DCL Book Chat

Everyone in Starvation Lake, Michigan, is stunned when a snowmobile with a bullet hole in it washes up on the icy shore of Walleye Lake. Could it belong to the town’s beloved hockey coach Jack Blackburn, who disappeared 10 years ago and was believed drowned when his snowmobile fell through the ice on Starvation Lake? How did the snowmobile end up in Walleye Lake? Was Blackburn murdered? Gus Carpenter, the editor of the local paper and a fallen from grace hockey player under Blackburn is determined to find out. What he learns is that many of the people in town have dark secrets. Secrets some of them may have killed to keep.

Gruley, a Michigan native and amateur hockey player, is the Chicago bureau chief for the Wall Street Journal. He vividly brings the town and people of Starvation Lake to life in his first novel which was a finalist for a 2010 Edgar Award and was on many 2009 top mystery lists.

Allison

Young midwife Mary Sutter dreams of becoming a surgeon, but in 19th century Albany, New York, her gender is a huge obstacle. The start of the Civil War changes everything for Mary. This debut novel is full of fascinating historical details of medicine, war, politics and the role of women.

Dedra

On a hot July morning, twelve individuals set off on a guided raft trip down the Colorado River. From the outset, we wonder if the guides will be able to pull this disparate group together and complete a successful 12 day journey. Add to the mix, a stray dog found along the way and troubles multiply. The challenges found along the river reveal rifts and bonds among the travelers. Some show surprising reserves of courage and others learn humility, the hard way. Full of the beauty and excitement of a wild ride through the Grand Canyon, the story quickly involves the reader in the journey.

Meet Elisabeth Hyde at the Highlands Ranch Library on July 15 at 7 p.m.

Marsha

Iris, the postmistress in a small Massachusetts town, and Frankie, an ambitious journalist working for Edward R Murrow in London, experience World War II very differently. As fate weaves their stories together both are touched by their experiences in ways both harrowing and enriching.

This novel brings to life rich characters and illustrates the struggles faced by civilians in this country and in Europe during a crucial time in our shared history.

Marsha

Set on a remote island in the middle of the Great Lakes, The Tale of Halcyon Crane is an entertaining mix of Gothic mystery, ghost story and family saga. Hallie James has grown up thinking her mother died in a fire when Hallie was a little girl. Now with the receipt of a letter, she learns that her mother has just died and left her a century old house on Grand Manitou Island. She also learns that her loving father actually faked his death and hers to get her off the island, away from her mother and away from the strange happenings on the island. This is Webb’s first novel and discussion questions are available for reading groups.

Allison

The fourth book in this series takes our heroine, Adelia, back to her native Sicily. After seven years of doing the bidding of King Henry II of England, Adelia sees a means of escape. But the King has made sure she has a reason to return. As the title suggests, the trip is fraught with intrigue and death as Adelia and her protectors match wits with an old enemy.

Gail

David McCullough redeemed John Adams in his Pulitzer Prize winning biography and here is your chance to meet the incredible woman who loved him. Abigail Adams was not only one finest writers of her age, she passionately campaigned for women’s education, denounced sex discrimination, and matched wits not only with her brilliant husband, but with Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. You go, girl!

Dedra

Finally, this fifth book in the Minneapolis cop series is available and it’s definitely worth the wait. Cops Leo and Gino are trying to solve a series of murders that make horrific use of the internet. As always, they solicit the help of their cybersleuth friends at Monkeewrench. What makes this series work is the combination of likable characters and a rather odd crime fighting team. Don’t be afraid to dive right in, you’ll catch up fast!

Dedra