I’m still pinching myself.
When I launched the Kickstarter campaign for The Jacklighter: Murder, Betrayal, and Justice in Pennsylvania’s Endless Mountains, I hoped for the best and prepared for the worst. But my Backer Besties came through and fully funded (and then some!) my first Kickstarter campaign 😭😭😭
To every single backer who pledged, shared the campaign, cheered me on, or simply spread the word: thank you. You gave The Jacklighter a real pathway to existing in the world.
This case, which spans 50 years, has stayed with me for three decades since I first started writing about it in my husband’s hometown of Montrose, Pa. The Endless Mountains in northeast Pennsylvania hold a lot of secrets, and this one—wrapped in hunting culture, small-town loyalty, and a betrayal that shattered a family—is one I can’t wait to share with you. I’m pouring everything into this book, and I’m so grateful it’s going to find its readers.
Watch the official JACKLIGHTER book trailer
Amazon pre-orders are coming soon
Pre-orders will be coming soon on Amazon, so stay tuned for that announcement. You can also join my free Substack newsletter for publication-day updates and get some behind-the-scenes true crime reporting as a bonus. The Jackligher is on track for release by the end of 2026, and I’ll be keeping you posted every step of the way.
With so much gratitude 💕
Carla
Carla Conti is a journalist and the award-winning author of Chained Birds: A Crimemoir. Her next true crime book, The Jacklighter, is set for release in 2026. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, who supports her true crime habit.
