Staff Picks: Anne Perry and the Murder of the Century

Anne Perry and the Murder of the Century
by Peter Graham
2013

Two teenage girls in 1950s Christchurch, New Zealand develop a very close relationship, which is not unusual, but theirs is a particularly obsessive and controlling relationship. They are incredibly creative, writing stories and creating their own countries and religion. They call actors and imaginary characters that they create The Saints. This would all be very benign, except that they seem to take particular glory in power and regard kindness, compassion, etc. as weakness. 

The parents of the girls conspire to separate them, but they lie about it to the girls, not admitting their secret plan. But one of the mothers openly admits the plan to separate them. Because of her honesty, she is targeted by the girls as a mortal enemy. In a really gruesome scene (and remember, this is a true story!) the two girls bludgeon the woman to death with a brick in a local park. During the murder trial, the girls show no remorse whatsoever. 

One of the girls grows up to be the mystery writer, Anne Perry, and the other girl changes her name to Hilary Nathan and lives a life of religious solitude.

Marian
Librarian
Martinsburg Public Library

CALL NUMBER: 364.1523 Grah.P

American History Online

Today marks the fiftieth anniversary of the historic March on Washington, as well as Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.

The image to the left was found using American History Online, an educational database free for use by any person with a Berkeley County library card. This one is especially helpful for high school students! You can find images like this one, videos, biographies, historical information, academic articles, and more! 

To find this database, just visit the library's website, go to our RESOURCES tab, and click on History. There you will find American History Online. Call the library at (304) 267-8933 for username and password information!

Photo citation: "March on Washington Viewed from the Lincoln Memorial." American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?
ItemID=WE52&iPin=afph0369&SingleRecord=True (accessed August 26, 2013).

ALA Annual Conference 2013

Colleague Kelly Tanksley and I had the opportunity to attend the American Library Association (ALA) Conference earlier this summer. I have attended several conferences, both on the state and national levels, but none have reached the magnitude of this conference.

This year's conference returned to its home base of Chicago, headquarters for the ALA home office. Held in the McCormick Center adjacent to the Hyatt-Regency, the conference reported nearly 23,000 attendees with over 700 companies represented by another almost 6,200 plus vendors. This surpassed the rather lack luster past two conferences.

The organization of this event was amazing! Registration took all of three seconds, then we were off to the convention. Row after row of vendors and authors filled the exhibit hall. Major themes of the event included streaming vs. downloading of books and movies, with the emphasis being on streaming.

When considering furnishings for either new or existing libraries, vendors see the need for moveable tables and bookshelves. This mirrors many communities' concept that libraries not only offer books and computers but serve as a meeting place as well. Libraries can no longer survive by only filling the traditional roles of providing print materials.

"Libraries not only offer books and computers but serve as a meeting place as well."

Circulation desks are downsizing as well. Many libraries are opting for self-checkout stations which have also been downsized. Self-checkout kiosks are the wave of the future.

The 3-D printer was of major interest to the many library professionals. Just feed in a concept document and have a 3-D product that can be held in one's hand.

As with any convention, networking is an important part of the activities. I finally met my original sales representative from Mango Languages, ran into our sales representative, Mike, from Overdrive, and had the good fortune to talk with Annette Murphy, owner of The Library Corporation and Tom Loy who works for its sister company Tech Logic.

My director, Pamela Coyle, once said that every librarian should attend an ALA conference once in his/her life. I beg to differ. More than one visit is necessary! The first conference provides the WOW factor. The second conference is when one is able to focus, understand, and absorb what the conference is all about.

Carolyn Leporini
Martinsburg Public Library

Learn Languages with Mango!

Mango is an online language-learning system that can help you learn languages like Spanish, French, Japanese, Brazilian, Portuguese, German, Mandarin Chinese, Greek, Italian, and more.

To find Mango Languages from the library's website just click on Resources, then Educational Pursuits. You will find Mango Languages in the list of database links listed.

When you get to Mango Languages' main page, type your library card number in the box given. Click Start Learning. This will allow you access to language tutorials. You may also create a profile so that you can easily keep track of your progress as you learn.

As always, if you have questions or need help getting started, call us at the Reference Desk of MPL at (304) 267-8933. Hasta la vista!



Read-A-Likes: Janet Evanovich

 
If you enjoy reading Janet Evanovich, you might also enjoy the following authors' books...

Tim Cockey
"With its blue-collar Baltimore setting, engaging and quirky characters, outrageous situations, and conversational tone, Tim Cockey's Hitchcock Sewell Mysteries offer a great alternative for Janet Evanovich fans. Just be warned that instead of a female bounty hunter, you'll be getting a charming and smart-mouthed bachelor...who happens to be an undertaker." Shauna Griffin

Try...
 
Murder in the Hearse Degree
M? C666mu

Sarah Strohmeyer
"Bubbles Yablonsky, Sarah Strohmeyer's hairdresser/reporter/sleuth, emerges from Lehigh, Pennsylvania, to rival Stephanie Plum. Strohmeyer knows urban neighborhoods and uses them, as Evanovich does, to reveal a cast of quirky secondary characters. There's a little romance here and plenty of action, not to mention the requisite smart-mouthed dialog." Krista Biggs  

Try...
 
Bubbles in Trouble
M? S919bu 

Laura A. H. DiSilverio
"Readers who appreciate Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books for the zany humor that lightens the mystery may like new author Laura DiSilverio. She also writes humorous mysteries featuring a quirky and likeable female protagonist." Rebecca Sigmon

Try...
 
Swift Justice
MYS Disi.L 

Tori Carrington
"Both authors write contemporary romance as well as very popular mystery novels set in ethnic neighborhoods. Regardless of genre, these are character-driven, upbeat and humorous works with engaging settings, quirky supporting characters, and independent, outspoken women." Lynne Welch 

Try...
 
Foul Play
M?C318fo

David Rosenfelt 
"David Rosenfelt's Legal Thrillers featuring dog-loving New Jersey attorney Andy Carpenter have the snappy banter, fast-paced story lines, humor, and intriguing characters that make Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books so appealing. There's even a love interest!" Shauna Griffin

Try...
 
Down to the Wire
MYS Rose.D 

Mary Kay Andrews
"Those who enjoy Mary Kay Andrews for her humorous, strong-willed, yet often flawed female characters will enjoy the stand-alone novels of Janet Evanovich. While Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series also features this type of main character, her stand-alone novels are more in keeping with Andrews' humorous, romantic tales." Nanci Milone Hill

Try...
 
Hissy Fit
F A568hi 

(Recommendations from NoveList Plus readers.)