ATHOL — “Making a Mystery” is coming to the Athol Public Library, 568 Main St., on Tuesday, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m. Audience participation is encouraged, as four local authors create a mystery in real time. Participants suggest character names, settings, motives and murder weapons and the authors incorporate some of the suggestions into the ongoing story. The authors will also discuss how they choose character names, establish a setting and construct a story. The event is offered both live and via Zoom, so that all can participate. Please call the library at 978-249-9515 to register.
Kate Flora, J. A. McIntosh, Clea Simon, and Sharon Healy-Yang will be the panelists for “Making a Mystery.” This event is sponsored by Sisters in Crime, New England and all four panelists are members of that organization and published authors.
Kate Flora, a Massachusetts author of 24 books, has been a finalist for the Edgar, Agatha, Anthony and Derringer awards and is a past president of Sisters in Crime. When asked about mystery readers, she stated: “Most mystery writers began as avid readers, at some point transitioning from being enchanted by other writers’ ability to transport us into their worlds into being transported into the worlds we create.”
J. A. McIntosh, a recovering attorney, has written two books about people caught up in the legal system, with a third book coming out soon. She writes: “I am fascinated by the concept of fairness and what it means to people. The people I write about are imperfect, but all are seeking justice.”
Clea Simon is the author of five mystery series featuring cats, that range from the cozy to the near noir, as well as a stand-alone suspense novel, and three nonfiction books. A former journalist, Simon is a native New Yorker who now lives in Somerville with her husband.
Sharon Healy-Yang’s passion for films and books created during the 1930s through the ’50s, with their blend of sharp wit and dark suspense, inspired her to write. Her novels feature a witty, imaginative female lead who’s ripe for a little romance, even if it is mixed in with espionage, deception or murder.
“The Athol Library tries to reach out and involve local authors in its programming,” said Robin Shtulman, assistant library director. “We have run a number of programs featuring local authors and hope to do more in the future.”
Funding for “Making a Mystery” is provided by the Friends of the Athol Library. The library also runs several book discussions each month, including a mystery reading group. For more information about the book groups and other programs happening this fall, visit the library online at athollibrary.org, in person Monday through Saturday or call 978-249-9515.