Library Love Fest is thrilled to share a letter to librarian by Nina Simon, author of Mother-Daughter Murder Night! She details her background in the library world in this compelling piece to librarians.
More about Mother-Daughter Murder Night (on sale 9/5/23): The Maid meets The Last Thing He Told Me in this fun, fresh, and twisty debut whodunnit about a grandmother-mother-daughter trio who come together as amateur sleuths to solve a murder in their coastal California town.
Download an egalley on Edelweiss+ or NetGalley.
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Dear Librarians,
I’m thrilled my debut novel, Mother-Daughter Murder Night, is coming out so soon, September 5, 2023.
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would write a murder mystery. I’ve spent the past two decades working with museums and libraries to build more relevant, joyful community spaces. But I’ve always been a voracious reader. My mom first introduced me to whodunnits as a young girl, at the Buena Vista branch of the Burbank Public Library. My love started with Nancy Drew, but I quickly graduated to my mom’s picks—Sue Grafton, Faye Kellerman, Janet Evanovich. Every week, we’d borrow stacks of books featuring savvy female detectives and pass them back and forth.
When life hit me hard in 2020, I found myself going back to the books that bring me comfort. And then, I decided to try to write my own mystery, with a character like my mom—a tough, smart California businesswoman—as the amateur detective. Now, Mother-Daughter Murder Night is being published, and I can’t wait to share it with you.
Libraries have always been central to my life, both personally as an enthusiastic user and professionally as a designer and advocate for equity and inclusion. Over the past twenty years, I've collaborated with thousands of librarians on in-service days, IMLS projects, and global library conferences. I love visiting my neighborhood branch and volunteering with my local Friends group. And when I’m on the road, I always stop into the public library. I know I’ll find diverse communities and passionate professionals behind your doors.
Some authors dream of bestseller lists. Me? I hope I might someday write a book worthy of a Lucky Day shelf at a public library. I like to imagine a reader walking in, perusing the shelves, stumbling on this story of mothers, daughters, and murder. Mother-Daughter Murder Night brought so much pleasure to me while writing, and I hope this story might bring joy to the readers in your community—and to you, too.
With appreciation,
Nina Simon
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Thank you, Nina, for your heartfelt message to librarians. We know that everyone will love Mother-Daughter Murder Night as much as we do!
Check out Nina's website here.
-Grace
