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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 8, 2015)
Library hosts Valerie Geary Author Jan Bono releases two mysteries for Northwest Author Series New series’ setting resembles the Long Beach Peninsula CANNON BEACH — Valerie Geary, author of “Crooked River,” will be the speaker at the next Northwest Author Series event at the Cannon Beach Library, set for 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. The event is free. Geary’s debut novel, “Crooked River,” is a psy- chological thriller that moves from Eugene to the forests and ¿HOGV RI UXUDO 2UHJRQ *HDU\ grew up in Albany and has a strong connection to its wild places. Now a Portland resi- dent, she spent her childhood outdoors, riding bikes, digging in the garden and tromping through the woods. Her novel focuses on two young sisters, grieving the death of their mother, and ad- justing to the family’s move from the comforts of Eugene to rural Oregon with Bear, their beekeeper father. Soon, their eccentric father is arrest- Submitted photo “Crooked River” by Valerie Geary. ed for murder. Full of emotion and sus- pense, and told in the voices of the two sisters, “Cooked Riv- er” is a powerful debut. The Cannon Beach book Store will have books avail- able for purchase and signing. 5:00 pm Downtown Astoria Every month, year ‘round! Oct 10th Visit Downtown Astoria on the 2nd Saturday of every month for art, music, and general merriment! Presented by the Astoria Downtown Historic District Association astoriadowntown.com facebook/astoriadowntown.com 22 | October 8, 2015 | coastweekend.com LONG BEACH, Wash. and ASTORIA — ³,¶P GH¿QLWHO\ GRLQJ WKH happy dance,” says Jan Bono, author of a cozy new mystery series. “And I’m delighted to share my excitement with readers who’ve been waiting, literally for decades for the ¿UVWWZRERRNVWREHUHOHDVHG´ ³&R]LHV´E\GH¿QLWLRQDUH mysteries often set in small towns. An amateur sleuth, along with an entourage of quirky friends, works with the police department to solve the crime — usually a murder. “But cozies don’t have graphic violence, bad lan- guage or blatant sex,” explains Bono. “What makes them fun to read are the recurring cast of characters and the humorous, borderline slapstick situations LQZKLFKWKH\¿QGWKHPVHOYHV as they wrestle to put together the pieces of the puzzle.” The television show “Mur- der She Wrote” is an excellent example of a cozy mystery se- ries, notes Bono. “My main character, Sylvia Avery, is an early retiree from Child Protective Services. Her closest friends include a se- quined casino lounge singer; a young, gay motel manager; a slightly conservative high school history teacher and the teacher’s retired mentor; the Book signings 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10 Long Beach Coffee Roasters 811 S. Pacific Ave., Long Beach, Wash. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17 3 Cups Coffee House 279 W. Marine Drive, Astoria 360-642-4932 48 readers. Bono hints that the Sandy Bottom Coffee Cup Author Jan Bono holds “Bottom Feeders” referred to in her novels has a and “Starfish,” the first two books in her striking resemblance to Long new Sylvia Avery Mystery series. Beach Coffee Roasters. The second book signing county sheriff and his young- will be Saturday, Oct. 17 at 3 er, handsome deputy; and a Cups Coffee House in Astoria. FKDUWHUERDW¿VKHUPDQ´ The series’ action runs The Sylvia Avery Mystery the entire length of the North series begins with “Bottom Beach Peninsula, from the )HHGHUV´DQG³6WDU¿VK´%RQR southern town of Unity past recommends that these books Tinkerstown and Ocean Crest be read in order. to the Spartina Point Casino Bono has two book sign- and Resort. ings scheduled at local coffee “I had almost too much fun shops, taking place from 10 with place names,” admits Bono. a.m. to 2 p.m.. “I even put a map in the front of 7KH RI¿FLDO UHOHDVH SDUW\ both books in case locals want to will be Saturday, Oct. 10 at double check their geographical Long Beach Coffee Roasters VXVSLFLRQV/HW¶VMXVWVD\P\¿F- in Long Beach, where free tional locales have a tendency to FDNHZLOOEHVHUYHGWRWKH¿UVW imitate real places.” Submitted photo Can you play dead? ASTORIA — The Clatsop County Historical Society is preparing for its ever-popular Talking Tombstones program, which will take place Sunday, Oct. 25. The historical society seeks volunteers to assist in putting on the event. At Talking Tomb- stones, actors portray deceased former citizens in costume who ready for a graveside chat with any and all willing to visit their tombstones. All interested persons ASOC opens ‘True West’ ASTORIA — The Astor Street Opry Company presents “True West,” a play written by Pulit- zer Prize-winning playwright should contact the society Sam Shepard. Directed by Markus Brown, by calling 503-325-2203 or “True West” runs at 7 p.m. Fri- emailing cchs@cumtux.org Clatsop County Historical day and Saturday, Oct. 9 to 24. Society is a 501(C)(3) non- A Sunday matinée is scheduled SUR¿WHGXFDWLRQDORUJDQL]DWLRQ for 2 p.m. Oct. 18. This fall production is a dedicated to preserving and presenting the history of Clat- thought-provoking show geared sop County and the surround- for mature audiences. “True West” takes you into the pri- ing area. The society operates the vate lives of two brothers and Flavel House Museum, the their roller coaster ride of a re- Heritage Museum, the Oregon lationship that built up over 40 Film Museum, and the Up- years. In the play, they are stuck SHUWRZQ)LUH¿JKWHUV0XVHXP together in their mother’s home Historical society seeks volunteers to assist with Talking Tombstones event Bono’s books are written in a slightly larger font size than most standard tomes. “I’m 61,” says Bono. “Most of my friends also have what I call ‘mature eyes.’ And I promised Mom she’d never have to wear her reading glasses to enjoy my books.” Each book costs $15. The books are currently available only through book signings, bazaars and direct communi- cation with the author. An assortment of Bono’s eight other published books will be available at both book signings. “There’s a 10 per- cent discount on three or more different titles,” she says. “Bottom Feeders” and “Starfish” are the first two of a proposed six to eight book series. “I’ve got a rough idea of the plots of the next four books for sure, and already have many pages of notes for book three, which I plan to have out in 2016,” she says. ³%XW ¿UVW WKLQJV ¿UVW DQG I’m hoping to see and visit with many readers over the next two weekends. Good cof- fee and good books — what a perfect combination.” For more information, call 360-642-4932. Long Beach Coffee Roasters is located at 6 3DFL¿F $YH LQ /RQJ Beach, and 3 Cups Coffee House is located at 279 W. Marine Drive in Astoria. with nothing but booze, burnt toast, and the sound of yapping coyotes to occupy their time. Ben VanOsdol portrays Aus- tin, a well-educated struggling writer. Jason Hippert plays Aus- tin’s older brother, Lee, a drifter and a petty thief. Dan Driscol plays Saul, a Hollywood Pro- ducer, and Karen Bain performs as the mother to Austin and Lee. Tickets are $8 to $15. All proceeds go toward helping ASOC fund new productions and activities. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 503-325- 6104 or visit www.astorstreeto- prycompany.com