It is almost summer time! Next week is the commencement of Beale Memorial Library's Adult Summer Reading Program MYSTERIOUS CALIFORNIA! We are highlighting The Art of Detection by Laurie King, Sharpshooter: Sunny McCoskey Napa Valley Mystery by Nadia Gordon , Southland by Nina Revoyr, and Shell Games: A John Marquez Crime Novel by Kirk Russell. Each of the four books are set in a California locale. The Art of Detection, a modern day Sherlock Holmes mystery set in San Francisco, will be available May 9th; Sharpshooter, bare witness to murder and mayhem in wine country in this Napa Valley first-in-the series May 23; Southland, re-visit the turbulent Los Angeles history of the 1940's, 1960's, and 1990's June 16; and Shell Games, travel the great north coast for murder, illegal animal hunting, and mystery June 30. Pick up your copy at the Information Desk, first floor. Happy Reading!

In addition to viewing the Adult Summer Reading blog announcements we invite everyone to attend our face to face Mysterious California Book Discussion Group Meetings at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Beale Memorial Library, Tejon Room, 2nd floor, starting June 8th ending July 25th. Bring your questions, thoughts, and enthusiasm to the book discussion meetings this summer. See you at the library for these four book discussions on these exciting and mysterious novels!

The Art of Detection Book Discussion

Set in San Francisco in two different time periods, the 1920's and present day, this suspense who done it will keep you guessing! Who do you think did it?

Sharpshooter Book Discussion

When her eccentric winemaker friend is falsely accused of murdering the heir to a vineyard, Napa Valley chef Sunny McCloskey launches her own investigation into the politics of the wine industry.

Shell Games Book Discussion

Involved in an investigation into an abalone poaching operation that leads to murder, Lieutenant John Marquez discovers that his own life is in danger from Kline, a vicious drug smuggler and abalone poacher with a grudge against Marquez.

Southland Book Discussion

Jackie Ishida, a young Japanese American woman living in Los Angeles, learns of the deaths of four young men in her grandfather's store during the 1965 Watts riot, and sets out to discover the truth about their deaths, along the way uncovering some long-buried family secrets as well.