Michelle Brooks has a passion for telling the lesser-known stories of Jefferson City’s history. Her books include Hidden History of Jefferson City, Lost Jefferson City, Murder & Mayhem Jefferson City, Jefferson City Civil Pilots: From Lincoln University to Tuskegee Airmen, and her new release Jefferson City Historic Hotels with The History Press. She also has published Interesting Women of the Capital City, Buried Jefferson City History, These Honored Dead: Jefferson City National Cemetery and her 9th book First To Freedom: Cole County U.S. Colored Troops through Kindle Direct Publishing. She worked nearly 25 years in Missouri newspapers, graduated in 2018 from Lincoln University of Missouri and now is a research analyst at the Missouri State Archives. Brooks lives in Jefferson City with her son, husband, three dogs and two cats and enjoys music and gardening.