Lise Olsen

Lise Olsen is investigations editor at the Texas Observer and the author of "The Scientist and the Serial Killer: The Search for Houston's Lost Boys," a deeply researched tale about dozens of young men who were kidnapped and killed by Dean Corll in the 1970s. Her first book, "Code of Silence," was honored by the Texas Institute of Letters and by Investigative Reporters and Editors as 2022 best nonfiction book. Her reporting has contributed to the prosecution of a congressman and a federal judge, and freed dozens of wrongfully held prisoners.  

Awards: Prior book received Texas Institute of Letters Carr P. Collins Award and Investigative Reporters and Editors' Book award; this book was a finalist for CLUE's True Crime Book of the Year.

Communities: woman journalist, working mom

Solved

Join us as three true-crime experts share the gripping stories and the investigative breakthroughs that helped solve some of America's most haunting murders.

Integrated Learning Center Room 130 (Seats 143, Wheelchair accessible)  
Sat, Mar 14, 2:30 pm - 3:25 pm
True Crime
Signing area: Sales & Signing Area - Integrated Learning Center (following presentation)  

Panelists: Troy Hillman, Lise Olsen, Casey Sherman
Moderator: Sheryl Kornman

Looking for the Lost Boys

Investigative reporter Lise Olsen is here with a true story about two dozen teenage boys who were murdered by a serial killer 50 years ago in Houston. Who were they? Why did no one seem to care? Even now the case is chilling.

Arizona Daily Star Stage (Seats 250)  
Sun, Mar 15, 10:00 am - 10:55 am
True Crime
Signing area: Signing - Arizona Daily Star (following presentation)  

Panelist: Lise Olsen
Moderator: Emily Bregel

Investigating the Crime

Investigations aren't just for the police. These three three true-crime authors will discuss what it takes to be an investigative journalist, and how they get to the bottom of the crimes they cover.

Integrated Learning Center Room 120 (Seats 300, Wheelchair accessible)  
Sun, Mar 15, 1:00 pm - 1:55 pm
True Crime
Signing area: Sales & Signing Area - Integrated Learning Center (following presentation)  

Panelists: Lise Olsen, Harold Schechter, Casey Sherman
Moderator: Anne Segal

Books:

The Scientist and the Serial Killer

The Search for Houston's Lost Boys
True Crime
Random House
April 2025
ISBN 9780593595688
464 pages

Code of Silence

Inside the Case That Led to the First Federal Judge to be Impeached for Sexual M isconduct
True Crime
Beacon Press
August 2022
ISBN 9780807007280
288 pages