Carl Vonderau
Award-Winning Crime Fiction

Carl
Vonderau

The Story Behind the Crime

A former international banker turned novelist, Carl Vonderau writes thrillers that explore how one act of violence ripples through the people we love most.

"Chilling, immersive, and utterly heartbreaking… will have you racing to the gasp-worthy ending."

— Hank Phillippi Ryan

"Vonderau is an author whose storytelling ability promises a great future."

— William Kent Krueger, NYT Bestselling Author

"Murderabilia lays a cold finger of dread on the back of your neck. A terrific book."

— Karin Slaughter, NYT Bestselling Author
About

Carl Vonderau

Carl Vonderau

After a career as an international banker, Carl Vonderau turned to writing crime fiction, drawing on his experience in the global financial world. His real fascination, though, lies in the people behind the headlines—the victims, perpetrators, and families whose lives are forever changed by crime. On Person of Interest, part of the Authors on the Air network, Carl interviews leading true crime authors to explore the human stories behind their books. He lives in San Diego with his family and is always working on his next novel—or his next conversation.

Saving Myles award banner
The Novels

Books by Carl Vonderau

Saving Myles

Saving Myles

Published August 2023 · Now Available in Paperback

Wade, a respected commercial loan officer, and his estranged wife, Fiona, make the unbearable decision to send their son to an expensive treatment center for behavioral problems. But after he returns home, the teenager sneaks off to Tijuana to score drugs and is kidnapped.

When the ransom call comes, Fiona accepts help from André — the Quebecois whose charity she runs, a former kidnap victim with a bank of uncertain reputation. Wade swallows his doubts. As their families become enmeshed, agents from the FBI and DEA pressure Wade to bring down André's bank and the cartel behind it. Now Wade has to do whatever it takes to save his family.

Saving Myles

Praise for Saving Myles

Murderabilia

Murderabilia

Published 2019

Left Coast Crime Award — Best Debut Novel San Diego Book Award — Best Mystery

No one was supposed to know that banker William McNary is a serial killer's son. Until one night… the phone rang. In an instant, the safe life William has built for his young family is torn away. Then the killings begin.

Three decades ago, a madman committed thirteen unspeakable killings. Now they've started again, and his son is the sole suspect. Desperate to clear his name, William must delve into his father's frightening portfolio for clues — but with fresh crime scenes creeping closer to home, his best chance may lie with speaking to the man he swore to forget.

Praise for Murderabilia

Praise for Murderabilia

Other Works

  • Devil in a Doublewide
  • "Hiding from the Devil" — short story in Crossing Borders, ed. Lisa Brackmann & Matt Coyle  Find on Amazon →
Book Clubs

Book Club Resources

Contact Carl at carlvonderauauthor@gmail.com to schedule a live or virtual talk with your book club.

⚠ These questions contain SPOILERS. Please finish the book before clicking.
Saving Myles

Saving Myles

Discussion questions for Carl's latest thriller about kidnapping, cartels, and family loyalty.

View Discussion Questions (PDF)
Murderabilia

Murderabilia

Discussion questions for Carl's award-winning debut about a serial killer's son and a copycat murderer.

View Discussion Questions (PDF)

Invite Carl to Your Club

Available for in-person and virtual visits. Carl loves talking with readers about the research and real-world banking crimes behind his books.

Email Carl
The Podcast

Person of Interest

Carl Vonderau interviews the writers behind today's most gripping true-crime and thriller storytelling — on the Authors on the Air Global Radio Network.

View Full Playlist on YouTube →

All Episodes

Newsletter
Newsletter

Carl's Newsletter

True crime research, international banking scandals, book recommendations, and what Carl's been up to. Published regularly — always worth reading.

Recent Issues

Full Archive

2025

2024

2023

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Events

Events & Appearances

2024

Feb 20

Authors on the Air — Interview with Pam Stack

Interview covering Carl's life and books

Mar 2

California Writers Club, Orange County

May 13 · 6:30 pm

Book Talk on Saving Myles

Point Loma Library · 3701 Voltaire Street, San Diego, CA

Aug 18 · 2:00 pm

Muzeo Cultural Center — "Writers on Writing" Panel

Anaheim, CA · With Joe Ide, Janis Thomas, and Maddie Margarita

Aug 22 · 12:00 pm

San Diego Rotary at Liberty Station

Talk on the journey from conservative banking to writing about serial killers and money laundering

Aug 23

Authors on the Air — Interview with Bonnar Spring

Aug 28–Sep 1

Bouchercon Convention — Nashville

"Rich and Miserable" panel · Sunday at 9:30 am

Oct 26

North Park Book Fair — San Diego, CA


Event Photos

Orange Unified Book Fair Orange Unified Book Fair Orange Unified Book Fair
Novel group Murder and Beer event Cesar Chavez Service Clubs
News

Articles & Interviews

KPBS Book Festival

In the Press

Podcasts, Videos & Press Interviews

Podcasts & Videos