Secrets from Beneath the Library Stacks

Tomorrow is World Librarian Day, so I asked some librarians who are friends of mine to reveal their deepest darkest library secrets. Here is what they told me:


Cari Dubiel, Librarian and co-host of the ABC Book Reviews Podcast

"The main thing I want people to know is that we have digital collections!  If you are an e-book reader, you don't have to buy all your books. Library collections have gotten much better in the past few years now that the publishers are willing to sell e-books to us. Also, the reading apps have gotten much better. Your librarian or library staff can help you learn how to download them. My library (Twinsburg) has e-books, audiobooks, music, movies, and television series all available through different services."

Amanda Flower, Librarian and Mystery and Children's Book Author

"Librarians like to be asked questions! If we didn't, we wouldn't be librarians. So don't ever be afraid to approach a librarian.

"Librarians want your book suggestions. The goal is to have materials circulate, so we want to buy things you want to read. Don't be shy sharing the names of your favorite authors. Every library loves a guaranteed circulation statistic. ;)

"Come in and stay awhile. Even if you never check anything out from a library and would just like to use it as a quiet place to work, study, and read, you are welcome. Libraries are places and are open to the public for you to use, take advantage of this wonderful service.

"Librarians love libraries... really. I have spent most of my life in a library. The wonder of all the beautiful books still amazes me as much as it did when I was a young child. Being an author is pretty awesome, but being a librarian is magic."

Pat Hernas, Librarian and Founding Member of the Mystery Playground Crafty Thursday Team

"Libraries are great spaces.  Reading nooks, self browsing, displays of local art or new materials, computers to cruise the web, and more.  But when the patrons are gone the librarians and staff often ruminate on the events of the day.  One of my favorite librarian type blogs to read is the Swiss Army Librarian.  The author is a public librarian with a lovely sense of wit and finds the interesting in all his interactions with the public.  Here is a great example sharing is Reference Question of the Week (If you're a Red Sox fan it will even be more interesting!)

				Swiss Army Librarian » Reference Question of the Week – ... Swiss Army Librarian is a blog by Brian Herzog mostly about library and technology issues relating to public libraries
				"But we librarians often get a chuckle (or thrill) when our library users forget to remove their bookmarks.  Back comes the book down the book return shoot and we find: tickets, photos, leaves (leaves?!), Bible verse, paper towel (unused, phew!), shopping list, receipt, and many other things.  But what we hope to find and never do:  bills (any denomination, please), tickets for future events, and the winning lottery ticket.    "So make your librarian's day and leave a thank you note in a book...or a dollar bill..."

Well Read, Then Dead Nominated for Best First Novel

The Agatha Award nominations came out over the weekend and I was so excited to see Terrie Farley Moran's book nominated for best first novel that I had to celebrate.

So we are giving away a copy of Well Read, Then Dead, signed by Terrie Farley Moran AND the journal below. This was Terrie's first novel and it's the first in the Read 'em and Eat Mystery Series. 

The journal is shiny so I had to scan it rather than take a photo, but it is super fun. 

To be entered, just comment below. US residents only. 

Follow Mystery Playground on Twitter @mysteryplaygnd and on Facebook.

A Girl Walks into a Bar at Comic Con

A girl walks into a bar at and ... has her photo taken with the cast of Revolution. This is lucky duck Jo Ann and she is in San Diego for Comic Con. 

From left to right in the photo above, we have JD Pardo/Jason Neville, Tracy Spiridakos/Charlie (looking a little possessed), the fabulous Jo Ann, Billy Burke/Miles Mathison (also Phillip Stroh on The Closer and Major Crimes) and Davis Lyons/Sebastian "Bass" Munroe.

Revolution is great fun. Can't wait until it returns in the fall. 

Beware of the Walking Dead...

They are having fun. 

Kristine, Martin Christopher Lawrence from the Buy More on CHUCK and Jo Ann. 

Chuck is awesome if you haven't seen it, check it out. 

Thank you Jo Ann for super photos from Comic Con. 

