New Mystery Series

A Killer Collection is the first in a new series of collectible mysteries by JB Stanley. Molly Appleby writes for a weekly newspaper for collectors. On assignment, she just happens to be present when a big-deal pottery buyer dies at a semi-annual kiln opening. Relying on her instinct, she senses something amiss.

As she interviews different potters for her paper, she learns (and we do, too) about how a clump of clay becomes a desired piece, highly collectible. She also comes across information that proves the obnoxious buyer didn’t die by accident or suicide.

A former owner of her own antique shop, her mother Clara, is now a partner in an antique auction house, freeing her up to roam around the countryside, attending the right events. She and Molly team up to solve the crime and the others that follow.

Stanley delightfully weaves, humor, personal interest and a collector’s knowledge all into a cozy mystery.

Arcadia Authors’ Day

Exciting news! The Burlington County Library of NJ is holding an Images of America, Arcadia Authors’ Day 2006 at the library on November 11 beginning at 10 a.m. running until 3 p.m. Three of us who have written multiple books for Arcadia will serve on a panel. We’ll be discussing the ins and outs of writing an Arcadia book about Burlington County towns or subjects relating to them. An additional eight Arcadia authors will be in attendance also. The sepia picture covers of Arcadia books have become a beacon for anyone looking for town history. When displayed at the bookstore, they seem to just pull you to them like Mom’s apple pie cooling on a windowsill.

Refreshments will be served and Arcadia books will be available for sale, signed by your favorite authors, of course.

I’ve attended author panel discussions at Book Festivals and enjoyed them very much. I’ve never been on one so I’m delighted to have this first experience. I think. I’ll tell you more about that after the day is over.

Burlington County Library is located at 5 Pioneer Blvd. Westhampton NJ 080260 tele. 609- 267-9660 email: genealogy@bcls.lib.nj.us www.bcls.lib.nj.us

Book Reviewers

I read book reviews. It’s one way to tell, from sitting at your kitchen table on a Sunday morning, whether a book is one you will enjoy reading. At least it is a first step, a hook to pull you in. Certainly one cannot always rely on someone else’s opinion about anything, especially fiction. In times past, a person has said to me, “Oh, this is a ‘must’ read. You’re gonna love it.” Well, I’ve taken that advice a few times and can’t say I always (actually, rarely) loved the book. Sometimes I was bored, sometimes the story was disappointing, and sometimes I disliked the writing style of the author.

Book reviews published in the newspaper or on the net can give you indications of the story subject, characters, plotlines, etc. Recently the reviewer told the complete plot, including which character gets killed by mistaken identity. Another told of a main character marrying and being unfaithful in the same sentence before we even got a chance to experience his falling in love. Do reviewers really have to reveal so much of the story? Why should I bother to buy a book when I already know what’s going to happen to everyone in the story. Half the fun of reading fiction is the unfolding of the story. Some novels depend on your curiosity and wanting to know what happens next.
Please let us enjoy the surprises the author planned for us.