Kevin McGee

Kevin P. McGee has lived a life so chaotic it probably qualifies as its own genre. A retired police officer who fearlessly patrolled the treacherous cul-de-sacs of America’s smallest state, Kevin once took down a multi-state crime spree simply by recognizing the world’s sketchiest truck leaving a Dunkin’. He launched his cruiser over a fallen tree (Dukes of Hazzard style), let a 2004 Red Sox player flip on the sirens all the way to Logan Airport, and earning a legendary 30-day reprimand for peeling out of the police Chief's parking spot and leaving 30 feet of skid marks. A ratio the Chief did not appreciate as much as he did.

His proudest moment didn't involve arrests or earning a commendation. It was writing tickets to every Yankees fan he ever pulled over and signing them "Bucky 'Bleeping' Dent," a petty little vendetta that somehow cleared both performance reviews and traffic court completely unchallenged. Turns out nobody wants to be the lawyer who has to say that name out loud to a judge with a straight face.

After retiring and turning in his badge, Kevin taught high school history, where students learned about the Constitution, the World Wars, and why Tom Brady is not only the GOAT, but possibly the fifth Beatle and a time-traveling Founding Father. These days, he spends his daylight hours untangling global financial crimes and once prevented a very wealthy lunatic from eating a live bear at a restaurant. (Seriously. Don’t ask. Just know the bear is fine.)

Kevin has three mostly adult children, each living their own gloriously unpredictable adventure. One jumps out of airplanes (well... is technically pushed by fellow members of the 82nd Airborne and screams the whole way down). One is a champion Irish dancer who moonlights at Disney leading Andy’s Toys, her best friend is Slinky Dog, and yes, they do have lunch plans. And the youngest is a brilliant lab scientist slowly climbing the ranks under the questionable supervision of Dr. Doofenshmirtz. He’s incredibly proud of all of them, even if he’s slightly concerned one day they’ll put him in a padded cell.

By night, Kevin becomes a full-time word wizard, conjuring supernatural storms, sarcastic sidekicks, and rainbow-powered kids who take on ancient evil with more bravery than common sense. He lives in South Carolina with his wife Colleen, a 4'10" redhead with the soul of a warrior queen. Small in stature, legendary in presence, she runs the McGee household with equal parts compassion and “don’t test me.” Kevin may have faced down criminals, but he knows better than to leave dishes in the sink when the general’s home. Together, they share their home with four lovable, intellectually challenged canines and three cats who definitely run the house and may or may not be plotting a coup.

The Water Babies of Nevada is the fourth installment of the United States of Scare series and maybe the most terrifying yet. When something in the water calls your name... read the book, then start answering to "Gary." Unless your name is already Gary...in that case, sorry buddy, you were never getting out of this one.