Faves: Deadly Appraisal, Antiques to Die For, Dolled Up for Murder

All summer long Mystery Playground is featuring Friday guest bloggers who recommend a book with a matching drink. Today's guest post is by Siobhan Nash, the woman behind the fabulous food blog, Food Fixe. 

I discovered Jane Cleland's Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery series last year when I was on medical leave and doing a lot of reading. For me, Deadly Appraisal was like reconnecting with an old friend. I have long been a lover of mysteries, starting with Nancy Drew when I was a girl. At some point, though, mysteries and I lost touch. But that's the beautiful thing about a true friendship, you can always pick right up no matter how much time has passed. And in Josie Prescott, I had found a new friend. 

Deadly Appraisal is the first book I read; however, it’s the second book in this cozy mystery series. As often happens, I will discover a book only to find that it's part of a series—and not the first one in the series. Fortunately, Jane Cleland does an excellent job of providing enough backstory to keep you from feeling lost or left out. Here’s the premise:

Josie Prescott is an antiques appraiser who, after blowing the whistle on her employer (a high-end antiques auction house in New York City) for price fixing, moves to Rocky Point, New Hampshire and opens her own antiques business. As seems to be the case with all small Eastern seaboard town (Cabot Cove, Maine, anyone?), there is a steady stream of murders—all of which touch Josie’s life in some way.

Although I chose Deadly Appraisal for my summer reading recommendation, I’ve really enjoyed all the books in the series. The plots are well developed and the characters engaging, especially Josie. In addition to living the life I dream of (minus the murders), she (like me) loves a good cocktail and likes to mix it up—from a simple Bombay Sapphire on the rocks to the more exotic Guavatini and Cherry Blossom.  

Champagne and bourbon haven’t made an appearance as one of Josie’s cocktails, yet. However, they are two of my favorite spirits and when I saw a recipe for a Champagne Mint Julep, I knew I had to try it. I tweaked the recipe, adding a touch of sweetness. The result is a cocktail that’s not too strong, not too minty, and with just enough effervescence. I hope you enjoy it. 

Champagne Mint Julep 

(Makes 1 cocktail)

8 mint leaves, or to taste

2 teaspoons simple syrup, or to taste

1 ounce bourbon (I used Maker’s Mark)

Champagne or sparkling wine, to fill

Mint sprigs, for garnish

Twist the 8 mint leaves to release their oil and add to a champagne flute. Add the simple syrup and gently muddle with a spoon. Add the bourbon to the glass and then top off with champagne or sparkling wine. Add a sprig of mint for garnish. Cheers!

Don't forget to visit Siobhan's blog, FoodFixe. I love the recipes here. Great food and the directions are clear and easy to follow. 

Further Instructions on How to be a Romance Hero from Laura K. Curtis.

Laura K. Curtis has posted the next installment of her fabulous Romance Hero Guidebook with detailed instructions on how to be a romance hero. This all-important chapter is entitled: "Keep Your Calves Kilt-Worthy." 

You have to check it out. And don't worry there are photos. 

How to Become a Romance Hero

"We’ve read about reluctant rakes, notorious rakes, and even perfect rakes. But no matter how wicked (and such heroes are rarely anything less than wicked), a rake is not a boor." 

            - The Romance Hero Handbook, Laura K. Curtis


Criminal Element pal and writer, Laura K. Curtis, is running a how to series on her blog called The Romance Hero Handbook to help the average guy transform into the perfect romance novel hero. 

The second installment is called, "Be a Reformable Rake." It's funny and instructional.  

"But how can you, the Average Joe, the Man On The Street, tell whether you have the capacity to get out there and attract women? You don’t have fangs or a mansion in Crete, you’re not independently wealthy and you still have twenty-eight years left on your thirty year mortgage."

You'll just have to visit Laura's blog to get all the answers...

Manhattan, Lower East Side Speakeasy: Death & Company

Continuing our series on modern day speakeasies, today's feature is about a little place called Death & Company. This smart little bar is tucked away in a corner of Manhattan's East Village. 

In 1919, temperance became popular and Prohibition made it illegal to serve alcohol.  Drinking was compared by those who favored temperance to 'live a life shadowed by death'. This is where Death & Company takes it's name. 

