The history of Book 'Em
As with all good mysteries, Book 'Em was started in 1995 with the reading of a will. Our benefactor, who enjoyed all types of mysteries from the classics to the thrillers, to the hometown cozies, to the psychotics and exotics, to detective and police work in many different countries and lifestyles, wanted to bring together people who enjoyed reading and discussing mysteries. This discussion group would be called "Book 'Em" and is entrusted to pass on this legacy.
Contact us
Book 'Em Mystery Book Club
Peoria Public Library
For information call: 497-2141
Who We Are
We are a fun mystery book club. It is not necessary to read the book to have fun.
We meet
- Eleven months out of the year. July is a vacation month.
- 3rd Sunday of every month except when there is a conflict with a holiday and the change is put on the Bookmark and announced at the prior month's meeting and posted on the website.
- Time is from 2 - 4 p.m. If there is a special program, the time could be adjusted. You are always welcome to come a little earlier or stay a little later to chat.
- Location is at Lakeview Library Branch, 1137 W. Lake Ave. Peoria, IL except for June and August when the Library is closed for the summer on Sundays. June and August are arranged at tother sites and will be on the bookmark, announced and posted on the website. There are times when we arrange for the meeting place to be elsewhere relating to the book being discussed.
- All changes - date, time, and location are determined at the end of the year with the book selection and printed on the bookmark for each member.
- If there are any changes that occur during the year, members are notified if possible, the month before, or by mail, or by email.
- Our book discussions are led by different members each month. After the discussion, we rate the discussion (not how we liked the book).
Book 'Em offers you the following:
- A chance to meet interesting people who share the love of mysteries.
- Suggestion box for ideas for future books or authors to read.
- Information on mystery events, authors and books.
- Occasional guest speakers: authors, professionals related to subject matter, and representatives from the police department.
- Bookmark printed just for our group.
- Paperback book exchange.
Occasional displays set up related to the book being discussed.
2010 Calendar
Book 'Em: Third Sunday of the month at 2 p.m. at Lakeview Branch.
January 17, 2010
Author: Sandra Brown
Book: Smoke Screen
Location: Lakeview Branch Library - 2 p.m.
February 21, 2010
Author: David Rosenfelt
Books: Play Dead
Location: Lakeview Branch Library - 2 p.m.
This month's selection is Play Dead by David Rosenfelt.
Few can rival attorney Andy Carpenter's affection for golden retrievers, especially his own beloved Tara. After he astonishes a New Jersey courtroom by successfully appealing another golden's death sentence, Andy discovers that this gentle dog is a key witness to a murder that took place five years before. Andy pushes the boundaries of the law even further as he struggles to free an innocent man by convincing an incredulous jury to take canine testimony seriously. It will take all the tricks Andy's fertile mind can conceive to get to the bottom of a remarkable chain of impersonations and murder, and save a dog's life--and his own--in the process.
March 21, 2010
Author: Michael Malone
Book: Time's Witness
Location: Lakeview Branch Library - 2 p.m.
The month we will discuss Time's Witness by Michael Malone. Street-smart and straightforward police chief Cuddy Mangum and his refined homicide detective Justin Savile V are determined to keep their town's cultural, political and racial divisions stable...even peaceful. But when a young black activist is murdered while in the process of fighting for his brother's freedom from death row, the lines keeping Hillston, North Carolina, in balance start to crumble.
Thrust into a dirty political campaign and torn between his morals and his love for the wealthy and beautiful wife of an up-and-coming politician, Cuddy must uncover the secrets that lie in his own backyard.
April 18, 2010
Author: C. J. Box
Book: Out of Range
Location: Lakeview Branch Library - 2 p.m.
May 16, 2010
Author: Linwood Barclay
Book: Stone Rain
Location: Lakeview Branch Library - 2 p.m.
June 19, 2010 - Saturday
Author: John Grisham
Book: The Associate
Location: Lakeview Branch Library - 2 p.m.
July 17, 2010 - Saturday
Author: Faye Kellerman
Books: The Mercedes Coffin
Location: Lakeview Branch Library - 2 p.m.
August 21, 2010 - Saturday
Author: James Patterson
Book: The Quickie
Location: Lakeview Branch Library 2 p.m.
September 19, 2010
Author: David Ellis
Book: Life Sentence
Location: Lakeview Branch Library 2 p.m.
October 17, 2010
Author: Michele Scott
Book: Murder by the Glass
Location: Lakeview Branch Library 2 p.m.
November 21, 2010
Author: Elizabeth Becka
Book: Unknown Means
Location: Lakeview Branch Library 2 p.m.
December 12, 2010 - 2nd Sunday
Author: Kate Kingsbury
Book: Decked with Folly
Location: Lakeview Branch Library 2 p.m.
