Author events, Oct. 11-17

Geraldine Brooks, "The Secret Chord." 7 p.m. Oct. 12. Talk, signing. Free. Holy Trinity Parish, 515 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur. 404-370-3070, Ext. 2285; georgiacenterforthebook.org/Events/show.php?id=823. In her new novel, Brooks ("People of the Book") looks at the life of the Biblical King David.

Lynn Cullen, "Twain's End." 7 p.m. Oct 13. Talk, signing. $10. Margaret Mitchell House, 979 Crescent Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-249-7015, atlantahistorycenter.com/mmh. Also appearing: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 15. Talk, signing. $7. RSVP. Book Exchange, 2956 Canton Road, Marietta. 770-427-4848, bookexchangemarietta.com. Cullen ("Mrs. Poe") reimagines the relationship between Mark Twain and his secretary, who went from beloved confidant to a woman Twain seemed determined to destroy.

John Baeder, "Road Well Taken." 6 p.m. Oct. 13. Reading, discussion, signing. Free. Manuel's Tavern, 602 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta. 404-525-3447, manuelstavern.com. A documenter of classic American roadside attractions returns to his hometown to discuss a new collection of his work.

Karin Slaughter, "Pretty Girls." 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13. Discussion, signing, dessert, coffee. Free. Garden Plaza, 230 Collins Industrial Way, Lawrenceville. gwinnettpl.org/event/karin-slaughter-signing. Also appearing: 7:15 p.m. Oct. 15. Talk, signing. Free. Decatur Library Auditorium, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur. 404-370-3070, Ext. 2285; georgiacenterforthebook.org/Events/show.php?id=825. Two women whose sister disappeared 20 years earlier delve into a buried history of dangerous secrets.

S.C. Gwynne, "Rebel Yell: The Violence, Passion, and Redemption of Stonewall Jackson." 7 p.m. Oct. 15. Signing. Free. Bookmiser, 4651 Sandy Plains Road, Roswell. 770-993-1555, bookmiser.net/happenings2.html. How an eccentric, unpopular military instructor with bad eyesight and a host of physical problems became one of the most famous military leaders.

Katrell Christie, "Tiger Heart," with Shannon McCaffrey. 7 p.m. Oct 15. Talk, signing. $10. Margaret Mitchell House, 979 Crescent Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-249-7015, atlantahistorycenter.com/mmh. Christie, owner of the Candler Park tea shop Dr. Bombay's Underwater Tea Party, recounts her trek across India.

Kathleen Jordan, "A Boy From Georgia: Coming of Age in the Segregated South." 7 p.m. Oct. 16. Reading, signing. Free. Carter Presidential Library & Museum Theater, 441 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta. 404-865-7100, jimmycarterlibrary.gov/events. At his death in 2008, Hamilton Jordan, chief of staff to President Jimmy Carter, left behind an unfinished memoir, now completed by his daughter.