I recently visited this little establishment with friend and mystery writer, Cathi Stoler, author of the wonderful book, Telling Lies (How many lies does it take to get away with murder?). I always think it best to visit bars with the word death in the name with a mystery writer or two.  Don't you?

Beverages:

Both Cathi and I had a drink called the, Run for the Roses, which contained "Rose peddle-nfused" Lillet Rose, Kirsch Brandy (I usually put this in cheese fondue), Knappogue Irish Whiskey and Champagne.  The only thing I could taste in the first version was the Irish Whiskey. I asked for them to leave out the whiskey on the second round, but was told they can't alter the drinks because they won't taste right. While I prefer to have my drinks the way I like them, rather than the way someone else likes them, the second round was quite good when they went lighter on the whiskey, and they did go lighter on the whiskey. 

Food:

There were many appetizer type food offerings and the nibbles here were tasty. We had truffle oil soaked fries and mushroom tarts (really sautéed mushrooms in puff pastry). The mushroom tarts were my favorite. 

Directions:
Death + Company can be found at 433 E. 6th Street on 6th between 1st Avenue and Avenue A.  The door is well marked. There was a greeter outside the night we went. The bar opened at 6:00pm that night but they weren't ready exactly at 6:00 pm and we had to wait for about five minutes. Death + Company was standing room only by the time we left at 8:00ish. If you go later, expect a line. We didn't need a password to get in.

What Are Speakeasies?

Speakeasies were essentially secret bars that sprang up when the United States outlawed alcohol in 1919. 

Most speakeasies were housed in unmarked locations, many required a password to get in and some may have even moved from place to place to stay ahead of the law. Many think the name came from patrons being told to "speakeasy" or to lower their voices so no one suspected they were serving alcohol. 

Today, there are many modern speakeasies that retain some of these traditions. Usually they feature fresh ingredients in their food and drink, and though the secrecy is no longer needed, many are in discreet locations that lack signage. Some even require passwords.

You can read about Mystery Playground's other speakeasy adventures here. 

Fortune Friday: Fortunate to Have Creative Friends

A Henry Road notebook off the coast of South Africa.

This Fortune Friday is a little bit different. It's about being fortunate to have so many creative friends. Let me tell you about them.

Paula Smail runs Henry Road, a home goods shop with a physical store in Southern California and an online storefront. I love her vintage items and bold designs. I have her creative notebooks all over the house, Paula designed the Mystery Playground logo and helps out with graphics for this site. She also has a design blog that can be found here.

Siobhan Nash runs FoodFixe, a food blog with recipes that are not only fabulous, but her instructions are so meticulous, these recipes come out great every time. My favorite recipe on the site is the pumpkin chocolate chips muffins. She also has runs great recipies for holiday treats in December, you can see those here.

Beader extraordinaire, Kim Hammond, makes all kinds of jewelry creations and organizes a yearly pilgrimage to the Bead & Button Show in Milwaukee. (We also made a visit to spy inspired restaurant, called The Safe House.)

Terrie Moran has published stories in many magazines and anthologies, and she has a book out called, The Awareness and Other Deadly Tales. She blogs at Criminal Element and at Women of Mystery.

Tyler LePard runs digital media for a recently launched non-profit organization called Catapult. Catapult lets you pick from a variety of non-profit projects to support that help women and children and support gender equality.

Janet Kuchler takes many of the photographs for Mystery Playground and is always up for a speakeasy trek, even if it means walking in high heel shoes for a mile because we can't find a cab.

Terri Thayer has two mystery series out, a rubber stamping series and a quilting series. I've enjoyed reading both even thought I don't quilt or rubber stamp (good thing she does).

Laura K. Curtis just signed a two book deal with Penguin's first e-imprint, InterMix
(and you can help her give away her money here.) Congratulations Laura!

2012 Friend's Favorites

There are so many books, so many TV shows and so many movies out there it's hard to spend time on anything you don't love. I think that the best way to find a new treasure is to get a recommendation from a friend, so I've asked some of my friends to tell us about their favorites of 2012. Here is our list:


Pat's Favorites

Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity by Katherine Boo

The author spent three years with the residents of a slum near Mumbai’s International Airport.  She has written an amazing book about the daily lives of these people who struggle to survive. It is so interesting to read about these lives on the edge, their hopes and dreams and present ugly reality.  The writing is engrossing – I had to keep reminding myself this was not a novel.

