grand-dogs. His son, William, is getting
married this summer and moving back to Jackson with wife Kelsey to join the
Runnels Plastic Surgery Center practice. His daughter Anderson is a registered
nurse currently working towards her nurse practitionership in Florida. In his
spare time, he walks to stay fit, travels with family, spends time with friends,
gardens, hunts, watches Ole Miss football, reads and listens to fiction and, of
course, imagines his next novel.
The Five Manners of Death will be available for purchase in June, but can be
pre-ordered online or at your favorite local bookstore.
For more information, visit dardennorth.com and follow him on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook at
/DardenNorthAuthor or email at darden@dardennorth.com.
42 • May/June 2017