Journalist and mystery author Jon Talton comes to the Tempe Public Library 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22, to discuss his books, the economy, the state of journalism and everything Arizona.

The Tempe Public Library and Society of Professional Journalists will lead a Q&A session with the Arizona writer who worked for The Arizona Republic as a business and op-ed columnist for many years before moving to Seattle to not only pen 10 novels but also an economics column for the Seattle Times. His blog, the Rogue Columnist, regularly discusses Arizona’s environment, economy, political nature and history.

Talton is a fourth-generation Arizonan. His David Mapstone mystery series features many of the Phoenix area’s favorite restaurants, neighborhoods, destinations and celebrities. Some of the more notorious news the state has seen finds its way into the pages of the books. His thriller, “Deadline Man,” was named Best Mystery of 2010 by the Arizona Book Publishing Association. 

Mark Scarp, who serves nationally and with the Valley of the Sun chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, will lead the discussion. Scarp is a regular columnist for the East Valley Tribune as well as a communicator for the Heard Museum. 

The Tempe Public Library is located at 3500 S. Rural Road. Admission to the program is free. No registration is required.

Books will be available for sale after the presentation, with Talton generously donating proceeds to the Friends of the Tempe Public Library.