Best-selling author Erik Larson will visit Frederick Community College next week to discuss his writings, answer questions, and participate in a book signing.

Larson, touted by USA Today as “a meticulous master of non-fiction suspense,” is the author of five New York Times bestsellers.

During his visit, Larson will discuss his most recent book, “Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania,” which made it to the top spot on the Times best-selling list soon after it was released. The book chronicles the tragic last trip of the luxury ocean liner, Lusitania, during World War I. After sailing out of New York, headed for England in May 1915, the Lusitania – and many women and children on board – fell victim of to one of the greatest oceanic disasters in history.

Larson’s previous book, “In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler’s Berlin,” also a top Times seller, follows the story of a mild-mannered history professor from Chicago who suddenly finds himself in the heart of Hitler’s Berlin after being chosen as America’s first ambassador to Germany by then President Franklin D. Roosevelt. 

His other well-known books include Edgar Award winner and National Book nominee “Devil in the White City,” about a serial killer who haunted Chicago’s World Fair.

Larson is this year’s keynote speaker for Frederick Reads, which is a partnership among Frederick County Public Library and numerous local organizations including FCC that brings notable authors to Frederick to foster a love of reading. While in Frederick, Larson will also hold two events at the Weinberg Center for the Arts.

His visit to FCC will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 5 in the Jack B. Kussmaul Theater on campus and is free and open to the public.

Larson’s books are currently available in the FCC Bookstore.