Michael Kardos, co-director of creative writing and associate professor in the department of English at Mississippi State University, will  hold his second book release on Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m. in Rogers Auditorium for his new novel, “Before He Finds Her.”
Kardos said there will be a reading, a question and answer session and a book signing during the event. 
“The book officially comes out on Feb. 3, but bookstores in town already have it,” Kardos said. 
According to Kardos, the book is about a pregnant 17-year-old girl who sets out to find the murderer of her mother, her own father, to save her unborn baby from living in fear. 
“I hope it will find some new readers,” Kardos said. “It’s funny, you don’t know who’s reading it until months after.” 
Kardos said this is his second novel and third book of fiction. His previous novel is  titled “The Three Day Affair.”
“I just wanted to write a novel I would love to read,” Kardos said. “In terms of writing the book, I wasn’t thinking about who was going to read it. I was trying to tell the story right, trying to work on the sentences right, that granular level of getting the right word.” 
Kardos said the antagonist of the book was on his mind for a number of years until he was finally able to use him appropriately in this book. 
“Everything you write and read sits there unfiltered,” Kardos said. “When you are writing, your imagination grabs the right pieces.”
Kardos said the novel began as a three-page story for an anthology of short stories. The story centered on crime but was not strictly aimed at any specific genre. 
“When I read it, it read more like an outline to something bigger,” Kardos said. 
Kardos said he will visit New York, New Jersey, Arkansas, Arizona and cities including Birmingham and Minneapolis for other book launch events. 
Catherine Pierce, Kardos’ wife who co-directs the creative writing program, said she has written in the same house with Kardos for over a decade. 
“Seeing the novel grow out of the very short story that started it was a thrill,” Pierce said. “The biggest change was how he took this kernel of narrative from a haunting short story to a sweeping emotionally resonant novel about love and fear and trust– all these big, complex themes.” 
Pierce said the novel presents a compelling plot for readers to enjoy.
“I think anyone who reads this novel is going to be sucked in quickly and then, sorry to say, will probably have to stay up all night reading, because it’s really tough to put down,” Pierce said. 
Kelsie Penny, senior animal and dairy science major, said she likes the summary of the book especially because she enjoys crime fiction and TV shows if she can identify with the characters personally. 
“If the character is someone I can feel really involved with on a mental level, I would love to read it,” Penny said.