Two Irish brothers are out in a bog cutting turf for a fire. One of the brothers swings his shovel and makes a grisly discovery--the perfectly preserved head of a red-haired woman. Because peat bogs prevent decay, the head could have been buried for centuries--or she could be a new homicide. That is the opening scene of Minneapolis writer Erin Hart's new book "Haunted Ground." Hart's novel combines archeology, forensics and her love of Irish music and culture. She left her job with the Minnesota State Arts Board to pursue her dream of becoming a novelist. Erin Hart told Minnesota Public Radio's Greta Cunningham winning Glimmer Train Magazine's literary contest started her professional writing career.

This file was digitized with the help of a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).