WORTHINGTON — Once a longtime resident of Worthington and a former reporter for the Daily Hampshire Gazette covering the Hilltowns, author Joan Livingston knows a thing or two about small New England towns, their residents, the characters, and what can simmer just beneath the surface of these bucolic places.
On Saturday, at 4 p.m. at the Worthington Library, Livingston will read from her new book “Redneck’s Revenge,” a mystery that takes place in a town similar to the Hilltowns of this region. This is the second book in a series of mysteries featuring Isabel Long, a journalist turned sleuth.
In “Redneck’s Revenge,” Long teams up with a private investigator to dig into the possible murder of a ornery junkyard owner. While his death has been officially ruled an accident, his daughter has reason to believe it was murder.
The suspects include a couple of dangerous drug dealing brothers, a rival junkyard owner and an ex-husband.
Teresa Dovalpage, author of “Death Come Through the Kitchen” and “Girl Like Che Guevara,” calls “Rednecks Revenge” “a well-crafted tale of small town secrets.”
“I can’t think of better place to launch a book from this series than the Worthington Library, where my family and I spent so much time when we lived here,” Livingston said.
An award-winning journalist, Livingston began her career at the Gazette in 1985, working as a correspondent covering Worthington and the surrounding towns.
She later became a reporter, editor and columnist at the paper before moving to New Mexico in 2006. There she became an editor, columnist, and most recently the managing editor of The Taos News, which won numerous state and national awards during her tenure.
After 11 years in northern New Mexico, she returned last year to rural western Massachusetts, which is the setting for much of her fiction.
This spring, Livingston also did a reading in Worthington for the first book of her series.
“The reading in May for “Chasing the Case” was so well attended. I appreciated the support shown,” she said.
“Redneck’s Revenge” and “Chasing the Case” will be available at the reading as will other books not included in the series.
Publisher Crooked Cat Books will release “Checking the Traps,” the third in this series, early next year.
The Deer Hill Rod and Gun Club is sponsoring a benefit archery bow shoot and barbeque dinner Saturday.
The event is held in honor of Thomas “T” Bisbee, of Goshen, a passionate archer who died on Sept. 14, 2016, after suffering a heart attack at the age of 17.
Beginners are welcome to join in the fun. The bow shoot begins at 8 a.m. and there will also be a raffle, skill shots, family games during the day and music into the evening.
Hamburgers and hot dogs will be available throughout the day, with a barbeque dinner from 4 to 6 p.m.
Ticket prices are as follows: Bow shoot $20, meal $20, Bow shoot and meal combined is $35 and children under 10 participate for free.
All proceeds go to the KEVS Foundation Inc., whose mission is to educate the public to help prevent sudden cardiac arrest in children and young adults.
WILLIAMSBURG — If you are looking for your next favorite book or perhaps one you would love to read again, you won’t want to miss the upcoming book sale at Meekins Library.
The Friends of the Williamsburg Libraries will hold its annual book sale on Saturday, Oct. 6, and Sunday, Oct. 7, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., at Meekins.
Giving a well-loved book a new home will help support your local libraries and their mission.
Book prices start at only 50 cents. The sale will take place rain or shine.
For more information call: 268-7472.