'A Bad Deal in Mormon Land' smashes faith, crime and history into a wry, page-turning thriller

WBUR

Published October 28, 2026 at 11:57 AM EDT

The cover of "A Bad Deal in Mormon Land" and author T.I.M. Wirkus. (Courtesy of Type Eighteen Books and JL Wirkus)

A fraudulent spirit medium desperate for cash. A muckraking journalist out for revenge. A polygamist wife who hates polygamy. All circling a seance in 1908 Salt Lake City.

That’s just where new novel “A Bad Deal in Mormon Land” begins. Things quickly spiral out of control in the thriller filled with humor and suspense.

Host Scott Tong discusses the many historical inspirations behind the novel with author T.I.M. Wirkus.

Book excerpt: ‘A Bad Deal in Mormon Land’

By T.I.M. Wirkus

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.

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