I love a mystery!

Is it Connelly or Connolly? Is it Michael or is it John? Although they almost sit side by side on our shelves, they are unique in their writing style.

Michael Connelly graduated from the University of Florida. He then went to work for the Daytona Beach News Journal and later at the Fort Lauderdale News and Sun- Sentinel as a crime beat writer. He was one of the reporters who interviewed survivors from the 1985 Delta flight 191 plane crash. That story earned Connelly a place as a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. This honor landed him a job as a crime reporter for the Los Angeles Times.

Michael's first book, “Black Echo,” earned him the Mystery Writers of America Edgar award for best first novel. He shares his personality with his protagonist L.A. Detective Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch. Two other favorite protagonists are Jack McEvoy in “The Poet” and Terry McCaleb in “Blood Work.” These characters often reappear with Bosch in later novels. The “Lincoln Lawyer” was his first legal novel featuring Mickey Haller, Bosch's half-brother.

Several of Connelly's novels have been adapted for television. He is currently producing a TV series for Amazon Studios called “Bosch”. Watch for his latest novel “Dark Sacred Night.”

John Connolly is an Irish writer. He graduated with a MA in journalism from Dublin City University. He spent five years as a freelance journalist for the Irish Times Newspaper, then turned to writing novels. His first, “Every Dead Thing,” introduced “Charlie Parker” private eye and won him the 2000 Shamus Award for Best Private Eye novel. The Charlie Parker series continues today with #18 “The Woman in the Woods” (2018).

Connolly wrote the Samuel Johnson series for young readers, “The Gates,” “The Infernals” and “The Creeps.” He later collaborated with Jennifer Ridyard on the Chronicles of the Invaders and a trilogy for teens: “Conquest,” “Empire,” and “Dominion.”

John was drawn to American crime fiction and was greatly influenced by authors Ross MacDonald, James Lee Burke and Ed McBain.

Michael and John's novels can be found in the mystery, fiction or CD sections of our library.

Happy reading mystery lovers!

Upcoming events

Windjammers for Wee Mateys: Tuesday, June 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., lawn.

Summer Reading Kickoff: Friday, June 29, noon to 2 p.m., lawn. Play games and sign up for summer reading!

Friday Story Hour: Hear a story, make a craft, and sing a song with Miss Pam and Miss Harolyn. 10:15 a.m., ages birth to 5.

Story Time on Demand: Saturdays, 10 a.m. to noon, Children’s Room. Hear a story and make a craft with Miss Harolyn any time on Saturday mornings.

Story Time Picnic: Storytime at Harold Clifford Playground every Thursday this summer, 11 a.m. to noon. Timed to coincide with Healthy Lincoln County/USDA free lunch distribution!