Mystery Fanfare: St. Patrick's Day Crime Fiction

Mystery Fanfare: St. Patrick's Day Crime Fiction: Erin - go- bragh! St. Patrick's Day figures in several mysteries.  Here's an updated St. Patrick's Day Crime Fiction list . Irish Noir is v...

The Long Fall by Walter Mosley

At our next meeting on March 28th, we'll be discussing The Long Fall, the first book in Walter Mosley's latest series featuring Leonid McGill, a New York private detective. 

Watch the book trailer here.

Mystery Gook Group to Welcome Guest Speaker on Art Theft and Detection

The Booked to Death Mystery Group at the Newark Library will welcome a guest speaker at their February 22 discussion of The Art Thief  by Noah Charney.  David Jackson, a retired British police officer with 25 years' experience as a SWAT officer (including royalty protection), Art and Antiques officer, and detective (drug trafficking and counter terrorism), will speak to the group about his experiences in various branches of British law enforcement including art theft and detection.

The discussion will take place at 6:30 p.m. in Meeting Room A at the Newark Library, 101 West Main Street, Newark, Ohio.  Copies of The Art Thief are available for checkout at the Newark Library.

This event is free and open to the public.

Cozy Chicks: Holiday Baking, Music, and More

Cozy Chicks: Holiday Baking, Music, and More: by Maggie Sefton The Holidays are definitely here, folks. We're shopping for gifts, decorating our houses (well, I'm not because I'll spe...

Christmas Dinner and Book Discussion

We're celebrating the holidays at our annual Christmas Dinner at a local restaurant on December 28 at 6:30 p.m.  Following dinner, we'll be discussing Water Like a Stone by Deborah Crombie, the 11th book in the Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James series.

If you plan to attend the dinner and book discussion, contact Bonnie at bstrope@lickingcountylibrary.info or 740.349.5524.

The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton: Discussion Questions

We will be discussing The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton at our next meeting on Wednesday, November 30 at 6:30 p.m. in the Newark Library's conference room.  If you've finished reading the book, here is a discussion guide provided by Princeton Book Review.com.

1. How do you think the tragedy Michael experienced as a child influenced the choices he made as an adult? At what point in one’s life is the past no longer an excuse for bad decisions?

2. In what ways did Michael’s uncle help or hurt him? Do you think he provided proper guidance? Did his actions in anyway contribute to Michael’s outcome? Do you think he cared and did his best? Should he have know more about Michael’s involvement with the unsavory characters that he became mixed up with?

3. If you listen to Michael’s inner voice, he was a young man with morals and a conscience, yet he became mixed up with criminals. Do you think this is because he had no options?

4. Do you think it’s realistic for Michael to risk his life for Amelia? What do you think the driving force in their relationship was? Loneliness? First love? Common bond?

5. Did Michael’s actions and decisions demonstrate courage or cowardice? Would your answer differ if he hadn’t survived the tragedy he suffered at age 8?

6. How effective was the author’s technique of using a silent main character? Did this approach enhance the book? The mystery? Did Michael’s silence make you think about the difficulty of not being able to speak? Was it realistic?

7. Amelia’s father was a manipulative person. Was it acceptable to sacrifice Michael for the safety of his daughter? How much do you think he attributed to the downfall of Michael? Do you think he compromised his daughter in any way? Does the end always justify the means? What do you think motivated him? Greed? Fear? Family?

8. Which characters, if any, grew throughout this book? Did the book or any of the personality traits of the characters provoke thought or teach you anything? Do you think the right people were punished?

9. How well do you think the book examines the effects of trauma on children? Which threads or actions in articular addressed this? Can a child overcome a tragedy such as Michael experienced?

10.The book examines the redemptive powers of art and the power being accepted by peers has on a person. Discuss this both from the perspective of the book’s characters and real life experiences.

11. Considering the outcome of the main characters involved in this story, do you think Michael regretted his decision?

12. The author shifts between the past and present and gradually converges the two. Did this method suit the story line? Was it seamless or at anytime confusing?
© 2008 Princetonbookreviews.com

Murder, Mystery & Mayhem: Witches, Goblins, and Ghosts - Halloween Mysteries...

Murder, Mystery & Mayhem: Witches, Goblins, and Ghosts - Halloween Mysteries...: The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown. - - - H. P. Lovecraf...

Case Histories Tonight on PBS' Masterpiece Mystery!

 We read Case Histories in June 2011 and gave it a 2.5 / 5 rating.  It was a "love or hate" kind of book, but it inspired a lively discussion. The three-part BBC adaptation begins tonight on PBS. Here's a review from the Los Angeles Times.

Case Histories - PBS 

P.D. James' Pride & Prejudice Sequel - Coming Soon

I can't wait to get my hands on Death Comes to Pemberley, P.D. James' new book (to be released in the U.S. on December 6). I would probably gringe if any other author attempted a crime fiction sequel to Pride & Prejudice, but if anyone can pull this off, it is P.D. James. 

BBC News: P.D. James Writes Pride & Prejudice Crime Novel

Mystery Awards Announced

The 2011 Anthony Awards were presented on Sunday September 18, 2011 at the Bouchercon convention in St. Louis. Here are this year's winners:

Best Novel  - Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny

Best First Novel
 - The Damage Done by Hilary Davidson

Best Graphic Novel - The Chill by Jason Starr

Best Short Story - "Swing Shift" by Dana Cameron (Crimes By Moonlight)

Best Web Site/Blog -
Stop, You’re Killing Me! edited by Stan Ulrich and Lucinda Surber

For a complete list of nominees, visit the Bouchercon website.