Local authors to preview next novel at Morgan’s Hollow

Local authors Jon Horner and Kerry Hays will sign and sell copies of “The Bouvier Blunder” beginning at 10 a.m. on Oct. 10, at Morgan’s Hollow in Monett. 

At 11 a.m., the authors will introduce “The Bouvier Bloodlines” and read selected excerpts from their forthcoming book.

“The Bouvier Blunder” is the fourth novel in the Bouvier series and the first credited jointly to Horner and Hays. Set primarily in the fictional southwest Missouri town of Bouvier — located in the real-life setting of Barry County — the novel follows Chad McMasters, a young congressional press secretary who becomes entangled in a political conspiracy. As the stakes rise, Chad must choose between loyalty and conscience while navigating political intrigue, ethical dilemmas and the consequences of decisions made far beyond the public eye.

During the event, Horner and Hays will also offer an advance look at “The Bouvier Bloodlines”, the fifth book in the series. The new novel returns readers to Bouvier, where old secrets, unexpected connections and political ambitions are about to disrupt the lives of several familiar characters. What begins innocently soon raises questions about family, identity and loyalty — and, as usual in Bouvier, nothing remains simple for long. At 11 a.m., Horner and Hays will reveal more when they read selected excerpts from their forthcoming book.

Horner created Bouvier and its memorable collection of residents in the first three books of the series. Those novels introduced readers to the fictional Barry County community and established the series’ distinctive blend of small-town life, local politics, humor, mystery and larger-than-life personalities. Hays assisted with the editing of the second and third books before becoming Horner’s co-author with the publication of “The Bouvier Blunder”.

Horner is a novelist, community leader and longtime Barry County resident. He serves as president of a community bank and has been mayor of Cassville since 2025. His knowledge of small-town government, business and public life helps give the Bouvier novels their recognizable southwest Missouri character.

Hays is an author, historian and educator who spent 23 years working in parks and recreation, including three years as superintendent of Roaring River State Park before retiring in 2017. His background also includes teaching and local journalism. He is the author of “The Unfinished Republic” and “The Storyteller’s Extremely Questionable Fairy Tales” and publishes the Substack Walking Beside History.

Copies of “The Bouvier Blunder” will be available for purchase and signing throughout the event. The preview and reading from “The Bouvier Bloodlines” will begin at 11 a.m.