William Stage, a former investigator for the Centers for Disease Control in St. Louis and longtime writer for the Riverfront Times, is back with a new novel, “Creatures on Display.” The book is a “gritty mystery set in the seedy underside of St. Louis.”
This is no typical comic noir, though. It takes a hard look at the fictional efforts of investigators who must confront the AIDS crisis during the 1980s. Investigating the AIDS crisis was something that Stage had to undertake through his work with the CDC.
"There were a lot of tears shed in the Central West End from 1981 to the late 1980s,” Stage said. “Everyone knew someone who had AIDS."
On Monday’s “St. Louis on the Air,” host Don Marsh spoke with Stage about the book and how his career with the CDC influenced it.
Stage said that he quit his work with the CDC when his bosses proposed he transfer to a job on the East Coast to do disease investigations within the prison system. He didn’t like the idea of the working in a prison and he definitely didn’t like the idea of moving to the East Coast.
"St. Louis allowed me to become who I wanted to become,” Stage said.
Related Event
What: Book Signing: "Creatures on Display"
When: Thursday, Jan. 14 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Book House, 7352 Manchester Rd, Maplewood, MO 63143
More information.
St. Louis on the Air brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region. St. Louis on the Air host Don Marsh, and producers Mary Edwards,Alex Heuer and Kelly Moffitt give you the information you need to make informed decisions and stay in touch with our diverse and vibrant St. Louis region.