The Dog Stars by Peter Heller

A postapocalyptic novel set in a United States depopulated by disease. The main character is Hig, pilot of a Cessna who is in daily survival mode with his dog and a gun-toting neighbor.  Living with overwhelming loss and the memory of his wife, he risks everything to find love and an emotional connection with life. It has laughter, sorrow, and beauty all knotted together. 

Nancy's favorites

Books

Favorite book/author (new one too)  Jo Nesbo and his Harry Hole series.  Great writing, great characters and a story line that grabs you on page one.

Robert Crais -- Taken.  Read in two days,and also liked John Lescroart's The Hunter vs. The Hunted.  (And learned a lot on some recent history...) Well researched.

TV shows
Revenge - Feels like Dallas for the new millenium, but with better acting and location...(even if it is shot in LA...)
Elementary - quirky, but interesting and Jonny Lee Miller is great.
Downton Abbey - (really, need I say more?) 



Karen's favorites
My favorite book of 2012 was Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.  It is the best, most twisted revenge story ever, such nasty people with nastier impulses, the mind boggles just thinking what else might be curled in Gillian Flynn's head.

Cindy's favorites
Books 
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, by Jamie Ford - great story, and great detail on the history in Seattle.

TV shows
Once Upon a Time - backstory on all the childhood fairy tails and a great bit of magic.
Grimm - see above and I like cop shows.

Loren's Favorites:

Angelmaker and Gone Away World by Nick Harkaway - Here's what I love most about Nick Harkaway: when he writes a novel (this year's Angelmaker or his first novel, The Gone Away World) he's not afraid to go big. Save the world big. Epic love story, adventure of a lifetime big. This novel has: a doomsday clock, a gangster's son with the keys to the London underground, a retired secret service agent with a blind pug in her purse, and (the true key to my heart) bees. 

Angelmaker is a big-hearted novel full of original writing, genre-bending plotting and phenomenal characters who make the whole thing work. Read it. And then go read The Gone Away World and try to decide which one is better.

My favorites:
My favorite book of the year was Winter Palace by Eva Stachniak. It's about two young women -- a maid and a princess who will become Catherine the Great -- and how their lives intertwine. It has politics, sex, murder and intrigue. 

It's hard for me to pick a favorite TV show this year. I love Once Upon a Time and Homeland, I don't think there could be two more vastly different shows on the air. I also love Castle, Downton Abbey and Game of Thrones. I'm still bemoaning the loss of The Closer, but I'm learning to love Major Crimes. 

Now it's time for you to share. What's your favorite from 2012?

Help Laura Give Away Her Money

Laura K. Curtis is giving away money to Donors Choose this week over on Women of Mystery and you can help her do it. All you have to do is go to the blog and comment. How easy is that?

This is to celebrate her new two book contract with InterMix, Penguin's first e-first imprint. Congratulations Laura!



****Update****
I won one of the gift cards (there were ten). My nephews and I will select which project to support and report back to you. You can find your own project to support at DonorsChoose.org. You can also follow them on Twitter @DonorsChoose.

Fontaine House & Ellery Queen

Artwork by Allen Davis

My friend, Terrie Farley Moran, who has been reading Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine forever, has a short story published in this month's issue - her first ever in her favorite magazine. It's called Fontaine House and I had the privilege of reading this fabulous story prior to publication.

Set along Florida's Caloosahatchee River (see map below), Fontaine House follows the misadventures of a wealthy cajun family. I can't tell you anything more. You simply must run to the book store now and get a copy, or download it from your favorite digital purveyor. You can read how she feels about it here.

Once you get your fill of Fontaine House, check out Terrie's book of short stories, called THE AWARENESS and Other Deadly Tales. Terrie blogs over at Women of Mystery and Criminal Element.

I took the photo below the same day I read her story. Being from California, I don't see this type of sign often and it amused me.