Dennis Marshall’s wife, Mary Jo, always felt that he should write novels. He finally started researching his first book just before she died in an automobile accident in 2004. “Karonteon,” a novel that draws on Marshall’s diverse roots, is a mystery-adventure which starts in 1250 A.D. in Mesa Verde, Colorado, where an Indian leader creates a headdress that gives the wearer supernatural powers. Special to The Oakland Press/JUDY HACSKAYLO

Dennis Marshall’s wife, Mary Jo, always felt that he should write novels.

He finally started researching his first book just before her death, from a head injury suffered in an automobile accident in 2004.

“Karonteon,” a novel that draws on Marshall’s diverse roots, is a mystery-adventure, which starts in Mesa Verde, Colo., where in 1250 A.D., an Indian leader creates a headdress that gives the wearer supernatural powers. Centuries later, a mafia don steals the headdress and allies himself with radical Indians, instituting a plan to take over Detroit. Skip Mitchell, a television broadcaster, teams up with the CIA, FBI and ex-wife Wanda to save the city from the mafia plot.

Marshall dedicated the novel to Mary Jo, his wife of 31 years.

“The book is basically about life, faith, and the love of two people ... about me, my life and my dreams; and people who have been important to me,” he said.

In “Karonteon,” Wanda is a singer, which was a dream of Mary Jo’s.

Writing the novel was, “hard at the beginning,” Marshall said. He was a fan of author Clive Cussler, who wrote the Dirk Pitt novels, so he wrote to Cussler, who replied, encouraging Marshall to continue writing. Marshall asked for further advice in a second letter, and Cussler telephoned Marshall, telling him how to develop his own writing style. Marshall learned that Cussler also had experienced the loss of his wife.

Seeking a publisher, Marshall searched the Internet found PublishAmerica in a query. Six days later, he had a contract. Since then, he’s been visiting local book stores to promote his book.

Marshall graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit in 1988 with a bachelor’s degree in print journalism. He has worked as a free-lance audio assistant and cameraman for major TV networks, doing field audio for hockey and baseball games and at the Michigan International Speedway when CBS covered races. In addition, he wrote free-lance news stories for The Oakland Press about 25 years ago.

The title of the book, “Karonteon” is a Potawatomi Indian word for “shores of the straits.” Marshall is one-sixth Choctaw on his mother’s side. He attributes the successes in his life to his strong Christian faith.

Marshall lives in the Clarkston area and has three children. He is researching his next book, “The Palace Affair,” a murder-mystery featuring private investigator Skip Mitchell.

Marshall views Skip as, “part Sam Spade, part 007.” The story will include metro-area locations such as Summit Place mall in Waterford Township, the Detroit Kennel Club, the Palace of Auburn Hills and St. Mary’s in Orchard Lake. There will be a departure from characters based on family and friends, but Marshall will stay true to the original flavor of his first book.

“Karonteon” is available at local stores, PublishAmerica.com and through Marshall’s Web site, www.freewebs.com/karonteon.